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work to daytime work. My aim, so far as is possible, is to achieve these reductions in full-time permanent resources through natural wastage. I have given an assurance that there will be no redundancies as a result of introducing those arrangements in the coming year to the end of March 1996. Overall, however, we are likely to be employing more, rather than less staff, although not all staff will work the full year. This will be jobs in place of the former practice of working excessive overtime in the first half of the year. I do not believe we have breached agreements with the Trade Unions. In certain areas they have been overtaken by events, and we must have regard to the overriding imperatives of Government policy. We shall shortly be consulting our Trade Unions about a review of these arrangements to check that they remain relevant to the Agency's present and future needs. I remain committed to the maintenance of good industrial relations, and to proper consultations with the TUS. As you are aware Ministers have already announced the withdrawal of the British Visitor's Passport (BVP) from 31 December 1995. The Agency is already seeing a steady increase in demand as people switch away from the BVP and we expect these increased levels to continue for the remainder of this year and most of next. Thereafter we will return to lower levels. We have taken a number of measures to cope with this temporary extra demand including increasing the number of seasonal staff we employ and extending the evening shifts. I am confident that these measures will enable us to cope with the expected increase.I expect all of the measures I have outlined in my letter to lead to improved productivity reduced unit costs and an even better service for our customers. I should perhaps re-emphasise that we are currently coping with record levels of demand with an average turnround time of less than seven days and shift working is contributing to this success.
I hope my letter has satisfactorily answered your concerns. If there is anything further you wish to know or if you would like more details of our plans I would be pleased to meet you to discuss them.
Policing, Sussex
Mr. Morley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many representations he has received on the level of policing in Sussex (a) since October 1994 and (b) between May 1994 and October 1994. [21094]
Mr. Maclean: The numbers of representations received were as follows:
Since October 1994: 40
Between May 1994 and October 1994: 3
CS Gas Attacks
Mr. Sutcliffe: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what assessment he has made of the increase in number of CS gas canister attacks on the public; and what advice he is giving concerning them. [21550]
(2) what action he proposes to take to stop CS gas canister attacks in public places. [21553]
Mr. Maclean: Under section 5(1)(b) of the Firearms Act 1968, as amended, devices capable of discharging a noxious substance are classed as prohibited weapons. We consider that CS gas canisters are covered by the terms of section 5(1)(b). Their possession, acquisition, purchase, manufacture, sale and transfer are prohibited without the authority of the Secretary of State.
No information is available centrally on numbers of attacks involving CS gas canisters. The Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 has increased the maximum penalty for the unauthorised possession of a CS gas weapon, or of any other prohibited weapon, to ten years imprisonment.
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The Government take crime prevention very seriously. The Home Office booklet, "Your Practical Guide to Crime Prevention", gives detailed advice on how people can reduce the risk of assault. More than 17 million copies have been distributed to date.Live Animal Exports (Policing)
Mr. Morley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with representatives of the Essex Constabulary on the use of the Public Order Act 1986 at Brightlingsea docks. [21092]
Mr. Maclean: None, beyond requests by officials for factual information.
Mr. Morley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost of the police operation at (a) Dover port and (b) Brightlingsea docks on (i) 20 and (ii) 21 April. [21114]
Mr. Maclean: I understand that the estimated additional costs of policing the demonstrations against live animal exports at Dover port on 20 and 21 April were £32,000 and £17,000 respectively. I am told that Essex police's estimate of the additional costs of policing at Brightlingsea on the dates in question is not yet available. However, the additional pay costs incurred on 20 and 21 April were £7,700 and £2,970 respectively.
Firearms
Mr. Sutcliffe: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what further action he proposes to take in respect of the availability of firearms. [21552]
Mr. Maclean: None. There are already stringent controls designed to restrict access to firearms to suitable persons.
West Yorkshire Police
Mr. Sutcliffe: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will provide additional financial resources to the West Yorkshire police to enable them to deal effectively with violent crime in the area. [21679]
Mr. Maclean: The police authority has taken full advantage of the additional funds already made available for 1995 96, and set this year's force budget at £249.83 million. This is an increase of £8.94 million, or 3.7 per cent., over the base budget for 1994 95.
Sunday Dancing
Mr. Anthony Coombs: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for relaxing the restrictions on Sunday dancing. [22132]
Mr. Michael Forsyth: We have today published a consultation paper proposing that the prohibition imposed by the Sunday Observance Act 1780 on admission charges for public dancing on Sundays should be removed. Our proposals also include amendments to the Licensing Act 1964 so that extensions of licensing hours at places where public dancing takes place may be granted on Sunday evening in the same way as they are on weekdays.
