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NORTHERN IRELAND
Listening Device (Police Investigation)
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the result of the police investigation of a listening device found in the vicinity of St. Jarlath's Church, near Blackwater, County Armagh. [118979]
Mr. Ingram: It is not Government policy to comment on claims of this nature.
22 May 2000 : Column: 332W
RUC Crest
Mr. William Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the Guidelines on Health and Safety regarding the dimensions of the Royal Ulster Constabulary crest displayed on police vehicles came into force; when they were to be implemented; and by which Government Department these guidelines were prepared. [121256]
Mr. Ingram: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 23 March 2000, Official Report, column 628W.
There are no specific Health and Safety guidelines on the dimensions of the Royal Ulster Constabulary crest on police vehicles.
Powdered Milk Tokens
Mr. William Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many powdered milk tokens were provided by the Western Health and Social Services Board in the last 12 months for which figures are available and (a) what was their face value in (i) Limavady Council District, (ii) Londonderry Council District and (iii) Strabane Council District and (b) how many (i) chemists and (ii) other outlets provided this service in each of the council districts; and what checks he has carried out to determine whether only those chemists authorised to do so have returned such tokens for payment by the Board. [121254]
Mr. George Howarth: The Foyle HSS Trust and Sperrin Lakeland HSS Trust within the Western Health and Social Services Board area accepted 109,821 powdered milk tokens in the 12 month period 1 January 1999 to 31 December 1999, which are the latest figures available.
(a) Powdered milk tokens are reimbursed at the same face value in the Limavady Council District, Londonderry Council District and Strabane Council Districts by Foyle HSS Trust and Sperrin Lakeland Trust. The face values reimbursed at December 1999 were as follows:
| £ | |
|---|---|
| SMA White & Gold | 5.99 |
| Cow and Gate Plus and Premium | 5.69 |
| Farleys 1 & 2 | 5.61 |
| Milupa Milumil | 5.87 |
| Milupa Aptamil & Aptamil Extra | 6.58 |
(b) (i) The number of chemists authorised to accept milk tokens in each Council District are as follows:
| District | |
|---|---|
| Limavady Council District | 4 |
| Londonderry Council District | 26 |
| Strabane Council District | 14 |
- (ii) No other outlets within these Council Districts are authorised to accept powdered milk tokens.
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Criminal Justice Review
Mr. McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he will implement the conclusions of the Criminal Justice Review; and if he will make a statement. [120701]
Mr. Ingram: On 30 March the Secretary of State announced that there would be a six-month consultation on the recommendations contained in the report of the Review of the Criminal Justice system in Northern Ireland. An announcement of the Government's decisions on implementation, and a detailed timetable, will be made as soon as possible after the consultation period has ended.
Punishment Beatings
Mr. Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many punishment beatings have been reported to the RUC in each month since April 1997. [121838]
Mr. Ingram: The following tables show the recorded number of paramilitary style assaults and shootings by calendar year from January 1997.
| Month | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000(5) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loy | Rep | Loy | Rep | Loy | Rep | Loy | Rep | |
| January | 7 | 12 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 12 | 9 | 1 |
| February | 12 | 14 | 7 | 8 | 13 | 5 | 4 | 3 |
| March | 7 | 11 | 6 | 3 | 11 | 2 | 8 | 4 |
| April | 5 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 7 |
| May | 7 | 4 | 8 | 3 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| June | 2 | 1 | 8 | 11 | 8 | 6 | -- | -- |
| July | 8 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 6 | -- | -- |
| August | 4 | 4 | 12 | 2 | 10 | 1 | -- | -- |
| September | 5 | 7 | 9 | 2 | 4 | 2 | -- | -- |
| October | 6 | 4 | 8 | 4 | 7 | 4 | -- | -- |
| November | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 1 | -- | -- |
| December | 7 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 6 | -- | -- | -- |
| Total | 78 | 78 | 89 | 55 | 90 | 44 | 26 | 17 |
(5) 1 January-9 May
| Month | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000(6) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loy | Rep | Loy | Rep | Loy | Rep | Loy | Rep | |
| January | 8 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 3 | -- |
| February | 3 | -- | -- | 4 | 6 | 1 | 4 | -- |
| March | 8 | -- | 1 | 4 | -- | 4 | 11 | 6 |
| April | 4 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 9 |
| May | 2 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 4 |
| June | 6 | 2 | 4 | 9 | 5 | 5 | -- | -- |
| July | 2 | 11 | 4 | 1 | 5 | -- | -- | -- |
| August | 5 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 8 | 3 | -- | -- |
| September | 3 | 1 | 2 | -- | 4 | -- | -- | -- |
| October | 1 | 1 | -- | 1 | -- | 2 | -- | -- |
| November | 2 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 5 | -- | -- | -- |
| December | 2 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 2 | -- | -- | -- |
| Total | 46 | 26 | 34 | 38 | 47 | 26 | 30 | 19 |
(6) 1 January-9 May
Biodiversity
Mr. Opik: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of the cost of
22 May 2000 : Column: 334W
implementing the Draft Northern Ireland Biodiversity Strategy; how the Government intend to fund the delivery of the strategy; and if he will make a statement. [122098]
Mr. George Howarth: The Draft Northern Ireland Biodiversity Strategy was published for consultation in June 1999 by the Government's advisory body, the Northern Ireland Biodiversity Group.
No final conclusions on the Strategy, including costs, can be reached until the Group has presented its recommendations to Government.
I understand that the Group expects to be able to do so within the next few months.
Mr. Opik: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of the 1994-1999 round of Structural Funds for Northern Ireland was spent on nature conservation projects; what type of projects were funded; and if he will make a statement. [122096]
Mr. George Howarth: Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Environment & Heritage Service under its acting chief executive, Mr. J. R. Lamont. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from J. R. Lamont to Mr. Lembit Opik, dated 17 May 2000:
As Acting Chief Executive of the Environment & Heritage Service, I am responsible for operational aspects of protection of the natural heritage on behalf of the Department of Environment for Northern Ireland. I am responding to the Parliamentary Question you put down on 11 May 2000 about what percentage of the 1994-1999 round of Structural Funds for Northern Ireland was spent on nature conservation projects and what type of projects were funded.
The amount spent on nature conservation projects from the Structural Funds for Northern Ireland for the 1994-1999 round was £171,000. This represented 0.018% of the total Funds. The schemes involved were environmental enhancement works at Whitespots, Newtownards, Tyrella Beach near Newcastle, the ECOS Centre, Ballymena and Waterfoot Beach on the east Antrim Coast.
I trust you will find this helpful.
RUC Barracks (West Belfast)
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what use is being made of the RUC barracks building in West Belfast; what options are being considered as future uses for the building; and what plans he has to consult local residents about its use. [121869]
Mr. Ingram: At present all police buildings in West Belfast are being used operationally and will continue to be used in this capacity for the foreseeable future. There are no plans at the moment to consult with local residents regarding the future use of these buildings.
Public Representatives will be consulted over any future plans for policing in West Belfast.
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