HC Deb 01 July 1986 vol 100 c515W
Mr. Proctor

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 24 June, Official Report, columns 120–1, to the hon. Member for Billericay, if he will specify the number of factors which the Royal Ulster Constabulary Chief Constable has to take into account when deciding whether or not a request to visit a Royal Ulster Constabulary station should be refused.

Mr. Scott

I understand that the main factors which the Chief Constable considers are(a) the current operational commitments of the force, (b) the nature and purpose of the visit and (c) the number of requests for visits at any given time.

Mr. Proctor

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 24 June, Official Report, columns 120–2, to the hon. Member for Billericay, how many requests to visit Royal Ulster Constabulary stations concerning guests of his Department were (a) made by his Department and (b) refused by the Royal Ulster Constabulary Chief Constable in the years to the end of May 1986 and to the end of May 1985.

Mr. Scott

It is not my practice to give details of my correspondence with the Chief Constable.