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France (British Citizens)
Mr. Collins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations his Department has made in the last 12 months (a) through Interpol and (b) through other means to the French Ministry of the Interior concerning the handling of deaths of British citizens in France; and if he will make a statement. [68132]
Mr. Fatchett: I have been asked to reply.
My noble Friend the Under-Secretary wrote to Mme Guigou, French Minister of Justice, on 4 August, stressing the importance of bringing to justice murderers of British nationals in France. On 30 November she met senior officials, in Paris, from the Ministry of Interior to discuss the handling of deaths of British nationals and to press for more vigorous investigations by the French authorities.
On 21 and 29 April 1998, the Deputy Head of Mission at our Embassy in Paris, raised specific cases with senior officials from the French Ministry of Interior.
Interpol London becomes involved in various aspects of cases involving death of British nationals abroad, particularly where crime is suspected. This is done on a case-by-case basis.
Our Embassy in Paris continues to remind the French authorities of the importance we attach to investigating the death of British nationals in France.
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Mr. McGrady:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what financial and staff resources will be provided to the Planning Agency to undertake work on the area plan for Newry and Mourne; and when work will commence on it. [67752]
Mr. Paul Murphy:
Responsibility for these issues has been delegated to the Planning Service under its chief executive, Mr. T. W. Stewart. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from T. W. Stewart to Mr. Eddie McGrady, dated 29 January 1999:
Mr. McGrady:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when work is planned to commence on the new Down Area Plan; and what consultation will be held in respect of it. [67751]
Mr. Paul Murphy:
Responsibility for these issues has been delegated to the Planning Service under its chief executive, Mr. T. W. Stewart. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from T. W. Stewart to Mr. Eddie McGrady, dated 29 January 1999:
Mr. McNamara:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made in the RUC investigation into the murder of Seamus Ludlow in 1976; how many people have been questioned in the past 12 months; how many people have been charged; what representations she has received from the Irish Government; and what assessment the DPP has made of the feasibility of a trial within the Northern Ireland jurisdiction. [66486]
Mr. Ingram
[holding answer 19 January 1999]: Four persons were arrested and interviewed in February 1998; they were released without charge. A police investigation file in respect of the murder which was submitted by the
1 Feb 1999 : Column: 433
Chief Constable to the Director of Public Prosecutions in October 1998 remains under consideration. The Irish authorities are aware of the position.
Mr. Greenway:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans she has to consult outside bodies on regulations which are proposed as a result of the review of the Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 1981. [66815]
Mr. Ingram:
The national shooting organisations and governing bodies of the various shooting sports have already made a valuable contribution to the review of the Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 through the normal consultation process. Later this year, the Secretary of State intends to lay before Parliament a draft of a new Firearms Order. In line with the provisions of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, the proposed Draft Order in Council will be referred to the Northern Ireland Assembly for their consideration. It will also be published and representations will be invited from all interested bodies.
Mr. Martyn Jones:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will estimate the amount of farmland (a) converted, (b) under conversion and (c) considering conversion to organic; what assessment she has made of future trends in this area; and if she will make a statement on the geographical spread of such land. [67766]
Mr. Paul Murphy:
The information is as follows:
The indications are that there will be a significant increase in the amount of land in NI under organic production over the next few years.
It is, however, not possible to assess the geographical spread of such land although from the approaches from farmers considering conversion the interest is across a range of commodities and it is well spread across NI.
Mr. Martyn Jones:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on her Department's strategy for helping Northern Ireland's farmers to become organic; and if she will list her Department's current initiatives in this area. [67763]
Mr. Paul Murphy:
There has been very little uptake of organic farming in Northern Ireland. In recognition of this situation, and in line with the Government's policy of encouraging more organic production, the Organic Farming Liaison Group (OFLG) was established to co-ordinate and pursue increased uptake of organic farming. The OFLG bring together officials from the Department of Agriculture with representatives of conventional and organic farming.
The existing Organic Aid Scheme has been reviewed and increased rates of payment will be available during the first five years to those who enter conversion after 1 April 1998.
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The Department of Agriculture provides advice and guidance to prospective organic farmers. It has developed organic production information packs and has made available a two day course entitled "Introduction to Organic Production" which aims to provide basic information for farmers and growers, who are potentially interested in converting to organic production.
I am pleased to record that, in recent months, there has been a marked increase in interest from conventional farmers and a number have submitted applications for registration of land for organic conversion. This interest has been across a range of commodities and from various parts of NI.
Mr. McGrady:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment she has made of the report issued on 11 January which was commissioned by the Department of Health and Social Security on lone parents and employment in Northern Ireland; and what action she will take in respect of the recommendations made. [67750]
Mr. McFall:
The report "others on Benefit" is the most detailed investigation ever undertaken in Northern Ireland into the obstacles that lone parents face when considering taking up work. It will make a very useful contribution to the development of the wide range of services that are needed by lone parents in Northern Ireland.
Many of the recommendations and conclusions reached in the report are being addressed under the New Deal for Lone Parents, the National Childcare strategy, the current review of the child support maintenance system and the proposed introduction of Working Families Tax Credit to replace Family Credit from 5 October 1999. I have arranged for copies of the report to be widely distributed so that its recommendations can be taken into account in the provision of future services for lone parents.
Mr. Sedgemore:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the recommendations of the UN Committee Against Torture in respect of the use of plastic bullets for riot control. [67999]
Mr. Ingram
[holding answer 28 January 1999]: Plastic baton rounds are used by the police and Army in Northern Ireland only where life or property is at risk, and provide a means by which police officers and soldiers can protect themselves when under attack. Ideally, it would not be necessary to use them: if there were no violent disorder then there would be no requirement to deploy plastic baton rounds.
The nature and scale of public order situations which can arise in Northern Ireland and the threat of terrorist attack often prevent the security forces from attempting to control rioters at close quarters. Plastic baton rounds have allowed the police and the Army to keep a distance between themselves and other lethal missiles. Alternatives methods of riot control have been employed and considered but have generally proved less effective in Northern Ireland conditions.
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The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the commencement of work on the Newry and Mourne Area Plan.
There is no individual Newry and Mourne Area Plan proposed rather, a combined plan for the Banbridge and Newry and Mourne District Council areas. The Development Plan Programme is currently under review, and will be approved by the Minister with responsibility for the Department of the Environment.
I will write to the hon. Gentleman when the timing of commencement of the Banbridge/Newry and Mourne Area Plan has been decided.
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the commencement of work on the Down Area Plan.
I can confirm that work on the Ards/Down Area Plan commenced in December 1998. Throughout the Plan preparation process there will be opportunities for regular consultation with both Ards and Down District Councils in accordance with a programme to be agreed with each of them. There will also be ongoing consultation with a range of statutory consultees and, at key stages of the project, community groups, interested parties and members of the general public will also be consulted.
I do hope this clarifies the position.
Converted: 176 hectares
Under Conversion: 20 hectares
Considering Conversion: 607 hectares
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