§ Mr. MaginnisTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans she has to establish a commission to examine the future structure of and operational matters pertaining to the RUC; and if she will make a statement. [37381]
§ Marjorie MowlamThe Government have appointed a Chairman and seven Members to the independent Commission on Policing for Northern Ireland, which is one of the elements in the Belfast Agreement (Command 3883).
217WThe Chairman is the right hon. Chris Patten, the former Governor of Hong Kong and Minister in the Northern Ireland Office. In addition, the seven Members each contributes different expertise, effectively under four headings. There are two representatives with policing expertise. One representative of either side of the community in Northern Ireland, but bringing with them a great deal more than this. Two leading academics and a senior, and significant business figure.
The names are Sir John Smith, former Deputy Commissioner in the Metropolitan Police, who also has previous experience as one of Her Majesty's Inspectors of Constabulary. Kathleen O'Toole, having begun her career in the Boston police, is now Secretary for Public Safety in Massachusetts and has vast experience in the law enforcement field. There is no questioning her knowledge of policing, and she has already worked with the RUC, for example on training.
Peter Smith, a QC who has over 20 years' experience at the Bar, is widely regarded as one of the most acute legal practitioners here, and Dr. Maurice Hayes has his wide experience as a former senior civil servant and subsequently Ombudsman. He produced a well received review of the police complaints system in 1997 and has made contributions to policing issues over many years.
Professor Clifford Shearing, who is the Director of the Centre of Criminology at the University of Toronto, has agreed to bring his academic expertise to bear. He has extensive knowledge of policing, having examined the subject in his native South Africa, Australia and Canada. Another expert in this area is Dr. Gerald Lynch, President of John Jay College, New York which has been judged to be the best criminal justice institute in the USA. He has done a great deal of work on policing worldwide, including developing a course on police and community relations for the United States Department of Justice.
The seventh member is Lucy Woods, the very able Chief Executive of British Telecom in Northern Ireland, whose experience of management in a large organisation, delivering a service to a demanding public, will be very valuable.
The entire membership is of the highest standing. Individually and collectively they have a considerable amount of expertise and ability to offer the Commission.
The functions of the Commission are set out clearly in the terms of reference contained in the Good Friday Agreement. It will convene shortly to take this work forward. It will be expected to consult widely and to report by Summer 1999. The Government will publish the report, and consult on the recommendations, as set out in the Agreement.