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Civil Service Development
25. Mr. Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the level of resources committed by her Department to strengthening the civil service in developing countries.[8382]
Clare Short: The United Kingdom committed £14 million of aid in 1996-97 in support of civil service reform in developing and transitional countries. I plan to work in partnership with countries to support and complement their policies of reform where their objectives are to ensure that government is efficient and to use savings for programmes of poverty elimination.
Know-how Fund
26. Mrs. Dean: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the scope and role of the know-how fund. [8383]
Clare Short: The know-how fund has been and remains a provider of flexible and timely technical assistance to central and eastern Europe and central Asia. I am reviewing its activities as part of the process leading up to the publication of a White Paper in the autumn, to ensure that it is fully consistent with my Department's objectives.
Policy Changes
27. Mr. Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what aspects of the former Government's policies on international development she has altered. [8385]
Clare Short:
I am currently reviewing all of our programmes to ensure that resources are used efficiently and effectively and are targeted on our overriding objective of poverty elimination. We will issue a White Paper in the autumn setting out how, through more coherent policies, we will tackle global poverty and promote sustainable development.
23 Jul 1997 : Column: 629
Mrs. Spelman:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what projects her Department is carrying out to support British investment in developing countries. [8368]
Clare Short:
My Department supports a wide range of projects in developing countries which aim to create a favourable environment for investment. One of our key aims is to help develop conditions which attract private sector investment to the least developed countries. For instance, in South Africa--and in central and eastern Europe--we have projects which aim to build alliances between UK businesses and their counterparts, to help reduce the cost of investment appraisal for small British firms, and to assist in the transfer of skills. We also sponsor the Commonwealth Development Corporation, whose statutory purpose is to contribute to economic development in the poorest countries by investing in, and supporting private sector operations.
Dr. Tonge:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what mechanisms are in place to co-ordinate contributions to the Government's White Paper on international development between Government Departments. [9025]
Clare Short:
A range of mechanisms to co-ordinate contributions to the White Paper, both from within and outside government, have been established. We have established a steering group comprising officials from the Department for International Development and other Whitehall Departments. I am currently consulting with ministerial colleagues on the contribution of their Departments to the White Paper.
Botanic Gardens, Belfast and Armagh
County Museum
Mr. John D. Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons are employed by the Ulster museum at (a) Botanic gardens, Belfast and (b) Armagh county museum; how many persons are required to be employed at a location before it is required to establish the work force composition by religious affiliation; and if she will make a statement. [5484]
Mr. Worthington: The Ulster museum employs (a) 169 persons at Botanic gardens, Belfast; and (b) six persons at Armagh county museum.
The trustees of the Ulster museum are specified in the Fair Employment (Specification of Public Authorities) Order (Northern Ireland) 1980 and are registered under the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989. All registered employers are required by the Act to monitor the composition of their work force.
For employers who are not public authorities, from 1 January 1992 a concern satisfies the condition for registration at the end of any week if in that week more than 10 employees have been employed.
23 Jul 1997 : Column: 630
Mr. Godman:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will withdraw the document recently circulated by the Department of Education relating to proposals from Coopers and Lybrand concerning deprived schools; and if she will make a statement. [9002]
Mr. Worthington:
No. It is an independent report which is intended to provide a framework for discussion on the main issues in the LMS formulae. Policy will be determined in the light of these discussions and consultation with schools. With regard to funding for deprived schools, the objective is to target funds more effectively at such schools and there is no intention to cut back on the total level of funding.
Mr. Godman:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will issue a statement concerning the composition of the Northern Ireland task force to oversee the welfare-to-work scheme. [9014]
Mr. Worthington:
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 Chris Thompson to Mr. Norman A. Godman, dated 18 July 1997:
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked the Chief Executive of the Training and Employment Agency to reply to your question concerning the composition of the Northern Ireland Task Force to oversee the Welfare to Work scheme. In his absence, I am replying.
Mr. McNamara:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations he has received from outside bodies in the last year in respect of the treatment of juveniles in detention. [9344]
Mr. Ingram:
Representations from a wide range of interests were received following publication earlier this year of a proposal for a draft Order in Council dealing with juveniles in the criminal justice system. Most were supportive of the proposed changes to the legislation.
Mr. McNamara:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many incidents of (a) protest movements, (b) mutinies or rebellions, (c) hunger strikes, (d) self-mutilation, (e) suicide and (f) prison escapes or attempted escapes affecting (i) male and (ii) female juveniles in detention have been recorded in the past year [9285]
23 Jul 1997 : Column: 631
Mr. Ingram:
The following is the information:
Mr. McNamara:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many institutions hold juvenile detainees; and if she will list these indicating their type and the number of juveniles admitted to each in the last year for which figures are available. [9223]
Mr. Ingram:
There are four training schools which hold both remands and committals. In the year ended 31 December 1995, the last year for which figures are available, the number of admissions was as follows:
Following the model of the National Task Force, it is proposed that the Northern Ireland Task Force should be a small high-level body with representation from business, trade unions, the voluntary sector, environmental groups, the education sector and youth groups.
Nominations for the Northern Ireland Task Force are under active consideration and an announcement on the Task Force will be made in the near future by the Secretary of State.
