§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
What was the ranking, by religious background, of all the qualified applicants placed in the merit pool for recruitment to the Royal Ulster Constabulary; which persons were recruited; and on which date. [HL971]
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§ The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Williams of Mostyn)The merit order and individual merit scores achieved by candidates in the recruitment competition, whether qualified or otherwise, has not been disclosed.
The appointment of recruits has just begun, 47 applicants having taken up training posts on 4 November 2001. Further intakes of police trainees will take place every five weeks. Appointments are being made on a 50:50 Roman Catholic/non-Roman Catholic basis in accordance with Section 46 of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000.
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they consider that all recruitment to the Royal Ulster Constabulary is based on merit. [HL972]
§ Lord Williams of MostynThe recruitment arrangements for the Police Service of Northern Ireland are in accordance with the recommendations of the Independent Commission on Policing for Northern Ireland and Section 46 of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000. All candidates are required to meet the qualifying merit standard for entry to the merit pool from which final selection is made on a 50 per cent. Roman Catholic, 50 per cent. non-Roman Catholic basis.
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether any orders have been made by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland under Section 46 of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000. [HL973]
§ Lord Williams of MostynThe first recruitment competition for the Police Service of Northern Ireland has produced a sufficient number of qualified candidates to allow for the required number of recruits to be appointed on a 50 per cent. Roman Catholic, 50 per cent. non-Roman Catholic basis. It has not therefore been necessary for the Secretary of State to use his order-making power under Section 46 of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000.
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
When the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland proposes to review reverse discrimination in favour of Roman Catholics. [HL974]
§ Lord Williams of MostynThe temporary provisions in the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000 enabling the recruitment of 50 per cent. Roman Catholic and 50 per cent. non-Roman Catholic (50:50 recruitment) from the pool of qualified candidates are subject to review and renewal in Parliament every three years. In deciding whether to renew the provisions, the Secretary of State will have regard to the progress 77WA which has been made towards securing a representative police service in Northern Ireland. He will also consult with the Policing Board, and others with a particular interest, such as the Equality Commission.
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many persons responded to the advertisements for new recruits to the Royal Ulster Constabulary in February; how many returned completed applications; and what proportion of these were treated as Roman Catholics. [HL961]
§ Lord Williams of MostynThe advertisements for the Police Service of Northern Ireland in February and March 2001 attracted around 20,000 inquiries. Consensia reported that 7,843 applications were received, of which 35 per cent. were from Roman Catholics.
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many of the applicants to the Royal Ulster Constabulary in February were placed in the merit pool of qualified applicants provided for in Section 44(5) of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000; and how many of them were treated as Roman Catholics. [HL963]
§ Lord Williams of MostynThere are approximately 550 candidates in the merit pool. Around 154 of these are Roman Catholic. Definitive figures will not be known for some time as a number of candidates are subject to outstanding issues, for example medical appeals.