§ Mr. Eldon Griffithsasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what arrangements he makes for inspection of the Royal Ulster Constabulary; what are the statutory requirements for such inspections; when the last inspection was carried out and by whom; and if he will place a copy of Her Majesty's inspector's report in the Library.
§ Mr. John PattenUnder the provisions of section 16 of the Police Act (Northern Ireland) 1970, as modified by the Northern Ireland (Modification of Enactments—No. 1) Order 1973, the Secretary of State may appoint an inspector of constabulary to inspect and report to him on the efficiency of either the Royal Ulster Constabulary as a whole or on particular aspects of Royal Ulster Constabulary activity. Such inspections are undertaken by Her Majesty's inspector of constabulary responsible for the north western region, and the most recent one was carried out in 1981. In keeping with the procedure in England and Wales, it is not the practice to publish the contents of inspector's reports.