§ Dr. HarrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what account her Department takes of criminal records consisting solely of homosexual activity engaged in prior to 1982, where such activity has been decriminalised, in determining(a) security clearance and (b) employment within the RUC; and what changes to regulations have taken place since 1994. [41156]
§ Mr. IngramA candidate must meet the recruiting criteria in every respect. The RUC will take into account convictions for any and all criminal offences. The fact that an offence may have been decriminalised is not considered relevant.
There have been no changes in policy relating to sexual orientation since 1994.
§ Dr. HarrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in what circumstances(a) non-criminal homosexual activity and (b) sexual orientation would debar a candidate from security clearance to become an RUC officer; and what changes in the regulations have occurred since 1994. [41157]
§ Mr. IngramA candidate must meet the recruiting criteria in every respect. There is nothing to debar a person who had engaged in non-criminal homosexual activity or to debar a person because of their sexual orientation.
There have been no changes in policy relating to sexual orientation since 1994.