HC Deb 07 December 1989 vol 163 c318W
Mr. Mallon

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people claiming Irish nationality are currently employed as(a) full-time members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary and (b) members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary reserve.

Mr. Cope

The Chief Constable of the RUC had advised me that the information is not available in the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Mallon

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the total number of people whose applications for employment for the post of traffic warden were refused by the Northern Ireland police authority on the grounds that they did not hold British nationality since 1980.

Mr. Cope

The Police Authority for Northern Ireland has advised me that the total number is not known as records are not maintained in the form requested. However, the hon. Member will be aware that one recent application has been refused on nationality grounds.

Mr. Mallon

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the total number of people who were refused employment as full-time members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary on the grounds that they did not hold British nationality since 1980.

Mr. Cope

This information is not available. People, including those who are not British citizens, are eligible for appointment to the Royal Ulster Constabulary or any other United Kingdom police force providing that they are able to fulfil the criteria set out in my answer to the right hon. Member for Strangford (Mr. Taylor) in theOfficial Report on 16 November 1989, at column 401.