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Anglo-Irish Conference (Public Bodies)
Mr. Robert McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what (a) views and (b) proposals the Irish Government have put forward through the Anglo-Irish conference since 1 January 1994 on the role of public bodies; and which public bodies were specified. [11200]
Mr. Ancram: Under the terms of article 6 of the Anglo-Irish Agreement, the Irish Government may put forward views and proposals on the role and composition of public bodies in Northern Ireland. Under that article, the views of the Irish Government on the general pattern of public appointments were discussed at meetings of the conference held on 30 June 1995 and 22 May 1996. Details of exchanges between the two Governments are confidential.
Anglo-Irish Secretariat
Mr. Robert McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the costs of receptions at the Anglo-Irish secretariat at Maryfield in 1995 and 1996 indicating the date and purpose of each event; and if he will indicate those events not proceeded with for which preparations were made. [12452]
5 Feb 1997 : Column: 652
Mr. Ancram: The British side of the secretariat did not host and made no financial contribution towards receptions in 1995.
In 1996 the British side jointly hosted two receptions at Maryfield:
| Occasion | Date | British side contribution(£) |
|---|---|---|
| St. Patrick's day | 14 March | 1,501 |
| Christmas | 9 December | 2,147 |
No preparations were made for other receptions.
Beef Export Ban
Mr. Alan W. Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimates he has made of the impact on (a) farmers' incomes and (b) the economy of Northern Ireland of the European ban on beef exports. [12922]
Mr. Ancram: The effect of the EU ban on beef exports, together with the fall in consumption on the UK market, was to reduce the value of cattle sales to commercial markets and into intervention by almost £120 million but this was offset entirely by compensation and support measures and the value of cattle output, including the over-30-months scheme, in 1996 was virtually the same as in 1995. The income of the agricultural industry fell by 6 per cent. in 1996, but this was mainly because of higher input costs.
The export ban had an immediate impact on the beef processing sector, with many short-term lay-offs, but the effects have since largely been mitigated by the operation of the over-30-months scheme. Related sectors such as animal food compounding, transportation and agricultural machinery have been adversely affected.
Polling Stations
Mr. Beggs: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the draft polling station scheme for the next four years will be published for Northern Ireland. [13862]
Mr. Ancram: The draft polling station scheme for the next four years for Northern Ireland will be published not later than 10 days after publication of the 1997 electoral register, which is due to be published on 14 February 1997.
Water Service (Donaghadee)
Mr. John D. Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action is proposed by the Water Service to cure the problem of dirty water at East street, Donaghadee; and when he expects this action to be taken. [14072]
Mr. Moss: Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Water Service under its chief executive, Mr. H. R. F. Plester. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
5 Feb 1997 : Column: 653
Letter from H. R. F. Plester to Mr. John D. Taylor, dated 5 February 1997:
Mr Moss has asked me to reply to your parliamentary question about dirty water at East Street, Donaghadee.
On 4 March 1996, in response to complaints about discoloured water, the Water Service provided an additional hydrant on the watermain at East Street, Donaghadee, and established a schedule for routine flushing of the main to remove any build up of natural sediment, which can be a cause of discolouration. There have been no complaints about discoloured water in the area since mid-1996.
The Water Service is satisfied that its programme of routine mains flushing will maintain the quality of water to a satisfactory standard and it will monitor the situation at East Street, Donaghadee. If any complaint about discoloured water has been brought to your attention I will be pleased to have it investigated.
Waste Disposal Strategy
Mr. Beggs: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) pursuant to his answer of 27 January, Official Report, columns 53-54, if he will investigate the circumstances whereby a consultant on short-term contract to the Northern Ireland Department of Environment, described in the answer as not involved in water quality issues within DoE NI, answered a telephone call to the water quality unit, DoE NI, on 10 January; [14086]
- (2) if the consultant on short-term contract and working on the preparation of a waste strategy for Northern Ireland is on loan from Haul Waste; [14087]
(3) if he will list the consultants and companies employed to date by the Northern Ireland Department of the Environment (a) in the preparation of the waste strategy for Northern Ireland and (b) in assessing the merits of applications for landfill sites in Northern Ireland on behalf of DoE NI. [14140]
Mr. Moss: Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Environment and Heritage Service under its chief executive, Mr. Robert C. Martin. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Robert C. Martin to Mr. Ron Beggs, dated 4 February 1997:
5 Feb 1997 : Column: 654
You recently put down three parliamentary questions about Environment and Heritage Service operational matters which have been passed to me for reply as Chief Executive. I will answer each in turn in this letter according to the number order in which they were tabled.
No. 176
I have investigated the matter and the consultant simply answered the phone in his office and referred the caller to the Water Quality Unit. The caller had used a direct line number for the former occupant of the office (an Environmental Health Officer) with whom the caller had had regular contact.
No. 180
The consultant was appointed under the terms of a contract between his company the Environment and Heritage Service to provide recommendations for the specification for waste strategy and landfill audit contracts. He is not on loan.
No. 193
Two companies were contracted to prepare specifications for a strategic study and an assessment of training needs, Haul Waste Ltd. and Hyder Environmental.
Following this groundwork two companies--Environmental Resources Management and Kirk McClure Morton--were contracted to prepare a Draft Waste Strategy for Northern Ireland.
No companies are employed to assess the merits of landfill site applications on behalf of the Department. However, two companies--Environment Assessment Group Limited and M J Carter Associates--are engaged in the environmental audit of existing facilities.
School Examination Candidates
Mr. John D. Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which schools in Northern Ireland have candidates for (a) A-levels and (b) international baccalaureate; and which of these schools are (i) controlled, (ii) maintained and (iii) other schools. [13928]
Mr. Ancram: Schools which have pupils enrolled in the final year of an A-level course in October 1995 are shown in the booklet "School Performance Information 1995-96" published by the Department of Education for Northern Ireland. I have arranged for a copy to be placed in the Library. The number of schools in each category is as follows:
Controlled: 37
Maintained: 23
Voluntary grammer: 52
Grant-maintained integrated: 1.
Roads (Development)
Mr. John D. Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what plans he has to visit Killaney corner on the Saintfield road, Ravara, Ballygowan, to assess the road safety situation at this site; [14071]
- (2) what plans the Department of Environment has to widen Ballyrogan road, Newtownards; and if he will make a statement. [14073]
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. John D. Taylor, dated 4 February 1997:
Mr. Taylor:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the current status of application X96/0176 for retrospective approval for livery accommodation and a new access road to Ballyrogan road, Newtownards. [14074]
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked me to respond to your Parliamentary Questions about road safety at Killaney Corner, Saintfield Road, Ravara and the need to widen Ballyrogan Road, Newtownards.
While there is not recent history of recorded accidents at Killaney Corner it was decided, following a site visit in September 1996, to increase the size of the hazard warning lines on the approaches to the bend. This work was carried out on 9 January 1997. No further work is planned.
Ballyrogan Road is an unclassified road which carries very little traffic. There are no proposals to widen it.
I am sorry I cannot be more helpful on this occasion.
5 Feb 1997 : Column: 655
Mr. Moss: Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Housing Service under its chief executive, Mr. T. W. Stewart. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
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