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Mr. McGrady : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the current composition of the Local Government Staff Commission by name, address and interests represented.
Mr. Peter Bottomley : The information is as follows :
Chairman
Professor D. Rea MSc (Econ) MBA PLD, Dip. Soc. Studies--Belfast Members representing employee interests
Mr. W. E. Andrews ACIS--Coleraine :
--nominated by SOLACE.
Mr. J. Cooper--Bangor :
nominated by NIC/ICTU
Mr. J. Donaghy--Ballymoney
nominated by NIC/ICTU
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Members representing employer interestsCouncillor J. H. Allen OBE--Antrim
nominated by Antrim BC
Councillor P. Brannigan--Armagh
nominated by Armagh DC
Councillor F. Cobain--Belfast
nominated by Belfast CC
Councillor W. J. Thompson--Beragh
nominated by Omagh DC
Members with knowledge/expertise on employment matters Mr. D. Clement-- Antrim
financial background
Mr. T. H. N. Jackson--Belfast
member of Public Service Training Council with personnel experience
Councillor Mrs. M. McSorley MBE--Draperstown
local government background
Mr. P. O. Neill OBE--Belfast
Assistant Director of Personnel in the Northern Ireland Housing Executive
Mrs. M. S. V. Young BA Hons.--Holywood
Lecturer with management, industrial relations and personnel background.
Coleraine Council (Employment Practices)
Mr. McGrady : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what steps are being taken by Coleraine borough council to ensure that the current imbalances in employment practices are being rectified ;
(2) what steps are being taken by the Fair Employment Commission to ensure that the current imbalances in employment practices in Coleraine borough council are being rectified.
Mr. Peter Bottomley : Under Section 12 of the Fair Employment (NI) Act 1976 the Fair Employment Agency (now the commission) investigated Coleraine borough council in 1987. The report of the findings of this investigation is still unpublished but the commission has advised that the council accepted all its recommendations for action to ensure that equality of opportunity in employment is afforded, except for signing the declaration of principle and intent and the introduction of work force monitoring.
The council is specified as a public authority by the Fair Employment (Specification of Public Authorities) Order (NI) 1989 and is therefore deemed to be automatically registered with the Fair Employment Commission to which it will submit annual returns monitoring the religious composition of its work force. The council has indicated that following the introduction of the Fair Employment (NI) Act 1989 a system of monitoring has been introduced.
Fair Employment
Mr. John D. Taylor : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps are being taken by Derry city council to ensure that the current imbalances in employment are being rectified.
Mr. Peter Bottomley : In 1986 at the request of Derry city council, the Fair Employment Agency (now the commission) investigated the council's employee patterns. A report on this investigation (published in 1987) found that the overall employment pattern derived from the analysis suggested that the council's employment procedures provided equality of opportunity in employment.
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Under the Fair Employment (NI) Act 1989, the council has a duty to submit to the Fair Employment Commission annual returns monitoring the religious composition of its workforce. Until the first monitoring return is received, the commission will not hold up-to- date information on this breakdown.Mr. John D. Taylor : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps are being taken by Down district council to ensure that the current imbalances in employment are being rectified.
Mr. Peter Bottomley : In response to a request from the Fair Employment Agency (now the commission) in 1987, Down district council agreed to participate in a voluntary exercise to monitor the religious composition of its workforce and to submit the information obtained to the agency for consideration.
The Fair Employment Commission, in consultation with the council, is currently assessing the council's employment composition. This assessment has not yet been completed nor has a final report been sent to the council.
Under the Fair Employment (NI) Act 1989, the council has a duty to submit to the Fair Employment Commission annual returns monitoring the religious composition of its workforce. Until the first monitoring return is received, the commission will not hold up-to-date information on this breakdown.
Mr. John D. Taylor : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps are being taken by Newry and Mourne district council to ensure that the current imbalances in employment are being rectified.
