§ Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many of the civil servants in Northern Ireland Departments are posted there because of the reorganisation of local government;
(2) what charges have been made in the control and administration of the Royal Military Police serving with the Royal Ulster Constabulary; what representations have been received from the Northern Ireland Police Federation and 642W other bodies and individuals; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesI shall write to the hon. Member.
§ Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what special accommodation has been, and is being, obtained, or built for United Kingdom civil servants; and what is the cost to public funds.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesNo office accommodation has been, or is being, obtained or built especially for United Kingdom civil servants. The accommodation provided by the adaptation of Stormont House for overnight use by Ministers and their staffs, and an adjoining office annex to be built, are planned to meet the overall future needs of public administration in Northern Ireland.
Housing is provided, in accordance with Civil Service regulations, for United Kingdom civil servants of the Northern Ireland Office serving on detached duty in Northern Ireland. The cost of such housing purchased to date by the Department of the Environment is about £600,000.
§ Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will tabulate the special allowances and bonus payments payable to United Kingdom civil servants working in Northern Ireland; and what is the total cost to public funds.
§ Mr. Charles R. MorrisI have been asked to reply.
No special allowances or bonus payments are paid to United Kingdom civil servants working in Northern Ireland. Officers who have been transferred to Northern Ireland on public interest terms before 1st April 1962 and who have maintained a substantial personal link with Great Britain since the date of transfer and all officers on public interest terms since 1st April 1962 and officers who, having been recruited outside the Province were sent there on first appointment since 1st April 1962 may, after serving a minimum period of 12 months in the Province, be reimbursed the return cost of conveying the officer, his wife and dependent children and motor car by sea ferry from Northern Ireland to Great Britain once a year. They may also be 643W granted boarding school or guardianship allowance on the same basis as a United Kingdom civil servant sent on an overseas tour of duty if their children are left at a boarding school or in the care of a guardian in the United Kingdom.