§ Mrs. CaltonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what estimate he has made of how long the recruitment quota for the Police Service for Northern Ireland will be necessary; what criteria he will use when determining whether it should continue; and if he will make a statement; [13978]
(2) if he will stop the use of mandatory quotas for recruitment to the Police Service for Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement [13979]
§ Jane KennedyThe temporary provisions in the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000 enabling the recruitment of 50 per cent. Roman Catholic and 50 per cent. non-Catholic (50:50 recruitment) from the pool of qualified candidates are subject to review and a renewal by order30W in Parliament every three years. The first review will be due in March 2004. In considering whether to renew the provisions, the Secretary of State will have regard to the progress which has been made towards securing a representative police service in Northern Ireland. He will consult as required under the Act.