House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 10 Jul 2002 (pt 9)

Politics (Violent Incidents)

21. Sir Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the number of politically related incidents of violence involving weapons, indicating the organisations and individuals responsible, in the last three months. [65819]

Jane Kennedy: It is not possible to answer the question in the format requested. However, the table shows the number of security-related incidents during the last three months.

Security situation statistics 1 April to 28 June 2002

By Loyalists By Republicans

Number of deaths as a result of the security situation — 1

Number of shooting incidents 42 31

Number of bombing incidents 51 10

Number of casualties as a result of paramilitary- style assaults 24 12

Number of casualties as a result of paramilitary- style shootings 21 12

	By Loyalists	By Republicans
Number of deaths as a result of the security situation	—	1
Number of shooting incidents	42	31
Number of bombing incidents	51	10
Number of casualties as a result of paramilitary- style assaults	24	12
Number of casualties as a result of paramilitary- style shootings	21	12

Notes:

1. Includes all deaths due to the security situation.

2. The following types of incidents are included: shots fired by terrorists; shots fired by the security forces; paramilitary-style attacks involving shootings; shots heard (and later confirmed); other violent incidents where shots are fired (e.g. armed robberies).

3. An individual bombing incident may involve one or more explosive devices. Incidents recorded include explosions and defusings. Incidents involving hoax devices, petrol bombings or incendiaries are excluded.

N.B. 2002–03 statistics are provisional and may be subject to minor amendment.

Smuggling

22. Mr. Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on progress made in tackling smuggling in Northern Ireland. [65820]

Jane Kennedy: On 23 May, the Secretary of State launched the second annual Organised Crime Task Force (OCTF) threat assessment and strategy.

There have been some tremendous operations against smuggling. Since 1 April 2001 over 63 million smuggled cigarettes have been seized by Customs in Northern Ireland. The latest available figures show that deliveries

10 Jul 2002 : Column 967W

of legal oils products to Northern Ireland have risen by seven per cent. in the last 12 months, the first time in five years.

However, the Government believe that oils related fraud remains at an unacceptably high level and is considering options for further initiatives to counter road fuel duty evasion and the associated problems in Northern Ireland.

26. Kali Mountford: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made in tackling smuggling in Northern Ireland. [65825]

Jane Kennedy: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Preston (Mr. Hendrick), ref. 65820.

28. Mr. Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress the Police Service of Northern Ireland has made this year in combating the illegal trade in fuel. [65827]

Jane Kennedy: On 23 May, the Secretary of State launched the second annual Organised Crime Task Force (OCTF) threat assessment and strategy.

Oils related fraud continues to be a major problem, although there is evidence that the position has stabilized and slightly improved. The latest available figures show that deliveries of legal product to Northern Ireland have risen by seven per cent. in the last 12 months, for the first time in five years.

There were some major operational successes in the previous year. In December, a major multi-agency cross border operation, in which PSNI played an important role, was undertaken during which 31 premises were searched. Nine people were charged in connection with the evasion of road fuel excise duty and money laundering offences.

Prison Service (Equality Training)

23. Mr. Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proportion of staff in the Northern Ireland Prison Service have taken part in equality training. [65822]

Jane Kennedy: The Northern Ireland Prison Service has provided 98 per cent. of staff with equality awareness briefings. The remaining 2 per cent. is made up of staff on long-term sick/maternity leave or career breaks and are not available to receive such training.

Electoral Identity Cards

24. Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made with the introduction of electoral identity cards in Northern Ireland. [65823]

Dr. John Reid: The Electoral Office is currently exploring options available for the design and form of the electoral identity card. The Chief Electoral Officer intends to advertise for prospective contractors by early August.

A question will be included on this year's annual canvass form asking electors if they require an electoral identity card. This will enable the CEO to target his efforts and resources towards those people who require one. The card will be issued after the publication of the new electoral register on 1 December this year.

10 Jul 2002 : Column 968W

Community Safety

29. Mr. Beith: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the progress made with community safety awareness seminars held in preparation for a draft community strategy. [65828]

Dr. John Reid: Nine awareness seminars took place between October 2001 and April 2002. Seminars were offered to all council areas and 22 participated. A total of 262 individuals attended representing statutory, voluntary and community organisations. The discussion at the seminars provided a valuable contribution to the development of the draft Community Safety Strategy.

