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Policing (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 2007

I am not aware that that rule will apply in this case, but if I am wrong and if I can expand on that answer in any way, I will write to the noble Lord. The noble Lord also asked me about the powers of the Police Ombudsman with respect to matters of national security. My understanding is that the ombudsman can gain access to the information that she needs from the security services to enable her to carry out her role as a Police Ombudsman. I am not aware of the Police Ombudsman having a wider role in issues of national security. She therefore has discretion to establish relationships with the oversight bodies of the security services and to draw to their attention to any concerns that arise through her investigations. However, I am not aware of the Police Ombudsman having that wider role with respect to national security considerations. I have just been passed a note that says that the 50:50 rule will not apply to this provision. On Question, Motion agreed to.