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Type 23 Frigates
Dr. David Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when he expects to announce his decision on the award of the contract for the next batch of type 23 frigates; [12318]
- (2) how many type 23 frigates he proposes to order; and to fulfil what function. [12427]
Mr. Arbuthnot:
Tenders are being assessed for a batch of up to three type 23 frigates which are highly capable, modern general purpose frigates, optimised for anti-submarine warfare. An announcement will be made as soon as the decision has been taken.
29 Jan 1996 : Column: 538
Arms Surrender
Rev. William McCrea: To ask the Secretary if State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on progress towards the surrender of arms and explosives held by the Provisional IRA. [10622]
Sir John Wheeler: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply which my right hon. and learned Friend gave on 25 January to by hon. Friend the Member for Castle Point (Dr. Spink), Official Report, column 466.
Motorway
Mr. Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the M2 motorway development in respect of (a) the land recently sold to Ronany Ltd. for private commercial development, (b) the funds expended on the land purchase, (c) the construction of engineering work required including, bridges, (d) the level of traffic in its traffic catchment area, (e) the extension of Londonderry, (f) its status as a Euro-route and claims for expansion within the European Union road transportation strategy and (g) the provision for the repurchase from Ronany Ltd. of the land now being disposed of to that company when the time comes for the construction of the additional traffic lanes. [10718]
Mr. Moss: The information requested is as follows:
- (a) and (b) While the Department has not sold any land near the M2 motorway to Ronany Ltd. , arrangements are being made to lease a portion of the motorway hard shoulder and verge to the company to facilitate the provision of a service area;
(c) Responsibility for undertaking the necessary engineering works will rest with Ronany Ltd.--no bridges are proposed;
(d) Traffic flows on the section of motorway in question are as follows:
(i) northbound carriageway--approximately 14,000 vehicles per day, and
(ii) southbound carriageway--approximately 15,600 vehicles per day;
(e) There are no plans to extend the M2 motorway to Londonderry;
(f) The Belfast-Londonderry route (M2/M22/A6) forms part of the European Union's trans-european network--TEN--adopted in 1993; and
(g) While there are no proposals to widen this section of the M2 motorway, provision to cover an eventuality will be made in the arrangements finally agreed with the company.
Benefits (Claimants)
Mr. Dowd: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the numbers of claimants and the amounts paid in respect of (a) each social security benefit and (b) housing benefit in Northern Ireland. [11202]
Mr. Moss:
The information is as follows:
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| Benefit | Average number (000s) 1994-95 | Expenditure (£'000) |
|---|---|---|
| Retirement Pension | 219.6 | 631,200 |
| Widows' Benefit | 11.6 | 36,400 |
| Unemployment Benefit | 14.7 | 33,000 |
| Sickness Benefit | 5.4 | 15,500 |
| Invalidity Benefit | 72.9 | 308,100 |
| Maternity Allowance | 0.5 | 1,200 |
| Guardian's Allowance and Child's Special Allowance | 0.2 | 100 |
| Non-Contributory Retirement Pension | 2.6 | 2,619 |
| Attendance Allowance | 56.9 | 108,823 |
| Invalid Care Allowance | 19.6 | 38,960 |
| Severe Disablement Allowance | 14.6 | 30,993 |
| Industrial Injuries Benefits | 11 | 21,658 |
| Disability Living Allowance | 83.7 | 201,732 |
| Disability Working Allowance | 0.2 | 424 |
| Income Support | 227.2 | 649,573 |
| Child Benefit (number of children) | 467 | 221,110 |
| One Parent Benefit (number of families) | 32 | 10,023 |
| Family Credit | 22 | 61,901 |
| Housing Benefit | ||
| Rent Rebate | 108.6 | 165,000 |
| Rent Allowance | 28.6 | 55,199 |
| Rates Rebate | 181.7 | 23,148 |
| Social Fund | ||
| Budgeting Loans | 73.2 | 18,413 |
| Crisis Loans | 27 | 2,319 |
| Community Care Grants | 38.8 | 9,638 |
| Maternity Payments | 8.4 | 839 |
| Funeral Payments | 3.9 | 3,524 |
| Cold Weather Payments | 0 | 0 |
| Statutory Sick Pay and Statutory Maternity Pay | n/a | 18,700 |
| Independent Living (Extension) Fund | 1.6 | 5,344 |
| Independent Living (1993) Fund | (17) | 102 |
| Transitional Payments | (17) | 7 |
(16) Beneficiaries may be receiving more than one benefit at any one time.
(17) Indicates fewer than 50 claimants in receipt.
Population Statistics
Mr. Dowd: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is his current estimate of the population of Northern Ireland (a) up to age 15 and (b) aged 16 years and over. [11200]
Sir John Wheeler: The information, taken from the 1994 mid-year estimates of population, is as follows:
| Age in years | Population |
|---|---|
| 0-15 | 419,163 |
| 16 and over | 1,222,548 |
Rail Privatisation
Ms Glenda Jackson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he intends to publish the study on
29 Jan 1996 : Column: 540
the proposed privatisation of rail services in Northern Ireland. [11240]
Mr. Moss:
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Colchester, North (Mr. Jenkin) on 11 January 1995, Official Report, column 146. I have no plans to publish the report.
Ms Jackson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he intends to make a decision on the timetable for the franchising of rail services in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [11239]
Mr. Moss:
Steps are being taken to introduce a private element into the management operation and capital programme of Northern Ireland Railways through a series of measures including market testing, contracting out, the sale of non-core businesses and the private finance initiative. I will keep the question of franchising under review.
Mr. John D. Taylor:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what reductions he proposes to make in respect of ACE funding; and what considerations underlie their magnitude. [11107]
Mr. Ancram:
Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Training and Employment Agency under its chief executive, Mr. Ian Walters. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Ian Walters to Mr. John D. Taylor, dated 23 January 1996:
Mr. Allen:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which sites of special scientific interest in Northern Ireland will be affected by trunk road and motorway schemes for which preferred routes have been announced. [11231]
Mr. Moss:
No sites of special scientific interest will be affected.
Mr. Dowd:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many current national insurance numbers are allocated to people normally resident in Northern Ireland. [11201]
Mr. Moss:
Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Social Security Agency under its chief executive, Mr. Alec Wylie. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
29 Jan 1996 : Column: 541
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked me as Chief Executive of the Training and Employment Agency to reply to your questions about the Action for Community Employment (ACE) programme.
The situation regarding the level of reduction in next year's ACE budget and the considerations underlining their magnitude remain as I outlined in my letter to you of 16 January. As I indicated, the reduction in the ACE budget was set against a background of the encouraging performance of the Northern Ireland economy which includes the creation of almost 11,000 additional jobs in the year ending September 1995 and a reduction of 5,500 in the number of people unemployed for more than 1 year.
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