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Mr. Maclean [holding answer 4 April 1995]: The AFR consortium, which represents 36 police forces in England and Wales, has decided to terminate its existing contract for the provision of automated fingerprint recognition facilities and to make new arrangements. All the police forces concerned retain paper records. My Department is monitoring the implications of these developments for the effectiveness of the police service in consultation with the AFR consortium.
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Criminal Injuries Compensation
Mr. Ainger: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he intends to take regarding the future organisation and level of criminal injuries compensation.
Mr. Howard [pursuant to his reply, 9 March 1995, c. 443]: The Judicial Committee of the House of Lords delivered its judgment today.
We are naturally disappointed at the judgment, which we are studying carefully. However, we will, of course, act in accordance with the law as determined by their Lordships.
The judgment relates to the method of introduction of the tariff scheme, not its merits. The Government remain firmly committed to the tariff approach. They believe a tariff scheme is the only sure way to bring the costs of the scheme under control and to provide a better service to the blameless victims of violent crime.
We therefore intend to introduce as soon as practicable a Bill inviting Parliament to give statutory force to a new tariff scheme as quickly a possible.
CHURCH COMMISSIONERS
Disabled People (Access)
Mr. Barnes: To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, as representing the Church Commissioners, if he will outline the measures taken, facilities offered and adjustments made by the Church Commissioners to facilitate access for disabled people; what plans the Commissioners have to improve access; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Alison: The commissioners recognise the need to facilitate access for the disabled and we have made a number of improvements to our main office premises, namely No. 1 Millbank, SW1--built in 1906 and listed Grade II*. These include the provision of an invalid WC suitable for wheelchair use, ramps within the building where a change of level occurs and handrails where necessary. All internal doors can accommodate wheelchairs. The entrance to our office is staffed at all times and the needs of disabled visitors can be attended to immediately.
NORTHERN IRELAND
Cross-border Co-operation
Mr. Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of Statefor Northern Ireland what (a) relationships, (b) joint bodies and (c) contacts presently exist on (i) an all-Ireland, (ii) cross-border, and (iii) a north-south basis through (1) the Department of Environment and (2) any of its agencies. [17056]
Mr. Moss: A copy of a list of north-south economic co-operation projects involving the Department of the Environment and its agencies is available in the Library.
The Department and its agencies also liaise informally and co-operate with various bodies in the Republic of Ireland on a wide variety of issues of mutual interest.
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Mr. Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what (a) relationships, (b) joint bodies and (c) contacts presently exist on (i) an all-Ireland,(ii) cross-border, and (iii) a north-south basis through(1) the Department of Health and Social Services and(2) any of its agencies. [17054]
Mr. Moss: The Department and the Social Security Agency maintain regular contact with officials in the Departments of Health and of Social Welfare in the Republic of Ireland on a range of issues of mutual interests. Also, cross-border co-operation is on-going between health boards in the border areas. Regular bilateral meetings take place on a north-south basis between Health Ministers in both jurisdictions and from time to time social security matters will also be the subject of discussion at ministerial level.
A list of north-south economic co-operation contacts and projects involving the Department of Health and Social Services and its agencies has been placed in the Library.
Mr. Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what (a) relationships, (b) joint bodies and (c) contacts presently exist on (i) an all-Ireland,(ii) cross-border, and (iii) a north-south basis through(1) the Department of Economic Development and (2) any of its agencies. [17055]
Mr. Ancram: A list of cross-border projects involving the Department of Economic Development and its agencies is available in the Library.
In addition, officials of the Department and its agencies liaise informally with a number of bodies in the Republic of Ireland on a range of matters of mutual interest.
Mr. Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what (a) relationships, (b) joint bodies and (c) contacts presently exist on (i) an all-Ireland,(ii) cross-border, and (iii) a north-south basis through(1) the Department of Agriculture and (2) any of its agencies. [17057]
Mr. Ancram: The Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland formally co-operates with the Republic of Ireland in the administration of the Foyle Fisheries Commission, in the operation and maintenance of the Shannon-Erne waterway, and is formally represented on the Advisory Board of the International Fund for Ireland, the Interreg Monitoring Committee, and liaises on rural development matters.
There are regular, on-going contacts between the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland and corresponding Irish Departments on matters of mutual interest. In addition, a list of north-south economic co-operation projects involving the Department is available in the Library.
