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Law Reform Advisory Committee

Mr. Robert McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) when the Law Reform Advisory Committee commenced work on the subject of landlord liability for failure to repair defective premises; what tenants interest groups it has consulted; and when it will issue its report; [31123]

(2) what factors led the Law Reform Advisory Committee to cease further work on actions arising out of insidious diseases; [31124]

(3) if it is the policy of the Law Reform Advisory Committee to make submissions to the Law Commission on areas of work in which it is interested; [31125]

(4) what is the policy of the Law Reform Advisory Committee in respect of when it addresses issues on which the Law Commission is working. [31128]

Sir John Wheeler: The Law Reform Advisory Committee is an independent non-statutory body whose remit is to keep the civil law of Northern Ireland under review and make recommendations for its reform to the Secretary of State. The committee operates within terms of reference and a programme of law reform which are approved by the Secretary of State. Within these parameters, the committee has an independence in policy matters and a discretion with regard to the working practices it adopts in pursuance of its remit. Accordingly, the advice of the chairman to the committee, the right hon. Lord Justice Carswell, has been sought on those aspects of the hon. and learned Gentleman's questions which refer to the committee's policy areas and detailed working practices.

The sub-committee dealing with the topic of landlord liability topic is at an early stage of the consultative process. It is not therefore possible to say at this stage when a report will be issued. The main committee decided to defer preparation of its report on actions arising out of insidious diseases until the Law Commission has completed discussions with the insurance industry on the remedies of plaintiffs against insurers.

The Law Reform Advisory Committee regards it as an important part of its work to consult the Law Commission regularly. It also considers the work of the Law Commission and decides which topics merit further consideration given the particular relevances to its jurisdiction.

Paedophiles Register

Mr. Robert McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will ask the Home Secretary to include Northern Ireland from the beginning in legislation to set up a national register of convicted paedophiles.[31126]

Sir John Wheeler: The Government are considering suggestions that convicted sex offenders should be required by law to notify the police of any changes of address. My right hon. and learned Friend the Home

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Secretary intends to publish a consultation document shortly which will canvas views on this and other measures

At that time I will wish to seek views on the applicability of the proposals to Northern Ireland.

Balloo Road, Bangor

Mr. Robert McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what were the accident and casualty rates over the last five years on the Balloo road in Bangor; if he will give an assessment of the improvements required; and what are his Department's plans for upgrading that road. [31127]

Mr. Moss: Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Roads Service under its chief executive, Mr. W. J. McCoubrey. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

Letter from W. J. McCoubrey to Mr. Robert McCartney, dated 31 May 1996:

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked me to reply to your question about accident and casualty rates on the Balloo Road in Bangor and future improvement proposals for the road.
The RUC, who are responsible for compiling accident statistics, have advised me that in the 5 year period 1991-1995 inclusive 39 injury accidents in which 2 people were killed and 60 injured (7 seriously) were recorded in respect of the Balloo Road in Bangor.
Balloo Road is 2,200 metres long. The two end sections of the road, totalling some 1,400 metres have been reconstructed in the last 10 years at a cost of £1.5M. A scheme to bring the 800m central section up to a similar standard is included in the 6-15 year major roadworks programme where its priority will be assessed as part of a detailed review to be completed later this year. The work will involve reconstructing the carriageway to 9 m width with right turning lanes at 4 junctions, constructing footways on each side and installing traffic signals with a pedestrian facility at the Bloomfield Road South junction.

Peace Process

Mr. Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on nominations to the forthcoming political negotiations, and about progress in setting up the forum established by the Northern Ireland (Entry to Negotiations, etc) Act 1996. [32163]

Sir Patrick Mayhew: I have issued invitations to nominate teams to participate in the negotiations, under section 2(2) of the Northern Ireland (Entry to Negotiations, etc) Act 1996, to the nominating representatives of the following parties:

Alliance Party
Democratic Unionist Party--DUP
Labour
Northern Ireland Women's Coalition
Progressive Unionist Party (PUP)
Social Democratic and Labour Party (SLDP)
UK Unionist Party--Robert McCartney
Ulster Democratic Party (UDP)
Ulster Unionist Party (UUP)

I am required by section 2(3) of the Act to refrain from inviting nominations in respect of any part if I consider that requirements set out in paragraphs 8 and 9 of the ground rules for substantive all-party negotiations--

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published as Command Paper 3232--are not met in relation to it. Paragraph 9 of the ground rules makes clear the agreement of the British and Irish Governments that the participation of Sinn Fein in the negotiations requires the unequivocal restoration of the ceasefire of August 1994.

