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Written Answers to Questions
Monday 22 February 1999
NORTHERN IRELAND
Portadown
Mr. McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons have been (a) charged, (b) prosecuted and (c) convicted under section 8(7) of the Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Act 1998 in relation to contravention of the conditions placed by the Parades Commission on the legally notified marches organised by the Orange Order in Portadown on (i) 5 July 1998, (ii) 5 September 1998, (iii) 28 November 1998, (iv) 19 December 1998, (v) 30 December 1998 and (vi) 2 January 1999. [70208]
Prisoners
Mr. MacKay: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons have been convicted of scheduled offences within the meaning of the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Acts 1973, 1978, 1991 and 1996 since 10 April 1998; and how many of them received (a) a mandatory life sentence and (b) a fixed term sentence of five years or more. [70140]
Mr. Ingram: From 10 April 1998 to 31 December 1998, 123 people have been convicted of scheduled offences. Of those convicted six were given mandatory life sentences and 23 received a fixed term sentence of five years or more.
- Note:
- These statistics are currently being updated and may be subject to change.
Mr. McNamara:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons in Northern Ireland have been (a) arrested on suspicion of, (b) charged and (c) convicted of conspiracy to commit offences outside the United Kingdom under section 1 of the Criminal Law Act 1977 as amended by the Criminal Justice (Terrorism and Conspiracy) Act 1998. [69878]
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Mr. Ingram:
No one has been charged or convicted under the equivalent provision in Northern Ireland. I am unable to say whether or not anyone has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit offences outside the United Kingdom: no central record is kept of arrests made under that heading.
Mr. Moss:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the status of the current review of the Royal Ulster Constabulary. [70097]
Mr. Ingram:
The independent Policing Commission is consulting widely and has received over 2,000 submissions--the vast majority from individual members of the public. It has met with many of the key figures in the field of policing and has recently held a number of public meetings throughout Northern Ireland. As the Agreement says, the Commission will report by summer 1999.
Mr. Ruffley:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list (a) the London barristers' chambers and (b) the London solicitors' firms that have performed services for her Department (i) since 1 May 1997 and (ii) in the equivalent period preceding that date, indicating the remuneration paid in each particular case. [70034]
Mr. Paul Murphy:
The detailed information requested is either the subject of confidentiality or could not be answered on the ground of disproportionate costs (or both).
Departments may use firms of solicitors in addition to the Departmental Solicitors Office and the Crown Solicitors Office, for example, where the relevant expertise lies in the private sector. The relationship is subject to the usual confidentiality which operates between lawyer and client.
Dr. Tony Wright:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which of the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by her Department (a) admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings, (b) hold public meetings, (c) have lay or consumer representatives on their boards and (d) operate some form of appeal or complaints procedure; and if in each case this is under a statutory requirement. [69989]
Mr. Paul Murphy:
The information for the Northern Ireland Office and the Northern Ireland Departments is as follows:
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(1) Under a statutory requirement
(2) Other than a Teaching Appointments Committee meeting
(3) Except where the nature of the business to be transacted would be prejudicial to the public interest
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Dr. Tony Wright:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by her Department (a) admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings, (b) hold public meetings and (c) have lay or consumer
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representatives on their boards; and if in each case this is under a statutory requirement. [69966]
Mr. Paul Murphy:
The information for the Northern Ireland Office and the Northern Ireland Departments is as follows:
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(4) No statutory requirement for these actions except: the regulations provide for the board to include one member with experience of dealing with a disabled person. This can be a lay person.
