HC Deb 28 March 2001 vol 365 cc658-9W
5. Dr. Godman

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent representations he has received concerning the implementation of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000. [154343]

Mr. Ingram

The most significant recent exchange on this issue was at Hillsborough on 8 March when the two Governments met all pro-Agreement parties on this and other matters.

6. Mr. David Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he will announce the Government's plans ill relation to compensation for pre-1982 police widows and their families. [154344]

Dr. Reid

On 21 March I was pleased to announce that the Government had decided to double the amount of the lump sum payments recommended in the Steele Report to be made to the pre-November 1982 police widows.

9. Mr. Spring

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland it he will make a statement on the reforms of the Royal Ulster Constabulary. [154347]

Mr. Ingram

The Government are committed to the implementation of the recommendations of the Patten report on policing in Northern Ireland. A major programme of change is under way, and I want to pay tribute to the commitment with which the police service is taking it forward. As the joint statement issued by the British and Irish Governments on 8 March said, we hope that discussions with political parties will result in agreement on remaining issues in June.

12. Mr. Connarty

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress he has made in implementing reform of the Northern Ireland Police Authority. [154350]

Mr. Ingram

The Government are grateful to members of the Police Authority for Northern Ireland for agreeing to stay on for a short period. This will ensure police accountability while we continue discussions before establishing the new Policing Board.

15. Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to promote exchanges between the police service in Northern Ireland and the Garda Siochana. [154353]

Mr. Ingram

The issue of exchanges will be addressed through the framework of a formal Agreement on policing co-operation between the British and Irish Governments.

Matters of North-South co-operation on policing covered by the Patten Report have already been discussed in a number of meetings with the Irish Government.

25. Mr. McWalter

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on progress on recruitment to the new police service in Northern Ireland. [154363]

Mr. Ingram

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland gave earlier to the hon. Member for Bury St. Edmunds (Mr. Ruffley).