§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many posts within the Northern Ireland Civil Service are classed as sensitive posts or higher; how many of those post holders possess valid security clearance; whether any Northern Ireland civil servants whose security clearances have expired are still in post; and, if so, why. [HL181]
§ Lord Williams of MostynAll administrative staff recruited to the Northern Ireland Civil Service are subject to security vetting before being appointed.
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has today announced that he has commissioned a review of the Northern Ireland arrangements, which will report to him with recommendations and a plan for their implementation. That review will include an assessment of the nature and extent of current security vetting within the Northern Ireland Civil Service.
§ Lord Roganasked Her Majesty's Government:
What vetting procedures are applied to civil servants in Northern Ireland; and whether the same procedures are applied to civil servants in England and Wales. [HL383]
§ Lord Williams of MostynMembers of the Northern Ireland Civil Service are security vetted under local arrangements, which are broadly analogous to those operating throughout the UK as set out in the then Prime Minister's statement to the House of Commons on 15 December 1994 (WA764–66). Security vetting of civil servants in England and Wales is conducted in accordance with the UK arrangements. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has today announced that he has commissioned a review of the Northern Ireland arrangements, which will report to him with recommendations and a plan for their implementation.