HC Deb 26 July 1978 vol 954 cc824-5W
Mr. Wm. Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a table in the Official Report showing the numbers of police in the Royal Ulster Constabulary traffic branch, the number of police engaged in plain-clothes duty, the number of members of the Special Branch and the total number of policemen and policewomen at 1st April for each year since 1st April 1968.

Mr. Mason

Records of the RUC strengths relate to the position at the beginning of each year. The available information on this basis is as follows:

to the hon. Member for Melton on 1st July 1976 that he was satisfied with the co-ordination between the Secretary of State for Trade and the Secretary of State for the Environment in matters relating to construction exports because both Secretaries of State were advised by the Construction Exports Advisory Board, he remains satisfied since the disbandment of the Construction Exports Advisory Board in February 1978; and by what methods he now ensures proper departmental co-ordination.

The Prime Minister

Yes. The work of the Construction Exports Advisory Board has been taken on by the Overseas Projects Board of the British Overseas Trade Board and by the National Consultative Council Working Group on Exports. Officials of the Department of the Environment and the Department of Trade attend meetings of both bodies. These arrangements and continuing liaison between officials ensure proper departmental co-ordination.