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PSNI: Full–Time Reserves
Lord Kilclooney asked Her Majesty's Government:
How many full–time reserve policemen serve in the Police Service of Northern Ireland; what assurance they have for their future employment; and what are the terms of severance if it arises.[HL5355]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: The number of full–time reserve police officers serving in the Police Service of Northern Ireland as at 3 July 2002 was 2,038.
The Government remain committed to the objective of phasing out the full–time reserve in line with the Patten report and the implementation plan. The Policing Board has asked the PSNI, in the context of the service's overall human resources strategy, to prepare detailed proposals to be considered by the board. The Government will want to hear the Board's views, in conjunction with the Chief Constable's assessment, before final decisions are made and announced. The Government recognise and regret the effect of uncertainty on officers and their families. We hope that it will be possible to reach conclusions on this issue in the near future. In the meantime, contracts for reserve officers are being renewed within the current guidelines.
Discussions over the severance terms that will be available to full–time reserve officers, once a firm decision has been taken to begin the phasing–out process, have not yet concluded. However, the Government have already given a commitment that the full–time reserve will be treated no less favourable than the generous terms currently on offer under the voluntary severance scheme. They will be given an appropriate period of notice and full opportunities for re–training/business opportunities in preparation for alternative employment.
Questions for Written Answer
Lord Jopling asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Further to the Written Answers by the Lord Privy Seal on 22 July (WA30) and on 19 June (WA91-92), whether they will give an assurance that when the House of Lords meets after the Summer Recess on 7 October all Answers to Written Questions standing on the Order Paper when the House rises on 30 July will appear in the Official Report for Monday 7 October.[HL5575]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: I can assure the noble Lord that I am making every effort to ensure that, as far as possible, Questions for Written Answer standing on the Order Paper when the House rises next Tuesday will appear in the Official Report for Monday 7 October. I have discussed the importance of this with ministerial colleagues and my office has explained to all departments the detailed procedures for answering questions during the Recess. My office will be monitoring progress.
Health and Safety Commission
Baroness Whitaker asked Her Majesy's Government:
- Whether they will make an announcement on the review of the location in government of the Health and Safety Commission.[HL5638]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: Following the establishment of the department for Transport as a department focused solely on transport issues, the
Prime Minister has decided that the Health and Safety Commission and the Health and Safety Executive will transfer to the Department for Work and Pensions. The Health and Safety Sponsorship Division, currently located within the Department for Transport, will also transfer to the Department for Work and Pensions. These changes will take effect from 24 July 2002.Procedure Committee Minutes
Lord Desai asked the Leader of the House:
- Following the exchanges on the Floor of the House on 24 July (HL Deb cols 489 and 507)
- whether it is the case that the minutes of meetings of the Procedure Committee are placed in the Library of the House.[HL5640]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: I am sorry that the advice I gave to the House on 24 July was incorrect. On further investigation, I now understand that has not been the usual practice to place the minutes of the Procedure Committee in the Library of the House. The particular set of minutes which were referred to on 24 July are expected to be available in the next few days, and I shall arrange for them to be placed in the Library as soon as they are available.
The Clerk of the Parliaments has agreed that the minutes of the Procedure Committee will be placed in the Library from now on.
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