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Paramilitary Crime

12. Mr. Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about the criminal activities of the paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland. [57743]

Jane Kennedy: The Organised Crime Task Force, which I chair, has identified that the legacy of terrorism remains a significant influence in Northern Ireland. Of the 76 organised criminal enterprises that we have identified operating in Northern Ireland, nearly half are either associated with, or controlled by loyalist or republican paramilitary organisations. The insidious nature of some local problems—notably extortion—can be traced directly to terrorism. In addition, some of the more important criminals derive their status and influence from their current or historic paramilitary links.

Richard Ottaway: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what evidence he has collated of recent breaches of the ceasefire and Belfast Agreement by Republican paramilitaries; and if he will make a statement. [57738]

Jane Kennedy: We keep the ceasefires of all paramilitary organisations under constant review. The Acting Chief Constable's security assessment is that there is no indication that the IRA is intending to recommence its campaign. However, a ceasefire is no longer enough. If there is to be confidence in this process then we need to see a whole-hearted commitment to exclusively peaceful means and a clear demonstration that the war is over.

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Organised Crime Task Force

13. Mr. Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the work being done by the Organised Crime Task Force for the next 12 months. [57744]

21. Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the work of the Organised Crime Task Force to date. [57752]

Jane Kennedy: This year, as last year, the priority areas for concerted multi-agency effort are extortion, drugs, oils-related fraud, tobacco and alcohol duty evasion and money laundering. In addition, we have added two new strategic priority areas: the trade in counterfeit goods and armed robbery. The Organised Crime Task Force has published a range of performance indicators in its year two strategy document, which will be used to judge performance in 12 months time.

17. Dr. Palmer: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the work of the Organised Crime Task Force over the past 12 months. [57748]

Jane Kennedy: A year on from the publication of the Task Force's first "Threat Assessment and Strategy", we have seen some truly remarkable successes against organised criminals in Northern Ireland. During the past 12 months, 57 criminal networks have been subject to detailed law enforcement investigation, 43 have had members arrested for a wide range of serious offences and 24 networks have had members successfully prosecuted. As a result of concerted law enforcement activity during the past year, 42 organised crime networks have been disrupted or dismantled.

Colombia

16. Mr. Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he next expects to meet representatives of the US State Department to discuss IRA involvement in the terrorist campaign in Colombia. [57747]

Jane Kennedy: I meet and speak to the ambassador in the US State Department, Dr Haass, regularly. We discuss a wide range of issues.

Mr. Johnny Adair

18. Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what conditions have been attached to the release from prison of Mr. Johnny Adair. [57749]

Jane Kennedy: Mr. Adair was released from prison on 15 May in accordance with the Northern Ireland (Remission of Sentences) Act 1995.

As with any prisoner released under this Act, if it appears to the Secretary of State that Mr. Adair's continued liberty would present a risk to the safety of others or he was likely to commit further offences, he can be recalled to prison to serve the period between half and two-thirds point of his sentence without recourse to the courts.

Furthermore, and again as with any prisoner under the Treatment of Offenders (Nl) Order 1976, if he is convicted of a non-scheduled offence in Northern Ireland before 15 May 2010—the date on which he would have

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been released if no remission had been granted, a court may order his return to prison to serve out the remainder of his sentence.

If he is convicted of a scheduled offence for which he receives a custodial sentence, then the court must order his return to prison to serve what remains of his sentence.

Community Security

19. Mr. Illsley: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps the Government are taking to improve community security in Northern Ireland. [57750]

Mr. Browne: The Government published a draft community safety strategy for consultation on 10 April 2002. The strategy sets out a broad framework for action at a local level to address local concerns about crime, the fear of crime and anti-social behaviour. It will require close co-operation from a wide range of agencies in both the devolved and non devolved administrations.

26. Linda Gilroy: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps the Government are taking to enhance crime prevention and community safety in Northern Ireland. [57757]

Mr. Browne: The Government are taking forward a number of crime prevention campaigns in Northern Ireland with appropriate partners. In addition, a draft community safety strategy was published for consultation on 10 April 2002. The strategy sets out a broad framework for action at a local level to address local concerns about crime, the fear of crime and anti-social behaviour.

27. Dr. Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the relationship between community safety partnerships and district policing partnerships. [57758]

Mr. Browne: District Policing Partnerships and Community Safety Partnerships will serve different purposes—the first is accountability based, and the second service delivery. DPPs are made up of elected representatives and independent members. CSP members will be drawn from organisations with responsibility for service delivery. The police will be the common denominator, and close links will be important, with opportunities for the DPP to contribute to the CSP.

Criminal Justice Review

23. Mrs. Humble: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made in implementing the Criminal Justice Review; and if he will make a statement. [57754]

Mr. Browne: The Justice (Northern Ireland) Bill which paves the way for implementing many, though not all, of the accepted criminal justice review recommendations is currently under consideration by Grand Committee in the House of Lords, having successfully completed its Commons stages. Other recommendations are being taken forward administratively. Subject to royal assent, it is intended to publish a revised Implementation Plan which will set out progress made in respect of each recommendation and indicate timescales for their implementation.

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Proceeds of Crime Bill

24. Mr. Savidge: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the impact in Northern Ireland of the Proceeds of Crime Bill. [57755]

Mr. Browne: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Harlow (Mr. Rammell).

Security Situation

25. Sir Teddy Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the security situation in the Province. [57756]

Jane Kennedy: There is a significant threat from dissident Republican paramilitaries and from disaffected elements within Localism who are intent in continuing with their campaign to disrupt the peace process. Tensions between the two communities in north and east Belfast have erupted yet again in more street violence. This violence is totally unacceptable and must be brought to an end. The appearance of gunmen firing at rioters and the security forces is also a worrying development. We will continue to monitor closely the ceasefires of all the paramilitary organisations and will take appropriate action if considered necessary.

Policing

Mike Gapes: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the prospects for the future of policing in Northern Ireland. [57734]

Jane Kennedy: We have laid firm foundations for a new beginning to policing. We have a Policing Board with cross-community participation and broad powers to hold police to account.

I warmly welcome the appointment of Hugh Orde as the new chief constable. He is adistinguished senior police officer who brings with him invaluable experience for both Northern Ireland and the Metropolitan Police.

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