RUC (Disciplinary Proceedings) (Hansard, 7 June 2000)

§ Mr. McNamara
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland(a) if he will set out the stages of disciplinary proceedings in the RUC from initial complaint to final outcome, (b) what considerations affect the time taken for the completion of each stage in the procedure, (c) when procedures were last reviewed and (d) what proposals have been adopted in the past five years to enhance the prompt and efficient administration of the system. [124106]

§ Mr. Ingram
The various stages of disciplinary proceedings are contained within The Police (Northern Ireland) Order 1987, the Royal Ulster Constabulary (Complaints etc.) Regulations 1988, The Royal Ulster Constabulary (Complaints)(Informal Resolution) 1988, The Royal Ulster Constabulary (Discipline and Disciplinary Appeals) Regulations 1988, The Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve (Part-Time)(Discipline and Disciplinary Appeals) Regulations 1988 and Guidance to the Chief Constable of Police Complaints and Discipline Procedures.

Decisions/submissions 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000¹

Initial claim decisions 503,170 515,795 466,960 383,794 371,431

Renewal decisions 154,102 167,794 176,164 194,579 185,518

Reviews inside time² 165,367 188,548 210,256 173,832 160,349

Reviews outside time³ 167,594 170,786 159,798 126,964 116,234

Appeal submissions 33,761 39,323 48,047 46,986 46,574

¹ Figures for January were estimated for initial claims, renewals and reviews.

² Figures include reconsiderations under the new decision making process from October 1999.

³ Figures include supersessions under the new decision making process from October 1999.

⁴ Some reviews and appeals relate to claims made or reviewed in the previous year. It is therefore not possible to provide the exact proportion of the claims made in any year which proceed to review or appeal.

Source:
DSS Information Centre: 100 per cent. data.

§ Mr. Donohoe
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many recipients of each rate of Disability Living Allowance there have been in each of the last five years. [124711]
286W
The time taken to complete each stage of the disciplinary procedure is affected by many factors, including the nature and extent of the allegations, the complexity and availability of evidence, the resources devoted to the investigation, the progress of related criminal or civil proceedings and the level and nature of co-operation afforded by the complainant.
A comprehensive review of the police complaints system in Northern Ireland was carried out by Dr. Maurice Hayes, who published his report in January 1997. The present Independent Commission for Police Complaints will be replaced by the Office of the Police Ombudsman on 1 October 2000. The Police Ombudsman will receive and investigate all complaints about the police and will make recommendations for criminal and disciplinary action.

Decisions/submissions	1995–96	1996–97	1997–98	1998–99	1999–2000¹
Initial claim decisions	503,170	515,795	466,960	383,794	371,431
Renewal decisions	154,102	167,794	176,164	194,579	185,518
Reviews inside time²	165,367	188,548	210,256	173,832	160,349
Reviews outside time³	167,594	170,786	159,798	126,964	116,234
Appeal submissions	33,761	39,323	48,047	46,986	46,574
¹ Figures for January were estimated for initial claims, renewals and reviews.
² Figures include reconsiderations under the new decision making process from October 1999.
³ Figures include supersessions under the new decision making process from October 1999.
⁴ Some reviews and appeals relate to claims made or reviewed in the previous year. It is therefore not possible to provide the exact proportion of the claims made in any year which proceed to review or appeal.