HL Deb 18 July 2002 vol 637 cc166-7WA
Lord Kilclooney

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether there are any proposals to close the police station in Carryduff, County Down or to reduce the number of policemen based in Carryduff PSNI (Police Service of Northern Ireland) station; and what they see as the future of policing in Carryduff. [HL5095]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

I have been advised by the Acting Chief Constable that although there were proposals for the closure of Carryduff earlier this year, these plans were repealed following the conclusion of a public consultation exercise. As such, there are now no current plans to close Carryduff station or to decrease the number of officers serving Castlereagh District Command Unit, which covers the Carryduff area. The Government remain committed to providing the necessary resources to ensure that the police service operates effectively. However, the future of policing in Carryduff is an operational matter and as such is the responsibility of the Chief Constable in consultation with the Policing Board.