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THE ARTS
Printed Matter (Preservation)
Mr. Shersby : To ask the Minister for the Arts what is his policy towards the recruitment of technically competent staff able to study, develop and manage the preservation and conservation of large quantities of printed and written material in the nation's galleries and archives ; and how many qualified technical staff are currently employed in (a) the British museum, (b) the Victoria and Albert museum, (c) the national maritime museum, and (d) the science museum including the national museum of film photography and television in Bradford and the British library.
Mr. Luce : Recruitment policy and staff numbers in the British library and the national museums and galleries are matters for their directors, board members and trustees. I attach great importance to the care of items in the national collections and to that end have allocated half of the £13 million increase for the national museums and galleries from 1990-91 to 1991-92 to the management of their collections. I have also set aside up to £100,000 a year for the three years 1989-90 to 1991-92 towards a national manuscript conservation fund, to be administered by the British Library.
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EDUCATION AND SCIENCE
Special Education
Mr. John Evans : To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many schoolchildren are likely to receive some form of special education in each of the next three years ; and what will be the cost of meeting those needs.
Mr. Butcher : The Department does not project the total number of school pupils likely to receive special education. The number of pupils in special schools (maintained and non-maintained) in England is projected to be :
|Full-time equivalent
|pupil numbers
---------------------------------------------------------------
1989 |100,892
1990 |98,366
1991 |96,734
1992 |95,852
As to costs, I refer the hon. Member to my reply to him on 24 January at column 473. Comparable figures for the financial year 1990-91 and subsequent years have still to be determined as part of the yearly review of future needs. The total spent on special education will partly depend on decisions taken by individual local authorities about the pattern of delivery in their areas.
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School Sizes
Mrs. Ann Taylor : To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if he will publish a list showing the numbers of primary schools by size, in each region (a) in relation to pupil numbers and (b) in relation to the group size defined in the
schoolteachers' pay and conditions document ;
(2) if he will publish a list showing the numbers of secondary schools by size, in each region (a) in relation to pupil numbers and (b) in relation to the group size defined in the
schoolteachers' pay and conditions document ;
(3) if he will publish a list showing the numbers of middle schools by size, in each region (a) in relation to pupil numbers and (b) in relation to the group size defined in the schoolteachers' pay and conditions document.
Mrs. Rumbold : The following tables show numbers of primary, middle and secondary schools respectively in each region, by size according to (a) pupil numbers and (b) group size as defined in the schoolteachers' pay and conditions document.
The figures for primary schools by pupil numbers, include seven centres for teaching English as a second language. Four of these centres do not have school group numbers and therefore do not appear on the table for primary schools by group number.
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Number of maintained primary schools by size January 1988
|North |Yorkshire and Humberside|North West |East Midlands |West Midlands |East Anglia |Greater London |Other South-East |South West |England
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pupils on roll
0- 25 |32 |39 |21 |29 |28 |14 |2 |46 |45 |256
26- 50 |96 |147 |77 |173 |134 |123 |2 |236 |250 |1,238
51-100 |184 |276 |255 |314 |228 |207 |38 |555 |436 |2,493
101-200 |546 |846 |1,111 |628 |693 |292 |854 |1,519 |638 |7,127
201-300 |372 |536 |909 |435 |625 |176 |798 |1,074 |491 |5,416
301-400 |121 |128 |240 |155 |234 |53 |257 |309 |150 |1,647
401-500 |27 |32 |68 |38 |82 |16 |81 |81 |29 |454
501-600 |0 |9 |15 |3 |10 |4 |8 |25 |7 |81
601-700 |0 |1 |5 |3 |4 |0 |3 |4 |1 |21
701-800 |0 |0 |0 |0 |3 |0 |0 |0 |0 |3
Over 800 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0
|--- |--- |--- |--- |--- |--- |--- |--- |--- |---
Total |1,378 |2,014 |2,701 |1,778 |2,041 |885 |2,043 |3,849 |2,047 |18,736
Number of maintained middle schools by size January 1988
|North |Yorkshire and Humberside|North West |East Midlands |West Midlands |East Anglia |Greater London |Other South-East |South West |England
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pupils on roll
0 to 25 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |1 |0 |0 |1
26 to 50 |0 |1 |0 |0 |0 |0 |1 |0 |0 |2
51 to 100 |3 |8 |1 |0 |1 |0 |0 |0 |1 |14
