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Accelerated Prisoner Release

Mr. Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many prisoners released under the accelerated prisoner release scheme have since been arrested in connection with terrorist-related offences. [97747]

Mr. Ingram [holding answer 8 November 1999]: While offences are under investigation it is not always clear whether they are terrorist related.

In none of the cases where prisoners released under the scheme have since been arrested is there conclusive evidence to confirm the offence was terrorist related.

Suckler Calves

Mr. William Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the average price paid in (a) September and (b) October, in 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1990 and 1985 in (i) cash and (ii) real terms, for suckler calves in the principal markets for such stock in Northern Ireland. [97825]

Mr. George Howarth [holding answer 9 November 1999]: Estimates of prices paid for suckled calves in a sample of the main markets in Norther Ireland in September and October of the years shown are given in the table, in current prices and in real terms.

Prices of suckled calves in Northern Ireland
£ per head

Current prices Prices in Real Terms using September 1999 as the base
SeptemberOctoberSeptemberOctober
1985225.20227.81392.33396.19
1990246.58282.77316.94360.68
1995(18)--436.42(18)--483.84
1996(18)--326.17(18)--352.62
1997(18)--327.77(18)--341.43
1998143.64210.79145.24212.92
1999166.83232.09166.83231.86

(18) No sales recorded in these months


Demilitarisation and Normalisation Programmes

Dr. Godman: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made concerning the demilitarisation and normalisation programme since June 1998; and if he will make a statement. [97762]

Mr. Ingram: The Government are committed to the objective of as early a return as possible to normal security arrangements in Northern Ireland, consistent with the level of threat.

Major progress has already been made. Since the Good Friday Agreement, routine military patrolling has been reduced by two thirds. Three battalions have been returned to Great Britain. There are now under 15,000 service personnel on operational duties in Northern Ireland, fewer than at any time since 1970. In large parts of the Province the police patrol without any military assistance. Since April 1998 11 military bases have been demolished and a further seven installations have been closed.

11 Nov 1999 : Column: 746

Compensation Awards

Mr. Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the average compensation award made to (a) victims and (b) relatives of victims of paramilitary violence for each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [98362]

Mr. Ingram: Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Compensation Agency under its Chief Executive, Mr. Denis Stanley. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

Letter from D.A. Stanley to Mr. Laurence Robertson, dated 10 November 1999:



    The Compensation Agency cannot provide information about the cost of compensation stemming specifically from paramilitary violence as there is often no way of ascertaining the motives of a victim's assailants unless a prosecution follows. In many cases where the assailant(s) are unknown, or where no prosecution has taken place, the Agency could only speculate about the perpetrator's motives and consequently figures provided on that basis would be very unreliable.


    I am sorry that I cannot be more helpful.

PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

Millennium Compliance

Mr. Gardiner: To ask the President of the Council what languages other than English have been used in advertising designed to convey the Government's message about year 2000 compliance to ethnic minority communities. [98424]

Mrs. Beckett: I shall write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

New Deal

Jackie Ballard: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) if he will list by unit of delivery the number of qualifications gained by those who have completed (a) the full-time education and training option and (b) other options on the New Deal for 18-24 year olds since January 1998; [95087]

11 Nov 1999 : Column: 747

Ms Jowell: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Mr. Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of people leaving the new deal for 18 to 24 year olds had by the end of August returned to the new deal or jobseeker's allowance (a) within 13 weeks, (b) within 26 weeks and (c) within 52 weeks. [98187]

Ms Jowell: I will write to my right hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

University for Industry

Mr. Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if the proposed Learning and Skills Council will have any responsibility for funding students learning with the University for Industry. [98143]

Mr. Wicks: The Learning and Skills Council will be responsible for funding all post-16 education and training apart from work-based training for adults, which will be the responsibility of the Employment Service. Funding for University for Industry students is being considered in the context of developing the proposals set out in "Learning to Succeed" and the Government's spending review next year.

Mr. Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what discussions he has had with the Further Education Funding Council about the funding of persons studying with the University for Industry. [98141]

Mr. Wicks: The Department is in regular contact with the Further Education Funding Council about such funding. Following guidance from the Secretary of State, the Council has earmarked £20.25 million to support Ufl learners from within its total grant-in-aid for 2000-01. Discussions are underway between the Department, the Council and Ufl Ltd. on funding Ufl learners from 2001-02 onwards.

Curriculum 2000

Mr. Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he expects the specifications for Curriculum 2000 to be published. [98142]

Mr. Wicks: The finalised specifications for the new GCE Advanced Subsidiary and Advanced level qualifications and the new General National Vocational Qualifications to be introduced for teaching from September 2000 will be available to schools and colleges in January 2000. Draft versions of the AS and A level specifications are already available on the awarding bodies' websites.

Grammar Schools

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the grammar schools visited by himself or his Ministers since May 1997, identifying the Minister in each case. [98144]

11 Nov 1999 : Column: 748

Ms Estelle Morris: In the course of their work, Ministers visit around 300 schools each year, some of which are grammar schools. Visits are based on invitations received. We do not have a breakdown of visits by type of school.

Students

Mr. Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the average unit of resource derived from public funds and authorised tuition fees, where applicable, was for a full-time equivalent student at a higher education institution in England for the past three academic years; and what figure is projected for the current year. [98240]

Mr. Wicks: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy in the Library.

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