HC Deb 16 July 1992 vol 211 cc917-8W
Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the value of lay visitors to police stations in Northern Ireland.

Mr. Mates

The lay visiting scheme was established by the Police Authority for Northern Ireland in April 1991. It is non-statutory and was set up to enable members of the community to observe, comment and report upon the welfare of persons in police custody and the operation by the police of the rules under the police and criminal evidence legislation governing the welfare of those held in custody in police stations. The scheme constitutes an important and effective element in promoting community confidence in the police and has demonstrably been a success.

Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the cost of the lay visitor system in Northern Ireland.

Mr. Mates

I understand from the Police Authority for Northern Ireland that during the financial year 1991–92 the approximate cost of administering the lay visiting scheme was £27,000.

Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many visits were made by lay visitors to police stations in Northern Ireland.

Mr. Mates

I understand from the Police Authority for Northern Ireland that from April 1991, when the lay visiting scheme was established, to 31 March 1992, 230 visits were made to designated police stations.

Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many lay visitors have attended police holding centres in Northern Ireland; and what is the number of lay visitors in Northern Ireland.

Mr. Mates

The Police Authority for Northern Ireland currently has 46 lay visitors, none of whom has visited the holding centres since their terms of reference apply only to police stations designated under the police and criminal evidence legislation.