§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on policing structures in Northern Ireland.
§ Sir Patrick MayhewFollowing my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary's examination of policing structures in England and Wales and the report of the Sheehy inquiry, I have examined the operation of the tripartite policing structure in Northern Ireland and believe that some change is necessary.
1054WThe present arrangements date back almost a quarter of a century and were designed for very different circumstances. In present conditions, they make it difficult to ensure the police are fully accountable to the concerns and needs of the community as a whole, and to achieve the most effective and efficient use of the considerable resources allocated by Government to the police service in Northern Ireland.
The Government believe that substantial improvements can be achieved in the effectiveness and responsiveness of policing in Northern Ireland by strengthening and rationalising each part of the structure. I accordingly intend to publish a paper setting out views on how to redefine the roles and responsibilities of each of the parties and strengthen lines of accountability, in line with the principles of the citizens charter. The Government are firmly committed to the continuance in Northern Ireland of a tripartite structure of policing, to sustaining the operational independence of the RUC in exercising responsibilities for law enforcement and to ensuring that the Chief Constable is properly accountable to the community in Northern Ireland and is able to make the most effective use of all the resources allocated to policing, without unnecessary beauracracy and duplication.
The Government's aim is that the revised arrangements should create a new and stronger partnership between the police, the community and the Government, working with commitment and efficiency to serve the whole community of Northern Ireland better.