HC Deb 17 November 1982 vol 32 cc188-9W
Mr. William Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many applications have been received from persons (a) male and (b) female who wished to join the Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve in each of the Royal Ulster Constabulary divisions G, H, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, R, and Greater Belfast in the past 12 months and the previous 12 months; in each case how many applicants passed the tests set; of these in each case how many were offered a place in the Royal Ulster Constabulary; and how many were not offered a place although the Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve in that division was under strength.

Mr. John Patten

During the 12-month period ended 31 October 1982 the RUC received a total of 2,013 applications to join the reserve, 2,004 from men and nine from women. Of those applying, 743 men and 2 women were recruited. In the previous 12-month period 2,821 applications were received, 2,652 from men and 169 from women. Of those applying, 886 men and six women were accepted. Further information, and figures on a divisional basis, could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. William Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the average number of hours worked by each (a) male and (b) female member of the Royal Ulster Constabulary per month in September 1982, October 1982 and in the same months in 1981 and 1971.

Mr. John Patten

This information is not available in the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, the information available on average hours worked is as follows:

1982 1981 1971
September 212 219 253
October *N/A 222 260

* Records of hours worked are logged on four-week rotas; figures therefore relate to four-week duty schedules not calendar months.

Mr. William Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether any reduction in the hours off duty performed by the Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve, male and female, has taken place since the beginning of 1982; and whether any such reduction has been spread equally across all Royal Ulster Constabulary divisions.

Mr. John Patten

This information is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, membership of the Royal Ulster Constabulary reserve has increased since the beginning of 1982 and the total number of hours worked by the reserve has risen during the same period.

Mr. William Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the average number of hours worked by each (a) male and (b) female member of the Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve part-time and full-time in the months of September 1982, October 1982 and in the same months in 1981 and 1971

Mr. John Patten

This information is not available in the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

However the information available on average hours worked is as follows:

1982 1981
Full-time reserve
September* 215 222
October* N/A 218
Part-time reserve
September 34 42
October N/A 42

* Records of hours worked by the full-time reserve are logged on four-week rates; figures therefore relate to four-week duty schedules, not calendar months.

The full-time reserve was not established in 1971 and during September and October that year the part-time reserve was confined to training only.

Mr. William Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserves personnel (a) male and (b) female were serving on 1 November 1982, 1981 and 1971 specifying in each case the number who were (i) full time and (ii) part time; and what is his projection for 12 months ahead.

Mr. John Patten

The information is as follows:

Full-time Part-time
1 November 1981
Male 1,986 2,315
Female 18 523
1 November 1982
Male 2,153 2,277
Female 8 460

The strength of the part-time RUC reserve on 31 December 1971 was 1,369 men. The future manpower requirements of the Royal Ulster Constabulary reserve have recently been examined, but no final decisions reached.

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