§ Mr. William RossTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a table showing the number and ranks of officers presently serving in the RUC694W fraud squad; what formal qualifications such officers have in accountancy and law; and what further expertise in these fields would normally be available to them.
§ Mr. Mates[holding answer 27 October 1992]: I understand that at present the established strength of the squad is 17 officers. Their ranks are as follows:
Number Chief Inspector 1 Inspector 2 Sergeant 5 Constable 9 Fraud squad officers are not required to have formal qualifications in accountancy or law, although one officer has a degree in accountancy; but those in and selected for the squad must have an aptitude for this type of investigatory work. All officers attached to the RUC fraud squad receive the training necessary for their duties and members of the squad regularly attend comprehensive training courses organised at United Kingdom level.
Expertise from other relevant professional organisa-tions, including the accountancy and legal professions, is drawn upon whenever necessary to ensure the fullest possible investigation of suspected fraud.