§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent representations HM Government have received from(a) political parties in Northern Ireland, (b) other Governments and (c) other interested parties concerning the reform of the Royal Ulster Constabulary; and if he will make a statement. [102623]
§ Mr. Ingram:[holding answer 16 December 1999]: Since 9 September the Government has held 14 meetings with Northern Ireland political parties to discuss police reform. Nearly all of the political parties have also provided written submissions. Meetings have also been held with the Irish Government and there have been 32 meetings with other interested parties. In addition a large number of written submissions and calls to the freephone number have been received.
Formal consultation about the proposals in the Patten Report has now ended. The Government is considering all the comments and representations it has received, before coming to decisions about the way forward.