§ Mr. SalterTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when she intends to publish Sir Louis Blom-Cooper's Sixth Annual Report as Independent Commissioner for the Holding Centres.[82305]
§ Marjorie MowlamI have today arranged for copies of Sir Louis Blom-Cooper's Annual Report for 1998 to be placed in the Library.
I welcome the Report and am glad to note that, again, the Commissioners have found nothing untoward in the care and treatment of detainees held in the custody of uniformed officers of the RUC.
The Government and the Chief Constable of the RUC look forward to the day when the Holding Centres are no longer needed; I keep the position under regular review, in conjunction with the Chief Constable.
Meantime, I have reappointed Sir Louis and Dr. Bill Norris as Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner respectively. The reappointments will run from 1 April 1999 nominally until 30 September 2000, subject to review.
I am grateful to Sir Louis and Bill Norris for their work. I shall study their recommendations carefully and respond as soon as possible.