§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what changes were made to the terms of reference of the Oversight Commissioner following the passage of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000; what instructions he issued subsequently concerning the work of the Commissioner; what meetings he has had with the Commissioner; and what decisions were made at each meeting. [1143]
§ Jane KennedyI have placed in the Library of the House a copy of the terms of reference to which Mr. Constantine is working.
The Commission has met either my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland or Ministers during each of his six visits to Northern Ireland. The meetings were intended primarily to review progress rather than to make decisions.
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§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on what dates periodic reports containing objectives and timetables have been provided to the Oversight Commissioner by(a) the Government, (b) the Police Service, and (c) the Police Authority for Northern Ireland; and on what dates periodic progress review meetings on implementation of change in policing arrangements have been held with the Oversight Commissioner attended by (i) Government Ministers and officials, (ii) the Chief Constable, (iii) the Police Authority for Northern Ireland, and (iv) others in the 12 months following appointment of the Oversight Commissioner. [1145]
§ Jane KennedyThe Commissioner has been briefed by Ministers, officials, the police, the Police Authority for Northern Ireland, and others during each of his six visits to Northern Ireland. In view of the number of meetings held with the Commissioner, his Chief of Staff and members of his Evaluation Team, it is not possible to provide the dates requested.
§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what correspondence he has received from the Oversight Commissioner in the last 12 months; and if he will place in the Library copies of correspondence and reports. [1099]
§ Jane KennedyThe Commissioner has met my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and ministerial colleagues on a number of occasions since his appointment in May 2000. As a result, correspondence between the Commissioner and the Secretary of State has been minimal and confined to staffing issues. I do not propose to place copies of the correspondence received in the Library of the House.
§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on what dates he received reports from the Oversight Commissioner concerning each periodic review of progress in implementation of police reforms set out in the Patten report. [1098]
§ Jane KennedyThe Commissioner's first report was received by the then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in December 2000. A copy of the report was placed in the Library of the House on 10 January 2001.