Mr. Peter Bottomley : Under section 12 of the Fair Employment (NI) Act 1976 the Fair Employment Agency (now the commission) investigated Newry and Mourne district council in 1987. The report of the investigation has not yet been published but the commission has advised that the council agreed to accept a programme entitled "Future Action" which was included in the report and designed to ensure that equality of opportunity in employment is afforded. Under the Fair Employment (NI) Act 1989, the council has a duty to submit to the Fair Employment Commission annual returns monitoring the religious composition of its workforce. Until the first monitoring return is received, the commission will not hold up-to- date information on this breakdown.
Mr. John D. Taylor : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps are being taken by Strabane district council to ensure that the current imbalances in employment at non-management levels are being rectified.
Mr. Peter Bottomley : Under section 12 of the Fair Employment (NI) Act 1976, the Fair Employment Agency (now the commission) investigated Strabane district council in 1988. The report of this investigation is still
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unpublished but the commission has advised that the council accepted all its recommendations for action to ensure that equality of opportunity in employment is afforded.Under the Fair Employment (NI) Act 1989, the council has a duty to submit to the Fair Employment Commission annual returns monitoring the religious composition of its workforce. Until the first monitoring return is received the commission will not hold up-to-date information on the religious breakdown at non-management or other levels of employees.
Residents' Parking Schemes
Rev. Martin Smyth : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects his Department to have completed its consideration of residents' parking schemes ; when he expects to take powers to implement such schemes ; what representations he has had from people and organisations in Northern Ireland about residents' parking ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Peter Bottomley : There has been some interest in residential parking schemes in some parts of inner Belfast. There would be problems of financing and policing. Enabling legislation available is not expected before 1993.
Mr. Colin Wallace
Mr. William Ross : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, further to his written answer to the hon. Member for Londonderry, East of 8 February, Official Report, column 745, what information was discovered regarding the activities of Colin Wallace and his section during the detailed study of the relevant Northern Ireland Office files ; and whether any files or their contents were missing.
Mr. Brooke : Study of Northern Ireland Office files did not produce any information which would require me to add to the detailed reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Armed Forces to my hon. Friend the Member for Arundel (Mr. Marshall) on 30 January. I am not aware of any missing files or missing contents of files.
DHSS Officers
Mr. William Ross : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a table showing the number of (a) administrative assistants, (b) administrative officers, (c) executive officers grade 2, (d) executive officers grade 1, and (e) staff officers employed in the Department of Health and Social Services offices in (i) Strabane, (ii) Limavady, (iii) Londonderry, (iv) Lisnakelly, (v) Coleraine, (vi) Omagh and (vii) Magherafelt at the present time ; and what was the number five years ago.
Mr. Needham [holding answer 13 February 1990] : The figures requested are :
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|Administration |Administration<1> |Executive<1> |Executive |Staff officer
|assistant |officer |officer 2 |officer 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. February 1990
Strabane |13 |46 |15 |4 |2
Limavady |8 |29 |10 |4 |1
Londonderry |31 |126 |42 |10 |4
Lisahally (Lisnakelly) |122 |13 |5 |2 |2
Coleraine |13 |54 |20 |5 |2
Omagh |13 |47 |15 |5 |2
Magherafelt |9 |42 |10 |4 |2
2. March 1985<2>
Strabane |13 |53 |18 |3 |2
Limavady |7 |32 |9 |3 |1
Londonderry |34 |140 |42 |9 |4
Lisahally (Lisnakelly) |77 |8 |3 |2 |1
Coleraine |11 |50 |17 |4 |2
Omagh |12 |46 |13 |4 |2
Magherafelt |8 |41 |11 |3 |2
<1> The grades of administrative officer and executive officer 2 are not used in social security offices. The equivalent grades in those offices are social security officer II and social security officer I respectively.
<2> March 1985 is the nearest comparable date for which figures are available.
Registration
Mr. Colvin : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he intends to introduce legislation to reform the system for registering births, marriages and deaths in Northern Ireland, along the lines proposed for England and Wales in the White Paper, "Registration : Proposals for Change".