Mr. Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what (a) relationships, (b) joint bodies and (c) contacts presently exist on (i) an all-Ireland basis, (ii) cross border and (iii) a north- south basis through(1) the Department of Finance and Personnel and (2) any of its agencies. [17058]
Sir John Wheeler: The Department of Finance and Personnel jointly administers the Northern Ireland/Republic of Ireland Interreg programme with the Department of Finance, Dublin. Occasional contacts are also made between the two Departments on civil service personnel management issues. A list of cross-border
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projects involving the Department and its agencies is available in the Library.In addition, the International Fund for Ireland was established jointly by the British and Irish Governments in 1986 as an independent international organisation with the objective of promoting economic and social advance and encouraging dialogue between unionists and nationalists throughout Ireland. The fund has a variety of programmes which it operates and administers on a cross-border basis.
Mr. Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what (a) relationships, (b) joint bodies and (c) contacts presently exist on (i) an all-Ireland,(ii) cross-border; and (iii) a north-south basis through(1) the Department of Education; and (2) any of its agencies. [17059]
Mr. Ancram: A curriculum development project--the European studies project--was set up in 1986 by the Departments of Education in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and England. The project, which embraces over 300 schools in 14 European jurisdictions, is now funded jointly by the Departments of Education in Northern Ireland and in the Republic of Ireland. Regular liaison takes place between the two Departments on all aspects of the project.
A list of cross-border projects involving the Department of Education and its agencies is available in the Library.
Mr. Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what (a) relationships, (b) joint bodies and (c) contacts presently exist on (i) an all-Ireland,(ii) cross-border; and (iii) a north-south basis through(1) the Northern Ireland Office and (2) any of its agencies. [17060]
Mr. Ancram: Article 2 (a) of the Anglo-Irish agreement established an intergovernmental conference, which is supported by a joint secretariat and which deals, among other matters, with the promotion of cross-border co -operation. A range of contacts on matters of mutual interest take place, at the appropriate level and as the need arises, between Ministers and officials of the NIO and of the Irish Government.
Other contacts with Irish Government officials may be established at various levels as the need arises: the Northern Ireland Forensic Science Laboratory, when investigating cases with a cross-border element, and the emergency planning branch, on issues relating to disasters and civil emergencies, have such contacts from time to time.
Drugs
Mr. Clifford Forsythe: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 16 March, Official Report, column 665, on drugs, if he will list the number of occasions and dates when meetings took place between (a) Northern Ireland Housing Executive senior executive and appropriate RUC level, (b) Northern Ireland Housing Executive regional level and appropriate RUC level and (c) Northern Ireland Housing Executive district level and appropriate RUC level on this matter; and what was the outcome of these discussions. [17642]
Sir John Wheeler: There is regular and effective liaison between the RUC and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive at all appropriate levels; this is not restricted to drug investigations.
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Local liaison is in response to all relevant issues and problems as they arise and the arrangements are not structured as asked. There is no central record of the contacts. The sub- divisional commanders in the respective operational areas are the primary point of contact.Advertising
Mrs. Ann Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list for 1992 93 and 1993 94, separate figures for the spending by his Department on (a) television advertising, (b) radio advertising, (c) newspaper advertising, (d) other promotion materials and activities, (e) the totals in each year of (a) to (d) and (f) the proportion of (e) that was spent on recruitment advertising; and what are his latest estimates for the years 1994 95 and 1995 96. [17605]
Sir John Wheeler: I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.
Mrs. Ann Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list each non-departmental public body and agency for which he has responsibility and, for each, list separate figures for the spending by that body or agency on (a) television advertising, (b) radio advertising, (c) newspaper advertising, (d) other promotion materials and activities, (e) the totals in each year of (a) to (d) and (f) the proportion of (e) that was spent on recruitment advertising for each year since 1979 80 or for each year of its existence if it has been created since 1979 80; and what are his latest estimates of (a) to (f) for the years 1994 95 and 1995 96. [17606]
Sir John Wheeler: The information requested on non-departmental public bodies is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate costs.
The administration of the next steps agencies is a matter for the chief executive of each agency. The Social Security Agency cannot identify separate SSA costs from the Department of Health and Social Services total. I have asked the remaining chief executives to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from D. A. Stanley to Mrs. Ann Taylor, dated30 March 1995:
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked me to reply, on behalf of the Compensation Agency, to your recent Question regarding the advertising.
