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Health Policy
8. Mr. Borrow: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions she has held on future health policy since publication of the Acheson report into inequalities in health. [64862]
14. Ms Corston: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions she has had on future health policy since the publication of the Acheson report into inequalities in health. [64868]
Mr. McFall: I welcome Sir Donald's report. Under the new Targeting Social Need initiative, all Northern Ireland Departments are to produce Action Plans by the summer. These will address health and other inequalities. The Department of Health and Social Services has already initiated a process of consultation with relevant interests on the substance of its Action Plan. This will take into account Sir Donald's recommendations.
Women
9. Ms Beverley Hughes:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she has set the Government's priorities in relation to policy for women in Northern Ireland. [64863]
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Marjorie Mowlam:
The Government are putting in place a number of important policies, such as action on violence against women, childcare provision and family friendly employment.
Furthermore, our commitment to equality for everyone in society is a key part of the Good Friday Agreement.
I would also like to see more women from Northern Ireland in public life generally--in the Assembly and in this House.
10. Mr. Home Robertson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps are being taken to promote trade between Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Great Britain. [64864]
Mr. Ingram:
The Industrial Development Board (IDB) and the Local Enterprise Development Unit (LEDU) organise and support company participation in GB trade exhibitions, meet the buyer events and other trade initiatives.
IDB, LEDU and the Northern Ireland Growth Challenge have been developing linkages between Northern Ireland suppliers and major GB and ROI purchasers.
11. Mr. Connarty:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress is being made on the economic regeneration of Belfast. [64865]
Mr. Ingram:
Good progress is being made. Unemployment rates have fallen--down 8.1 per cent. since October 1997. Major Laganside developments are clearly visible. 1998 has also seen 3 new hotels open in the city and investment announcements which include 5 new software companies and 3 new call centres.
12. Ms Southworth:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps she is taking to support the development of small businesses. [64866]
Mr. Ingram:
LEDU (Local Enterprise Development Unit) is the Government Agency with responsibility for small business development in Northern Ireland. LEDU assists small businesses in Northern Ireland to become more competitive, by providing information, guidance and financial support.
With the 1998 Budget the Government made provision for considerable reductions on the regulatory and fiscal burdens on small firms, including the United Kingdom wide University Challenge Fund.
A major economic strategy aimed at promoting enterprise and encouraging investment throughout Northern Ireland was also announced by the Chancellor during May 1998.
13. Mr. Dobbin
: To ask the Secretary of State for the Northern Ireland how many integrated schools have been approved since 1997. [64867]
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17. Miss Melanie Johnson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many integrated schools have been approved since 1 May 1997. [64871]
Mr. McFall:
Eight new integrated schools have been approved since May 1997--one new grant-maintained integrated secondary school and seven controlled integrated schools. Conditional approval has been granted to a further three schools from September 1999--Oakwood Primary School, Strangford College and Spires Primary School.
15. Mr. Evans:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures she is taking to tackle social security fraud. [64869]
Mr. McFall:
The Social Security Agency has instigated a comprehensive programme of initiatives based on risk assessment. It includes data matching across benefit systems, interviewing appropriate claimants both at initial claim stage and during the lifetime of claims, and closer working with other Agencies and Departments.
16. Mr. Brazier:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made on the decommissioning of illegally held arms and explosives; and if she will make a statement. [64870]
20. Mr. Ian Bruce:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made on the decommissioning of illegally held arms and explosives; and if she will make a statement. [64874]
24. Mr. Gray:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the decommissioning of terrorist weapons in Northern Ireland. [64878]
Mr. Ingram:
I refer the hon. Members to the reply I gave earlier to the hon. Member for Banbury (Mr. Baldry), Official Report, column 896.
22. Mr. Greenway:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will publish targets for the decommissioning of weapons during 1999. [64876]
Mr. Ingram:
The Good Friday Agreement committed all the participants to the total disarmament of all paramilitary organisations. The participants also confirmed their intention to continue to work constructively and in good faith with the Independent Commission and to use any influence they may have to achieve the decommissioning of all paramilitary arms, within two years of the Referendum last May and in the context of the implementation of the overall settlement.
25. Mr. Hawkins:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will stop the release of terrorist prisoners until the IRA decommission and surrender weapons and explosives. [64879]
Mr. Ingram:
The early release of prisoners is an integral part of the Agreement, one which the Government are honouring in full. The Government will not depart from the Agreement by introducing a direct linkage
20 Jan 1999 : Column: 488
between decommissioning and prisoner releases, which is not in the Agreement nor in the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998.
The Government have also made it clear that there must be decommissioning of paramilitary weapons. It is an essential part of the Agreement and we are determined to ensure that all sides meet their obligations. The way to achieve decommissioning is for the full implementation of the Agreement by all parties.
29. Mr. Hammond:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what advice she received from her security advisers at the time of the Good Friday agreement and subsequently concerning the IRA's intentions as regards the decommissioning of arms and explosives. [64883]
Mr. Ingram:
In the Good Friday Agreement all parties reaffirmed their commitment to the total disarmament of all paramilitary organisations. The hon. Member for Mid-Ulster (Mr. McGuinness) was nominated on 2 September 1998 as a contact between Sinn Fein and the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning. The IRA know very well that they must deliver decommissioning as part of the Agreement.
18. Ms Moran:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress is being made in the establishment of (a) the Human Rights Commission and (b) the Equality Commission. [64872]
Mr. Paul Murphy:
Interviews for the post of Chief Commissioner for the Human Rights Commission were held on 6 and 8 January, interviews for the posts of Commissioner will begin on 21 January. The Secretary of State announced earlier this week that the Chief Commissioner designate is Professor Sidney Brice Dickson of the University of Ulster. A further announcement on the appointment of commissioners will be made at a later date.
A Working Group, comprising the Chairs and Chief Executives of each of the four existing bodies, along with a staff representative, has been established to consider and recommend on the shape and structure of the future Equality Commission. The group is chaired by Dr. Joan Stringer. It is due to report in stages in January. Ministers have asked for the group's early views on Commission posts and will proceed with the appointment process as soon as those views have been received.
28. Mr. McWalter:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress is being made in the establishment of the (a) Human Rights Commission and (b) Equality Commission. [64882]
Mr. Paul Murphy:
Interviews for the post of Chief Commissioner for the Human Rights Commission were held on 6 and 8 January; interviews for the post of Commissioners will begin on 21 January. The Secretary of State announced earlier this week that she has appointed Professor Sidney Brice Dickson as Chief Commissioner designate, a further announcement on the appointment of commissioners will be made at a later date. There has been a very good response to both advertisements and my right hon. Friend expects to be able to appoint a powerful commission.
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