§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what representations the Police Authority for Northern Ireland has made to him following publication of its community consultation report about reviewing the list of days and occasions when the Union flag is flown over police stations; [5323]
(2) what representations the Police Authority for Northern Ireland has made to him since publication of its community consultation report about ensuring a neutral working environment in all RUC and authority establishments in line with established fair employment obligations and legislation; [5322]
(3) what follow-up activity the Police Authority is undertaking to implement the range of recommendations, ideas and suggestions contained in the report of its 1995 community consultation; [5313]
(4) what representations he has received from the Police Authority with regard to implementing ideas and suggestions in its report of the 1995 community consultation. [5314]
§ Sir John WheelerFollowing the publication of its report, the authority identified a number of priority issues to take forward. It has, for example, established two working parties on "Young People and Minorities and the Police" and "Authority Policy on Openness and Accountability". It also raised a number of points with the police, including on drugs misuse and crime prevention as well as on recruitment, equal opportunities and fair employment issues. Authority members have also held meetings with a number of organisations and further meetings have been arranged.
In addition, I have corresponded with and met the authority chairman on issues that include the flying of the Union flag over RUC stations. Indeed, I met him and his deputy as recently as 27 November, when we discussed several issues arising from the report. Furthermore, I shall meet members on 16 December to continue the dialogue.
§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the suspension of a senior official of the Police Authority for Northern Ireland; how many other officials are suspended 509W or under investigation and when he expects the investigation into alleged irregularities to be concluded. [5325]
§ Sir John WheelerTwo officials, one of them senior in rank, have been suspended as a precautionary measure while an investigation is conducted. It would not be appropriate to comment further until the investigation is complete. I expect the investigation to be concluded in the next few months.
§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what steps he will take to ensure that the Police Authority for Northern Ireland holds annually a series of open meetings throughout Northern Ireland; [5329]
(2) When the Police Authority for Northern Ireland will publish an annual report for the year to June 1996; [5328]
(3) what steps the Police Authority for Northern Ireland is taking to provide more public information about the way it operates; [5306]
(4) what steps the Police Authority for Northern Ireland is taking to prepare and plan for its meetings to be held in public. [5307]
§ Sir John WheelerThe Police Authority for Northern Ireland is currently taking forward work in this area. The authority established a working group on openness and accountability in the early summer of 1996 and will publish a report in the new year. Ultimately, codes of practice on openness and accountability will also be published. The working party is considering a number of aspects of improving public awareness of its work, and the report will recommend the way in which the authority and members will conduct authority business in public in the future. The authority has also appointed a full-time information officer to assist in improving communication of its work to the public, and will publish an annual report covering its work for the year up to June 1996 in January 1997.
§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many meetings the Minister of State has had with the Police Authority for Northern Ireland in the last five years; and on what dates. [5319]
§ Sir John WheelerIn the last five years, I have met the full authority on four occasions: 9 February 1994, 14 June 1994, 9 May 1995 and 12 October 1995.
§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what alleged financial and other irregularities have been uncovered in the operations of the Police Authority for Northern Ireland; what investigations are taking place by(a) authority staff, (b) auditors and (c) the police. [5324]
§ Sir John WheelerFollowing an audit of the authority's procurement function, certain irregularities were uncovered which required further investigation. Authority staff are investigating whether procedures were adhered to. The Northern Ireland Audit Office has been informed, and I understand that it is looking into the matter. The RUC is investigating whether the criminal law has been breached.
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§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he proposes to advertise seeking applications and nominations to serve on the Police Authority for Northern Ireland from July 1997; and how many appointments he expects to make. [5326]
§ Sir John WheelerThe advertisement seeking applications and nominations for appointment to the Police Authority for Northern Ireland will appear in the local press on Wednesday 4 December 1996.
The Police Act (Northern Ireland) 1970 provides for the appointment of a maximum of 22 persons, including the chairman and vice-chairman. The present authority numbers 21, and I expect to make no fewer appointments than that to serve on the authority from 29 June 1997.
§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will introduce legislation to ensure that the Police Authority for Northern Ireland holds annually a series of open meetings throughout Northern Ireland.[5330]
§ Sir John WheelerNo. The police authority is already empowered to make appropriate arrangements for ascertaining the views of the community, under article 82 of the Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989.
§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) when he hopes to bring forward draft legislation to reflect the contents of the "Foundations for Policing" White Paper; [5304]
(2) what is the timetable for the transfer for responsibility for financial management and the provision of supplies and services for the RUC from the Police Authority for Northern Ireland to the Chief Constable. [5305]
§ Sir John WheelerWork is continuing on draft legislation based on the White Paper proposals. No timetable has yet been set for the introduction of such legislation to Parliament.