The Compensation Agency has not incurred expenditure on advertising or other promotional materials and activities in any year since its creation on 1 April 1992. It is not anticipated that any expenditure will be incurred in the years 1994 95 or 1995 96. Letter from P. Devlin to Mrs. Ann Taylor, dated31 March 1995: The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked me to reply to your question about spending by NDPBs and Agencies on advertising and other promotion materials and activities.
Since its inception in April 1993 the NI Child Support Agency has spent a total of £10,294.27 on advertising and other promotion materials and activities. The information requested in relation to the specific categories is as follows:
|1993-94 |1994-95
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Television Advertising |Nil |Nil
Radio Advertising |Nil |Nil
Newspaper Advertising |£2,974.85 |£1,391.80
Other Promotion |Nil |Nil
Materials and Activities |£5,927.62 |Nil
Total |£8,902.47 |£1,391.80
Proportion of total spent on
Recruitment Advertising |33 per cent. |100 per cent.
The Agency has at present no plans to spend monies on advertising or other promotional activities in 1995 96.
I hope you find this information useful.
Letter from J. B. Watson to Mrs. Ann Taylor, dated30 March 1995 : I am responding to your recent parliamentary question in which you asked for spending on various forms of advertising and other promotion materials and activities.
The Agency has not advertised on television or radio. The table below shows actual and estimated expenditure on other activities since the Agency was established in April 1992.
(Figures in £000)
|1994-95 |1995-96
|1992-93 |1993-94 |(estimate)|(estimate)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Newspaper
Advertising |10 |3 |7 |10
Other
promotional
material and
activities |- |- |1 |2
Total |10 |3 |8 |12
Costs for recruitment advertising are not met by the Agency.
Letter from Brendan Magee to Mrs. Ann Taylor, dated 31 March 1995:
I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary question about advertising and promotional materials costs incurred by this Agency, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Northern Ireland.
The Agency was established on 2 August 1993. Since then the only advertising costs incurred have been:
|£
-----------------------------------------------------------------
1993/94
Newspaper Advertising |325.20
Total for 1993/94 |325.20
1994/95
Newspaper Advertising |1,071.21
Campaign against Vehicle Excise Duty Evasion |15,000.0
Publicity for DVLNI Information Line |15,000.0
Total for 1994-95 |16,071.21
No recruitment advertising costs were incurred during the period and we have no plans for any advertising expenditure for 1995/96. I hope you find this information helpful.
Letter from D. W. Gallagher to Mrs. Ann Taylor, dated 31 March 1995:
Advertising and Publicity (Written PQ No. 509): The Rate Collection Agency- -
Further to your recent Parliamentary Question, I have been asked to provide relevant information relating to the Northern Ireland Rate Collection Agency. For ease of reference I have outlined the details on the attached schedule and have commented briefly below.
The Rate Collection Agency was established in April 1991 as a Next Steps Agency within the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland. The Agency is responsible for the collection of rates in Northern Ireland, and the administration of the Housing
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Benefit scheme for owner-occupiers. Expenditure on advertising and publicity in both 1990/91 and 1991/92 related to promotional materials designed to mark the launch of the Agency and increase awareness of the activities of the new body among both Agency staff and the general public. The expenditure in subsequent years was associated with the RCA contribution towards a publicity campaign to promote public awareness and uptake of Housing Benefit. No expenditure on advertising and publicity was incurred during 1994/95. However, extensive newspaper advertising will be required during 1995/96 to advise the public of the reorganisation of the local office structure of the Rate Collection Agency.I hope that you will find this information helpful.
Expenditure on advertising and publicity-RCA
|1990-91|1991-92|1992-93|1993-94|1994-95
----------------------------------------------------------------
Promotion
materials and
activities |7,100 |2,800 |1,600 |- |-
Radio and
television
advertising |- |- |3,000 |4,000 |-
Letter from J. F. Codd to Mrs. Ann Taylor, dated30 March 1995: The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked the Chief Executive to reply to your Question about spending by Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland on advertising since 1979/80. In the absence of the Chief Executive I am replying on his behalf.
Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland was launched as a Next Steps Agency on 1 April 1992 and we have no financial information for the years prior to that date. The figures for spending in the years
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1992/93 and 1993/94 and the estimated figures for 1994/95 and 1995/96 are as follows:
|1992/93|1993/94|1994/95|1995/96
------------------------------------------------
a. |None |None |None |None
b. |None |None |None |None
c. |None |None |None |None
d. |£1,100 |£2,500 |£3,250 |£3,500
e. |£1,100 |£2,500 |£3,250 |£3,500
f. |None |None |None |None
Letter from D. J. Bell to Mrs. Ann Taylor, dated 31 March 1995: Reference: Recently Tabled Parliamentary Question for Answer on 5 April 1995
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question relating to expenditure by the Valuation and Lands Agency on television, radio or newspaper advertising or other promotional materials since 1979 80.
