HC Deb 27 July 1972 vol 841 cc362-3W
55. Mr. Mather

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list his reponsibilities for the police forces in Northern Ireland.

Mr. Channon

My right hon. Friend's main functions in relation to the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve in Northern Ireland are to be found in the Police Act (Northern Ireland), 1970, as applied by Section 1(1) of the Northern Ireland (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1972. They are as follows:

  1. 1. appointment and termination of Membership of the Police Authority for Northern Ireland;
  2. 2. the making of regulations in relation to property transferred to the Police Authority;
  3. 3. approval of the maximum number of each rank of the police force;
  4. 4. approval of the appointment of officers of the Royal Ulster Constabulary to a rank higher than chief superintendent;
  5. 5. approval of a decision to call upon a senior officer—that is, higher than chief super-intendent—to retire in the interests of efficiency;
  6. 6. requiring the chief constable where necessary to refer a complaint by a member of the public against a member of the police force to a tribunal;
  7. 7. the appointment of an inspector or inspectors of constabulary;
  8. 8. determining the constitution of the Police Advisory Board for Northern Ireland;
  9. 9. the making of regulations for the Police Association for Northern Ireland;
  10. 10. the making of regulations on the government, administration and conditions of service of the police force;
  11. 11. the approval of estimates of the receipts and payments of the Police Authority;
  12. 12. the payment to the Police Authority of such sums as are necessary to defray approved expenditure.

He has no functions in relation to other police forces in Northern Ireland.

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