§ Mr. Robert McCartneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will give the RUC the power to obliterate or remove graffiti and markings of a sectarian nature; and if she will make a statement. [23689]
§ Mr. IngramArticle 18 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) (NI) Order 1985 provides District Councils with the power to remove or obliterate graffiti which is considered detrimental to the district; the exercise of such powers is a matter for district councils.
The Roads (NI) Order 1993 provides power for the Department of the Environment (NI) to remove graffiti from the public road: the Roads Service of the Department uses these powers where it considers it appropriate to do so.
There are no plans to transfer responsibility for this work to the RUC.