HC Deb 25 March 1987 vol 113 cc173-4W
Mr. McLoughlin

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about the accompaniment of military patrols by Royal Ulster Constabulary officers.

Technical Co-operation and Training Programme (ODA)
1981–82 1982–83 1983–84 1984–85 1985–86
Country Expenditure £ Awards Expenditure £ Awards Expenditure £ Awards Expenditure £ Awards Expenditure £ Awards
Central America
Belize 102,300 34 93,100 30 77,597 18 93,500 19 131,800 18
Costa Rica 132,500 35 141,200 30 121,059 32 149,400 26 161,100 28
El Salvador 17,600 7 1,700 1
Guatemala 4,600 2
Honduras 18,600 6 25,600 6 56,458 10 31,600 8 65,800 14
Mexico 576,300 131 470,200 105 397,207 92 299,000 67 502,900 74
Nicaragua 18,300 3 17,416 3 20,200 3
Panama 60,300 14 48,800 11 38,399 10 51,200 9 62,700 14
Total Central America 912,200 229 798,900 186 708,136 165 644,900 132 924,300 148

Mr. Tom King

It has been for some years the policy of the Chief Constable, which I fully endorse, that wherever resources and circumstances permit, military patrols which are likely to come into contact with the public should be accompanied by RUC officers. This is a reflection of the policy established in 1976 and subsequently reinforced that the police are in the lead in the fight against terrorism, with the Army providing the essential military support.

I understand from the Chief Constable that in applying this policy his operational commanders take into account the function of the military patrol, the area in which it will operate, and the availability of police resources. Priority is therefore given to areas which the local commander knows to be sensitive, where contact with the public is particularly likely, and where a police presence is likely to be particularly helpful in preventing crime and enforcing the law.

I know that it is the Chief Constable's aim to develop and extend the policy wherever circumstances and resources allow.