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Border Crossing Points

Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations she has received concerning the re-opening of border crossing points BCP 92 and BCP 93; and what further plans she has for these roads. [56383]

Mr. Ingram: While I am not aware of any representations received concerning the re-opening of border crossing points BCP 92 and BCP 93, consideration is being given to their future.

Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will report progress on making good (a) Border Crossing Point 171 at Aghalane Bridge, County Fermanagh and (b) other border crossing points not yet restored to full usage after the lifting of closure orders. [56382]

Mr. Ingram: Work is progressing satisfactorily at Border Crossing point 171, and the bridge should be ready for use by Spring 1999.

There are only two other Border Crossing points which remain unopened since the revocation of closure orders: Border Crossing Points 92 and 93 in South Tyrone. I have no immediate plans to re-open the road at Annaghroe or the bridge at Knockaginny Wood.

3 Nov 1998 : Column: 490

Murray Judgment

Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans she has to introduce legislation to comply with the Murray judgment at the European Court of Human Rights. [56292]

Mr. Ingram: The Government are actively considering their response to the ECHR judgment in the case of John Murray v the United Kingdom and hope to be able to make an announcement in the near future which will outline how procedures in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are to be affected.

The Government have already incorporated the ECHR ruling in the provisions contained in the Criminal Justice (Terrorism and Conspiracy) Act 1998.

Vehicle Checkpoints

Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the location of permanent vehicle checkpoints in (i) September 1997 and (ii) October 1998, indicating where structures have been dismantled or removed. [56381]

Mr. Ingram: The locations of permanent vehicle checkpoints in Northern Ireland in September 1997 and October 1998 are as follows:

As at September 1997	As at October 1998
Cloghogue (Newry/Dublin Road)	PVCP removed--Patrol Base still in use
Aughnacloy	To be removed (announced 30 September)
Bessbrook (3)	Reduced structures but still in use
Mahon Road, Portadown (2)	Removed
Letterkenny Road, Londonderry	Inactive and vacated but structure still present
Muff, Culmore Road, Londonderry	Inactive and vacated but structure still present
The Hump, Strabane	Inactive and vacated but structure still present
Rosscor Bridge	Inactive but structure still present
Wattle Bridge	Inactive but structure still present
Mullan Bridge	Inactive but structure still present
Gortmullan	Inactive but structure still present
Annaghmartin	Inactive but structure still present
Killyvilly	Inactive but structure still present
Clonalty Bridge	Inactive but structure still present
Belfast International Airport	Inactive and vacated but structure still present

3 Nov 1998 : Column: 491

3 Nov 1998 : Column: 491

In September 1997 there were 18 permanent vehicle checkpoints in Northern Ireland. Only three are still in operation, for the protection of the security force base at Bessbrook, Country Down. Two have been totally removed, one partially (the adjacent patrol base is still occupied). A further 8 structures are still present and manned, although the checkpoint is inactive. Three others have been vacated by the security forces. The remaining one at Aughnacloy will be demolished shortly.The continuing need for permanent vehicle checkpoints is kept under constant review. Any further changes will depend on the assessment of threat at the time.

Police Authority

Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the total work force of the

3 Nov 1998 : Column: 492

Northern Ireland Police Authority, including staff seconded from the Civil Service; if she will list the principal occupational sub-divisions or descriptive groups of staff; and what is their composition in respect of (a) gender and (b) perceived religious/community origin. [56388]

Mr. Ingram: At 1 January 1998 the total workforce of the Police Authority, including staff seconded from the Civil Service, was 3,402.

The total workforce has been broken down by Standard Occupational Classification.

Tables 1(a) and 2(a) provide a breakdown by perceived religious origin. Tables 1(b) and 2(b) provide a breakdown by gender.

