§ Mr. Nigel EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he will publish the report by Dr. Marcus Hayes into the police complaints system in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [12587]
§ Sir Patrick MayhewI have received Dr. Maurice Hayes's wide-ranging review of the police complaints system in Northern Ireland and I am publishing it today. Copies have been placed in the Library of the House and in the Vote Office.
The review is a substantial document containing many recommendations for changing the current police complaints system. The Government will be considering it, in discussion with those most directly affected, before responding formally. I do not, however, expect his process to be protracted.
Even without the benefit of this in-depth consideration, it is clear that the recommendations are well thought out and convincing. The Government welcome this thorough and important review of a difficult area.
I should like to record my thanks to Maurice Hayes for undertaking the task and for producing such an excellent document. Thanks too should go to those who advised and assisted him, particularly those in the police, the Independent Commission for Police Complaints and the Police Authority, but there were obviously many others.
Dr. Hayes has clearly gone to a great deal of effort to consult, and indeed to consult widely, and I would expect his review to be well received in Northern Ireland and further afield.