Mr. Needham [holding answer 16 February 1990] : Many of the changes recommended for the registration system for England and Wales already apply in Northern Ireland. The Government will consider, in due course, those reforms which may require comparable action here and whether it may be necessary to make changes to the relevant separate Northern Ireland legislation.
PRIME MINISTER
Commonwealth
Q28. Mr. Boswell : To ask the Prime Minister what recent representations she has received concerning the Commonwealth.
The Prime Minister : I frequently receive representations relating to many Commonwealth issues from hon. Members and from members of the public.
Sunday Newspaper Editors
Q55. Mr. Harry Ewing : To ask the Prime Minister if she has any plans to meet officially editors of Sunday newspapers.
The Prime Minister : I have no specific plans at present but I do meet editors from time to time.
Eastern Europe
Q89. Mr. Latham : To ask the Prime Minister whether she is now in a position to announce details of her proposed visits to east European countries.
The Prime Minister : No firm arrangements have yet been made for further visits to east European countries, though I hope to visit a number during the course of this year.
Q117. Dr. Godman : To ask the Prime Minister if she has had any recent discussions with (a) Chancellor Kohl and (b) other European Community state leaders
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concerning the provision of invited official observers, drawn from European Community national legislatures, for the general elections which are to be held throughout central and eastern Europe.The Prime Minister : I have not, though I understand that the IPU is discussing with the east European Governments concerned, the possible provision of observers from this House.
South Africa
Dr. Thomas : To ask the Prime Minister if she will make it her policy to provide special assistance in the form of environmental protection expertise and environmental clean-up technology to the Republic of South Africa.
The Prime Minister : We have received no requests for such assistance.
Poland
Mr. Flynn : To ask the Prime Minister if, during the recent visit of the Polish Prime Minister to the United Kingdom either she or other Ministers of Her Majesty's Government discussed with him (a) the forthcoming fourth review conference of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, (b) technological aid to Poland under article IV of the non- proliferation treaty and (c) the availability of pollution abatement and clean-up equipment to assist in the ecological amelioration of Polish industry.
The Prime Minister : None of these subjects was discussed.
Engagements
Mr. Harry Greenway : To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagemens for Tuesday 20 February.
Mr. Lofthouse : To ask the Prime Minister if she will list her official engagements for Tuesday 20 February.
The Prime Minister : This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House I shall be having further meetings later today.
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HOME DEPARTMENT
Jamie Lloyd Stewart
Mr. Corbyn : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis on the action taken following the inquest into the death of Jamie Lloyd Stewart.
Mr. Peter Lloyd : No. The circumstances of Mr. Stewart's death have been investigated by the Metropolitan police under the supervision of the Police Complaints Authority. The investigating officer's report has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Police Complaints Authority, who will consider whether there are grounds for taking criminal or disciplinary action against any officers involved.
Immigration
Mr. Corbyn : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the total number of arrivals from Jamaica for each month since January 1989 who have been (a) interviewed on arrival or (b) refused entry.
Mr. Peter Lloyd : The available information is given in the table. All Jamaican citizens are interviewed when seeking leave to enter. Figures for those subjected to further examination are not available centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Jamaican citizens admitted to, and refused leave to enter and
removed from, the United Kingdom
1989 |Total admitted<1> |Total refused leave
|to enter and removed
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January |2,600 |75
February |1,700 |79
March |2,000 |82
April |2,200 |71
May |2,300 |59
June |3,800 |65
July |4,500 |75
August |3,900 |55
September |3,300 |72
October |2,400 |58
November |1,900 |63
December |1,800 |49
|--- |---
Total |32,300 |803
<1> Provisional figures.
Metropolitan Police Funding
Mr. Ground : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what will be the total cost to public funds of the Metropolitan police in 1989-90 and 1990-91 ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Waddington : As police authority for the Metropolis, I have approved estimates which provide for net revenue expenditure of £1, 265.075 million in 1990-91. There will be a cash limit on current expenditure of £1,223.389 million. Capital expenditure is subject to separate controls.
