§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what legislative proposals he has in respect of the RUC in the current parliamentary Session. [2735]
§ Sir John WheelerThe following measures in the Police Bill published by my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department on 1 November will extend to Northern Ireland
the placing of the national criminal intelligence service on a statutory basis;the placing of police intrusive surveillance operations on a statutory footing;the placing of the police information technology organisation on a statutory basisthe creation of a criminal records agency.The Government are continuing work on the proposals set out in the White Paper "Foundations for Policing" (Cm 3249) published in May 1996. However, no timetable has yet been set for the introduction of legislation to implement the White Paper.