HL Deb 16 July 1991 vol 531 cc7-8WA
Lord Dunleath

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What are the complements of full-time medical officers and full-time trained welfare officers (a) in the Royal Ulster Constabulary and (b) in the Ulster Defence Regiment and how these compare with the equivalent complements in other regiments of the army.

The Earl of Arran

I am advised by my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland that the police authority for Northern Ireland has an establishment of two medical officers and 12 welfare officers.

Each battalion of the Ulster Defence Regiment is established for one part-time medical officer. Similarly, each regular army battalion is established for one full-time medical officer.

Each commanding officer in both regular and UDR battalions is responsible for the welfare of the men and women under his command. In the regular army the unit families officer has particular responsibility for welfare of the families. His UDR counterpart is entitled the welfare officer, although he has other additional duties. There is one welfare officer for each UDR battalion and a regimental welfare officer.