I have also approved the issue of a precept of £112.79 per head of relevant population for Metropolitan police purposes. This is not the charge levied on individual community charge payers, but will be levied on local
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authorities' collection funds which will derive income from revenue support grant, national non-domestic rates and community charges. I have approved an increase of £10.461 million in the cash limit of £1,082.391 million for the current year, which was announced on 14 February 1989. This increase has been necessitated by the 57.5 per cent. increase in the police rent allowance made during the year, which imposed additional spending of £23 million over and above the provision made in the cash limit. The Metropolitan police have succeeded in absorbing about half this sum, but I am satisfied that they could not meet the whole of it without affecting police recruitment plans, and have therefore approved this increase.Babies (Abduction)
Mr. Redmond : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list by year and by police authority for the last 10 years, the number of cases of baby abduction that have been investigated.
Mr. John Patten : The available information relates to children aged under 16 and is published annually, and most recently under offence classification 13 in table S3.1 of "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales, Supplementary Tables, 1988 Vol. 3", a copy of which is available in the Library. More precise information on the age of victims of these offences could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Grendon Prison
Mr. Sheerman : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for which period of time Her Majesty's prison Grendon will be closed for refurbishment.
Mr. Mellor : I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a question from the hon. Member for Tooting (Mr. Cox) on 16 January 1990 at column 176.
The establishment is likely to remain closed for a further five to eight months while the essential refurbishment work is in hand.
Mr. Sheerman : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what will be the cost of refurbishing Her Majesty's prison Grendon.
Mr. Mellor : It is estimated that £1.335 million will be spent on refurbishing the establishment while it is temporarily closed. This work is, however, part of a wider programme of refurbishment which began in 1986 and is likely to extend over the next eight to 10 years. We expect that the total cost of this programme will amount to£9 million--£9.5 million (at current prices) of which£1 million has already been spent.
Wellingborough Institution
Mr. Sheerman : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for which period of time the Wellingborough young offenders institution will be used as an adult prison.
Mr. Mellor : Her Majesty's YOI Wellingborough was converted to adult use on 27 January. It will remain as a prison until the repairs at HMP Grendon--whose inmates it is temporarily holding--are completed. This is estimated to be in about five to eight months' time. The use to which
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Wellingborough will be put once its current population is returned to HMP Grendon is under consideration as part of a wide-ranging review of the young offender estate.Mr. Sheerman : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the cost of modifying Wellingborough young offenders institution to make it suitable for adult prisoners.
Mr. Mellor : The latest estimated cost is £230,000.
Everthorpe Prison
Mr. Sheerman : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will review his plans to build a new prison facility at Everthorpe in Humberside, in the light of his proposals in the criminal justice White Paper Cm. 965.
Mr. Mellor : The need for additional prison places is kept under constant review, in the light of existing or anticipated changes in the level of the prison population.
The new remand centre at Everthorpe, on which work has already begun, will provide much needed relief to the severely overcrowded local prisons in the area when it opens early in 1992. I do not anticipate that the proposals in the criminal justice White Paper, "Crime, Justice and Protecting the Public", once enacted, will remove the need for this particular establishment.
London Prisons
Mr. Cox : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with the inner London borough authorities who will shortly assume responsibility for education in their area, and have prisons within their boroughs, as to how they propose to develop education facilities for inmates within such local prisons.
Mr. Mellor : Discussions have taken place with the appropriate London boroughs, resulting in agreement regarding the continued provision of teaching staff on secondment to the prison education service in respect of Brixton, Wandsworth and Wormwood Scrubs prisons, and for the new Belmarsh prison at Greenwich. Negotiations with the London borough of Islington regarding education provision at Holloway and Pentonville prisons have yet to be finalised.
It is considered that the proposed abolition of the ILEA and the assumption of responsibility for the provision of education facilities by the London boroughs should not lead to any diminution of these facilities.
Executioners
Mr. Cox : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of qualified executioners at present in the United Kingdom ; and how and by whom such people are trained for this work.
Mr. Mellor : No one is now employed or trained for this task, and we do not know how many of those who performed it in the past are still alive.
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