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Murders
25. Rev. Martin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made in bringing to justice the murderers of the Reverend Robert Bradford and Mr. Edgar Graham. [81307]
Mr. Ingram: Two persons were arrested for the murders of the Reverend Bradford and Mr. Kenneth Campbell, interviewed and released without charge. Despite an extensive police investigation no persons have to date been made amenable for these crimes.
In respect of Mr. Graham's murder, one person, convicted of making property available and withholding information was sentenced to two years imprisonment suspended for three years. Another was convicted of withholding information and sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment suspended for two years. A number of other persons were arrested and interviewed in relation to this murder.
The RUC review all murder investigations. New or further evidence will be acted upon with diligence.
26. Mr. Lock:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment she has made of the impact of the tourism industry on the economy of Northern Ireland. [81308]
Mr. Ingram:
During 1998, staying visitors in Northern Ireland contributed £217 million to the Northern Ireland economy, with an additional estimated £57 million from domestic tourism (totalling £274 million). This accounts for approximately 2 per cent. of Northern Ireland's GDP and sustains the equivalent of 14,750 full-time jobs in the industry.
Mr. John D. Taylor:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when she plans to make Canadian driving licences exchangeable for Northern Ireland driving licences. [81494]
Mr. Paul Murphy:
The ability to exchange a Canadian driving licence for a Northern Ireland licence would require new Northern Ireland primary legislation. This
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will be a matter for the new Assembly to consider, taking account of similar legislation introduced in Great Britain last August.
Mr. Hume:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment she has made of the condition of public parks and play areas in Northern Ireland and the impact of social and policing problems related to the conflict of the past 30 years on such facilities. [81626]
Mr. Paul Murphy:
Any assessment of the condition of public parks and play areas in Northern Ireland would be a matter for individual district councils. I am not aware that a general survey of these facilities has been carried out. The impact of social and policing problems over the years has not, therefore, been considered by central government.
Mr. Hume:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures the Government plan to take to improve parks and play areas in Northern Ireland. [81625]
Mr. Paul Murphy:
The establishment and upkeep of parks and play areas in Northern Ireland are functions of district councils. The Government have no plans to provide financial assistance or to make improvements in these areas.
Mr. McGrady:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the policy of her Department in respect of members of staff engaged in political activity. [81860]
Mr. Paul Murphy:
All civil servants are required to observe rules on engagement in political activities liable to give public expression to political views. The rules are intended to protect the political impartiality of the Civil Service whilst giving individuals the greatest possible freedom to participate in public affairs.
The extent to which a member of staff is permitted to engage in political activity, and whether they are required to seek permission from their department, is determined by reference to the grade of the individual and the nature of their official duties. Even where permission has been granted, the individual is required to observe fully the general rules on conduct and the code of discretion which governs the extent to which a civil servant may express political views.
All staff are barred from any form of political activity whilst on duty or in uniform or on official premises.
The rules on political activity are contained in the Northern Ireland Civil Service Pay and Conditions of Service Code which is available to all staff. Similar rules applying to Home Civil Servants are contained in their Staff Handbook.
Mr. McGrady:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action was taken following the investigations into a member of staff from the Department of the Environment-Planning Service who appeared on a public platform at a rally in support of the Spirit of Drumcree Group in November 1995; and if she will place the report of the inquiry in the Library. [81885]
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Mr. Paul Murphy:
Following an internal investigation, and having considered representations made by him, the Department of the Environment (NI) concluded that the officer concerned had, by his comments and actions in November 1995, breached the Conduct section of the Northern Ireland Civil Service Pay and Conditions of Service Code. The officer consequently received, in December 1998, a formal written reprimand and a warning as to his future conduct.
As disciplinary action involving a civil servant is an internal matter which is dealt with by his/her employing Department in confidence, and in strict accordance with established procedures, it is not appropriate for any papers relating to this internal investigation to be placed in the Library. The officer concerned has, in any case, indicated his intention to appeal against the disciplinary penalty imposed.
Mr. Levitt:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures she is taking to assist pensioners in Northern Ireland. [81282]
Mr. McFall:
I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Bristol, North-West (Dr. Naysmith) on 28 April 1999, Official Report, column 332.
Mr. Dismore:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on her Department's policy when (a) conducting legal proceedings and (b) seeking legal advice as to the circumstances in which Queen's Counsel should be instructed; and for each of the last three years (i) on how many occasions her Department instructed Queen's Counsel and (ii) what was the total cost of instructing Queen's Counsel. [81766]
The Attorney-General:
I have been asked to reply.
I answer this question on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office because as Attorney-General for Northern Ireland I have statutory superintendence of the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland and appoint the Crown Solicitor and Senior and Junior Crown Counsel in Northern Ireland. Senior Crown Counsel is a Queen's Counsel. Both Counsels are retained by the Crown to undertake work on behalf of the Government and Northern Ireland Departments.
In civil cases, in conducting Government work, the most important work would be undertaken by Senior Crown Counsel. In other cases where a Queen's Counsel is required and it is not possible to instruct Crown Counsel, either because of his workload or because of the need for specialist skills, a Queens Counsel is instructed from amongst the Bar of Northern Ireland.
The Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland nominates three counsels, one of whom is a Queen's Counsel, to whom he would first have recourse to prosecute the most serious of prosecutions. Thereafter, in any case requiring a Queen's Counsel he would instruct counsel from the Bar of Northern Ireland.
In determining whether a Queen's Counsel is to be instructed, the Crown Solicitor and the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland will consider the
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individual circumstances in each case. They will take into account, inter alia, the weight and complexity of the evidence and the degree of experience and expertise required before deciding whether Queen's Counsel should be instructed.
It should be understood that Northern Ireland is a separate jurisdiction with its own laws, courts and independent Bar. The role of counsel also differs from that of counsel in England and Wales: in particular, in criminal cases, in relation to the contact counsel in Northern Ireland has with witnesses and victims. The consideration given to the instruction of counsel by the Crown Solicitor and Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland will be made in the light of the particular circumstances of the separate jurisdiction of Northern Ireland.
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