We have in mind to implement these changes by means of the order making power in the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994; and we would hope that they could be introduced before Christmas, as Christmas eve
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and new year's eve, which are popular nights for dancing, this year fall on a Sunday.Copies of the consultation paper, to which responses are requested by Friday 26 May, have been placed in the Library.
Prison Service News
Mr. Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total cost, including cost of compilation, cost of production, cost of distribution, and all other costs, of Prison Service News for April 1995.
Mr. Michael Forsyth [holding answer 21 April 1995]: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from B. Launders to Mr. Gerald Kaufman, dated 28 April 1995:
The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about the cost of producing the April issue of Prison Service News.
The total cost, including paper, colour separations, proofing, printing, distribution and staff wages was £9,913.70.
Set against this cost was £2,373 of advertising revenue.
Premises in Multiple Occupation
Mr. Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the standard of enforcement of fire safety regulations in former seaside guest houses and hotels now used as houses in multiple occupation and located in the Kent coastal towns. [20782]
Mr. Robert B. Jones: I have been asked to reply.
Enforcement of standards for fire precautions and means of escape for houses in multiple occupation is the responsibility of the local housing authority. No particular study of the adequacy of enforcement of these powers in Kent has been made, but the Government are undertaking a more general review of HMO enforcement powers and hope to make an announcement shortly about their proposals for change.
NORTHERN IRELAND
Fair Employment
Mr. McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what firms have failed to respond to inquiries from the Fair Employment Commission about progress with affirmative action measures and goals and timetables; and what fines have been issued as a result of such breaches since the implementation of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989. [19859]
Mr. Ancram: To date, the commission has sought information concerning affirmative action and goals and timetables without resort to formal powers of inquiry under section 32 of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989.
Mr. McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what firms have failed to respond to inquiries from the Fair Employment Commission about the regular review of practices or about the composition of monitoring returns; and what fines were issued as a result of such breaches since the implementation of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989. [19858]
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Mr. Ancram: The commission has powers under section 32 of the Act to obtain certain information from employers with regard to their reviews and their monitoring returns. To date, no formal inquiries under this section have been made with regard to the composition of the monitoring returns. No concern has failed to respond to a formal inquiry for information concerning regular reviews of practices.
Mr. McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what firms have failed to register with the Fair Employment Commission and what fines were issued as a result of such breaches since the implementation of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989. [19856]
Mr. Ancram: The commission is unaware of any concern which fulfils the requirement to register and has not made applications for registration.
Technology Graduates
Ms Mowlam: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many technology graduates have been employed in companies under the supervision of the industrial research and technology unit and their university since 1989; and how many of these placements led to permanent employment. [19827]
Mr. Ancram: The industrial research and technology unit is not involved in the supervision of any employees in companies. However, the industrial research and technology unit is one of several sponsors of the national teaching company scheme which provides support for technology transfer projects within industry undertaken by young graduates under the joint supervision of the company and the university. Eighty-seven such graduates commenced two-year programmes under TCS in industry in Northern Ireland in the period 1 April 1989 to31 March 1995. No information is available on the numbers of these graduates in permanent employment.
Energy Efficiency
Ms Mowlam: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the reasons for the differences in the trends since 1989 in the number of low income households applying for grants from the homes insulation scheme and of businesses applying for the equivalent scheme, the energy management assistance scheme, as published in tables 6.29 and 6.30 of the Northern Ireland Expenditure Plans and Priorities 1994 95 to 1996 97. [19865]
Mr. Ancram: The two schemes are not comparable as they are targeted at different groups and provide different forms of assistance.
Regarding the homes insulation scheme, the reduced number of completions from 1989 90 were the result of (i) changes in the eligibility conditions from 11 April 1988 and (ii) action by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive to insulate its own properties in parallel with the homes insulation scheme.
The energy efficiency survey scheme was launched in June 1988 and the figures reflect a normal build up of applications. This was given further impetus in 1992 when the scheme was replaced by the energy management assistance scheme which provided grant aid for a wider range of energy efficiency measures.
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Peace Initiative
Mr. Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the principle of additionality applies to the special European Union funds being channelled to Northern Ireland through the peace initiative. [20321]
Sir John Wheeler: Both the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland have made it absolutely clear that the European Union's programme will be in addition to the British Government's own expenditure plans for Northern Ireland.
