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European Union Flag
Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what instructions were issued to his Department's offices and agencies in respect of flying the European Union flag on 8 May; and if he will make a statement. [31509]
Sir John Wheeler: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 6 June, Official Report, column 518.
Forensic Science Agency
Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what consideration has been given to market testing has services provided by the Forensic Science Agency of Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [31566]
Sir John Wheeler: The Forensic Science Agency for Northern Ireland became an agency on 1 September 1995. It is still in the process of developing and refining systems for charging and costing its services. The agency is disposed towards market testing and fully supports Government in this area. At the moment, I consider there is no reasonable or feasible opportunity to consider the transfer to the private sector of any part of its services. The issue will, however be addressed no later than the agency's quinquennial review--that is, by September 2000--and before that if suitable opportunities arise.
Women (Promotion)
Mr. Donohoe: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures his Department has implemented during the last 12 months to encourage the promotion of women into senior positions with his Department and its executive agencies; and what progress his Department has made in encouraging the promotion of women over the last five years. [31541]
Sir John Wheeler: Measures taken by Northern Ireland Departments and agencies within the last 12 months include the introduction of mentoring, the creation of women's networks and the establishment of "keeping in touch" schemes for staff on career breaks; the inclusion in public advertisements for senior posts of statements particularly welcoming applications from women and a vigorous programme of equal opportunity awareness and training for senior staff. Other measures already in place are reported in the regularly published
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reports from the central equal opportunities unit for the Northern Ireland civil service, copies of which have been placed in the Library.
The proportion of women employed at grade 6 level and above in the non-industrial grades in the Northern Ireland civil service, has increased from 11.4 per cent. at 1 January to 15.8 per cent. at 1 January 1996.
There is a broadly equivalent programme for action on women for home civil service staff serving in the Northern Ireland Office. Progress on the HCS programme for action on women is contained in regular reports on equal opportunities published by the Cabinet Office.
Mr. Trend:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what performance targets have been set for the Rate Collection Agency in 1996-97. [33014]
Mr. Moss:
For 1996-97 the following performance targets have been set for the agency:
1. To collect 98.5 per cent. of the gross collectable rate, excluding late assessments, by 31 March 1997.
2. To achieve a reduction of 5 per cent. in the real value of the unit costs of rate collection per hereditament over the next two years.
3. To generate refunds to 97 per cent. of ratepayers so entitled within 14 days of credits being identified.
4. To process by 31 March 1997 93 per cent. of applications for the incoming year received before 15 March 1997 from existing housing benefit recipients.
5. To achieve a reduction of 5 per cent. in the real value of the unit costs of processing housing benefit applications over the next two years.
6. To process 96 per cent. of housing benefit claims free of error.
Probation Board (Review)
Mr. Sweeney: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to carry out a quinquennial review of the Probation Board for Northern Ireland. [33015]
Sir Patrick Mayhew: I have arranged for a quinquennial review of the Probation Board for Northern Ireland to be carried out, which is expected to commence in June and which will be completed by 31 October 1996.
Harland and Wolff (Pension Fund)
Mr. Trend: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if arrangements have been concluded with Harland and Wolff Holdings plc in relation to repayment to Her Majesty's Government of the £6.5 million pension fund surplus following the report, HC paper 126, Session 1991-92, of the Committee of Public Accounts into privatisation of the company. [33016]
Mr. Ancram: Following detailed negotiations, the Department of Economic Development and Harland and Wolff Holdings plc have agreed arrangements whereby the company will repay £6.5 million to the Department. It has also been agreed that the Department will meet certain additional costs, in excess of those provided for at the time of privatisation, totalling £3.023 million, incurred by the company in connection with the privatisation in 1989. The Northern Ireland Audit Office has been consulted in
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the course of these negotiations and has been notified of the agreement which has been reached.
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS
UN Security Council
11. Dr. Godman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to attend a meeting of the Security Council of the United Nations to discuss the financial circumstances of the organisation. [30853]
Sir Nicholas Bonsor: Under the UN charter, financial matters at the United Nations are the responsibility of the General Assembly. There are no plans for a special ministerial meeting to discuss these matters.
Russia
23. Mr. Livingstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Russian Government about the timing of the presidential elections. [30866]
Sir Nicholas Bonsor: My right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary has made no representations to the Russian Government about the timing of the elections.
33. Mr. Rendel: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many entry clearance officers have been employed in Russia in each of the last five years; and where they are located. [30877]
Mr. Hanley: Following are the number of staff employed as entry clearance officers in the Russian Federation for the last five years. Moscow is also due to be reinforced by 17 man-months of seasonal relief in 1996, equivalent to nearly 1.5 entry clearance officers.
| Moscow | ||
| 1996 | 2.8 | 12 |
| 1995 | 1.9 | 11 |
| 1994 | 1 | 10 |
| 1993 | 0.5 | 6 |
| 1992 | 0.5 | 5 |
| 1991 | 0.5 | 6 |
The St. Petersburg post has operated only a visa service since 1993. In addition to permanent staff, St. Petersburg will receive four months of seasonable relief in 1996.
| Entry clearance managers | Entry clearance officers | |
|---|---|---|
| St. Petersburg | ||
| 1996 | 0.35 | 2 |
| 1995 | 0.35 | 2 |
| 1994 | 0.15 | 1 |
| 1993 | 0.1 | 1 |
Kashmir
24. Mr. Pike: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what new initiatives he proposes in respect of Kashmir. [30867]
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Mr. Hanley: We continue to believe that the best way forward in Kashmir should involve simultaneous progress on dialogue between India and Pakistan, an improvement in human rights in Kashmir, the development of a genuine political process there, and a clear cessation of external support for violence in Kashmir.
37. Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Indian authorities to secure the release of the British hostages held in Kashmir. [30881]
Sir Nicholas Bonsor: The British high commissioner and his staff in New Delhi and Srinagar are in daily contact with the Indian authorities and other Governments involved in our continuing efforts to secure the early and safe release of the hostages.
Bosnia
25. Mr. Keith Hill: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress towards elections in Bosnia. [30868]
Sir Nicholas Bonsor: Under the terms of the Dayton peace agreement, the elections in Bosnia will be supervised by the OSCE and must take place by 14 September. The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe mission in Bosnia is now working with the parties on the electoral rules and other arrangements.
Botswana
26. Mr. Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the Government of Botswana. [30869]
Mr. Hanley: My right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary saw the Botswanan Foreign Minister, General Merafhe, on 18 March and will see him again on 18 June when he visits Britain as a guest of the Government.
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