After consultation with the Irish Government, both Governments are agreed that this requirement is not met and that, for so long as it is not met, no invitation can be issued in respect of Sinn Fein.

Letters have also been sent to the nominating representatives of all parties returned at the elections, including Sinn Fein, about arrangements for the forum. With them is a draft of initial rules of procedure, on which we seek comment. The letters also deal with the location of the forum: we have now identified suitable premises for it at the Interpoint centre in Belfast. I am placing a copy of these letters in the Library of the House.

Hydro-electricity

Rev. Ian Paisley: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make available to the representatives of Lough Neagh and Maine System Game Anglers Association details of the minutes of meetings which took place between the fisheries division of the Department of Agriculture, the energy policy division of the Department of Economic Development, the hydro-electric consultant Mr. Dougal Baillie and a turbine manufacturer based in the Province with regard to the Radalstown hydro-electric application. [31223]

Mr. Ancram [holding answer 4 June 1996]: No meeting of these parties took place on this subject.

WALES

Cattle Slaughter Scheme

Mr. Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received from farming organisations concerning extensions of the 25p per kilo live weight supplementary payment until the 30-months slaughter scheme is fully operational; and if he will make a statement. [30700]

Mr. Hague: I have received a number of representations about the national supplement of 25p per kilogrammes live weight which beef specialists can receive under the over 30-month slaughter scheme.

The Government have extended the qualifying period for this rate until 15 June. Rates will be reviewed regularly thereafter in light of market rates for young cattle as EC regulations limit us to providing no more than the difference between 1 ecu per kilogramme and the market value.

If animals over 30 months of age on 20 March cannot be slaughtered before 15 June they will remain eligible for the top-up payments of 25p.

Mr. Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he plans to introduce a system for consigning animals due to enter the cull scheme to specific collecting centres; and what proposals he has for making arrangements for the relevant interim payments. [30702]

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Mr. Hague: The over 30-month slaughter scheme is being run by the intervention board executive agency. Arrangements for consigning cattle to collection centres are matters for those taking part in the scheme, who are best placed to consider their own needs and local circumstances.

I understand the producers will be asked to notify the board of all the animals on which they wish to claim interim payments before the end of June and that payments will be made in the first half of July.

Mr. Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the current backlog of (a) steers and heifers over 30 months and (b) cull cows awaiting slaughter in each county in Wales. [30697]

Mr. Hague: Precise figures are not available. The total number of clean beef cattle and of cull cows aged over 30 months awaiting slaughter in Wales is estimated at between 15,000 and 20,000.

Mr. Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the date on which producers will receive their interim payment on (a) steers and heifers and (b) cull cows awaiting slaughter. [30701]

Mr. Hague: The over 30-month slaughter scheme is being run by the intervention board executive agency. I understand that producers will be asked to notify the board of all the animals on which they wish to claim interim payments before the end of June and that payments will be made in the first half of July.

Mr. Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received from Welsh farming organisations concerning the introduction into Wales of the Scottish random selection system for allocation of animals to collection centres and for subsequent disposal; and if he will make a statement. [30703]

Mr. Hague: I have had a number of representations regarding the Scottish arrangements for allocation of cattle to selection centres. I understand that this has been organised by those taking part in the over 30-month scheme, who are best placed to consider local circumstances, and to decide priorities.

Mr. Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has for the introduction of a cataloguing system for farmers with steers and heifers in the pipeline for the slaughter under the 30 months and over slaughter scheme, to assist in the identification of eligible animals. [30699]

Mr. Hague: The over 30-month slaughter scheme is being run by the intervention board executive agency. Arrangements for consigning cattle to collection centres or abattoirs are matters for those taking part in the scheme, who are best placed to consider their own needs and local circumstances.

Mr. Barry Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what further initiatives he will take to ensure the efficient processing of cattle destined for slaughter under the 30-month BSE regulations; and if he will make a statement. [31134]

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Mr. Gwilym Jones: The over 30-month slaughter scheme is being run by the intervention board executive agency. Arrangements for consigning cattle to collection centres or abattoirs are matters for those taking part in the scheme, who are best placed to consider their own needs and local circumstances.

Mr. Barry Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has to increase rendering capacity in Wales. [30998]

Mr. Gwilym Jones: Rendering capacity in Great Britain is being made available to all slaughterhouses operating as part of the 30-month slaughter scheme. We are actively considering a variety of options for increasing throughput of cattle under the scheme.

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