§ Mrs. Iris RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) whether outside funding has been used to finance the police band; [105078]
(2) how much the police band has cost in each of the last five years; [105133]
(3) how many band members there were of the RUC/PSNI band in each of the last five years. [105135]
§ Jane KennedyDespite attempts to source private sector funding and a National Lottery grant, no outside funding has ever been secured to finance the police band.
The established strength of the PSNI band is a complement of 40 members. The actual strength has varied slightly from time to time as members left and others joined the band. When the decision was taken to stand down the band there were 32 members.
Cost figures for the band for the last three years are shown in the table. The PSNI advise that figures for years 1998–99 and 1999–2000 are not readily available in the timescale requested as they are in archive, however I shall write to the hon. Member when the information is provided and place a copy in the Library of the House.