Westminster committee visits RUC George Cross Garden

Members of Parliament's Northern Ireland Affairs Committee have visited the Royal Ulster Constabulary George Cross Garden at police headquarters in east Belfast.

The Committee, which is chaired by former Northern Ireland Office minister, Michael Mates, was in the Province as part of its inquiries into social housing provision and the Parades Commission.

The George Cross Garden was opened by the Prince of Wales in September last year. It was created to commemorate the service and sacrifice of the officers of the RUC and has already attracted 1,900 visitors.

Jim McDonald, chairman of the Royal Ulster Constabulary George Cross Foundation, which administers the garden, said: "I am delighted that the members of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee took time out of their busy schedule to visit the George Cross Garden.

"We have had visitors from across the world. The garden marks the sacrifices and honours the achievements of the men and women of the RUC George Cross."

It is the first part of a total project which will include a museum of policing. The heart of the garden is an 'area of peace' which remembers those officers who died directly as a result of terrorism and those who died in service between 1st June 1922 and 3rd November 2001.

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