3 Nov 1998 : Column: 491

Table 1(a): All permanent NICS seconded to PANI by community background at 1 January 1998

Occupational Groups	Protestant	% Protestant	Roman Catholic	% Roman Catholic	Not determined	% not determined	Total
1 Managers and administrators	269	81.5	41	13.0	6	1.9	316
2 Professional occupations	6	50.0	4	33.3	2	16.7	12
3 Associate professional and technical occupations	38	86.4	4	9.1	2	4.5	44
4 Clerical and secretarial occupations	1,459	84.0	243	14.0	34	2.0	1,736
5 Crafts and skilled manual occupations	190	86.8	14	6.4	15	6.8	219
6 Personal and protective service occupations	57	74.0	6	7.8	14	18.2	77
8 Plant and machine operatives	7	87.5	0	0.0	1	12.5	8
9 Other occupations	221	81.9	17	6.3	32	11.9	270
Total	2,247	83.8	329	12.3	106	4.0	2,682

Table 1(b): All permanent NICS seconded to PANI by gender at 1 January 1998

Occupational Groups	Male	% Male	Female	% Female	Total
1 Managers and administrators	126	39.9	190	60.1	316
2 Professional occupations	8	66.7	4	33.3	12
3 Associate professional and technical occupations	39	88.6	5	11.4	44
4 Clerical and secretarial occupations	241	13.9	1,495	86.1	1,736
5 Crafts and skilled manual occupations	218	99.5	1	0.5	219
6 Personal and protective service occupations	58	75.3	19	24.7	77
8 Plant and machine operatives	8	100.0	0	0.0	8
9 Other occupations	121	44.8	149	55.2	270
Total	819	30.5	1,863	69.5	2,682

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Table 2(a): All permanent PANI direct recruits by community background at 1 January 1998

Occupational Groups	Protestant	% Protestant	Roman Catholic	% Roman Catholic	Not determined	% not determined	Total
1 Managers and administrators	11	78.6	2	14.3	1	7.1	14
2 Professional occupations	19	59.4	7	21.9	6	18.8	32
3 Associate professional and technical occupations	94	82.5	12	10.5	8	7.0	114
4 Clerical and secretarial occupations	12	100.0	0	0.0	0	0.0	12
5 Crafts and skilled manual occupations	22	84.6	2	7.7	2	7.7	26
6 Personal and protective service occupations	123	71.9	40	23.4	8	4.7	171
9 Other occupations	308	87.7	20	5.7	23	6.6	351
Total	589	81.8	83	11.5	48	6.7	720

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Table 2(b): All permanent PANI direct recruits by gender at 1 January 1998

Occupational Groups	Male	% Male	Female	% Female	Total
1 Managers and administrators	9	64.3	5	35.7	14
2 Professional occupations	25	78.1	7	21.9	32
3 Associate professional and technical occupations	76	66.7	38	33.3	114
4 Clerical and secretarial occupations	7	58.3	5	41.7	12
5 Crafts and skilled manual occupations	23	88.5	3	11.5	26
6 Personal and protective service occupations	93	54.4	78	45.6	171
9 Other occupations	109	31.1	242	68.9	351
Total	342	47.5	378	52.5	720

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3 Nov 1998 : Column: 493

Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many buildings comprise the police estate; if she will cost and itemise major works projects (a) completed over the last 12 months and (b) already underway, initiated or committed in the next 12 months; how many part-time police stations are currently in operation; and what savings are estimated in the next 12 months as a result of the improved security situation. [56389]

Mr. Ingram: In pursuance of section 4 of the Police Act (NI) 1970, the Police Authority for Northern Ireland maintains 167 buildings. Eight of these premises are wholly or partially used for the purposes of the Police Authority.

(a) Over the last 12 months two new stations were built at Coagh and Loughgall costing £1,600,000 and £1,690,000 respectively. A further £3,100,000 was spent on 35 other projects, mainly in the areas of fire certification, health and safety and general upgrading of accommodation.

(b) Twenty-five major projects totalling £4,500,000 are currently underway or are scheduled to be committed within the next 12 months. No new builds are involved and apart from two major health and safety projects (£850,000 for the provision of flat roof edge protection and £560,000 for asbestos related work) the bulk of the money has again been allocated to fire certification work and general improving of accommodation.

The number of part-time RUC stations currently in operation is 64.

Information regarding

"what savings are estimated in the next 12 months as a result of the improved security situation"

is not readily available and could be compiled only at disproportionate cost.

3 Nov 1998 : Column: 494

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