101 to 200 |10 |108 |1 |2 |24 |12 |13 |74 |10 |254
201 to 300 |20 |110 |1 |10 |54 |38 |27 |169 |13 |442
301 to 400 |21 |64 |2 |8 |38 |31 |13 |81 |16 |274
401 to 500 |11 |20 |6 |9 |21 |16 |7 |44 |9 |143
501 to 600 |5 |10 |0 |4 |5 |3 |1 |11 |2 |41
601 to 700 |0 |1 |0 |4 |3 |1 |0 |1 |5 |15
701 to 800 |0 |1 |0 |3 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |4
Over 800 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0
|--- |--- |--- |--- |--- |--- |--- |--- |--- |---
Total |70 |323 |11 |40 |146 |101 |63 |380 |56 |1,190
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Number of maintained secondary schools by size January 1988
|North |Yorkshire and Humberside|North West |East Midlands |West Midlands |East Anglia |Greater London |Other South-East |South West |England
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pupils on roll
0 to 25 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0
26 to 50 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |1 |1
51 to 100 |1 |0 |3 |1 |3 |1 |2 |2 |0 |13
101 to 200 |1 |2 |3 |2 |3 |0 |5 |2 |13 |31
201 to 300 |11 |9 |13 |11 |7 |2 |7 |9 |4 |73
301 to 400 |8 |11 |18 |25 |17 |7 |20 |27 |13 |146
401 to 500 |8 |29 |30 |36 |33 |6 |30 |62 |14 |248
501 to 600 |21 |47 |52 |38 |54 |21 |60 |96 |39 |428
601 to 700 |29 |38 |57 |50 |61 |21 |45 |89 |36 |426
701 to 800 |35 |39 |82 |42 |51 |24 |70 |104 |40 |487
Over 800 |123 |177 |254 |137 |194 |59 |210 |375 |164 |1,693
|------- |------- |------- |------- |------- |------- |------- |------- |------- |-------
Total |237 |352 |512 |342 |423 |141 |449 |766 |324 |3,546
Number of maintained primary schools by school group number January 1988
|North |Yorkshire and Humberside|North West |East Midlands |West Midlands |East Anglia |Greater London |Other South-East |South West |England
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
School Group
1 |129 |183 |101 |198 |144 |146 |2 |285 |314 |1,502
2 |163 |257 |220 |289 |225 |190 |37 |538 |422 |2,341
3 |215 |320 |426 |256 |250 |147 |191 |648 |330 |2,783
4 |515 |815 |1,256 |572 |793 |245 |1,116 |1,459 |592 |7,363
5 |262 |311 |480 |336 |427 |112 |493 |656 |306 |3,383
6 |89 |115 |193 |113 |174 |40 |189 |236 |76 |1,225
7 |5 |10 |23 |13 |21 |5 |12 |25 |5 |119
8 |0 |2 |2 |0 |5 |0 |3 |2 |2 |16
9 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0
10 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0
11 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0
12 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0
13 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0
14 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0
|--- |--- |--- |--- |--- |--- |--- |--- |--- |---
Total |1,378 |2,013 |2,701 |1,777 |2,039 |885 |2,043 |3,849 |2,047 |18,732
Number of maintained |North |Yorkshire and Humberside|North West |East Midlands |West Midlands |East Anglia |Greater London |Other South-East |South West
middle schools by school
group number-January
1988
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
School group
1 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |1 |0 |0 |1
2 |3 |1 |0 |0 |1 |0 |0 |0 |0 |5
3 |1 |9 |0 |0 |6 |2 |3 |5 |3 |29
4 |11 |82 |0 |2 |41 |15 |23 |100 |10 |284
5 |14 |101 |0 |7 |42 |34 |18 |151 |10 |377
6 |33 |99 |5 |16 |41 |37 |13 |98 |21 |363
7 |5 |27 |6 |9 |15 |13 |5 |25 |9 |114
8 |3 |4 |0 |5 |0 |0 |0 |1 |3 |16
9 |0 |0 |0 |1 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |1
10 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0
11 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0
12 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0
13 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0
14 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0
|--- |--- |--- |--- |--- |--- |--- |--- |--- |---
Total |70 |323 |11 |40 |146 |101 |63 |380 |56 |1,190
Number of maintained secondary schools by school group number January 1988
|North |Yorkshire and Humberside|North West |East Midlands |West Midlands |East Anglia |Greater London |Other South-East |South West |England
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
School Group
1 |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |-
2 |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |-
3 |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |-
4 |- |- |2 |2 |- |- |- |- |1 |5
5 |3 |1 |1 |- |3 |1 |- |2 |3 |14
6 |3 |3 |2 |6 |4 |3 |1 |5 |7 |34
7 |2 |9 |8 |14 |8 |4 |7 |18 |8 |78
8 |6 |15 |28 |47 |38 |7 |28 |45 |31 |245
9 |30 |46 |62 |49 |63 |39 |60 |108 |51 |508
10 |76 |96 |197 |91 |133 |28 |151 |260 |88 |1,120
11 |85 |88 |134 |85 |118 |33 |149 |230 |80 |1,002
12 |24 |75 |65 |33 |49 |20 |46 |72 |47 |431
13 |8 |18 |12 |13 |5 |5 |6 |18 |7 |92
14 |- |1 |1 |2 |2 |1 |1 |8 |1 |17
|------- |------- |------- |------- |------- |------- |------- |------- |------- |-------
Total |237 |352 |512 |342 |423 |141 |449 |766 |324 |3,546
Teachers
Mr. McFall : To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what percentage of teachers who qualify in (a) Surrey and (b) England and Wales do not go into teaching the following year.
