HC Deb 28 February 2001 vol 363 c693W
11. Mr. Ottaway

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about the impact on morale of the level of recruitment to the Royal Ulster Constabulary. [149958]

Mr. Ingram

There has been no recruitment to the Royal Ulster Constabulary since 1 April 2000. It is therefore not possible to make any assessment on the impact this has had on morale within the force. On a wider front, however, the RUC is subject to major change resulting from the Patten Report and, like any other organisation, there is understandable concern among officers until changes are properly implemented and bedded in. Strenuous efforts are being made by force command to ensure all employees are fully informed at each stage of the process.

27. Mr. Swayne

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about his timetable for implementing the reform of the RUC. [149975]

Mr. Ingram

A revised Implementation Plan setting out the position of the recommendations of the Independent Commission on Policing in Northern Ireland, which includes details of the considerable progress already made, will be published shortly.