Policing

30. Mr. Savidge: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made in developing a new approach to policing in Northern Ireland. [65829]

Jane Kennedy: Together with the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Policing Board, we are laying the foundations of a new beginning to policing. There have been significant structural changes: we have a Policing Board with nationalist participation and broad powers to hold police to account. And there has been an excellent cross-community response to recruitment under new 50:50 provisions with 35 per cent. of applications coming from Catholics and around 350 new recruits now in training. There have also been other major changes: policing with the community is now the statutory core function of the Police Service; a major programme of action is under way to focus policing in Northern Ireland on a human rights based approach.

Looking ahead, the process of establishing District Policing Partnerships has been launched, which will increase accountability at the local level and bring the police still closer to the community they serve.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

Clarence House

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the annual running cost to public funds of Clarence House was in the last five years; and if she will make a statement. [65653]

Dr. Howells [holding answer 3 July 2002]: The annual maintenance costs met from the Property Services grant-in-aid for Clarence House over the last five years are as follows:

£000

1997–98 (cash) 423,769

1998–99 (Cash) 446,376

1999–2000 (Accruals) 386,639

2000–01 (Accruals) 307,098

2001–02 (Accruals) 160,776

	£000
1997–98 (cash)	423,769
1998–99 (Cash)	446,376
1999–2000 (Accruals)	386,639
2000–01 (Accruals)	307,098
2001–02 (Accruals)	160,776

National Museums

Mr. Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many (a) full-time and (b) part-time

10 Jul 2002 : Column 969W

employees there were in each of the past seven years in each national museum; and how many of these were over the normal age of retirement. [67178]

Dr. Howells: The number of full-time and part-time employees at the museums and galleries sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport is set out in the table below, other than for the Tate Gallery, National Museum of Science and Industry and National Museums & Galleries on Merseyside. My right hon. and noble Friend the Ministers for the Arts will write to the hon. Member as soon as this information is available, placing copies of her letter in the Libraries of both Houses. Information on the number of staff over the normal retirement age could be made available only at disproportionate cost.