Security Vetting
Mr. Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to review the Hurd principles on security vetting procedure; and if he will make a statement. [20322]
Sir John Wheeler: It has been Government policy, as set out in the parliamentary written answer of 27 June 1985, Official Report , column 451 , by the then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, to withhold Government assistance from community groups where the Secretary of State was satisfied that there was a grave risk that such assistance would have the effect of improving the standing or furthering the aims of a paramilitary organisation, whether directly or indirectly. This policy is kept under active review in the light of wider developments in Northern Ireland.
Salmon
Mr. William Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is his estimate of the number of smolt produced in the River Bush in each of the last 25 years; and what percentage and numbers were lost in each year as a result of predation by cormorants. [20586]
Mr. Ancram: Records of the numbers of smolt produced in the River Bush are available only for the last 21 years. These are set out in the table. The only research carried out into the number of smolt lost to cormorants occurred in 1986. I have arranged for a copy of the research paper, which contains the only statistical data available, to be sent to the hon. Gentleman.
River Bush smolt counts Year |Wild smolt |Farmed smolt|Total ----------------------------------------------------------------- 1974 |44,513 |4,349 |48,862 1975 |33,437 |4,475 |37,912 1976 |21,011 |37,370 |58,381 1977 |16,639 |10,557 |30,196 1978 |27,093 |10,642 |37,735 1979 |24,286 |10,631 |34,917 1980 |20,489 |4,841 |25,330 1981 |<1>- |2,702 |- 1982 |10,779 |1,338 |12,117 1983 |26,968 |5,733 |32,701 1984 |30,034 |2,683 |32,717 1985 |30,519 |17,966 |48,485 1986 |19,066 |25,159 |44,225 1987 |22,156 |17,064 |39,220 1988 |22,994 |16,054 |39,048 1989 |17,812 |7,431 |25,243 1990 |17,354 |27,076 |44,430 1991 |18,471 |32,879 |51,350 1992 |10,008 |22,384 |32,392 1993 |<1>- |14,726 |- 1994 |14,145 |5,508 |19,653 <1> Incomplete count (traps flooded out).
Banbridge District Council
Mr. Trimble: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list all the public service offices other than local government offices and the number of persons employed in such offices in Banbridge district council in (a) January 1992, (b) January 1993, (c) January 1994 and (d) January 1995. [20458]
Sir John Wheeler: The information requested is as follows:
Offices |January 1992|January 1993|January 1994|January 1995
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOE
Road service:
Banbridge |32 |31 |30 |31
Corbett |5 |4 |5 |5
Katesbridge |3 |3 |2 |3
Water Executive:
Banbridge |58 |54 |55 |52
DED
Banbridge Training and Employment Agency |12 |16 |23 |22
DHSS
Banbridge social security office |55 |55 |54 |49
Contributions unit area office<1> |- |- |- |20
DANI
The agricultural development centre<2> |- |- |- |17
<1> The contributions unit area office moved to its present location in Banbridge on 18 April 1994. It
was previously based in Lurgan SSO.
<2> The Banbridge office is a sub-office of the Department of Agriculture. Information held on numbers of
staff based in sub-offices is not held centrally as they can vary according to need. Currently 17 DANI
staff use the Banbridge office on an ad hoc basis.
University Students
Mr. William Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons resident in Northern Ireland who applied for a place in a Northern Ireland university in each of the last three years failed to get a place and are now attending a university in Great Britain. [20614]
Mr. Ancram: Due to the different mechanisms for processing applications to universities, the information cannot be supplied in the form requested.
Mr. William Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many university students from Northern Ireland are at present attending university in (a) Great Britain, (b) the Irish Republic, (c) other EC countries and (d) elsewhere; and, of these students, how many are following courses leading to a qualification which is available at a university in Northern Ireland. [20613]
Mr. Ancram: In 1993 94, the number of Northern Ireland domiciled full-time undergraduate students
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attending university outside Northern Ireland was as follows:
|Number
--------------------------------------
(a) Great Britain |10,763
(b) Republic of Ireland |1,117
(c) Other |10
It is not possible to separate (c) into EC countries and elsewhere.
Information on NI students following courses leading to a qualification which is available at a university in Northern Ireland is not readily available and could be obtained only at
disproportionate cost.
