§ Mr. ButlerTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he has reached a decision on the Royal Ulster Constabulary's manpower bid.
§ Mr. BrookeI have today conveyed to the Police Authority for Northern Ireland the statutory approval required under section 6 of the Police Act (Northern Ireland) 1970 for an increase in the total strength of the RUC regular force from 8,250 to 8,489 and of the full-time RUC reserve from 3,000 to 3,202. My approval of this increase in the RUC establishment of 441 extra officers endorses the decision of the Police Authority for Northern Ireland to support in full the Chief Constable's request for additional manpower. It will now be for the authority and the Chief Constable to make arrangements for the new officers to be recruited and trained; but I understand that it will be possible for that process to start immediately.