The Valuation and Lands Agency and its predecessors the Valuation and Lands Office and the Valuation Office have not incurred any expenditure within the period since 1979 80 on advertising or promotional materials.
I trust this information is sufficient for your purposes however if I can be of any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact me.
Letter from Ian Walters to Mrs. Ann Taylor, dated 4 April 1995: Your recent parliamentary question to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland regarding expenditure on advertising has been passed to me for reply on behalf of the Training and Employment Agency. The breakdown of figures you requested is as follows:
Column 1253
|Promotional
|Television |Newspaper |material and
Year |advertising |Radio advertising|advertising |activities |Total
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1990-91 |183,780 |- |210,055 |226,539 |620,374
1991-92 |48,815 |- |115,781 |178,282 |342,878
1992-93 |120,480 |15,000 |240,500 |292,076 |668,056
1993-94 |43,175 |16,218 |142,234 |292,164 |493,791
1994-95 (actual) |181,254 |13,919 |137,816 |282,477 |615,466
1995-96 (estimate) |182,365 |13,978 |138,652 |284,222 |619,217
Recruitment advertising is a matter for the Civil Service Commission and is not delegated to the Agency.
I hope you find this information helpful.
Parliamentary Questions
Mrs. Ann Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many parliamentary questions to his Department that were transferred for answer to the chief executive or other senior official of a non-departmental public body or agency for which he has responsibility received an answer which was not printed in the Official Report in each year since 1979 80 or for each year that the body or agency has been in existence; [18534]
(2) how many parliamentary questions to his Department were transferred for answer to the chief executive or other senior official of a non- departmental public body or agency for which he has responsibility in each year since 1979 80 or for each year that the body or agency has been in existence. [18533]
Sir John Wheeler: The information requested is a matter of public record but it could be extracted in the form requested at only disproportionate cost.
Column 1254
Abortion
Mr. Soley: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the abortion rate for residents of (a) Greater Belfast and (b) Northern Ireland during each of the years 1990 to 1994; and were the comparable figures for England, Wales and Scotland. [18617]
Mr David Steel: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many abortions (a) paid for and (b) not paid for by the NHS were carried out on residents of Northern Ireland in premises in England and Wales in each year since 1990. [18866]
Mr. Moss: I shall write to the right hon. and hon. Members as soon as possible.
Industrial Development, South Devon
Mr. McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what progress has been made on the identification of sites for industrial development in South
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Down by the Industrial Development Board and the Department of the Environment and Planning Service. [18555]Mr. Ancram: Ten sites have been identified as having potential suitability for industrial development in Downpatrick. Two are being surveyed to determine their suitability as Industrial Development Board industrial estates. The reports are expected at the end of May.
Roads
Mr. McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what financial allocations have been made from EC structural funds, 1994 99 towards new roads infrastructure in the Downpatrick and Craigavon divisions; and if he will make a statement. [18556]
Mr. Moss: No financial allocations have been made from EC structural funds 1994 99 in respect of roads infrastructure in the Downpatrick division. In the Craigavon division, grant of £1,845,000 from the EC structural funds 1994 99 has, to date, been paid in respect of work on the Newry by-pass stage II.
