§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many members of the RUC and RUC reserve are currently estimated to be Catholics; how many people were recruited to the RUC and RUCR in 1989; and what proportion of those recruits were Catholics.
§ Mr. Cope[ holding answer 4 July 1990]: I am advised by the Chief Constable that at 1 January 1990, 855 members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary and its reserves were perceived to be Roman Catholic. The religion of a further 388 officers could not be determined.
In 1989, 556 officers were recruited to the RUC and its reserves. Seven per cent. of these were perceived to be Roman Catholic and a further 5.4 per cent. could not be determined.