Maurice Hayes (Independent)

I strongly support the Minister in his proposals for a volunteer force. For all the reasons he has set out, it is very important. One of the reasons the Patten commission was so keen to have a part-time reserve for the Police Service of Northern Ireland was precisely to enable it to recruit people fairly quickly from areas from which police recruits had not come previously. There are many people who want to give a public service and they should be allowed to do so. It is of enormous help for the police to have local roots. Nearly all the professionals, such as teachers, social workers and police, who service inner city areas in particular live outside these areas, although some nuns and priests remain. It is important that there is some of the connection to which the Minister referred. He may have to be careful in terms of regulations so that the people do the jobs for which their training suits them. However, I support the general line being taken by the Minister.