Mrs. Rumbold : The latest information on the destinations of students successfully completing initial teacher training in England and Wales relates to 1988 for the university departments of education and to 1987 for the other training institutions. These data indicate that 19 per cent. of those qualifying and whose destination was known had not taken up a teaching post anywhere in the United Kingdom by the end of the same year. Some of these were still seeking a teaching post and will have entered teaching subsequently.
There are no initial teacher training institutions in the Surrey education authority area.
Small Schools
Mr. Redmond : To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has to help maintain small schools in rural areas of the three counties of Yorkshire, and Humberside.
Mr. Butcher : It is for the individual local education authorities concerned to decide their policies in relation to small schools in rural areas ; but my right hon. Friend provides an education support grant for the support of small rural primary schools. My right hon. Friend is also supporting a research project by the university of Leicester to evaluate the pilot projects with a view to making recommendations on practices which could be replicated successfully in other local education authorities.
Pupil Records (Access)
Mr. Kirkwood : To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to be able to make regulations providing parents and older pupils with a right of access to school records, and students with a right of access to further education records.
Mrs. Rumbold : My right hon. Friend hopes shortly to make regulations about the keeping, disclosure and transfer of education records on pupils. A consultative document on access to further education student records will issue later this year.
Superannuation Contributions
Mr. Turner : To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information is available to his Department as to the assumptions made by local education authorities concerning employers' superannuation contributions for teachers in drawing up their budgets for 1989-90 ; how many authorities are known to have
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made no adjustment at that time for the reduction in contribution rates taken into account in the block grant settlement ; if he will estimate the number of authorities likely to have (a) 1.4 per cent. and (b) 0.4 per cent. reductions in superannuation contributions in hand to offset the underfunding of the school teachers' pay rise for 1989-90 ; and if he will make a statement.Mr. Butcher : The local authority settlement for 1989-90, which preceded the report of the Government actuary assumed savings of about 1 per cent. in employers' contributions to the teachers' superannuation scheme. We do not know how many authorities took the 1 per cent. savings into account in drawing up their budgets for 1989-90. Following the actuary's report authorities generally were able to take into account the additional saving of 0.4 per cent.
School Governors
Mr. Thurnham : To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has received any representations about the guidance being given to school governors on their new
responsibilities ; and if he will make a statement.
Mrs. Rumbold : Various representations have been received. In particular, many school governors and others have commended the DES publication "School Governors : A Guide To The Law".
Women Teachers (Pensions)
Dr. Cunningham : To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will exempt women teachers from the payment of additional superannuation contributions to cover equal pension rights in the period 1982 to 1988 ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Butcher : No. When the inequality between widows and widowers benefits was removed in respect of service after 6 April 1988, it was agreed that women teachers should be given the opportunity to pay additional contributions to cover their service before that date for widowers benefits. Contributions before 6 April 1988 did not cover service for widowers' benefits and such service must therefore be paid for.
