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Millennium Exhibition
Mr. Spearing: To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage, pursuant to the answer of the Prime Minister of 28 February 1996, Official Report, column 568, for what purpose and to whom funds will be contributed by the private sector to offset the cost of mounting the millennium exhibition; and what advantages will such donors gain from their contributions. [19571]
Mr. Sproat [holding answer Friday 8 March 1996]: The Millennium Commission makes all decisions entirely independently of Government, and it is for the commission to determine the arrangements for a millennium exhibition. The commission has selected the ideas and concepts for an exhibition submitted by Imagination Group Ltd., and announced on 28 February its preference for the event to be located on the Greenwich peninsula site. The commission has made it very clear that it intends that an exhibition would be funded by a combination of private sector funds alongside a commission grant. The commission has stated that it will need to be fully satisfied as to the firm commitment of the private sector support and viability of the whole project before a final grant decision will be taken. This work is currently in progress, and it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the details of private sector involvement while negotiations are taking place.
The commission is inviting Sir Peter Levene to examine the work completed to date and the work which Imagination, in conjunction with British Gas--the owners of the site--and English Partnerships, to develop the final details of the project to the point where private sector funding is committed.
Public Bodies
Dr. Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list those of her Department's advisory non-departmental public bodies which (a) the Government are required to consult prior to legislative proposals and (b) the Government are required to publish their response to advice supplied by them. [21861]
Mr. Sproat: The answer is (a) None; and (b) None.
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NORTHERN IRELAND
Mitchell Commission
15. Mr. Gapes: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on progress towards implementation of the Mitchell commission recommendations. [20423]
Sir John Wheeler: The Government have welcomed and accepted all the international body's recommendations, and has called on others to do the same. In particular, the Anglo--Irish communique of 28 February states that all parties "would need to make clear at the beginning of discussions their total and absolute commitment to the principles of democracy and non-violence set out in the report of the International Body".
They would also need to address, at that stage, its proposals on decommissioning.
Children Order
16. Rev. Martin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the impact the proposed reduction in the health and social services budget on the implementation of the children order. [20424]
Mr. Moss: The proposed reduction in the health and personal social services budget will have no detrimental impact on the implementation of the Children (Northern Ireland) Order. Indeed, I am pleased to say that redeployment of the reductions will enable me, among other things, to make available £4.928 million in 1996-97 for this purpose.
Peace Process
17. Dr. Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent discussions he has had regarding the system for elections leading to all-party talks. [20425]
27. Mr. Hain: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on progress towards peace. [20436]
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Mr. Alton: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he last met the political leaders in Northern Ireland to discuss the peace process. [20429]
Sir Patrick Mayhew: I refer my hon. Friend and the hon. Members to the answer that I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Colne Valley (Mr. Riddick) and the hon. Members for Falkirk, West (Mr. Canavan) and for Lewisham, East (Mrs. Prentice).
International Fund for Ireland
18. Mr. Trimble: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he last communicated with the board of the International Fund for Ireland with regard to its operations in Northern Ireland. [20426]
Sir John Wheeler: My right hon. and learned Friend last met the board on 20 November 1995 and has had a number of informal meetings with the chairman of the fund since then, as have other ministerial colleagues. The Government are kept fully apprised of the work of the fund through its advisory committee of senior officials.
Rathlin Island
19. Miss Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans there are to compensate those who will lose their jobs on Rathlin island when the new ferry service is introduced. [20427]
Mr. Moss: It is my understanding that the vessels presently operating the Rathlin ferry service are crewed by their owners and their families. Our legal advice is that there is no liability for compensation for loss of business as neither is viable without the subsidy which we have paid since 1991. When the new service commences, probably in November 1996, opportunities will be created for a number of jobs, both full and part-time, and those presently involved with the ferry service will be able to compete for them.
Illegally Held Weapons
20. Mr. David Shaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has held recently with the Government of the Republic of Ireland concerning the recovery of illegally held weapons. [20428]
Sir John Wheeler: The Government regularly discusses security matters, including the question of illegal arms, with the Irish Government and will continue to do so as part of both Government's determination to maintain close and effective security co-operation. It would not be appropriate to reveal details of such discussions.
Social Security Fraud
22. Mr. Clifford Forsythe: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he intends to introduce a strategy to combat fraud in the social security system. [20430]
Mr. Moss: The Social Security Agency is currently compiling a security strategy to tackle social security fraud, excluding housing benefit, the implementation of which will commence in April. The DHSS is also committed to the introduction of a housing benefit fraud strategy by the end of June.
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Security Situation
24. Sir Fergus Montgomery: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is his assessment of the current security situation in Northern Ireland. [20432]
Sir John Wheeler: The announcement on 9 February by the Provisional IRA that it has ended its ceasefire, and the subsequent terrorist outrages, have rightly earned the condemnation of the world. Allied to this, the Combined Loyalist Military Council recently issued a statement declaring it will match PIRA violence "blow for blow".
Against this background, the security forces have introduced additional security measures and have responded in a proportionate manner.
The Government have consistently made it clear that they will not be deflected by terrorism from their determination to work towards a settlement which can win the allegiance of both communities.
25. Mr. Rathbone:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the influence of drug dealing on violence in the Province; and if he will make a statement. [20434]
Sir John Wheeler:
An accurate assessment of the influence of drug dealing on the extent of violent crime is not available. Because of the influence of terrorist groups, victims and witnesses may sometimes be unwilling to make complaints or otherwise assist any form of police investigation. Between April 1995 and January 1996, seven alleged drug dealers were murdered by a group calling itself "Direct Action Against Drugs", a covername for the Provisional IRA. The RUC continues to pursue those responsible and in this it has the full support of the Government.
26. Mr. John Greenway:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the prospects for the Northern Ireland economy. [20435]
Mr. Ancram:
Prospects for the Northern Ireland economy remain encouraging. Employment is at record levels, output and trade are increasing and we would wish this excellent progress to be maintained. Nonetheless, Northern Ireland's economic prospects would be significantly more assured through a permanent end to paramilitary violence.
Mr. Pickthall:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the dairy industry in Northern Ireland. [20431]
Mr. Ancram:
The dairy industry contributes some £275 million or 2 per cent. of Northern Ireland's gross domestic product. There are up to 9,900 people employed on 6,050 dairy farms and 2,800 people are employed in 39 dairy processing plants. Liquid milk accounts for only 16 per cent. of production with the remainder being processed into butter, cheese and milk powders which are marketed world wide. The milk marketing scheme was
21 Mar 1996 : Column: 307
revoked on 1 March 1995, thus effecting the deregulation of the industry. The average producer price for milk increased by 4p per litre in 1995.
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