HC Deb 19 March 1984 vol 56 cc380-2W
Mr. William Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what cash limits were set for Royal Ulster Constabulary overtime in each of the last three years or financial years and the current year; if they were exceeded; and by how many hours.

Mr. Scott

[pursuant to his reply, 13 March 1984, c. 135]: The financial provision in the annual estimates of the Police Authority for Northern Ireland and the actual expenditure on police overtime during the four financial years in question, was as follows:

Year Financial provision Actual expenditure
£ £
1980–81 22,940,000 25,431,000
1981–82 26,290,000 38,745,000
1982–83 30,930,000 36,383,000
1983–84 33,350,000 *30,000,000
* Estimate to 31 January 1984.

The excess of man hours worked over estimated hours was:

Year Hours
1980–81 160,000
1981–82 2,250,000
1982–83 1,010,000
1983–84 *Nil
* As of 31 January 1984.

Mr. William Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what were the total hours worked by the Royal Ulster Constabulary in each of the last three years or financial years for which figures are available; what was the average per officer; and by how many hours the figure per officer exceeded the standard number of hours per year.

Mr. Scott

[pursuant to his reply, 13 March 1984, c. 135]: The total number of hours worked by the Royal Ulster Constabulary and Royal Ulster Constabulary full-time Reserve during each of the last three financial years was as follows:

Year Hours
1980–81 19,560,000
1981–82 22,820,000
1982–83 22,330,000

Records of the hours of duty worked by the Royal Ulster Constabulary do riot include statistics on the average hours worked per member each year.