To ask Her Majesty's Government what proposals they have to abolish religious requirements in recruiting officers to the Police Service of Northern Ireland. [HL665]

It is Government's intention to renew the temporary 50:50 recruitment provisions for a final year to 28 March 2011 to ensure we reach our target 30 per cent Catholic composition. When we are satisfied the 30 per cent target will be reached we will return to Parliament and end the provisions. It is anticipated that this may be prior to the end of March 2011.