§ Mr. Carsonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what was the total amount in salaries from 1st January 1974 to 31st December 1975 to the full-time RUC engaged in police community work;
(2) how many members of the RUC were in full-time community police work from 1st January 1974 to 31st December 1975; and what are ranks of the officers holding these positions.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThe accounts of the Northern Ireland Office, in common with other Government Departments, are based upon financial years rather than calendar years. In the financial year 1st April 1974 to 31st March 1975 the pay and allowances of the RUC Community Relations Branch amounted to £100,970. During this period the average strength of the branch was 18, made up as follows: one chief inspector, six inspectors, seven sergeants, four constables.
In the current financial year it is estimated that the pay and allowances of the branch will be £265,750. During this period the average strength of the branch 844W has been 43, made up as follows: one superintendent, one chief inspector, eight inspectors, 14 sergeants, 19 constables.
§ Mr. Carsonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the total amount of expenditure by the RUC Community Relations Branch in North Belfast from 1st January 1973 to 31st December 1975.
§ Mr. Merlyn Rees,pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 19th February 1976; Vol. 905, c. 801], gave the following information:
All members of the RUC and the RUC Reserve are encouraged to devote some of their time to community relations work. I gave in reply today to other Questions from the hon. Member the number of RUC officers engaged full-time in this work and the total finance directly available to them. It would not, however, be appropriate or practical to relate the expenditure to any particular geographical area.
§ Mr. Carsonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the total amount of finance available to the RUC Community Relations Branch from 1st January 1974 to 31st December 1975.
§ Mr. Merlyn Rees, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 19th February 1976; Vol. 905, c. 801], gave the following information:
The accounts of the Northern Ireland Office, in common with other Government Departments, are based upon financial years rather than calendar years. £20,000 was available, within the grant to the Police Authority for Northern Ireland, to the RUC Community Relations Branch in the financial year 1st April 1974 to 31st March 1975 and £25,000 in the current financial year. This is used to purchase, for example, sporting and camping equipment, record players and records, grants to youth clubs, provision of refreshments, and the hire of local halls for community meetings.