Mr. William Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many students there are on each campus of each university in Northern Ireland broken down into (a) full-time undergraduates, (b) part-time undergraduates, (c) postgraduate and (d) doctorate level; and, of these, how many are from (i) Northern Ireland, (ii) the Irish Republic, (iii) Great Britain, (iv) other EU countries and (v) elsewhere. [20615]
Mr. Ancram: The information is as follows:
University of Ulster 1993-94
Undergraduates PostgraduaDoctorates
Domicile |Full-time|Part-time
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Belfast Campus
Northern Ireland |616 |1 |41 |16
Great Britain |42 |0 |7 |2
Republic of Ireland |60 |0 |4 |2
Other EU |9 |0 |2 |0
Elsewhere |3 |0 |2 |0
Total |730 |1 |56 |20
Coleraine Campus
Northern Ireland |2,702 |100 |456 |126
Great Britain |211 |0 |17 |9
Republic of Ireland |695 |5 |86 |34
Other EU |202 |0 |3 |3
Elsewhere |62 |0 |3 |11
Total |3,872 |105 |565 |183
Jordanstown Campus
Northern Ireland |4,738 |2,005 |2,228 |175
Great Britain |72 |4 |6 |6
Republic of Ireland |535 |22 |73 |16
Other EU |28 |1 |5 |4
Elsewhere |28 |1 |20 |15
Total |5,401 |2,033 |2,332 |216
Magee Campus
Northern Ireland |856 |418 |412 |21
Great Britain |49 |0 |7 |0
Republic of Ireland |266 |98 |89 |4
Other EU |25 |0 |2 |0
Elsewhere |8 |0 |5 |1
Total |1,204 |516 |515 |26
Queens, Belfast 1993-94
Northern Ireland |7,832 |1,076 |2,116 |637
Great Britain |229 |3 |57 |48
Republic of Ireland |520 |20 |187 |86
Other EU |70 |21 |29 |15
Elsewhere |273 |6 |90 |90
Total |8,924 |1,126 |2,479 |876
Otters
Mr. William Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is his estimate of the number of otters now present in each river system in Northern Ireland; what was the number five and 10 years ago; and
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what research he has carried out in recent years into the (a) fish species, (b) birds and (c) mammals eaten by otters, and the effect of such predation on the number of prey species. [20588]Mr. Moss: There is no specific information on the numbers of otters, but surveys have confirmed that otters are present in most parts of Northern Ireland.
The Departments of Environment and of Education have sponsored research which shows that otters are entirely opportunistic in their feeding behaviour and the choice of prey depends on availability; however, mammals and birds are rarely taken. No information is available on the effects of otter predation on the numbers of prey species.
Bovine Tuberculosis
Mr. Morley: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many cases of TB in cattle were reported in each county in each year since 1985. [20552]
Mr. Ancram: Statistics on the number of cases of TB in Northern Ireland are recorded on a divisional veterinary office basis and are not available by county. The number of animals in which TB has been detected in Northern Ireland since 1985 in each DVO area is shown below:
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|1985 |1986 |1987 |1988 |1989 |1990 |1991 |1992 |1993 |1994
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Armagh |176 |114 |52 |118 |314 |386 |404 |592 |519 |973
Dungannon |178 |75 |69 |83 |102 |158 |194 |242 |239 |351
Enniskellen |123 |152 |190 |148 |160 |174 |117 |225 |343 |242
Newry |165 |125 |266 |622 |1,100|1,270|2,050|1,607|1,831|1,215
Newtownards |257 |197 |171 |261 |217 |214 |284 |627 |1,349|983
Ballymena |218 |84 |51 |49 |105 |277 |341 |228 |348 |377
Coleraine |125 |70 |43 |50 |66 |93 |212 |436 |518 |439
Larne |204 |167 |162 |84 |295 |379 |432 |512 |860 |420
Londonderry |10 |33 |26 |33 |31 |64 |17 |25 |90 |57
Omagh |51 |23 |13 |22 |103 |109 |57 |107 |146 |181
Total |1,507|1,040|1,043|1,470|2,493|3,124|4,108|4,601|6,243|5,238
Seals
Mr. William Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is his estimate of the number of seals of each species present in Northern Ireland coastal waters; how much fish of each species they eat annually; and what research he has carried out in recent years on the effect seals have on salmonids. [20587]
Mr. Moss: It is estimated that there are approximately 500 common and 200 grey seals in Northern Ireland coastal waters. Data on the species composition of seal diets are not available, but adult male common seals are known to eat approximately 4 kg fish daily and grey seals 5 kg. Taking account of the fact that females and sub-adults eat less, the total consumption is estimated to be approximately 700 tonnes per annum. No local research has been carried out on the effect of seals on salmonids, but from other studies it has been concluded that salmonid fish comprise a very small proportion of the diet of both species.
