§ Sir John Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list his powers in relation to giving directions to the Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary.
§ Mr. Tom KingThe Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary operates under the law. He is not552W subject to direction by the Secretary of State in the operational control of the force. The Secretary of State does have powers of direction in relation to certain administrative areas, for example, under article 37(3) of the Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 1981. However, a definitive list of such powers is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.