Natural History Museum

Year Number of full-time staff Number of part-time staff

2001–02 736 154

2000–01 718 145

1999–00 720 128

1998–99 737 113

1997–98 721 122

1996–97 730 72

1995–96 710 77

Victoria and Albert Museum

2001–02 525 77

2000–01 504 81

1999–00 609 79

1998–99 619 77

1997–98 613 74

1996–97 642 82

1995–96 633 90

British Museum

2001–02 965 90

2000–01 824 86

1999–00 883 88

1998–99 925 88

1997–98 977 72

1996–97 1024 70

1995–96 1022 90

National Maritime Museum

2001–02 318 82

2000–01 336 93

1999–00 347 74

1998–99 295 46

1997–98 294 39

1996–97 297 46

1995–96 299 44

Horniman Museum and Gardens

2001–02 68 28

2000–01 53 18

1999–00 55 19

1998–99 ⁽⁸⁾8.45 —

1997–98 ⁽⁸⁾82 —

1996–97 ⁽⁸⁾77.8 —

1995–96 ⁽⁸⁾79.5 —

Imperial War Museum

2001–02 485 63

2000–01 449 55

1999–00 412 54

1998–99 402 54

1997–98 393 54

1996–97 390 54

1995–96 394 54

Geffrye Museum

2001–02 24 15

2000–01 25 17

1999–00 30 10

1998–99 32 9

1997–98 23 5

1996–97 23 5

1995–96 21 7

Museum of Science and Industry Manchester

2001–02 92 17

2000–01 87 21

1999–00 81 23

1998–99 85 21

1997–98 89 19

1996–97 84 16

1995–96 97 16

Sir John Soane's Museum

2001–02 17 6

2000–01 17 6

1999–00 17 6

1998–99 17 6

1997–98 17 6

1996–97 17 6

1995–96 17 6

Museum of London

2001–02 281 44

2000–01 326 47

1999–00 320 34

1998–99 328 22

1997–98 277 24

1996–97 314 27

1995–96 332 21

National Portrait Gallery

2001–02 155 18

2000–01 ⁽⁸⁾172 —

1999–00 ⁽⁸⁾152 —

1998–99 ⁽⁸⁾148 —

1997–98 ⁽⁸⁾130 —

1996–97 ⁽⁸⁾137 —

1995–96 ⁽⁸⁾141 —

National Gallery

2001–02 404 95

2000–01 418 84

1999–00 414 52

1998–99 409 42

1997–98 399 28

1996–97 410 23

1995–96 427 19

Tyne and Wear Museums

2001–02 170 42

2000–01 167 42

1999–00 164 45

1998–99 155 37

1997–98 152 39

1996–97 145 31

1995–96 138 29

Wallace Collection

2001–02 71 8

2000–01 68 7

1999–00 66 7

1998–99 65 6

1997–98 64 5

1996–97 65 5

1995–96 64 5

Royal Armouries

2001–02 155 32

2000–01 145 35

1999–00 147 30

1998–99 ⁽⁸⁾— —

1997–98 ⁽⁸⁾— —

1996–97 ⁽⁸⁾— —

1995–96 ⁽⁸⁾— —
National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside

2001–02 462 138

2000–01 ⁽⁹⁾— —

1999–00 ⁽⁹⁾— —

1998–99 ⁽⁹⁾— —

1997–98 ⁽⁹⁾— —

1996–97 ⁽⁹⁾— —

Year	Number of full-time staff	Number of part-time staff
2001–02	736	154
2000–01	718	145
1999–00	720	128
1998–99	737	113
1997–98	721	122
1996–97	730	72
1995–96	710	77
	Victoria and Albert Museum
2001–02	525	77
2000–01	504	81
1999–00	609	79
1998–99	619	77
1997–98	613	74
1996–97	642	82
1995–96	633	90
	British Museum
2001–02	965	90
2000–01	824	86
1999–00	883	88
1998–99	925	88
1997–98	977	72
1996–97	1024	70
1995–96	1022	90
	National Maritime Museum
2001–02	318	82
2000–01	336	93
1999–00	347	74
1998–99	295	46
1997–98	294	39
1996–97	297	46
1995–96	299	44
	Horniman Museum and Gardens
2001–02	68	28
2000–01	53	18
1999–00	55	19
1998–99	⁽⁸⁾8.45	—
1997–98	⁽⁸⁾82	—
1996–97	⁽⁸⁾77.8	—
1995–96	⁽⁸⁾79.5	—
	Imperial War Museum
2001–02	485	63
2000–01	449	55
1999–00	412	54
1998–99	402	54
1997–98	393	54
1996–97	390	54
1995–96	394	54
	Geffrye Museum
2001–02	24	15
2000–01	25	17
1999–00	30	10
1998–99	32	9
1997–98	23	5
1996–97	23	5
1995–96	21	7
	Museum of Science and Industry Manchester
2001–02	92	17
2000–01	87	21
1999–00	81	23
1998–99	85	21
1997–98	89	19
1996–97	84	16
1995–96	97	16
	Sir John Soane's Museum
2001–02	17	6
2000–01	17	6
1999–00	17	6
1998–99	17	6
1997–98	17	6
1996–97	17	6
1995–96	17	6
	Museum of London
2001–02	281	44
2000–01	326	47
1999–00	320	34
1998–99	328	22
1997–98	277	24
1996–97	314	27
1995–96	332	21
	National Portrait Gallery
2001–02	155	18
2000–01	⁽⁸⁾172	—
1999–00	⁽⁸⁾152	—
1998–99	⁽⁸⁾148	—
1997–98	⁽⁸⁾130	—
1996–97	⁽⁸⁾137	—
1995–96	⁽⁸⁾141	—
	National Gallery
2001–02	404	95
2000–01	418	84
1999–00	414	52
1998–99	409	42
1997–98	399	28
1996–97	410	23
1995–96	427	19
	Tyne and Wear Museums
2001–02	170	42
2000–01	167	42
1999–00	164	45
1998–99	155	37
1997–98	152	39
1996–97	145	31
1995–96	138	29
	Wallace Collection
2001–02	71	8
2000–01	68	7
1999–00	66	7
1998–99	65	6
1997–98	64	5
1996–97	65	5
1995–96	64	5
	Royal Armouries
2001–02	155	32
2000–01	145	35
1999–00	147	30
1998–99	⁽⁸⁾—	—
1997–98	⁽⁸⁾—	—
1996–97	⁽⁸⁾—	—
1995–96	⁽⁸⁾—	—
National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside
2001–02	462	138
2000–01	⁽⁹⁾—	—
1999–00	⁽⁹⁾—	—
1998–99	⁽⁹⁾—	—
1997–98	⁽⁹⁾—	—
1996–97	⁽⁹⁾—	—

⁽⁸⁾ Staff includes part-time staff.

⁽⁹⁾ My right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for the Arts will write to the hon. Member as soon as the information is available.

10 Jul 2002 : Column 971W

Mr. Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what her Department's policy is on retirement age in national museums. [67179]

Dr. Howells: The retirement age policy for national museums sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport is a matter for the museums concerned.

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