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Paramilitary Violence
Mr. William Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) between Monday 29 November 1999 and Friday 11 February how many violent incidents involving paramilitary groups which took place in Northern Ireland indicating how many involved (a) Loyalists and (b) Republican groups; [122687]
- (2) between Monday 29 November 1999 and Friday 11 February how many punishment (a) beatings and (b) shootings took place in Northern Ireland, indicating how many in each category were committed by (i) Loyalists and (ii) Republican groups. [122688]
Mr. Ingram: The number of security incidents during the period 29 November 1999-11 February 2000 are as follows:
| Number | |
|---|---|
| Deaths | 1 |
| Shooting incidents | 15 |
| Bombing incidents | 5 |
The number of casualties as a result of paramilitary style attacks during the period are as follows:
| By Loyalist | By Republican | |
|---|---|---|
| Assaults | 18 | 2 |
| Shootings | 8 | 0 |
| Total | 26 | 2 |
Notes:
1. Figures may be subject to minor amendment
2. The shooting and bombing incidents cannot yet be fully attributed to groupings
Mr. William Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) between Saturday 12 February and the week ended Saturday 13 May how many violent incidents involving paramilitary groups took place in Northern Ireland, indicating how many involved (a) Loyalists and (b) Republican groups; [122686]
- (2) between Saturday 12 February and the week ended Saturday 13 May how many punishment (a) beatings and (b) shootings took place in Northern Ireland, indicating how many in each category were committed by (i) Loyalists and (ii) Republican groups. [122689]
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Mr. Ingram: The number of security incidents during the period 12 February to 13 May 2000 are as follows:
| Number | |
|---|---|
| Deaths | 2 |
| Shooting Incidents | 70 |
| Bombing Incidents | 10 |
The number of casualties as a result of paramilitary style attacks during the period are as follows:
| By Loyalist | By Republican | |
|---|---|---|
| Assaults | 17 | 18 |
| Shootings | 26 | 19 |
| Total | 43 | 37 |
Notes:
1. Figures may be subject to minor amendment.
2. The shooting and bombing incidents cannot yet be fully attributed to groupings.
Open Government
Dr. David Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many applications for information he received under the Open Government: Code of Practice on Access to Government Information in the last parliamentary session; and how many were granted. [121859]
Mr. Mandelson: I refer my right hon. Friend to the answer given by the Secretary of State for the Home Department on 18 May 2000, Official Report, columns 216-17W.
Police Bill
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to which (a) individuals and (b) political parties he has (i) shown and (ii) given draft copies of the proposed Police Bill for Northern Ireland, indicating what undertakings he has given relating to incorporating (A) the name of the RUC in the name of the new police service and (B) part or all of the present insignia of the RUC or the George Cross in the insignia of the new service. [122799]
Mr. Ingram: The drafting of the Police (Northern Ireland) Bill has required consultation and discussion with a wide range of individuals, bodies and parties, as did the consultation process when Patten was published.
24 May 2000 : Column: 547W
The Government's position on the name and insignia has been made clear. On the name this was done in the Secretary of State's statement to Parliament on 19 January 2000, Official Report, column 848, and in response to an oral question from my hon. Friend the Member for North-East Derbyshire (Mr. Barnes) on 17 May 2000, Official Report, column 319. On the badge, the Secretary of State said in the House on 19 January 2000, Official Report, column 848, that the badge would incorporate the new name in autumn 2001 and on 6 April 2000, Official Report, column 1221, he told the House that he was not convinced the badge need be entirely free of association with both traditions. The published Bill contains enabling provisions on both issues.
WALES
Pig Farming
8. Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent representations he has received on state aid for pig farmers in Wales. [122184]
Mr. Paul Murphy: I have received no representations on state aid for pig farmers, who proportionately play a very minor part in the Welsh livestock industry.
Waiting Lists
9. Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with the First Secretary on the impact of funding on the change in NHS waiting list times in Wales for those waiting over six months since 1 May 1997. [122185]
Mr. Hanson: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I regularly meet the First Secretary and the Assembly Health Secretary to discuss health issues in Wales. Discussions often include funding of the NHS in Wales and the issue of waiting lists/waiting times.
10. Mr. Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the First Secretary and the Welsh Health Secretary with regard to the number of people currently waiting over 18 months for an operation. [122186]
Mr. Hanson: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I regularly meet the First Secretary and the Assembly Health Secretary to discuss health issues in Wales. Our discussions do, of course, include the subject of waiting lists and times.
19. Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the number of patients waiting over 18 months for an operation on the NHS. [122195]
Mr. Hanson: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and I regularly meet and discuss health issues with both the First Secretary and the Assembly Health Secretary. Our discussions often include the subject of waiting times and lists.
A483 Upgrade
11. Mr. Opik: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what progress he has made in securing agreement to an upgrading of the A483 north-south Wales road in the mid-Wales and North Shropshire area. [122187]
24 May 2000 : Column: 548W
Mr. Paul Murphy: As the hon. Member is aware, the improvement of Welsh trunk roads is a matter for bilateral discussion between the National Assembly for Wales and the lead Whitehall department in cases such as this where decisions affect communities on the English-Welsh border. I have, however, raised this issue with the First Secretary and written to my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions.
Manufacturing Industry
12. Ms Julie Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry about the effect of the value of the pound and the euro on manufacturing industry in Wales. [122188]
Mr. Paul Murphy: I am in frequent contact with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. The Government understand the concerns of businesses, and particularly manufacturers, trading within Europe, about the weakness of the euro. But it is determined to take a long-term view. Short-term fixes would be the biggest threat of all to industry, with the illusion of temporary relief followed by the threat of long-term damage.
Policing
13. Mr. Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he plans to hold with (a) the Home Secretary and (b) the First Secretary on policing in Wales. [122189]
Mr. Paul Murphy: I meet both the Home Secretary and the First Secretary regularly to discuss a range of issues, including policing in Wales.
New Deal for the Over-50s
14. Mr. Alan W. Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on implementation of the New Deal for the Over-50s in Wales. [122190]
Mr. Paul Murphy: The New Deal 50-plus pathfinder in north-east Wales has been in operation since October 1999 and was launched by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Wales. The all-Wales roll-out of the New Deal 50-plus was launched on 3 April this year at Merthyr College by the Prime Minister.
Farming
15. Mr. Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the state of farming in Wales. [122191]
Mr. Paul Murphy: I meet the First Secretary on a regular weekly basis and we discuss a wide range of issues, including the state of farming in Wales. The Government have clearly shown their commitment to the farming industry by the Action Plan announced at the Prime Minister's Summit on 30 March and the package of aid worth £28 million to Wales.
The National Assembly for Wales meanwhile is taking forward a number of measures to support rural development and diversification in agriculture.
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