HL Deb 14 February 2002 vol 631 cc166-8WA
Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many times Consensia, responsible for recruitment for the Northern Ireland Police Service, has sent information to potential applicants by courier and by special post; how many complaints it has had concerning items lost or late in the post; and what is Her Majesty's Government's policy about communication with applicants; and [HL2468]

How many applicants for the new Police Service of Northern Ireland who have been asked to reapply for parts of the selection process because of letters lost in the post were from (a) the pool of Catholic applicants and (b) the pool of non-Catholic applicants. [HL2470]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

I have been advised that Consensia has sent information to an applicant by courier on one occasion. Consensia is aware of six individuals who stated that they did not receive information, although responsibility cannot be attributed to the postal service in every instance. These individuals were asked to re-apply. Their community background is not known. Consensia uses first-class mail to communicate with applicants, which is in line with government policy.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the mechanism for examining the quality, efficiency and accuracy of the work of Consensia, which is responsible for recruitment for the Northern Ireland Police Service, and whether an undertaking can be given that all application forms and documents from applicants have been fully filled in at all stages. [HL2469]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

The quality, efficiency and accuracy of the work of Consensia is kept under review by the Consensia Partnership itself, through the establishment of detailed protocols and procedures with equality checks at all stages. The protocols are subject to review by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). Regular meetings are held between the Consensia Partnership and the PSNI to review performance. As required under the legislation, Consensia also employs expert lay assessors to participate in the testing and assessment of candidates, while independent community observers attend various stages of the recruitment process and report to the Northern Ireland Policing Board.

Applications are checked on receipt and rejected if not signed and dated. Candidates are given seven working days to provide missing information such as photograph, and 21 days to provide nationality/right to seek employment information.