HC Deb 01 November 1999 vol 337 cc34-5W
Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people were recruited to full-time membership of the RUC for the calendar years 1996, 1997 and 1998; what was the perceived religious/community origin of the intake in each year; and what percentage of the intake each year had previously served as members of(a) the RUC Reserve and (b) HM armed forces. [94658]

Mr. Ingram

[holding answer 19 October 1999]: The following table shows the number of recruits to the RUC for the years 1996, 1997 and 1998, their perceived religious/community origin and the percentage previously members of the RUC Reserve. It has not been possible within the timescales to show the number who previously had served in HM Forces but this information will be sent to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

Year Perceived Protestant Perceived Roman Catholic Not known Total Percentage formally RUCR
1996 172 36 18 226 45
1997 242 28 17 287 51
1998 140 22 17 179 39

Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what were the staffing levels of the RUC in September (i) in total and (ii) broken down by(a) gender, (b) perceived religious/community origin and (c) numbers and percentages of full-time, reserve full-time and reserve part-time staff; and what were the changes in composition over the past five years. [94656]

Mr. Ingram

[holding answer 19 October 1999]: The tables show the staffing levels of the RUC in September 1999 and 1994 broken down by perceived religious/community origin and gender.

RUC strength 1999 (September)—perceived religious composition
Staff Perceived Protestant Perceived Roman Catholic Not known Total Percentage perceived Protestant Percentage perceived Roman Catholic
Regulars 7,525 716 284 8,525 88.27 8.40
Full-time Reserve 2,442 194 160 2,796 87.34 6.94
Part-time Reserve 1,121 57 15 1,193 93.96 4.78
Total 11,088 967 459 12,514 88.60 7.73

RUC strength 1999 (September)—by gender
Staff Male Female Percentage female
Regulars 7,533 992 11.64
Full-time Reserve 2,544 252 9.01
Part-time Reserve 775 418 35.04
Total 10,852 1,662 13.28

RUC strength 1994 (end of year)—perceived religious composition
Staff Perceived Protestant Perceived Roman Catholic Not known Total Percentage perceived Protestant Percentage perceived Roman Catholic
Regulars 7,578 660 256 8,494 89.21 7.77
Full-time Reserve 2,823 206 168 3,197 88.30 6.44
Part-time Reserve 1,403 67 20 1,490 94.16 4.50
Total 11,804 933 444 13,181 89.50 7.08

RUC strength 1994 (end of year)—by gender
Staff Male Female Percentage female
Regulars 7,640 854 10.05
Full-time Reserve 3,054 143 4.47
Part-time Reserve 995 495 33.22
Total 11,689 1,492 11.32

Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list in each rank in order the numbers and perceived religious/community origin of RUC officers. [94659]

Mr. Ingram

[holding answer 19 October 1999]: The following table shows the number of officers in the RUC by rank and perceived religious/community origin:

Rank Perceived Protestant Perceived Roman Catholic Not known Total
Senior Officers 8 0 2 10
Chief Superintendent 33 6 0 39
Superintendent 102 21 2 125
Chief Inspector 154 15 4 173
Inspector 430 53 15 498
Sergeant 1,262 113 24 1,399
Constable 5,526 507 238 6,271
Total 7,515 715 285 8,515
Full-time reserve 2,414 191 157 2,762
Part-time reserve 1,115 57 15 1,187