Council of Ministers
Mr. Patrick Thompson : To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the outcome of the meeting of Education Ministers in Brussels on 22 May including the negotiations over the Lingua programme ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Kenneth Baker : European Community Education Ministers reached agreement on 22 May over a Lingua programme which is expected to cost £130 million from
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the European Community budget over the period 1990-1994. In support of policies adopted by member states to promote increased competence in modern languages, the programme will support periods of integrated study in another member state for foreign languages students in higher education ; assist teachers of foreign languages in schools and in further and adult education to extend their professional skills, particularly through periods spent in another member state ; provide support in the field of language training for the existing work force ; and encourage the development of exchanges with institutions in other member states for young people in professional, vocational or technical training.The Select Committee on European Legislation, having considered my Department's explanatory memoranda dated 17 February and 8 May 1989, on 10 May recommended a debate, but it was found impossible to arrange this before the Education Ministers' meeting on 22 May. Given the possible danger of a vote being taken on the basis of article 128, which requires a simple majority, I had informed the Chairman of the Select Committee on 17 May that, if unanimity could be secured under article 235 on a proposal acceptable to the Government, I judged I should not withhold United Kingdom agreement. This proved to be the case and the programme I have described was adopted by unanimity under articles 128 and 235. I regret that in these circumstances it was impossible to complete the normal scrutiny process.
Education Ministers also agreed to negotiation of the extension to EFTA countries of the Community programme on co-operation between universities and industry in technology training. It was accepted that agreement was without prejudice to our case before the European Court of Justice, contesting the legal validity of the Council's adoption of the second phase of the programme under article 128. Ministers also agreed to resolutions on educational provision for the children of gipsies and other travelling groups.
Science Base
Mr. Bellingham : To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what objectives the Government hope to achieve from its £1.6 billion expenditure in the current year on the science base.
Mr. Kenneth Baker : The purposes and objectives of DES expenditure on research are set out in a document on the new system of resource management introduced on 1 April by the research councils, Her Majesty's Treasury and my Department. A copy has been placed in the Library but the relevant section is reproduced below :
1. The purposes of DES expenditure on research are, and should continue to be :
For the good of the United Kingdom :
to advance knowledge and technological capability ;
to help produce qualified manpower at postgraduate level ; and in these and other ways ;
to help achieve economic, social and cultural benefits. The overall strategy objective should therefore be :
"To develop and maintain a world competitive United Kingdom Science Base in higher education and the Research Councils, characterised by creativity and vitality, which : delivers high-quality basic and strategic research output predominantly in areas with promise of commercial exploitability and other useful applications ; and contributes to the preparation of the well- educated manpower which the United Kingdom economy needs."
2. The main objectives are :
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Quality(a) to increase the output of high quality research from the Science Base ; and
(b) to increase the quality and utility of postgraduate education ; by
(c) enhancing the research capability of the Science Base, notably through greater concentration of research activities and more selective allocation of resources ;
(d) ensuring that basic research is properly and adequately sustained, so that creative scientists have opportunity to develop the original insights from which new inventions flow ;
(e) increasing the responsiveness of the Science Base, having regard both to scientific opportunities and perceived national needs, and the balance between them ;
(f) increasing international collaboration in science where this gives good value for money--for instance where necessary concentration cannot be achieved at the national level--and having particular regard to possibilities for co-operation within the EC.
Exploitability
In collaboration with industry and other Departments as appropriate :
(g) to move the balance of research activity towards exploitable areas, having regard both to commercial uses and to those which bring other benefits, such as in health and in the environment ; (
(h) to promote greater common purpose between the Science Base and its users--in industry, commerce and government ;
(i) to be more selective in the choice of research activities, with particular regard to exploitability as well as quality ;
(j) to increase inderdisciplinary collaboration in research and related postgraduate education ;
(k) to increase the commercial exploitation and other uses of research outputs ;
(l) to further commercial and other use of Science Base facilities and capabilities where appropriate.
Manpower
In addition to the manpower aspects of the preceding objectives : (
(m) to secure a better match between support for postgraduate training and the needs of United Kingdom employers ;
(n) to secure an adequate supply of, and better mobility for, very highly qualified manpower for research in industry and the Science Base ;
(o) to improve opportunities for the most able researchers who might otherwise leave research or emigrate ;
(p) to improve the management, career development and training of scientists in the Science Base.
A Coherent, Efficient and Effective System
As a means to achieving the former objectives :
(q) to bring about greater coherence between higher education and the Research Councils, by promoting shared objectives, concerted planning, and where appropriate shared resources ;
(r) to develop better communication and understanding between the Science Base and the users of its outputs, notably industry and commerce ;
(s) to increase the efficiency and quality of research management and administration in the Science Base ;
(t) to increase accountability for the allocation and use of expenditure on research, notably in higher education ;
(u) to promote further development of monitoring and evaluation of research policy and performance by the Science Base itself ; (
(v) to develop, monitor and evaluate policy for DES expenditure on research ;
(w) to raise the level of United Kingdom understanding of, and regard for, the role of the Science Base in national life and especially in wealth creation.