The timetable for the transfer of responsibilities to the Chief Constable is dependent upon the legislation being passed.
§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many times the Police Authority for Northern Ireland's working group on the relationship between young people, minorities and the police has met; when its work will be complete; and if its findings will be published; [5308]
(2) if he will list the organisations and individuals who have been consulted for views and opinions by the Police Authority for Northern Ireland's working group on the relationship between young people, minorities and the police.[5309]
§ Sir John WheelerThere have been three meetings of the Police Authority's joint working party on young people and minorities to date. At its first meeting, it was agreed that two sub-groups should be formed, one to deal with minorities, the other to deal with young people. The sub-group on minorities has met on four occasions and the sub-group on young people has met on three occasions. Meetings have been held with representatives of the youth and ethnic minority organisations including the Youth Forum and the Multi-Cultural Resource Centre. Further 511W meetings have been arranged with other organisations and members have attended a number of youth-related conferences. The joint working party will complete its task shortly and the authority will publish a report in the new year.
§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many times the Police Authority for Northern Ireland's working group to consider what actions would be necessary to increase our public accountability, explain the work of the authority better to the community and bring policing issues to the attention of the public, has met; when its work will be complete; and whether its findings will be published; [5310]
(2) if he will list the organisations and individuals who have been consulted for views and opinions by the Police Authority for Northern Ireland's working group to consider what actions would be necessary to increase our
Attendance at PANI meetings—July 1994 to October 1996 (a) Regular monthly (b) Special meetings (c) Committee meetings (d) Visits Mr. P. J. Armstrong 25 24 34 26 Ms S Chamberlain 15 10 48 5 Mrs. S. Davidson 18 14 24 0 Councillor R. Empey 22 12 64 6 Mr. B. R. Johnston 20 16 59 5 Mr. T. A. Kerrigan 19 23 49 25 Alderman S. J. McCammick 23 17 59 13 Mrs. R. A. McCormick 22 21 82 7 Mr. J. O. McDonald 22 16 71 7 Mr. W. R. Martin 21 20 75 2 Alderman J. L. Neeson 22 12 58 8 Mrs. E. A. Rea 20 19 37 4 Mr. F. P. Rocks 22 20 61 9 Mr. R. A. J. Spence 25 19 69 3 Professor H. Wallace 22 20 46 8 Mr. T. J. Wilson 20 12 23 5 Member1 22 20 75 13 Member1 20 13 46 1 Ms S. R. Cherry2 2 0 0 0 Mrs. K. F. Hargan2 0 1 0 0 Mrs. R. I. Peters-Gallagher2 2 1 0 0 Mr. D. S. Cooke3 15 14 17 0 Mr. C. Ryder 17 17 49 10 (c) Committee meetings are meetings of the authority's policy co-ordinating committee; community relations committee; finance and personnel committee; general purposes committee; support services committee and audit committee. 1Two members of the authority have declined to make public their identity due to reasons of personal security. 2Newly appointed member. 3During the period July 1994 to March 1996.
§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what is his policy on the recommendation in the community consultation report of the Police Authority for Northern Ireland in respect of the form of oath of office for police officers of the RUC; [5316]
(2) what representations he has received from the Police Authority with regard to amending or changing the oath of police sworn by members of the RUC; and what plans he has to change it. [5317]
§ Sir John WheelerWith regard to representations the Secretary of State has received from the police authority, I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him earlier today on that subject.512W public accountability, explain the work of the authority better to the community and bring policing issues to the attention of the public. [5311]
§ Sir John WheelerThe Police Authority working party on openness and accountability has held four formal meetings. In addition, members of the authority have met police authorities in Greater Manchester, Northumbria and Humberside. Further meetings are planned with other authorities to examine how they open business to the public. The working party will complete its work shortly and the authority will publish a report in the new year.
§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Irleand what has been the attendance record of every member of the Police Authority for Northern Ireland from July 1994 at(a) regular monthly authority meetings, (b) special authority meetings, (c) meetings of each sub-committee and (d) visits to authority and RUC establishments. [5315]
§ Sir John WheelerThe information is as follows:
The authority raised two points about the RUC oath, whether the oath should be affirmed in the form of a declaration and, secondly, on revision of the wording of the oath. On the former point, my officials have written to the Chief Constable raising the question of whether the oath should, in law, be affirmed as a declaration. Changes of substance to the oath would require primary legislation. The Government's position is that any such changes should be on the basis of widespread support. I do not believe we could achieve such support at present.
§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many meetings he has held with the Police Authority for Northern Ireland since July 1994; and on what dates. [5318]
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§ Sir John WheelerSince July 1994, my right hon. and learned Friend has met the full authority on one occasion; 9 May 1995.