HL Deb 26 November 1996 vol 576 c12WA
Lord Holme of Cheltenham

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many women serve in the Royal Ulster Constabulary; what proportion of the RUC they represent; what proportion of each of the major branches of the RUC they represent; and how the average age and length of service of women in the RUC compares with that of men in the RUC.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Northern Ireland Office (Baroness Denton of Wakefield):

At 31st October 1996, the number of women serving in the Royal Ulster Constabulary was:

Regulars: 899 (10.6 per cent.)

Full-Time Reserve: 151 (5.1 per cent.)

Part-Time Reserve: 532 (35.8 per cent.)

Women are represented in Departments/Regions of the Force as detailed below:

Percentage
ACPO Ranks 0
Command Secretariat 16.7
A Department (Administration) 9.2
B Department (Personnel and Training) 9.7
C Department (Crime) 15.5
D Department (Operational Support) 1.4
E Department (Special Branch) 10.3
F Department (Press Office) 13.5
G Department (Complaints and Discipline) 15.5
M Department (Management Support) 11.3
North Region 12.5
South Region 10.3
Urban Region 9.9

The average age and service of women in the RUC (at 31.10.96) compared to men is set out below:

Average age/service Men Women
Regulars 39/14 34/9
FTR 39/11 33/3
PTR 41/13 35/7