§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will assess the benefits of using the concept of institutional(a) sectarianism and (b) anti-nationalism within the context of reforming policing in Northern Ireland. [80723]
§ Mr. IngramThe Government consider equality of treatment and respect for different cultures as fundamental aspects of the ethos of any police service.
The terms of reference of the Independent Commission on policing, as established by the Good Friday Agreement, require the Commission to make proposals designed to ensure that policing arrangements, including composition, recruitment, training, culture, ethos and symbols, are such that the police service in Northern Ireland can enjoy widespread support from, and be seen as an integral part of, the community as a whole.
The Commission is consulting widely, and will report this Summer. The Government look forward to receiving the Commission's report.