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Written question asked by Lord Maginnis of Drumglass (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Drayson (Labour) on Monday, 19 December 2005.

Royal Irish Regiment: Home Service Battalions

Question
Further to the Written Answers by the Lord Drayson on 10 November (WA 110) and on 28 November (WA 12), whether the level of operational commitment of the Armed Forces in Northern Ireland currently requires the exemptions that have been granted, including specific exemption from the requirement to record working hours; and, if so, how security is to be maintained after the Royal Irish Home Battalions are disbanded.
Answer

Guidance relating to Working Time Regulations for the Armed Forces is contained in a Joint Service Defence Council Instruction (DCI JS 16/99). Commanders are instructed to apply the regulations (including the exemptions where appropriate) worldwide in order to afford all service personnel equal protection. The Working Time Regulations are implemented in Northern Ireland under Statutory Rule 1998 No. 386 Working Time Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1998 and can be viewed at www.opsi.gov.uk/sr/sr1998/19980386.htm.In the context of DCI JS 16/99, the rank of commander should be taken as the commissioned officer who is appointed commanding officer of an establishment, unit, air station, ship, etc.As the Working Time Regulations apply to the Armed Forces worldwide, in order to afford all service personnel equal protection, these exemptions will continue to apply to the Northern Ireland theatre as elsewhere.The Armed Forces will continue to support the Police Service of Northern Ireland for as long as the Chief Constable requires. After the conclusion of Operation Banner, and with it the disbandment of the Home Service Battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment, the Armed Forces will still be available to support the police on the same basis as the rest of the United Kingdom, should the Chief Constable ask for support. Specific military support for public order will also remain available if needed on the terms set out in Patten recommendations 59 and 66.The guidance relating to Working Time Regulations for the Armed Forces is under review. The revised version will be placed in the Library of the House.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
2802; 676 c237WA
Session
2005-06
Related items
Royal Irish Regiment: Home Service Battalions
Monday, 28 November 2005
Written questions
House of Lords
Royal Irish Regiment: Home Service Battalions
Thursday, 10 November 2005
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects
Armed forces Deployment Exemptions Northern Ireland Security Working hours Royal Irish Regiment