Police Service of Northern Ireland

Oral Answers to Questions — Northern Ireland – in the House of Commons at 11:30 am on 26 October 2005.

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Photo of Shahid Malik Shahid Malik Labour, Dewsbury 11:30, 26 October 2005

What assessment he has made of the level of public confidence in the Police Service of Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

Photo of Shaun Woodward Shaun Woodward Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Northern Ireland Office)

Public confidence in the police in Northern Ireland is increasing. That is a tribute to the good work of the police, the Policing Board, the police ombudsman and the district policing partnerships.

Photo of Shahid Malik Shahid Malik Labour, Dewsbury

I thank my hon. Friend for that reply. As a former Northern Ireland equality commissioner, I, too, welcome the decommissioning. From my experience, I am acutely aware of the importance of instilling confidence in the police across all communities in Northern Ireland. Does my hon. Friend agree that to achieve that we need significant improvements in crime reduction and crime detection?

Photo of Shaun Woodward Shaun Woodward Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Northern Ireland Office)

I entirely agree with my hon. Friend. I am sure that the House would congratulate the Police Service of Northern Ireland on the huge improvement in public confidence in recent years. Central to that are the improvements in crime reduction and crime detection. Crime in Northern Ireland is now at its lowest level in six years. Last year, recorded crime fell by nearly 8 per cent. on the previous year, and burglary and car crime fell by 18.3 per cent. and 23.7 per cent. respectively. The public's growing confidence in the PSNI is clearly justified.

Photo of Gregory Campbell Gregory Campbell Shadow Minister (Culture, Media and Sport), Shadow Minister (Defence)

I join in congratulating my hon. Friend Rev. Ian Paisley on his recent elevation.

The Minister will be aware that part of the reason for the reduction in confidence in the police among the Unionist community is the legalised discrimination that has prevented 3,500 of them from joining, despite their being suitably qualified. Following the figures released last week, which show that if the merit principle had been applied 26 per cent. of recruits would have been Roman Catholic, will he establish the merit principle so that everyone can join the police in Northern Ireland on a non-discriminatory basis?

Photo of Shaun Woodward Shaun Woodward Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Northern Ireland Office)

Fifty-fifty is a temporary provision to ensure that we meet the target set by Patten that 30 per cent. of the PSNI should be Catholic. Parliament will, of course, review it in 2007. The vast majority of unsuccessful qualified candidates, Catholic and Protestant, are rejected because there are greater numbers of applicants than available places. We should celebrate the fact that so many young people now wish to pursue a career in the PSNI. It is also worth remarking that fewer than 2 per cent. of all non-Catholic applicants are rejected as a direct result of the 50:50 provisions.

Photo of Eddie McGrady Eddie McGrady Social Democratic and Labour Party, South Down

Does the Minister agree that confidence in the new Police Service of Northern Ireland would be greatly enhanced if the Northern Ireland Office discouraged the creation of the so-called community restorative justice groups, which work outside the criminal justice system, and many of which are operated by Sinn Fein, as—I quote from it—

"a viable alternative to the PSNI"?

When will the Northern Ireland Office act against such bodies, which seek to usurp the normal role of the police in our community and which, in their execution—I use that word—in the local community, represent a gross infringement of personal human rights?

Photo of Shaun Woodward Shaun Woodward Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Northern Ireland Office)

Work is ongoing to produce guidelines that encapsulate safeguards, which will be discussed with members of community-based schemes and other interested parties in due course. The Government recognise that community restorative justice schemes have a part to play in helping to secure a normal society, but it is crucial that they work actively to uphold the human rights of all and that their members are prepared to work with statutory agencies, which, of course, means the police.

Photo of Sylvia Hermon Sylvia Hermon UUP, North Down

How would the Under-Secretary encourage the family of Lisa Dorrian to maintain confidence in the police investigation some eight months after her murder and without the recovery of her body?

Photo of Shaun Woodward Shaun Woodward Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Northern Ireland Office)

I pay tribute to Lisa's family for their brave determination. In doing that, it is appropriate to acknowledge the hon. Lady's work. She has worked tirelessly alongside the family to ensure that justice is done. I have met the family and I shall do so again shortly. The Chief Constable continues to take an interest in the case. He is ensuring that maximum resources are used and agrees with me and my hon. Friends that we should use forensic experts to help to find Lisa's remains. The investigation is ongoing and we can only hope that we find Lisa's remains before long and bring the perpetrators of her death to justice.

Photo of Adrian Bailey Adrian Bailey Labour, West Bromwich West

Does the Under-Secretary agree that confidence in the Police Service of Northern Ireland will not be fully achieved until it fully represents all the communities in Northern Ireland? Will he join me in praising those members of the Catholic community who have joined the police service, despite the opposition of some of their political representatives? Will he reassure me that he will continue to work to ensure that all the political parties in Northern Ireland support a policy that will enable the force to be truly representative?

Photo of Shaun Woodward Shaun Woodward Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Northern Ireland Office)

I am tempted simply to say that I agree with my hon. Friend's comments. It is essential that there is wholehearted support throughout the community in Northern Ireland for the police and those members of the police who work tirelessly for everyone in the community.

Photo of Laurence Robertson Laurence Robertson Shadow Minister (Northern Ireland)

May I return to the restorative justice schemes? Will the Under-Secretary guarantee that the Government will not fund any of them without the full support of the police? The police should not only be consulted but participate fully in the schemes and be present at their implementation. Will he give that guarantee?

Photo of Shaun Woodward Shaun Woodward Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Northern Ireland Office)

We do not currently fund those schemes and we do not plan to do so.

Photo of Meg Hillier Meg Hillier Labour, Hackney South and Shoreditch

Does my hon. Friend agree that the Police Service of Northern Ireland sets a gold standard for ombudsman's services? Does he agree that, as the service gains support across the communities, it deserves the full support of all parties in Northern Ireland?

Photo of Shaun Woodward Shaun Woodward Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Northern Ireland Office)

The police ombudsman is an important part of the police service that is offered to the community in Northern Ireland. I am pleased to tell hon. Members that confidence in the ombudsman is at an all-time high. A recent survey found that 78 per cent. of respondents were confident that the police ombudsman dealt with complaints impartially and that 78 per cent. believed that the police ombudsman would help to ensure that the police do a good job. That is a good record and we shall work to improve it even further.