(a) Protest movements: None
(b) Mutinies or rebellions: None
(c) Hunger strikes: None
(d) Cases of self-mutilation: The incidents of self-injurious behaviour in each of the training schools during the past year are:
St. Patrick's training school: None
Middletown juvenile justice centre: None
Lisnevin: None
Rathgael juvenile justice services:
Boys: 3
Girls: 2
Total: 5
(e) Case of Suicide: None
(f) Prison escapes or attempted escapes: None
| Type | Number | |
|---|---|---|
| Rathgael Juvenile Justice Services | Non-secure accommodation | 88 |
| Lisnevin | Secure accommodation for boys | 229 |
| St. Patrick's Training School | Non-secure accommodation for Catholic boys | 50 |
| Middletown Juvenile Justice Centres | Non-secure accommodation for Catholic girls | 7 |
23 Jul 1997 : Column: 632
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the different prison regimes for juveniles. [9224]
Mr. Ingram: Children under the age of 17 may be remanded in custody or, if found guilty of an offence punishable in the case of an adult with imprisonment, may be sent to a training school. Only one of the four training schools is a secure unit and this is for boys only.
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the inspection and supervision systems for juvenile institutions. [9225]
Mr. Ingram: The training schools are inspected regularly by the social services inspectorate which has independent advisers from the Department of Health and Social Services.
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many juveniles are in preventive detention. [9226]
Mr. Ingram: The number of juveniles held in the four training schools at 19 June 1997 both in secure and other accommodation was 73.
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many children currently accompany mothers in detention. [9227]
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the minimum age for the detention of juveniles. [9228]
Mr. Ingram: The minimum age for the detention of juveniles is 10, which is the same as the minimum age of criminal responsibility. There are no plans to change this at present.
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many juveniles are detained in each institution by (a) age and (b) gender. [9229]
Mr. Ingram:
The number held in each school by gender and age on 19 June 1997 was:
23 Jul 1997 : Column: 631
| Male | Female | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number | 12 years | 13 years | 14 years | 15 years | 16 years | 17 years | 18 years | 14 years | 15 years | 16 years | |
| Rathgael | 27 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| St. Patricks | 10 | -- | 1 | 2 | 1 | 6 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Middletown | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Lisnevin | 36 | -- | -- | 3 | 17 | 15 | 1 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Total | 73 | 1 | 5 | 11 | 21 | 29 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
23 Jul 1997 : Column: 631
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proportion of juveniles in detention are accommodated in individual cells. [9230]
Mr. Ingram: All children in the training schools have individual rooms.
Mr. McNamara:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many complaints have been made alleging ill-treatment of juveniles in detention; and if she will make a statement on the outcomes of these complaints. [9241]
23 Jul 1997 : Column: 632
Mr. Ingram:
There have been no complaints of ill-treatment of juveniles held in the training schools in the past year.
Mr. McNamara:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list each incident where juveniles have been detained for reasons other than suspicion or guilt of criminal offences in the last five years. [9239]
Mr. Ingram:
None.
23 Jul 1997 : Column: 633
Mr. McNamara:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many cases of malnutrition have been recorded in respect of juveniles in detention in the last year. [9231]
Mr. McNamara:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in what circumstances juveniles in detention (a) have free access to drinking water and (b) are able to shave themselves each day. [9232]
Mr. Ingram:
(a) during the day, the children have free access to drinking water and during the night, they have access via a call system and a night supervisor; (b) those boys old enough to shave are free to do so each day.
Mr. McNamara:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what screening, preventive care and medical care is provided for juveniles in detention. [9233]
Mr. Ingram:
All children in the training schools undergo regular medical and dental checks. Drug awareness and sex education are also available as part of the general programme of education.
Mr. McNamara:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many visits juveniles in detention may receive each week. [9234]
Mr. Ingram:
There are no limits on the number of visits a child may receive each week.
Mr. McNamara:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what social and educational assistance is provided for juveniles in detention. [9235]
Mr. Ingram:
An extensive range of vocational and educational training is provided in the training schools as well as access to physical and recreational facilities.
Mr. McNamara:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what types of prison work are (a) available and (b) compulsory for juveniles in detention. [9236]
Mr. Ingram:
Children in the training schools are not required to do manual work. Some engage in horticultural or other activities as part of vocational training.
Mr. McNamara:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many cases of prostitution have been recorded among juveniles in detention in the past year. [9237]
Mr. McNamara:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will estimate the incidence of physical and sexual abuse by inmates in respect of juveniles in detention in the last year. [9238]
Mr. Ingram:
There are no recorded incidences of sexual or serious physical abuse in the training schools in the past year.
Mr. McNamara:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many deaths of juveniles in detention have been recorded in the last year; what method of inquiry was instigated into the deaths; and what were the causes of the deaths. [9242]
Mr. Ingram:
None.
23 Jul 1997 : Column: 634
Mr. McNamara:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in what circumstances (a) juveniles in detention may be detained in the same cell as adults, (b) juveniles on remand may share the same cell as sentenced juveniles, (c) juvenile first offenders may share the same cell with persistent offenders and (d) juvenile females may share the same cell with male prisoners. [9288]
Mr. McNamara:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the ratio of prison staff to children in detention. [9240]
Mr. Ingram:
Staff in the training schools are mainly social workers. The ratio of staff to children range from 1:4 in some units, to 1:2 in the secure units.
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