§ Miss Devlinasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether he will take steps to ensure that no persons named or indicated in Disturbances in Northern Ireland, N.I., Command Paper No. 532, a copy of which has been sent to him, as participating in or contributing to disturbances shall be eligible for membership of the new auxiliary security force unless a full investigation of their alleged activities justifies such enrolment;
(2) whether the person or body responsible for recruitment of members to the new auxiliary security force will be instructed to pay account to other allegations made against members of the present Ulster Special Constabulary before such members are accepted into the new auxiliary security force.
(3) whether current members of the Ulster Special Constabulary will automatically become members of the new auxiliary security force.
§ Mr. HealeyCurrent members of the Ulster Special Constabulary and other members of the community in Northern Ireland will have an opportunity to apply to join either a new police reserve or a new locally recruited military force. Certain requirements as to age and physical fitness will be laid down. In accordance with normal military practice no person known to be unsuitable will be enlisted into the new force. In particular, men with unsatisfactory references or a recent criminal record, and214W men awaiting trial on a criminal charge will not be enlisted.
§ Miss Devlinasked the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the criteria for enrolment in the proposed new Northern Ireland auxiliary security force are to be established by the General Officer in Command of British Forces in the area.
§ Mr. HealeyThe criteria governing enrolment in the new force will follow the normal pattern. They will be laid down in legislation and in regulations under it made by me; they will be supplemented as necessary by administrative instructions.