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Dr. Tony Wright:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which of the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by her Department publish (a) the minutes of meetings, (b) the agendas of meetings and documents for those meetings and (c) a register of
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members' interests; and if in each case this is under a statutory requirement. [69955]
Mr. Paul Murphy:
The information for the Northern Ireland Office and the Northern Ireland Departments is as follows:
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| (a) Minutes of meetings | (b) Agendas of meetings and documents | (c) Register of Members interests | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment | No | No | No |
| Council for Catholic Maintained Schools | Yes | Yes | No |
| Sports Council for Northern Ireland | No | No | No |
| Youth Council for Northern Ireland | Yes | No | Yes |
| Arts Council of Northern Ireland | No | No | (5)No |
| National Museums and Galleries of Northern Ireland | No | No | No |
| Northern Ireland Museums Council | No | No | (5)No |
| Belfast Education and Library Board | Yes | No | Yes |
| North Eastern Education and Library Board | Yes | No | Yes |
| Southern Education and Library Board | Yes | No | Yes |
| Western Education and Library Board | Yes | No | Yes |
| Staff Commission for Education and Library Boards | No | No | Yes |
| Commission for Racial Equality for Northern Ireland | No | No | (5)No |
| Equal Opportunities Commission for Northern Ireland | No | No | (5)No |
| Fair Employment Commission for Northern Ireland | No | No | (5)No |
| Labour Relations Agency | No | No | (5)No |
| Construction Industry Training Board | No | No | (5)No |
| Enterprise Ulster | No | No | (5)No |
| Ulster Supported Employment Limited | No | No | (5)No |
| General Consumer Council for Northern Ireland | No | No | (5)No |
| Local Enterprise Development Unit | No | No | Yes |
| Northern Ireland Tourist Board | No | No | (5)No |
| Northern Ireland Commissioner for Protection Against Unlawful Industrial Action | No | No | No |
| Northern Ireland Commissioner for the Rights of Trade Union Members | No | No | No |
| Laganside Corporation | No | No | No |
| Northern Ireland Housing Executive | Yes | No | No |
| Local Government Staff Commission | No | No | No |
| Northern Ireland Local Government Officers' Superannuation Committee | No | No | No |
| Fire Authority for Northern Ireland | Yes | No | No |
| Mental Health Commission for Northern Ireland | No | No | (5)No |
| Northern Ireland for Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education | No | No | No |
| National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting for Northern Ireland | (6)Yes | (6)Yes | (6)Yes |
| Livestock and Meat Commission for Northern Ireland | No | No | (5)No |
| Pig Production Development Committee | No | No | (5)No |
| Agricultural Wages Board for Northern Ireland | No | No | (5)No |
| Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland | No | No | Yes |
| Foyle Fisheries Commission | No | No | (5)No |
| Northern Ireland Fishery Harbour Authority | No | No | (5)No |
| Fisheries Conservancy Board for Northern Ireland | No | No | (5)No |
| Police Authority for Northern Ireland | (5)No | (5)No | (5)No |
| Independent Commission for Police Complaints for Northern Ireland | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Probation Board for Northern Ireland | No | No | No |
| Juvenile Justice Board | No | No | No |
(5) Available for inspection on request
(6) Statutory requirement
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Dr. Tony Wright:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by her Department publish (a) the minutes of meetings, (b) the agendas of meetings and documents for those meetings and (c) a register of
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members' interests; and if in each case this is under a statutory requirement. [69940]
Mr. Paul Murphy:
The information for the Northern Ireland Office and the Northern Ireland Departments is as follows:
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| (a) | (b) | (c) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minutes of meetings | Agendas of meetings and documents | Register of members interests | |
| Health and Safety Agency for Northern Ireland | No | No | (7)No |
| Industrial Development Board for Northern Ireland | No | No | (8)No |
| Industrial Research and Technology Unit (Advisory Board) | No | No | (8)No |
| Training and Employment Agency (Advisory Board) | No | No | (8)No |
| Statistics Advisory Committee | No | No | No |
| Charities Advisory Committee | No | No | No |
| Disability Living Allowance Advisory Board for Northern Ireland | No | No | No |
| Distinction and Meritorious Service Awards Committee | No | No | No |
| Northern Ireland Disability Council | No | No | No |
| Statute Law Committee for Northern Ireland | No | No | No |
| Law Reform Advisory Committee for Northern Ireland | No | No | No |
| Northern Ireland Economic Council | (8)No | (8)No | No |
| Northern Ireland Higher Education Council | No | No | No |
| Northern Ireland Advisory Committee on Travellers | No | No | No |
| Council for Nature Conservation and the Countryside | No | No | No |
| Historic Buildings Council | No | No | No |
| Historic Monuments Council | No | No | No |
| Northern Ireland Construction Industry Advisory Council | No | No | No |
| Northern Ireland Building Regulations Advisory Committee | No | No | No |
| Northern Ireland Water Council | No | No | No |
| Drainage Council for Northern Ireland | No | No | No |
| Boundary Commission for Northern Ireland | No | No | No |
| Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights | No | No | No |
(7) Published in the Annual Report
(8) Available for inspection on request
Note:
No statutory requirements for these actions
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Dr. Tony Wright:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which of the executive non-departmental bodies sponsored by the Northern Ireland Office have a statutory base; and which are subject to investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner. [69888]
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Mr. Paul Murphy:
The information for the Northern Ireland Office and the Northern Ireland Departments is as follows:
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