Police Complaints (Hansard, 10 March 1999)

§ Mr. McNamara
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the current staffing of(a) the Independent Commission for Police Complaints and (b) the RUC's Complaints and Discipline Department; and what is the planned staffing for the Police Ombudsman's Office. [74568]

§ Mr. Ingram
[holding answer 8 March 1999]The Independent Commission for Police Complaints currently has 17¹ members of staff and a full time Chairman and deputy Chairman and five part time members. The RUC's Complaints and Discipline Department has 115² staff. The Government's initial estimate, produced for the purpose of advertising the post of Police Ombudsman, is a staff of about 60. The precise figure is being considered in working groups which include my officials and representatives of the RUC and the Independent Commission for Police Complaints. In addition, we will be consulting the Police Ombudsman when appointed.
¹(this includes a job share post) ² (this includes an ACC who covers two departments and officers temporarily seconded to assist with particular investigations)

§ Mr. McNamara
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the annual financing of(a) the Police Ombudsman's Office, (b) the Complaints and Discipline Department of the RUC and (c) the Independent Commission for Police Complaints for the next three years. [74567]

§ Mr. Ingram
[holding answer 8 March 1999]: The available information is as follows. The Independent Commission for Police Complaints is to be replaced by the Police Ombudsman's Office and, therefore, there is no forecast for the next three years. The current budget for the Independent Commission for Police Complaints is £883,000.
Although a figure of £3 million has been produced for the Police Ombudsman's office, this was a preliminary estimate for the advertisement of the post of Police Ombudsman. The precise budget of the Police Ombudsman has still to be determined, as have the financial implications of the changes on the Complaints and Discipline Department. (Figures for it were given in answer to my hon. Friend on 25 February 1999, Official Report, column 360.) Both matters are being considered in working groups which include my officials and representatives from the RUC, the Independent Commission for Police Complaints and the Police Authority for Northern Ireland.
The Government have made it clear that they are committed to making the necessary resources available for the office of Police Ombudsman.