§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland why the conditions of service of the Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve were changed so that those elected to public office were no longer eligible; and how many candidates for public office, or those elected to public office, have left the reserve as a result of this provision.
§ Mr. AlisonUnder the Royal Ulster Constabulary (Appointment and Conditions of Service) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1973, the Chief Constable has power to make directions applying to the RUC Reserve. Instructions issued by the Chief Constable under those regulations provide that members of the full-time Reserve may not take an active part in politics. The position of part-time members used to be reviewed on an individual basis. The Chief Constable has recently decided, in order to establish consistency throughout the force, that a similar policy should apply to part-time members of the Reserve. I understand that two part-time Reservists have resigned and the resignation of a third member has been requested as a result of engagement by those members in political activity. The officers concerned had been made aware of the present Force policy.