Craigavon Borough Council
Mr. Trimble: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list all the public service offices other than local government offices and the
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number of persons employed in such offices in Craigavon borough council in (a) January 1992, (b) January 1993 (c) January 1994 and (d) January 1995. [20459]Sir John Wheeler: The information requested is as follows:
|January|January|January|January
Offices |1992 |1993 |1994 |1995
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NIO
Civil Representatives Magowan House |- |- |- |9
DHSS
Lurgan Social Security Office |85 |88 |86 |81
Portadown Social Security Office |60 |70 |62 |59
Contributions<1> Unit Area Office |- |20 |20 |-
DANI
Watercourse Management Division
Seagoe Industrial Estate |30 |30 |28 |27
DFP
Valuation and Lands Agency
Marlborough House |<2>34 |33 |31 |35
DED
IDB Regional Office<3> |5 |4 |3 |6
Portadown Training and Employment Agency |19 |21 |20 |21
Lurgan Training and Employment Agency |18 |18 |13 |12
Craigavon Training Centre |49 |46 |39 |30
DOE
Central Claims Unit Craigavon |6 |7 |7 |6
Countryside and Wildlife Oxford
Island Craigavon |2 |2 |2 |1
Driver and Vehicle Testing Craigavon |15 |15 |14 |14
Ordnance Survey of Northern
Ireland Craigavon |14 |14 |14 |13
Planning, Craigavon |47 |49 |51 |48
Rate Collection Agency Portadown |15 |14 |14 |14
Roads Service Marlborough House
Craigavon |140 |137 |137 |134
Carn, Craigavon |58 |47 |47 |52
Transport Licensing and Enforcement
Craigavon |- |4 |2 |4
Water Executive Craigavon |81 |86 |84 |87
Portadown |97 |93 |97 |93
Works Service Portadown |4 |4 |4 |4
<1> The Contributions Unit Area Office was set up on 7 December 1992 and was
originally based in Lurgan SSO. The Unit Area moved to its own location in
Banbridge on 18 April 1994.
<2> Figure from April 1992.
<3> Until end March 1995, IDB had a Regional Office in Craigavon, this is now
closed along with the other Northern Ireland Regional Offices in Londonderry and
Antrim.
Development Capital Fund
Ms Mowlam: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many applications were received to manage the Northern Ireland development capital fund; and if he will list the companies and publish the applications. [20467]
Mr. Ancram: Ten applications were received with Hambros Bank plc subsequently selected as the manger of the new fund. However, for reasons of confidentiality, the applications cannot be published or the names of the unsuccessful candidates revealed.
Philosophy Courses
Mr. Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many higher education institutions in Northern Ireland currently offer single honours or joint honours degrees in philosophy; what proportion of the total number of higher education institutions in Northern Ireland this represents; and if he will make a statement. [20900]
Mr. Ancram: Two; that is 100 per cent. of the higher education institutions in Northern Ireland.
Mr. Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people graduated from Northern Irish
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higher education institutions with honours either in philosophy or in a joint honours or composite degree involving philosophy in 1994; what proportion of the total number graduating from Northern Irish higher education this represents; and if he will make a statement. [20904]Mr. Ancram: Seventy-one, or 1.34 per cent. of the total number graduating from Northern Ireland higher education institutions.
Badgers
Mr. Morley: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many licences have been granted for interference with badger setts for the purposes of hunting in each year since 1991. [21110]
Mr. Moss: No licences have been issued as there is no provision for doing so under the Northern Ireland legislation.
Social Security Agency
Mr. Simon Coombs: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what performance targets have been set for the Social Security Agency for the current financial year. [22198]
Mr. Moss: The targets are included in the agency's 1995 96 business plan, which was published today. A copy of the plan will be placed in the Library. The targets are in line with the Government's policy of improving the service provided to customers and fully support the standards established in the Northern Ireland citizens charter. I am satisfied that the targets present a demanding challenge for the agency. They are as follows:
1. Benefit Clearance Times
Social fund crisis loans
on the day the need arises
Social fund community care grants
70 per cent. in seven days
95 per cent. in 20 days
Income support
71 per cent. in five days
90 per cent. in 13 days
Incapacity Benefit
60 per cent. in 10 days
85 per cent. in 30 days
Child benefit
68 per cent. in 10 days
94 per cent. in 30 days
Family credit
57 per cent. in 13 days
95 per cent. in 42 days
Disability living allowance
68 per cent. in 30 days
85 per cent. in 53 days
Retirement pension
65 per cent. in 20 days
95 per cent. in 60 days
Unemployment benefit
75 per cent. in 12 days
2. Benefit Accuracy
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