Mr. McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the projects in the major road works programme with the appropriate costings for the 1995 98 period which was recently approved; and if he will make a statement. [18558]
Mr Moss: The major works programme for roads is reviewed annually and the latest programme, covering the period April 1995 to March 2000, is as follows:
|Total
|estimated
|cost
|£ million
--------------------------------------------------------------------
New starts in 1995-96
Purdysburn Road, Belfast: stages 1B and 2 |2.1
Ballymaconaghy Road, Belfast: stage 2 |0.6
A5 Maheramason |0.9
Omagh Through-pass: stage 2B |2.3
Motorway Emergency Telephone System |5.3
A5 Burndennett |1.3
Church Street/Scotch Street, Downpatrick |1.7
New starts in 1996-97
Anne Street/Thomas Street, Dungannon |0.8
Balmoral Avenue/Malone Road, Belfast |0.4
Northern Distributor, Ballymena |2.2
A29 Carland Bridge, Dungannon |2.2
A26 Antrim/Ballymena Dualling: stage 2 |2.7
A5 Leckpatrick |0.8
Balloo Road, Bangor |0.5
New starts in 1997-98
Comber By-pass: stage 2 |2.9
Belfast Inner Ring Road (Southern Section) |2.5
A5 Garvaghy |0.4
Strand Road, Londonderry: stage 2 |1.8
A2 Limavady By-pass: stage 1 (Earthworks) |2.5
A8 Belfast-Larne Road Dualling: stage 1 |2.5
A2 Shore Road, University of Ulster/Ravenhill |3.8
No schemes are programmed to start during 1998-
1999
New starts in 1999-2000
A6 Toome By-pass |1.4
Belfast Inner Ring Road (South/West Section) |4.0
Limavady By-pass: stage 2 (Bridgeworks) |2.2
A26 Windyhall Dualling Coleraine |0.6
Northway, Portadown |0.8
A1 Fourmile/Buskshill Dualling, Newry |3.3
Comber Road/Portaferry Road; Newtownards |0.6
A5 Bready |0.4
A5 Ballyfatton |0.2
Mr. McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions have taken place with representatives of the EC task force and the European Commissioner responsible for the peace and reconciliation fund about the allocation of funding towards roads infrastructure in Craigavon and Downpatrick roads division; and if he will make a statement. [18559]
Mr. Moss: None. There will be an opportunity to consider specific projects when the programme has been agreed with Brussels.
Carlingford Lough Ferry Project
Mr. McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made towards funding the Carlingford lough ferry project; and if he will make a statement. [18557]
Mr. Moss: The east border region committee, which is sponsoring the scheme, has been advised to apply for assistance from the EC under the Interreg initiative.
The Commission has just recently approved the joint Interreg programme for 1994 99. Application forms for assistance should be issued soon.
Cattle Plague
Mr. Morley: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many cases of cattle plague were reported in each year since 1985. [18612]
Young Offenders Centre, Millisle
Mr. Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the total cost of the clothes provided for the inmates at the young offenders centre in Millisle for each of the last five years. [18618]
Sir John Wheeler: The cost per year to provide clothing for the young people at Lisnevin was as follows:
-
|Amount
Financial year |£
---------------------------------------------
1989-90 |6,843
1990-91 |5,995
1991-92 |10,464
1992-93 |10,029
1993-94 |9,614
Total |42,945
Mr. Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will break down the repair costs for the young offenders centre at Millisle in each of the last five years. [18620]
Column 1257
Sir John Wheeler: The costs of repairs on-going maintenance at Lisnevin training school over the period 1 April 1989 to 31 March 1994 are as follows:
|Cost of
Financial year |repairs/ maintenance
|£
---------------------------------------------------------------
1989-90 |5,706
1990-91 |1,781
1991-92 |<1>14,167
1992-93 |5,167
1993-94 |<2>17,421
Grand total |44,242
<1> Includes the cost of removing two temporary building.
<2> Includes the cost of laying flags around dormitories and
installing fans in common rooms.
Mr. Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the cost of the repairs required to the young offenders centre in Millisle after the latest disturbance at the centre. [18621]
Sir John Wheeler: The latest disturbance at Lisnevin occurred on 23 November 1994. The following schedule sets out the cost of repairing damage following that disturbance:
|£
------------------------------
Building |962
Plumbing |2,207
Electrical |113
Carpet |2,157
Furniture |1,175
Fire Alarm System |308
Painting |450
Total |7,372
Mr. Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans there are to build a swimming pool at the young offenders centre in Millisle; and what is the estimated cost. [18621]
Sir John Wheeler: There are no plans at present to construct a swimming pool at Lisnevin training school.
Out-patient Appointments
Mr. Alex Carlile: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the cost to the NHS in Northern Ireland of the non-attenders to out-patient appointments in 1993 94. [17713]
Mr. Moss: Information is not available in the form requested. It is normal practice to allow for non-attendance in the number of appointments made, and consequently the costs incurred in providing clinics are fully utilised. Any remaining issues concerning continuing treatment of non- attenders are addressed by the consultant responsible.
Green Policy
Ms. Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will name the green Minister for his Department and list (a) the green initiatives taken by that Minister in respect of the Department's functions, (b) the representations made by the Minister in respect of the functions carried out by other Departments and (c) the
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