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Road Schemes
21. Mr. John D. Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which major capital road schemes will commence in the next financial year. [11988]
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Mr. Moss: The major road works programme is currently being reviewed in the light of the outcome of the 1996 public expenditure survey. I will write to the right hon. Gentleman when the review is complete.
Meat and Livestock Industry
22. Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent steps he has taken to support and promote the meat and livestock industry in Northern Ireland. [11989]
Mr. Ancram: It is estimated that, over this and the next three years, the Government will provide around £3.5 billion to support the beef industry in the United Kingdom. Specific figures for Northern Ireland are not available, but on a proportionate basis it is estimated that Northern Ireland should benefit from around £525 million on 15 per cent. of this total.
The Government continue to provide direct financial support to the processing sector of the industry. This support takes various forms, including capital and marketing grants. The Government also support the promotion of produce at national and international shows and exhibitions.
The Government are working closely with the beef industry in Northern Ireland to develop a strategy which will facilitate the industry regaining its export markets at the earliest opportunity after the ban on exports has been lifted.
27. Mr. Bill Walker:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the talks on constitutional developments. [11996]
Sir Patrick Mayhew:
I refer my hon. Friend to the oral answer that I gave to the hon. Members for Glasgow, Maryhill (Mrs Fyfe) and for Islington, North (Mr. Corbyn) earlier today.
Mrs. Bridget Prentice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he intends to bring forward proposed legislation in relation to the education and library boards in Northern Ireland. [11994]
Mr. Ancram:
I am currently considering the proposal for a draft Education and Library Boards (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 in the light of the comments received during its consultation period.
Mr. Robert McCartney:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list ACE sponsors with their names and addresses, by size, for the most recent year available, with the number on each scheme, the number of approved places and the percentage of leavers who obtained full-time employment. [12176]
Mr. Ancram:
Responsibility for the subject in question 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.
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Letter from Ian Walters to Mr. Robert McCartney, dated 29 January 1997:
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked me, as Chief Executive of the Training and Employment Agency, to reply to your question about the Action for Community Employment (ACE) scheme.
Mr. John D. Taylor:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the Training and Employment Agency review document on programmes for the long-term unemployed was completed; when it will be released to the public; and if he will make a statement.[12573]
Mr. Ancram:
Responsibility for the subject in question 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 29 January 1997:
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked me as Chief Executive of the Training and Employment Agency to reply to your question about the review document on programmes for the long-term unemployed.
Ms Gordon:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures he proposes to improve energy conservation in the housing stock in Northern Ireland.[12857]
Mr. Moss:
The Department of Environment for Northern Ireland is currently considering amendments to the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1994 which will, when implemented, improve the conservation of fuel and power in new houses. These measures will also provide the energy rating of dwellings using the Government's standard assessment procedure.
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In addition, Northern Ireland's first home energy conservation report, under the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995, was submitted to the Department of Environment for Northern Ireland in November 1996 by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. It proposes a number of measures to improve the energy efficiency of the existing residential sector.
Under the domestic energy efficiency scheme, the Department of Economic Development will continue to provide a comprehensive package of insulation, draught-proofing and advice on energy conservation to low-income households and householders over 60 years of age.
Mr. Eric Clarke:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations he has made to the Secretary of State for Scotland on his ruling pertaining to the proposed electricity interconnector, between Scotland and Northern Ireland and the economic effects of cancellation of this project. [12441]
Mr. Ancram:
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland announced on 21 November 1996 that he was minded to grant approval for the Scottish leg of the proposed electricity interconnector subject to certain sections of the line being placed underground. Before reaching a decision, he invited representations on how a requirement of undergrounding would affect the viability of the project. My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State, in responding to the invitation for written comments, reiterated the strategic importance of interconnection for the development of a competitive and efficient electricity sector in Northern Ireland.
Mr. Chris Smith:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the numbers employed for the period September 1990 to 1995 inclusive expressed as whole-time equivalents and numbers, by gender and by ethnic status for the staff groups (1) chiropodists, (2) foot care assistants, (3) dietitians, (4) occupational therapists, (5) occupational therapy helpers, (6) orthoptists, (7) physiotherapists, (8) physiotherapy helpers, (9) diagnostic radiographers, (10) therapeutic radiographers, (11) radiographer helpers, (12) technical instructors in professions allied to medicine, (13) other professions allied to medicine, (14) optometrists, (15) pharmacists, (16) speech and language therapists, (17) assistance speech and language therapists, (18) whole-time chaplains, (19) assistant chaplains, (20) clinical scientists, (21) clinical psychologists, (22) clinical psychotherapists, (23) dental auxiliaries, (24) medical laboratory scientific officers, (25) laboratory support grades, (26) medical technical officers and assistants, (27) other professional and technical staff, excluding works staff, (28) administrative and clerical, (29) general managers, (30) senior managers, (31) maintenance, (32) health care assistants and (33) nursery nurses. [13236]
Mr. Moss:
The information requested has been placed in the Library.
There are currently 229 organisation operating ACE projects throughout Northern Ireland.
Experience has shown that many of participants leaving ACE require further education or training to prepare them for employment. The Agency therefore records progressing into education, training and employment as positive outcomes. A representative sample of leavers from the scheme is surveyed twice during each year. The survey in 1995/96 showed that 41% of leavers achieved a positive outcome. Figures for 1996/97 will not be available until after the end of March 1997. The percentage of leavers who obtained positive outcomes at each scheme is not readily available.
Detailed information amounting to a 27 page document is being sent to you separately and a copy will be placed in the House of Commons library. I hope you find it useful.
Work on the document has taken longer to complete than was anticipated. However I hope to publish the document, for consultation purposes, very shortly.
I will ensure that you receive a copy.