§ Mr. Stratton Millsasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will detail the procedure for admission into the Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve; and if he will give the average time it takes for the process to be completed.
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeWhen a preliminary inquiry is received, an application form is forwarded together with a leaflet explaining the conditions of service. Once the completed application form is returned, arrangements are made for the candidate to sit the educational entrance examination—unless he already has suitable educational qualifications. If the candidate meets the required educational standard, he is interviewed at his home by the local recruiting officer, and any necessary enquiries are made. Finally the candidate appears before a selection board.
In straightforward cases the average lapse of time between application and notification of a decision on selection is about a month, but in other cases it may be six to eight weeks. The transfer of responsibility for the processing of applications to the Royal Ulster Constabulary recruiting branch will, it is hoped, reduce considerably the time taken to complete the process.