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NORTHERN IRELAND
Anglo-Irish Agreement
Mr. Temple-Morris : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on developments since the signing of the Anglo-Irish Agreement.
Mr. Tom King : I have arranged for a paper to be prepared outlining developments since the signing of the Anglo-Irish Agreement. Copies of the paper are being placed in the Library. The text is as follows :
Developments since the signing of the Anglo-Irish agreement-- Introduction- -The Agreement
1. The Prime Minister, the Right Hon. Margaret Thatcher, FRS, MP, and the then Taoiseach, Dr. Garret FitzGerald TD, signed a formal and binding agreement between their two Governments on 15 November 1985 with the aims of promoting peace and stability in Northern Ireland ; creating a new climate of friendship and co-operation between the people of the two countries ; and improving co-operation in combating terrorism. The agreement deals in particular with the status of Northern Ireland, (article 1), in which both Governments : (a) affirm that any change in the status of Northern Ireland would only come about with the consent of a majority of the people of Northern Ireland.
(b) recognise that the present wish of a majority of the people of Northern Ireland is for no change in the status of Northern Ireland. (c) declare that, if in the future a majority of the people of Northern Ireland clearly wish for and formally consent to the establishment of a united Ireland, they will introduce and support in the respective Parliaments legislation to give effect to that wish. The agreement also provides for the establishment of an intergovernmental conference in which the Irish Government put forward views and proposals concerning stated aspects of Northern Ireland affairs and in which the promotion of cross-border co- operation is discussed and in which determined efforts are made to resolve any differences between the two Governments.
2. Since the signature of the agreement a number of measures and new arrangements have been introduced affecting the lives of both sections of the community in Northern Ireland. While it is true that some of these were already in hand before the agreement was signed, it is clear that there has been great benefit from the new and substantive co-operation and dialogue between the British and Irish governments established under the agreement.
The work of the Intergovernmental Conference and its Secretariat 3. The intergovernmental conference was set up, under article 2 of the agreement, to deal, on a regular basis, with political matters ; security and related matters ; legal matters (including the administration of justice) ; and the promotion of cross-border co-operation. It has provided a valuable framework for the conduct of Anglo-Irish relations with particular regard to Northern Ireland. The conference, supported by the secretariat, has provided a forum which has enabled Ministers and senior officials of both sides to maintain close and frequent contact, which has given them a greater awareness of the political and other realities against which the other side has to operate. It has thus reduced the risk of misunderstandings arising over particular incidents and increased the likelihood of problems being resolved in a spirit of co-operation and without acrimony. It has enabled each side to take decisions within its jurisdiction with greater knowledge and awareness of the likely impact and reactions on the other side. It has also been welcomed internationally, where it has been recognised as establishing a better relationship between the British and Irish Governments and as making a very positive contribution to addressing the fundamental problems of Northern Ireland.
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4. The conference has met frequently since its first meeting on 11 December 1985. The issues discussed by the conference have been summarised in the joint statements published after each conference meeting. The continuing effort to improve cross-border security co-operation is an important and regular item on the agenda of conference meetings. A wide range of other matters has also been considered ; and the discussions in the conference are helpful, among other things, in ensuring that minority concerns are taken into account in subsequent policy decisions by the Government. Thus, for example, the Government's proposals which have led to the introduction of further fair employment legislation for Northern Ireland have been discussed at many conference meetings. Other subjects which have benefited from regular discussion include the enhancement of confidence in the system of justice and relations between the community and the security forces. The outcome of many of these discussions is reflected in the body of this paper.5. Another area in which discussions have proved valuable is the "Making Belfast Work" project launched by the Government in July 1988. The project is aimed at increasing progress in tackling the problems in the disadvantaged areas of Belfast ; additional resources have been provided and the "Strategy for Action" was published in January 1989. A detailed programme of further action planned in these areas in the financial year 1989-90, amounting to £15 million in government expenditure, was announced in March 1989. An initiative to stimulate the regeneration of Londonderry was launched in December 1988.
6. Article 3 of the agreement states that :
A Secretariat shall be established by the two Governments to service the Conference on a continuing basis in the discharge of its functions as set out in this Agreement."
The secretariat is responsible for making the arrangements for conference meetings. This includes the holding of preparatory discussions between officials, agreeing the agenda between the two sides, recording the discussions at the conference itself, and, as appropriate, ensuring that work agreed on at the conference is taken forward.
