| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
Correspondence
Dr. Godman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the hon. Member for Greenock and Inverclyde will receive a substantive answer to his letter of 17 May concerning the visit of Mr. Mike Tyson. [126306]
Mr. Straw: The Minister of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Hornsey and Wood Green (Mrs. Roche) wrote on 16 June in response to my hon. Friend's letter.
Asylum Seekers
Dr. Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what extent Her Majesty's Government's policy on removals to Zimbabwe of failed asylum seekers has changed in response to the civil unrest and political repression in that country. [125125]
Mrs. Roche: We see no reason at present to change our arrangements for the removal of failed asylum seekers to Zimbabwe. No one has been or will be removed to Zimbabwe unless we are satisfied that they can return without risk. Each case is considered on its individual merits and circumstances. Developments in Zimbabwe are being carefully monitored.
Prison Service Expenditure
Mr. Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the change was in planned expenditure on (a) the Prison Service, (b) policing and (c) probation (i) in total and (ii) in real terms in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [126556]
Mr. Straw [holding answer 19 June 2000]: The following tables set out the total expenditure (revenue and capital) on the prison service, policing and probation for the 10 financial years 1991-92 to 2000-01. The figures for the financial years 1991-92 to 1998-99 represent expenditure outturn. The figures for 1999-2000 are estimated outturn while the figures for 2000-01 reflect
21 Jun 2000 : Column: 218W
expenditure plans. The tables also show the change in expenditure from one financial year to the next in both cash and real terms.
| Total net expenditure | Percentage change over previous financial year | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial year | (£ million) | Cash terms | Real terms |
| 1991-92 | 1,462 | -- | -- |
| 1992-93 | 1,470 | 0.56 | -2.67 |
| 1993-94 | 1,509 | 2.62 | 0.00 |
| 1994-95 | 1,598 | 5.91 | 4.41 |
| 1995-96 | 1,667 | 4.32 | 1.39 |
| 1996-97(15) | 1,609 | -3.50 | -6.49 |
| 1997-98 | 1,734 | 8.10 | 4.85 |
| 1998-99 | 1,812 | 4.18 | 1.17 |
| 1999-2000 (estimated) | 1,846 | 1.88 | -0.61 |
| 2000-01 (plans)(16) | 1,780 | -3.58 | -5.72 |
(15) Expenditure on capital reduced following completion of major capital works programmes in 1995-96
(16) Reduction in planned expenditure reflects transfer of provision of £118.2 million (from the Prison Service to the Youth Justice Board) in respect of the secure juvenile estate
| Total net expenditure(17) | Percentage change over previous financial year | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial year | (£ million) | Cash terms | Real terms |
| 1991-92 | 5,405 | -- | -- |
| 1992-93 | 5,897 | 9.10 | 5.61 |
| 1993-94 | 6,225 | 5.56 | 2.82 |
| 1994-95 | 6,490 | 4.26 | 2.79 |
| 1995-96 | 6,735 | 3.78 | 0.87 |
| 1996-97(17) | 6,986 | 3.73 | 0.49 |
| 1997-98 | 7,243 | 3.68 | 0.86 |
| 1998-99 | 7,450 | 2.86 | -0.41 |
| 1999-2000 (estimated) | 7,859 | 5.49 | 2.92 |
| 2000-01 (plans)(18) | 8,100 | 3.07 | 0.80 |
(17) Total expenditure includes revenue and capital expenditure by police authorities and expenditure on policing incurred directly by the Home Office
(18) Excludes Capital Modernisation Fund moneys announced in the Budget as this is in respect of a range of projects and the funding can and will be spread over an number of years. The detailed profile of this expenditure is still being established
| Total net expenditure(19) | Percentage change over previous financial year | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial year | (£ million) | Cash terms | Real terms |
| 1991-92 | 335 | -- | -- |
| 1992-93 | 365 | 9.00 | 5.46 |
| 1993-94 | 393 | 7.67 | 4.89 |
| 1994-95 | 406 | 3.31 | 1.85 |
| 1995-96 | 416 | 2.46 | -0.41 |
| 1996-97 | 468 | 12.50 | 8.99 |
| 1997-98 | 481 | 2.78 | -0.01 |
| 1998-99 | 475 | -1.25 | -4.39 |
| 1999-2000 (estimated) | 491 | 3.37 | 0.85 |
| 2000-01 (plans) | 524 | 6.68 | 4.37 |
(19) Total expenditure figures do not include capital expenditure on probation/bail hostels nor direct Home Office central expenditure
WWII Unexploded Bombs
Mr. Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will establish a national register of unexploded bombs from the Second World War, available for public inspection; and if he will make a statement. [126952]
21 Jun 2000 : Column: 219W
Mr. Mike O'Brien: During the Second World War local authorities were responsible for maintaining records of the locations of unexploded ordnance. Although some local authorities destroyed the details they held, some information is still available through the Public Record Office.
In 1997 the Home Office collated details of information from a variety of sources including emergency services, local authorities and the military. It had been intended to publish the information, but this was not pursued when it became evident that there were unexplained contradictions in the data and it could not be relied upon as either accurate or comprehensive. Because of this it would not be sensible to establish a national register as proposed.
We do, however, search the information if asked by individuals, local authorities or building contractors.
NORTHERN IRELAND
Security Situation
8. Mr. Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the security situation in Belfast, North. [125483]
Mr. Ingram: During the period 1 January to 13 June this year one death, 36 shootings and two bombings were recorded by the Royal Ulster Constabulary's D Division which takes in North Belfast and includes Antrim and Carrickfergus. There were 54 casualties (31 shootings and 23 assaults) as a result of paramilitary style attacks.
15. Mr. Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent progress has been made on creating a more normal security environment. [125490]
Mr. Ingram: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Hemel Hempstead (Mr. McWalter), Official Report, column 329.
Decommissioning
9. Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent representations he has received on decommissioning in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [125484]
Mr. Ingram: The Government continue to meet representatives of all the political parties to discuss all aspects of the Good Friday Agreement. The Decommissioning Commission continues its discussions with representatives of the various groups. All sides must honour all the commitments they have made.
10. Mr. Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of when the decommissioning section of the Belfast agreement will be implemented. [125485]
Mr. Ingram: It is more important to get the process under way than to set a deadline for its end. We now have a firm commitment from the IRA to put arms beyond use, and a process of confidence-building measures with independent verification.
21 Jun 2000 : Column: 220W
This is only the start. But it is better to start than to worry so much about when it will finish, lest you never start.
16. Mr. William Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made towards the surrender and destruction of terrorist weapons in Northern Ireland. [125491]
24. Mr. Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on progress towards decommissioning of terrorist weapons. [125501]
Mr. Ingram: Now for the first time, the IRA have put in place a commitment to put their arms completely and verifiably beyond use, and have volunteered a confidence-building measure, to demonstrate that their arms remain silent and secure. We expect Mr. Ramaphosa and Mr. Ahtisaari to begin their work soon.
22. Mr. Ian Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many illegally held weapons have been inspected. [125498]
Mr. Ingram: The inspection of illegally-held weaponry is a matter for the independent inspectors and IICD.
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |