HL Deb 12 December 1991 vol 533 cc40-1WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have paid £134,000 in compensation to settle 58 claims alleging cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment of suspects under arrest or held at Castlereagh, Northern Ireland, since June 1989; if not, what sums of compensation have been paid, and how many claims are still outstanding; and what action is being taken in respect of police officers responsible for maltreatment of suspects.

The Paymaster General (Lord Belstead)

The police authority for Northern Ireland is the body responsible for paying compensation on behalf of the RUC. It does not hold the information in the form requested which could only be obtained from existing records at disproportionate cost.

Where misconduct by a police officer is alleged, a full investigation is carried out by the RUC's complaints and discipline branch. The Independent Commission for Police Complaints may also be involved in supervising the investigation of such complaints.