7. The Secretariat was established at Maryfield outside Belfast. It is headed by British and Irish joint secretaries, with a small supporting staff. As agreed by the two Governments at the first meeting of the conference, the secretariat has functioned as a continuing channel of communication between the two sides on all matters covered by the articles of the agreement. It enables messages to be passed promptly and potential problems to be swiftly addressed. It has also served as a forum for each side to explain the broad aspects of its security policy and as a channel to convey to the British authorities at high levels the views of the Irish Government in respect of the interests of the nationalist community. 8. The secretariat is not a "complaints bureau" nor does it have executive or operational responsibilities.
9. Set out below is a summary of the progress made under each main area of activity of the agreement.
Rights and identities of the two traditions ; human rights and the prevention of discrimination.
10. Progress has been achieved in the following areas : (i) Legislation has been enacted ending the anomaly whereby "I" voters have been unable to vote in district council elections. (The Elected Authorities (NI) Act 1989).
(ii) The Flags and Emblems Act (NI) 1954 has been repealed. (iii) The Fair Employment (NI) Bill which has been introduced in the current parliamentary Session provides for further measures to eliminate religious discrimination and promote equality of opportunity in employment, including :
(a) compulsory monitoring of religious composition of workforce and periodic review of employment practices ;
(b) establishing a new, and strengthened Fair Employment Commission (and a new Fair Employment Tribunal with wide enforcement powers) ; (c) economic sanctions--those in breach of statutory obligations ineligible to tender for public sector business or for Government grants ;
(d) a new code of practice to be drawn up by the new commission ;
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(e) The commission may issue enforceable directions obliging employers to take affirmative action measures and may issue notices relating to goals and timetables.(iv) The police have been given greater powers to control parades and marches which are likely to give rise to provocation. (Public Order (NI) Order 1987) ;
(v) The law on prevention of incitement to hatred has been strengthened. (Public Order (NI) Order 1987).
(vi) Irish Language
Irish views on the place in the curriculum of the Irish language were taken into account during the formal consultation on education reform in Northern Ireland ;Guidance has been issued to Government Departments on the use in official business of Irish personal names and on the handling of correspondence in Irish ;Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland (OSNI) has produced and published a dual-language map and gazetteer of Northern Ireland ;
A question on the Irish language will be included in the 1991 census.
Role and Composition of Public Bodies
11. The British side has provided the Irish side with briefing on the arrangements for public appointments in Northern Ireland and provides information about forthcoming vacancies, and has considered any suggestions made by the Irish side.
Security Policy, Relations between the Security Forces and the Community, and Prisons Policy
12. The Government believe that creating wider and stronger public support for the police and the armed forces in Northern Ireland is as essential as progress in political, security and economic policies. Security force commanders seek to ensure through training and briefing that the security forces treat members of the public with the highest standards of courtesy at all times. The conference has devoted considerable attention to ways of improving relations between the security forces and the community. The Irish side have put forward a number of proposals in this area. Measures taken include : Explicit confirmation of the policy pursued since 1984 that, wherever possible, patrols by the armed forces that are likely to come into contact with the public should be accompanied by a member of the RUC ;
Improvements in the procedure for handling complaints against the police, including the establishment of an independent commission for police complaints. (Police (NI) Order 1987) ;
The RUC has made considerable efforts to increase the level of recruitment from the minority community ;
The RUC Chief Constable has introduced a new code of conduct for all RUC officers (placed in the House of Commons Library on 15 March 1988) ;
The Police Authority for Northern Ireland and the Chief Constable of the RUC have jointly written to district councils proposing a widely representative scheme of police/community liaison committees based on police sub-divisions ;
The forthcoming Police and Criminal Evidence (NI) Order will introduce a statutory requirement for the police to liaise with the local community ;
The Army has introduced new procedures to ensure that, wherever possible, allegations of misbehaviour against members of the armed forces will be resolved with a response to the complainant within three to four weeks ;
A committee of British officials has been established to keep under review the number and nature of allegations of misbehaviour by members of the security forces and the speed and effectiveness with which they are handled.
13. In June 1988 the Secretary of State announced a special review of all the remaining special category life sentence prisoners, and shortly afterwards a special review of the remaining Secretary of State's pleasure prisoners who had served more than eight years. Details of the initial results of the SOSP review were made public shortly before Christmas, and the initial results of the special category review were announced in March.
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