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HM Inspectorate of Constabulary
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on what basis Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary makes visits to Northern Ireland; how many visits inspectors have made in each of the past three years; what the terms of reference are for the visit of an inspector; on how many occasions in the past three years specific terms of reference have been drawn up for a visit; what the recommendations were of the inspector's report after each visit; how many of these recommendations were accepted by the RUC/PSNI; and what reasons were given for each rejected recommendation. [53866]
Jane Kennedy: Section 41(2) of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 1998 requires Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary to inspect and report on efficiency and effectiveness of the police in Northern Ireland at least once every year. To that end, HMIC has carried out an inspection in each of the past three years. Prior to each inspection, the Inspectorate have liaised with the police service, Police Authority and NIO to agree the terms of reference for the areas to be reviewed. The recommendations made after each inspection are contained in the published report, copies of which are laid in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament. All of the recommendations made have been accepted by the RUC/PSNI.
Rosemary Nelson
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the duties are of Colin Port; how many officers and staff are assigned to assist him in each
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duty; how many arrests have been carried out by officers attached to the investigation of the murder of Rosemary Nelson; and how many charges have arisen. [53920]
Jane Kennedy: The Chief Constable has advised that, as the officer in command of the Rosemary Nelson murder inquiry, Colin Port, the Deputy Chief Constable of Norfolk Constabulary, determines the overall strategy for the investigation. The numbers of officers involved in the investigation has varied to accommodate the needs of particular lines of inquiry; staff work as a team and are not assigned to specific duties except where there are particularly sensitive lines of inquiry or specialist functions. As some persons have been arrested more than once it could be misleading to attempt to put an overall figure on arrests made by officers attached to the investigation of this murder. While there have been no charges in connection with Mrs. Nelson's murder, this investigation has led to charges against nine people.
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the cost is to date of the investigation of the murder of Rosemary Nelson; to whom the written report of the investigation will be sent; and what considerations he has given to publication of the report. [53921]
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Jane Kennedy: The Chief Constable has advised that the cost to date of the investigation into the murder of Rosemary Nelson is £5,817,104. Colin Port is carrying out his investigation at the request of the Chief Constable of the PSNI and any report will be to the Chief Constable, with appropriate reports to the Director of Public Prosecutions in relation to pending prosecutions. I have no plans to publish any police reports in this investigation.
Disclosure of Interests
Mr. Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what rules apply to the disclosure of interests on the part of those serving on public bodies which are responsible to his Department. [56451]
Jane Kennedy: All advisory and executive non-departmental bodies are required to adopt a board members' code, based on guidance produced by the Cabinet Office, and they should have registers of interest. The definition of interests is ultimately for individual Departments since they are best placed to decide what might be thought to influence members of their NDPBs.
The following table lists the NDPBs sponsored by this Department and in each case indicates what the relevant Code of Practice is and where it is available.
| NDPB | Code of Practice | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Boundary Commission for Northern Ireland | Under development(42) | — |
| Equality Commission for Northern Ireland | Yes | On request from Equality Commission for NI, Equality House, 7–9 Shaftesbury Square, Belfast BT2 7DP |
| Juvenile Justice Board | No(43) | — |
| Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission | Yes | On request from Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, Temple Court, 39 North Street, Belfast BT1 1NA |
| Northern Ireland Policing Board | Yes | On request from NI Policing Board, Waterside Tower, 31 Clarendon Road, Laganside, Belfast or on its website at www.nipolicingboard.org.uk |
| Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland | Under development | — |
| Probation Board for Northern Ireland | Yes | On request from Probation Board for Northern Ireland, 80–99 North Street, Belfast BT1 1LD |
| Criminal Injuries Compensation Appeal Panel for Northern Ireland | Under development(44) | — |
(42) This body meets very infrequently, the last time was in 1994.
(43) This is a temporary body which will become an executive agency later this year.
(44) This is a new body whose members have yet to be appointed.
Departmental Pensions
Mr. Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much was spent by his Department on paying pensions to retired employees of his Department in 2001–02; if he will estimate the corresponding amounts to be spent in (a) five years' time, (b) 10 years' time, (c) 20 years' time and (d) 30 years' time; if he will estimate in each case the proportion of such liabilities which will arise from (i) unfunded pension schemes and (ii) pre- funded pension schemes; and in the case of pre-funded schemes, if he will estimate the value of the corresponding pre-funded funds in each of these years. [57369]
Jane Kennedy: The Cabinet Office has responsibility for the Principal Civil Service Pensions Scheme (PCSPS)—the occupational pension arrangement for Home civil servants, and have replied to this question.
The Department of Finance and Personnel has responsibility for the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (PCSPS)—the occupational pension arrangement for Northern Ireland civil servants. The total amount on paying pensions in 2001–02 in respect of Northern Ireland civil servants in the Northern Ireland Office was £4,246,235.19. Answers to the remaining questions could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
The PCSPS is an unfunded public service scheme made under the Superannuation Act 1972. All payments of pension and related benefits to former members of the PCSPS or their dependants are made from the Civil Superannuation Vote.
Forensic Science Agency
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the target staff complement is of the Forensic Science Agency; how many vacancies and at what levels are unfilled; and how many individuals have (a) left, (b) retired from and (c) joined the agency in each of the last three years. [59862]
Jane Kennedy: The Northern Ireland Office does not hold target staff complements. Staffing levels are dictated by administrative costs.
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| Grade | Number |
|---|---|
| Higher scientific officers | 9 |
| Scientific officers | 4 |
| Assistant scientific officers | 5 |
| Grade B1 accountant | 1 |
| Support Grade Band 1 | 1 |
| Support Grade Band 2 | 2 |
| Temporary staff | 2 |
| Total | 24 |
| (a) Left | (b) Retired | (c) Joined | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 10 | 1 | 12 |
| 2000 | 10 | 1 | 15 |
| 2001 | 14 | 0 | 25 |
| Total | 34 | 2 | 52 |
ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS
Research and Development
Dr. Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the impact of the merger of MAFF and DOE on her spending plans for research and development, as set out in Forward Look 2001. [58379]
Mr. Morley: The merger has brought together research, monitoring, surveillance and advisory programmes totalling in excess of £250 million annually. We are currently reviewing our science programmes and strategy following the recent appointment of a new chief scientific adviser and in the light of the aims and objectives of the new Department.
Capita Group
Mr. Boris Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the contracts that have been awarded to the Capita Group by the Department. [39347]
Mr. Morley: DEFRA came into being on 8 June 2001. From information held centrally the Department has one contract for the provision of recruitment services with Capita Business Services Ltd.
Mr. Boris Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many contracts the Department has with Capita; and how much they are worth. [38377]
Mr. Morley: DEFRA came into being on 8 June 2001. From information held centrally the Department has one contract with Capita Business Services Ltd. with a value in the period 12 June 2001 to 26 March 2002 inclusive of £401,740.62.
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