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Criminal Assets (Confiscation)
Mr. Lidington: To ask the Prime Minister when he expects to publish the Performance and Innovation Unit's study on the confiscation of criminal assets. [106409]
The Prime Minister: I expect the Performance and Innovation Unit (PIU) to complete its study on the Pursuit and Seizure of Criminal Assets by the spring. Decisions flowing from the PIU's work will be made public in the normal way.
Liberal Democrats (Co-operation)
Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to issue a new joint declaration on co-operation with the Liberal Democratic Party. [106722]
NORTHERN IRELAND
Royal Ulster Constabulary
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what were the staffing levels of the RUC Special Branch in September 1994 and September 1999 in total and broken down (a) into component operational units, (b) by grade or rank, (c) by perceived religious or community origin and (d) by gender. [101882]
Mr. Ingram [holding answer 15 December 1999]: For the information to be provided fully in the form requested would identify the religious or community background of individual officers and would therefore breach statutory confidentiality. The following tables show the numbers of officers by rank at 30 September 1994 and 1999 and the gender and the community background of officers in the Department at 31 December 1994 and 1998 (the latest figures available).
| Rank | 30 September 1994 | 30 September 1999 |
|---|---|---|
| Superintendent and above | 19 | 20 |
| Chief Inspector | 20 | 22 |
| Inspector | 58 | 58 |
| Sergeant | 136 | 133 |
| Constable | 581 | 594 |
| Total | 814 | 827 |
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| 1994 | 1998 | |
|---|---|---|
| Perceived Protestant | ||
| Male | 654 | 657 |
| Female | 80 | 84 |
| Total | 734 | 741 |
| Perceived Roman Catholic | ||
| Male | 49 | 52 |
| Female | 3 | 4 |
| Total | 52 | 56 |
| Not known | ||
| Male | 18 | 20 |
| Female | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 18 | 20 |
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what positions, rank and postings were held by the Chief Constable of the RUC in each of the years 1988 and 1989. [105654]
Mr. Ingram [holding answer 17 January 2000]: In 1988 and 1989 the Chief Constable was a Detective Superintendent stationed at RUC Headquarters.
Asset Sales
Mr. Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the items in the National Asset Register sold by his Department, its agencies and associated public bodies since 25 February 1999, stating in each case the amount of money realised; if he will estimate the total amount raised from such sales to date; and if he will make a statement. [104495]
Mr. Ingram: The amount of items in the National Asset Register sold since 25 February 1999 is £988,860.00.
Ruskin College, Oxford
Mr. Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in each of the past five financial years, how many students from Northern Ireland have attended Ruskin College, Oxford. [105277]
Mr. Mandelson: Responsibility for this subject has been devolved to the Northern Ireland Assembly and is therefore no longer a matter for the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
Mrs. Rosemary Nelson
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the written threats issued against Mrs. Rosemary Nelson were passed to the Minister of Security's office by the Committee on the Administration of Justice. [103818]
Mr. Ingram [holding answer 17 January 2000]: The Committee on the Administration of Justice wrote to me on 10 August 1998.
Mr. McNamara:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps were taken by the Government to ensure the safety of Mrs. Rosemary Nelson. [103820]
24 Jan 2000 : Column: 6W
Mr. Ingram
[holding answer 17 January 2000]: The Government sought assessments from the RUC on Mrs. Nelson's security on two occasions, February and August 1998. On each occasion the RUC determined that they had no intelligence to substantiate a specific threat to Mrs. Nelson. Following the RUC's reply to our August inquiry we wrote to the Committee on the Administration of Justice on 24 September 1998. My office replied to their queries about how Mrs. Nelson could apply for inclusion in the Key Persons Protection Scheme and for the provision of a personal protection weapon. We also suggested that she may with to seek the advice of her local Crime Prevention Officer in relation to security advice at her home and at her work place.
Mr. McNamara:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many written submissions were received by the Patten Commission; and if he will place these documents in the Library. [105475]
Mr. Ingram
[holding answer 17 January 2000]: The number of written submissions received by the Patten Commission is a matter for the Commission itself which was independent of Government. In their Report (para 2.3 page 11) the Commission advised that they received approximately 2,500 individual written submissions in addition to a number of petitions signed by several thousand people and several standardised letters. The Government are not in possession of these submissions and are not in a position to place the documents in the Library.
