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Working Families Tax Credit

Mr. Browne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many households in (a) Scotland, (b) East Ayrshire and (c) Kilmarnock and Loudoun are eligible for the working families tax credit which are (i) single parent families where the woman is the sole earner, (ii) single parent families where the man is the sole earner, (iii) couples where the male is the sole earner, (iv) couples where the female is the sole earner and (v) dual-income families. [124652]

Dawn Primarolo: It is estimated that 98,800 families in Scotland have been awarded the Working Families Tax Credit to the end of March 2000, of which 3,300 were in the East Ayrshire local authority and 1,700 were in Kilmarnock and Loudoun parliamentary constituency.

The breakdowns requested are as follows:

Family type	Scotland	East Ayrshire	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
Single parent--female earner	61,100	1,700	900
Single parent--male earner	2,100	(4)--	(4)--
Couple--male sole earner	21,800	1,000	600
Couple--female sole earner	8,500	(4)--	(4)--
Couple--both earning	5,400	(4)--	(4)--
Total	98,800	3,300	1,700

(4) There are too few cases in the 5 per cent. sample used for these analyses to provide a complete breakdown for East Ayrshire, or for Kilmarnock and Loudoun.

PRIME MINISTER

Ministerial Meetings

Mr. Flynn: To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 17 April 2000, Official Report, column 361W, on ministerial meetings, how many formal meetings he has had over the last two years with representatives of (a) farming unions, (b) the Country Landowners' Association, (c) the Country Sports Organisation and (d) pensioners' groups. [124577]

The Prime Minister: As I made clear in my earlier answer, I have met pensioners and countryside representatives at No.10 in the course of my official duties as well as during my visits throughout the country, and will continue to do so.

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Engagements

Sir Peter Tapsell: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 7 June. [124330]

The Prime Minister: This morning I delivered a speech to the Women's Institute Conference and had meetings with Ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House, I will have further such meetings later today.

SCOTLAND

Laptops

Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many laptop computers used by Ministers, officials and special advisers in his Department have been (a) lost and (b) stolen since May 1997. [123743]

Dr. Reid: [holding answer 25 May 2000] From May 1997 to June 1999, the Scottish Office had 14 laptops stolen and five were lost.

Since 1 July 1999, one laptop used by a Scotland Office official was stolen.

Secondments

Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 10 February 2000, Official Report, columns 279-80W, concerning secondments, which of the secondees listed were appointed for a period of 12 months or less. [124819]

Dr. Reid: The following secondments from the Scotland Office were for periods of 12 months or less:

Private Sector Secondments

	May 1997 to April 1998	May 1998 to April 1999	May 1999 to June 1999
Balfour and Manson	1	1	0
BP	1	--	--
Shepperd & Wedderburn	--	1	--

NORTHERN IRELAND

Contracts

Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 29 February 2000, Official Report, column 203W, concerning contracts, if he will list the companies concerned; and whether these contacts were subject to competitive tendering. [124824]

Mr. Ingram: 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.

RUC Investigations

Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps the RUC took following reports on the night of 7-8 August of attacks upon (a) the Presbyterian church hall in Ballyroney, County Down,

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(b) the Orange hall in Ballyroney, County Down and (c) the Free Presbyterian church; in each case, how long it took for police to arrive on the scene; what is his estimate of the damage to property; what record of similar incidents exists in that area; what bearing controversial parades have on these actions, what conclusions he has reached on the number and community affiliation of the perpetrators; and what is the present stage of the investigation. [105463]

Mr. Ingram: (a) and (b) Police were assigned from Banbridge at 0711hrs on 8 August and arrived 0747hrs.

(c) Police were assigned from Castlewellan at approximately 1130hrs. on 8 August and arrived approximately 20 minutes later.

No estimate of the cost of damage is available. There is no record of similar incidents in the area. The attacks may be linked on an 0700hrs. service held on 11 July commemorating the 150th Battle of Dolly's Brae. The number of perpetrators is not known but they are believed to be from a Nationalist background. The investigation remains open.

Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps the RUC took following the report of a petrol bomb attack on a property in Ligoniel, north Belfast on 13 August 1999; how long it took for police to arrive on the scene; what is his estimate of the damage to property; what record of similar incidents exists in that area; what bearing controversial parades have on these actions; what conclusions he has reached on the number and community affiliation of the perpetrators; and what is the present stage of the investigation. [105446]

Mr. Ingram: This incident was reported at 0403hrs. Police attended the scene at 0420hrs., having checked the authenticity of the call. There is no estimate of the cost of damage which was slight because the petrol did not ignite. There have been no similar incidents in the area although a brick was thrown at the window of this house on 9 August. It is not thought that parades had any bearing. The community affiliation of the perpetrators is not known. The investigation is ongoing.

Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps the RUC took following the report of an attack on the BT Target Sports Club near Loughbrickland, County Down, on 22 August 1999; how long it took for police to arrive on the scene; what is his estimate of the damage to property; what record of similar incidents exists in that area; what bearing controversial parades have on these actions; what conclusions he has reached on the number and community affiliation of the perpetrators; and what is the present stage of the investigation. [105437]

Mr. Ingram: There was no attack at this location on 22 August 1999. However there was an attack on the night of 4 August. That incident was reported at 0059hrs. Police arrived on the scene at 0110hrs. Damage to a tracked excavator has been estimated at £29,000. There have been no similar incidents in the area. Parades are not believed to have had a bearing. The community affiliation of the perpetrator(s) is not known. The investigation remains open but is subject to further information becoming available.

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Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps the RUC took following the report of a pipe bomb attack on property in Sallagh Park South, Larne, on 30 August 1999; how long it took for police to arrive on the scene; what is his estimate of the damage to property; what record of similar incidents exists in that area; what bearing controversial parades have on these actions; what conclusions he has reached on the number and community affiliation of the perpetrators; and what is the present stage of the investigation. [105444]

Mr. Ingram: This incident was reported at 0106 hrs. Police arrived on the scene at 0107 hrs. There was no apparent damage. There have been a number of similar attacks in the area. It is not thought that parades had any bearing. The attack is believed to have been carried out by Loyalists. The investigation is ongoing.

Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps the RUC took following the report of a pipe bomb being discovered at St. Peter the Rock church, Lisburn, on 29 August 1999; how long it took for police to arrive on the scene; what is his estimate of the damage to property; what record of similar incidents exists in that area; what bearing controversial parades have on these actions; what conclusions he has reached on the number and community affiliation of the perpetrators; and what is the present stage of the investigation. [105442]

Mr. Ingram: This incident was reported at 1936 hrs. Police attended the scene at 2003 hrs. having verified the authenticity of the call. There was no damage. There have been similar incidents in the area. It is believed that the perpetrators may be Loyalist. It is not thought that parades had any bearing. The investigation is ongoing.

Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps the RUC took following the report of an assault on a woman in Kilkeel on 14 August 1999; how long it took for police to arrive on the scene; what injuries were sustained as a result of the attack; what record of similar incidents exists in that area; what bearing controversial parades have on these actions; what conclusions he has reached on the number and community affiliation of the perpetrators; and what is the present stage of the investigation. [105447]

Mr. Ingram: Three men have been charged and are due to appear in court in connection with this incident. It would therefore be inappropriate to comment further.

Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps the RUC took following the report of an attack on St. Mary's Gaelic Athletic Association club in Ahoghill, County Antrim, on 29 August 1999; how long it took for police to arrive on the scene; what is his estimate of the damage to property; what record of similar incidents exists in that area; what bearing controversial parades have on these actions; what conclusions he has reached so far on the number and community affiliation of the perpetrators; and what is the present stage of the investigation. [105441]

Mr. Ingram: This incident was reported at 0307 hrs. Police arrived on the scene at 0320 hrs. Damage was extensive but an estimate of cost has not yet been received. There have been a number of similar incidents

7 Jun 2000 : Column: 279W

in the area. It is not thought that parades had a bearing. The attack is believed to have been carried out by Loyalists. The investigation is ongoing.

Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps the RUC took following the report of an attack on a Church of Ireland hall in Strabane on 15 August 1999; how long it took for police to arrive on the scene; what is his estimate of the damage to property; what record of similar incidents exists in that area; what bearing controversial parades have on these actions; what conclusions he has reached so far on the number and community affiliation of the perpetrators; and what is the present stage of the investigation. [105448]

Mr. Ingram: Police saw smoke coming from the hall and took appropriate action. No estimate of damage has yet been received. There have been six previously recorded incidents involving arson of places of worship in the area between 1995 and 1998. It is not thought that parades had any bearing. The attack is believed to have been carried out by Nationalists. The investigation remains open.

Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps the RUC took following the report of attacks on property and residents on Craigwell Avenue, Portadown, on 17 August; how long it took for police to arrive on the scene; what is his estimate of the damage to property; what record of similar incidents exists in that area; what bearing controversial parades have on these actions; what conclusions he has reached on the number and community affiliation of the perpetrators; what is the present stage of the investigation; and what is his estimate of the number of families that have moved out of the area or sought rehousing as a consequence of community tensions in the past four years. [105436]

Mr. Ingram: There is no record of any such incidents on or about the date given. It is not possible to give the numbers of families who may have moved from the area because of community tensions; however, there have been 12 successful SPED applications during the last four years.

Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps the RUC took following the report of a serious assault upon a 16 year-old boy from the Lower Ormeau Road, Belfast, on 26 August 1999; what record of similar incidents exists in that area; what bearing controversial parades have on these actions; what conclusions he has reached so far on the number and community affiliation of the perpetrators; and what is the present stage of the investigation. [105439]

Mr. Ingram: When the assault by occupants of a vehicle was reported, police immediately circulated the limited details of the vehicle which was not located. The scene was visited and potential witnesses were interviewed but no further evidence came to light. There is nothing to suggest that this was a sectarian attack. There have been no recent incidents of this type in the area. Parades in the area have caused tension but it is not thought that they had a bearing on the incident. The community affiliation of the three assailants is not known. The investigation remains open but is dependent on additional information becoming available.

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Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps the RUC took following the report of a paint bomb attack on a property on the Curryneirin estate, Derry, on 15 August 1999; how long it took for police to arrive on the scene; what is his estimate of the damage to property; what record of similar incidents exists in that area; what bearing controversial parades have on these actions; what conclusions he has reached on the number and community affiliation of the perpetrators; and what is the present stage of the investigation. [105449]

Mr. Ingram: This incident was reported at 0104hrs. Because of incidents of serious disorder that evening, including hijacking, criminal damage and intimidation, police were unable to attend the scene until 0303hrs. Damage to property is estimated at £800. It is not thought that parades had any bearing. Police believe the perpetrators may have been Nationalists. The investigation remains open.

Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps the RUC took following the report of an attack on Ryan's Presbyterian church hall outside Rathfriland, Co. Down, on 9 August 1999; how long it took for police to arrive on the scene; what is his estimate of the damage to property; what record of similar incidents exists in that area; what bearing controversial parades have on these actions; what conclusions he has reached on the number and community affiliation of the perpetrators; and what is the present stage of the investigation. [105445]

Mr. Ingram: This incident was reported at 0238hrs. Police arrived on the scene at 0247hrs. Damage is estimated at £109,995. There are no recently recorded similar incidents in the area. Parades are not believed to have had a bearing. The community affiliation of the perpetrator(s) is not known. The investigation is ongoing.

Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps the RUC took following the report of a petrol bomb attack on a residential property in the early hours of 9 August; how long it took for police to arrive on the scene; what is his estimate of the damage to property; what record of similar incidents exists in that area; what bearing controversial parades have on these actions; what conclusions he has reached on the number and community affiliation of the perpetrators; and what is the present stage of the investigation. [105464]

Mr. Ingram: It is assumed that this question refers to an incident at Hampton Crescent, Larne, on 9 August 1999. This incident was reported at 0316hrs. Police arrived on the scene at 0318hrs. No estimate of the cost of the damage is available. There have been a number of similar attacks in the area. It is not thought that parades had a bearing. The attack is believed to have been carried out by Loyalists. The investigation is ongoing.

Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps the RUC took following the report of an attack on the home of councillor Danny O'Connor in Larne, on 28 August 1999; how long it took for police to arrive on the scene; what is his estimate of the damage to property; what record of similar incidents exists in that area; what bearing controversial parades have on these actions; what conclusions he has reached

7 Jun 2000 : Column: 281W

so far on the number and community affiliation of the perpetrators; and what is the present stage of the investigation. [105440]

Mr. Ingram: This incident was reported at 0434hrs. Police arrived on the scene at 0437hrs. No damage was caused. There have been a number of similar attacks in the area. It is not thought that parades had any bearing. The attack is believed to have been carried out by Loyalists. The investigation is ongoing.

Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps the RUC took following the report of an attack on the home of Mr. Kevin O'Connor in Larne on 30 August 1999; how long it took for police to arrive on the scene; what is his estimate of the damage to property; what conclusions he has reached on the number and community affiliation of the perpetrators; and what is the present stage of the investigation. [105443]

Mr. Ingram: This incident was reported at 0916hrs. Police arrived on the scene at 0922hrs. There was scorch damage to the area of the hallway and fine nails embedded in a wall. No estimate of the damage is currently available. The attack is believed to have been carried out by Loyalists. The investigation remains open.

Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps the RUC took following the report of attacks on vehicles and properties on the Shankill Road, Belfast, on the night of 30-31 July; how long it took for police to arrive on the scene; what is his estimate of the damage to property; what record of similar incidents exists in that area; what conclusions he has reached so far on the number and community affiliation of the perpetrators; and what is the present stage of the investigation. [105460]

Mr. Ingram: Police have no records of any attacks of the type described.

Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps the RUC took following reports of an incident on Craigwell Avenue, Portadown, on 31 July; how long it took for police to arrive on the scene; how many shots were fired; what conclusions he has reached on the community affiliation of the perpetrator; how many persons were (a) arrested and (b) charged; and what is the present stage of proceedings. [105461]

Mr. Ingram: A man has been charged and is due to appear in court in connection with this incident. It would therefore be inappropriate to comment further.

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