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Sellafield
Mr. McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will establish a study into the health effects of the operation of Sellafield on the people of Northern Ireland. [120710]
Mr. George Howarth: A major independent study which reported in 1989 sought to identify possible links between the incidence of Down's Syndrome and
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leukaemia and radiation in the Irish Sea. The report concluded that the data examined did not obviously implicate radioactive pollution in the Irish Sea as an underlying factor in determining the patterns in Northern Ireland of the conditions studied. To facilitate ongoing research and surveillance, the report recommended that a system of cancer registration should be established. Since the establishment of the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry in 1993, there is now a complete and accurate database on cancer incidence in Northern Ireland which facilitates the monitoring of the health of the population on an ongoing basis. Analysis so far continued to support the findings of the 1989 study.
As regards monitoring of radiation levels, currently the Environment and Heritage Service's Industrial Pollution and Radiochemical Inspectorate in Northern Ireland conducts routine monitoring of the impact of Sellafield discharges on the Northern Ireland coastline. In addition, independent monitoring is conducted by District Council Environmental Health Officers under the auspices of the Norther Ireland Radiation Monitoring Committee. Both sets of monitoring continue to indicate that the levels of radioactivity measured are of negligible radiological significance.
Travellers
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for what (a) reason travellers are being prevented from using the St. Christopher's Park site, (b) what attempts have been made to offer them alternative accommodation, (c) for what reasons vacating travellers are prevented from returning to the official site in Newry and (d) which bodies have responsibility for looking after the housing and education needs of traveller families. [123055]
Mr. George Howarth: The management of the Travellers' site at St. Christopher's Park, Newry is a matter for the Newry and Mourne District Council. As far as accommodation for Travellers in concerned, as present it is a function of District Councils to provide transit and serviced sites, while housing (including group housing) is provided through the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.
The Department of Education and the relevant Education and Library Board have responsibility for the education of children of compulsory school age and those who remain in school past 16.
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.
Security Situation
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps have been taken in the last month to reduce the security presence consistent with the level of threat; and what steps will be taken in the next 12 months. [123060]
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Mr. Ingram: In light of the lowering of the overall threat following the recent statement by the IRA, the Chief Constable announced on 9 May that the following steps would be taken as soon as logistically possible, with work to commence within weeks:
- Demolition of the Cookstown base
- Vacation of Fort George Army Base and return of the land to the Londonderry Harbour Commissioners
- Demolition of the Cloghogue observation base in South Armagh; and
- Vacation of the observation posts at Broadway and Templer House in Belfast.
RUC
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if he will list the criminal convictions in which statements by or evidence of RUC Officers Darren James Neill and Michael Magowan was given or taken into account; how many individuals are currently serving a custodial sentence as a result of such convictions; what mechanisms he will establish to ensure that those individuals who may be eligible to have their convictions reviewed are informed of their rights; and how many individuals are so affected; [123574]
- (2) how many officers were questioned in connection with the investigation of complaints made by Mr. Bernard Griffin; what issues of fact were established during the criminal proceedings; and how many disciplinary cases are still pending; [123558]
(3) if he will make a statement on the convictions of Darren James Neill and Michael Magowan; [123559]
(4) what measures have been taken to ensure that there is public confidence in the ability of officers in Oldpark RUC barracks to treat all individuals and sections of the community equally; [123560]
(5) if he will investigate reports of an alleged breakdown of discipline at Oldpark RUC barracks in February 1998. [124414]
Mr. Ingram: While there have been criminal proceedings in respect of complaints made by Mr. Bernard Griffin, other legal and disciplinary actions have yet to be finalised. It would therefore be inappropriate, at this time, to place any further information into the public domain.
11-plus
Mr. McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the report commissioned by his Department, from Mr. Tony Gallagher of The Queen's University of Belfast, into the Transfer Procedure at 11 plus, will be (a) completed and (b) published; what were the costs of commissioning and producing this report; and if he will make a statement. [123872]
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Mr. George Howarth: The report will be completed in July 2000. The cost of the research is £110,000. The report will be published in September 2000. Printing costs are not yet known. The report is intended to inform a widespread debate on selection and future arrangements for post-primary education in Northern Ireland to which all interested parties will be invited to contribute their views.
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.
Ambulances
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is his estimate of the cost of providing ambulance services for the annual 12 July celebrations. [123889]
Mr. George Howarth: The estimated cost of providing ambulance services for the 12th July celebrations in 1999 was £10,760. It is estimated that the cost of providing ambulance services for this year's 12th July celebrations will be of the same magnitude.
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.
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what income was derived in each of the past three years by each of the district health boards from charges levied for the provision of ambulance services required for open air public events; if he will list the top 10 consumers of ambulance services and the income derived from each; and what policy considerations must be taken into account in deciding whether to charge for services provided for a particular event. [123888]
Mr. George Howarth: The income derived in each of the past three years in each Health Board area in Northern Ireland from charges levied for the provision of ambulance services was:
| 1997-98 | 1998-99 | 1999-00 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern | 831 | 13,567 | 8,355 |
| Northern | 3,500 | 3,762 | 3,950 |
| Southern | 1,000 | -- | -- |
| Western | 1,690 | 451 | 2,230 |
Charges are levied for open-air events organised and run by individuals or organisations, usually for profit or charity, on a one-off basis. No records are therefore maintained of regular "consumers".
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service will raise charges for private events, at which the public may be present, when the organisers request specific services such as supplying vehicles, staff or a treatment centre. Charges are based on aspects such as the skill mix and availability of staff, the number of vehicles required, an estimation of potential number of patient journeys and the potential usage of drugs and medical equipment.
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.
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Garvaghy Road
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many illegal gatherings, assemblies, parades and marches have taken place in the Garvaghy road area so far this year; in how many instances (a) organisers were identified by the police, (b) the gathering was dispersed by the police, (c) individuals were warned they were breaking the law and (d) arrests were made; what charges were brought against individuals; and what was the outcome of proceedings. [123890]
Mr. Ingram: To date there have been no illegal parades in the immediate Garvaghy road area this year. But there have been two illegal parades involving persons parading from Drumcree Church to the bridge and dispersing. The bridge is located approximately 600m from the Garvaghy road.
In both incidents, no individuals were warned they were breaking the law, no arrests were made, and the participants dispersed quickly themselves.
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