§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many officers of the Royal Ulster Constabulary were assigned to investigate allegations of irregularities in North Eastern education and library board contracting from June 1986 until August 1987; what was the level of qualification and experience within the Royal Ulster Constabulary of each officer involved in this investigation; how many man-hours were spent by each investigating officer on the assignment; how many witnesses were interviewed by Royal Ulster Constabulary officers; how many miles were travelled by Royal Ulster Constabulary officers investigating the allegations from June 1986 until 31 March 1987; and whether, in the period 1 April 1987 until August 1987, the investigating officers completed reports on hours worked, miles travelled and so on, throughout the period of the investigation.
§ Mr. CopeThe Chief Constable has informed me that two officers from the RUC's serious crime squad were assigned to this investigation assisted as necessary by other officers and that all the officers involved were appropriately qualified for their work. I regret that the other particulars requested are not readily available.