Mr. McNamara:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many (a) Irish language and (b) Ulster Scots street signs have been damaged or stolen in each district council area in the past 12 months; what legal sanctions are available in respect of acts of vandalism; what guidelines have been issued to the police to assist in the prevention of vandalism; how many persons have been charged with offences concerned with bilingual signs in each district council area; and what was the outcome of the prosecution. [105459]
Mr. Ingram
[holding answer 17 January 2000]: Not all of the information requested is retained in a form that would permit details to be extracted without incurring a disproportionate cost.
Vandalism of this nature is recorded as Criminal Damage, which covers a wide range of offences and forms an important element of RUC training supported by operational documents. If the cost of the damage is less than £400 under the Summary Jurisdiction Act (NI) 1953, the penalty may be up to six months imprisonment or a Level 3 fine. If the cost of damage exceeds £400, the penalty under the Criminal Damage (NI) Order 1977 may be up to a 10 years imprisonment on indictment or up to two years on summary conviction.
Mr. McNamara:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps have been taken by the Northern Ireland Office to prepare for the implementation
24 Jan 2000 : Column: 7W
of the Human Rights Act 1998 in Northern Ireland; and what specific training opportunities have been organised. [103824]
Mr. George Howarth
[holding answer 19 January 2000]: The Human Rights Unit in the Northern Ireland Office co-ordinates the Department's preparations for the implementation of the Human Rights Act.
A human rights seminar, organised by the Northern Ireland Office, was held in June 1999. It involved the main criminal justice organisations and players in Northern Ireland, including non-statutory bodies. Its aim was to generate a heightened awareness of issues surrounding the Human Rights Act, contribute to a common understanding of the issues and provide an opportunity to discuss new concerns and discern where a common approach was required.
The Northern Ireland Office has also explored any vulnerabilities in legislation and action has been taken--or will be taken--wherever necessary.
Senior officials and other key staff have attended half-day awareness sessions run by The Queen's University, Belfast. Legal groups are also working with the University to provide more in-depth seminars to legal staff in the Department of the Director of Prosecutions for Northern Ireland and the Crown Solicitor's Office.
An inventory of remaining training requirements is currently under way. All staff are to receive general awareness training, which is to be supported by more detailed training on aspects of the Act which tie in to their specific job needs.
Mr. McNamara:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for what reasons the Northern Ireland Office is not participating in the Government's Human Rights Task Force. [103825]
Mr. George Howarth
[holding answer 19 January 2000]: The composition of the Task Force is a matter for the Home Secretary. The Chief Commissioner of The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (which is funded by the Northern Ireland Office) is represented on the Task Force. On 18 January 2000, I made a presentation to the Task Force, outlining the strategy of the Northern Ireland Office for implementation of the Human Rights Act.
Mr. McNamara:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what training (a) has been undertaken and (b) is planned for the future, relating to the Human Rights Act 1998 for (i) the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and (ii) the Northern Ireland civil service. [103831]
Mr. George Howarth
[holding answer 19 January 2000]: A Project Team has been established within the Department of the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland to oversee implementation of the Act. Work is continuing in producing, in consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, relevant training materials for staff. It is intended that such materials and subsequent training will have regard to any relevant differences in criminal law and practice between Northern Ireland and England.
Training for the Northern Ireland Departments is a matter for the Northern Ireland Administration.
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Mr. McNamara:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what written material on the Human Rights Act 1998 has been provided to (a) the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and (b) the Northern Ireland civil service; and if he will place copies in the Library. [103832]
Mr. George Howarth
[holding answer 19 January 2000]: The Department of the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland has been provided with the same material as has been issued throughout Government Departments in the rest of the United Kingdom.
Training for the Northern Ireland Departments is a matter for the Northern Ireland Administration.
Mr. McNamara:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what arrangements have been made to review policy and practice within departments in order to ensure full compliance with the Human Rights Act 1998; and what arrangements have been made to do this in (a) the Northern Ireland Office and (b) the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. [103834]
Mr. George Howarth
[holding answer 19 January 2000]: The Northern Ireland Office has undertaken a scrutiny of legislation which requires or may require amendment as a result of the Human Rights Act 1998. Any necessary action has already been taken or is under consideration.
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