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8 May 2003 : Column 893W—continued
Overseas Nurses
Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many overseas nurses are employed in Northern Ireland within the national health service; and how many vacancies for nurses there are. [111799]
Mr. Browne: As at 31 March 2003 the total number of overseas nurses employed in Northern Ireland within the NHS is 560. The number and country of origin of these nurses, detailed by Trust, is given in the table.
8 May 2003 : Column 894W
| Trust | Country ofOrigin | Number |
|---|---|---|
| Craigavon Area Hospital | Philippines | 45 |
| Craigavon and Banbridge | None | 0 |
| Newry and Mourne | Philippines | 6 |
| Armagh and Dungannon | None | 0 |
| Altnagelvin Hospitals | Philippines | 12 |
| Sperrin Lakeland | Philippines | 25 |
| Foyle | None | 0 |
| Causeway | None | 0 |
| United | Philippines | 17 |
| Homefirst(28) | Philippines | 5 |
| Royal Group of Hospitals | Philippines | 243 |
| Australia | 1 | |
| Belfast City Hospital | Philippines | 31 |
| Yugoslavia | 1 | |
| Africa | 2 | |
| Palestine | 1 | |
| Greenpark | Philippines | 22 |
| Bulgaria | 1 | |
| India | 1 | |
| Kenya | 1 | |
| New Zealand | 1 | |
| Ulster Community and Hospitals | Philippines | 96 |
| Down Lisburn | India | 24 |
| North and West Belfast | None | 0 |
| South and East Belfast | None | 0 |
| Mater Infirmorum | India | 25 |
| Total | 560 |
(28) Homefirst Trust is currently recruiting additional nurses from India
Details of hospital and community nursing, midwifery and health visiting vacancies by HPSS Organisation are given in the following tables.
| HPSS organisation(29) | Vacancies WTE(30) |
|---|---|
| Royal Group of Hospitals HSS Trust | 257.58 |
| Altnagelvin Hospitals HSS Trust | 78.17 |
| Mater Infirmorum HSS Trust | 46 |
| Belfast City Hospital HSS Trust | 67.45 |
| United Hospitals HSS Trust | 59 |
| Craigavon Area Hospital Group HSS Trust | 35.1 |
| North and West Belfast HSS Trust | 16 |
| South and East Belfast HSS Trust | 13.5 |
| Causeway HSS Trust | 12.97 |
| Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service | 8.55 |
| Foyle HSS Trust | 20 |
| Green Park Healthcare HSS Trust | 41 |
| Ulster Community and Hospitals HSS Trust | 44.46 |
| Sperrin Lakeland HSS Trust | 24 |
| Newry and Mourne HSS Trust | 5 |
| Homefirst Community HSS Trust | 4 |
| Craigavon and Banbridge | 2 |
| Armagh and Dungannon HSS Trust | 1.8 |
| Total | 736.58 |
(29) The above figures do not include vacancy numbers from Down Lisburn HSS Trust
(30) Whole Time Equivalent
8 May 2003 : Column 895W
| HPSS organisation(31) | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Homefirst Community HSS Trust | 26 |
| South and East Belfast HSS Trust | 16 |
| North and West Belfast HSS Trust | 10.27 |
| Foyle HSS Trust | 9 |
| Armagh and Dungannon HSS Trust | 7 |
| Craigavon and Banbridge Community HSS Trust | 6.71 |
| Ulster Community and Hospitals HSS Trust | 3 |
| Altnagelvin Hospitals HSS Trust | 2.1 |
| Sperrin Lakeland HSS Trust | 2 |
| Causeway HSS Trust | 2 |
| Total | 84.08 |
(31) The above figures do not include vacancy numbers from Down Lisburn HSS Trust
Police
Mr. Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the targets were for police recruitment in Northern Ireland in each year since 2001; and how many police officers were recruited in each year. [106237]
Jane Kennedy: The targets for police recruitment in each year since November 2001 have been 540 trainees per year.
The number of police trainees recruited between November 2001 and November 2002 was 534. The shortfall was caused by the withdrawal of six successful applicants for various personal reasons.
In the context of the implementation of the PSNFs Human Resources Strategy, the Policing Board stated in a press release issued on 2 April that the Personnel and General Purposes Committee had been advised that the PSNI are on target to recruit 540 police trainees in this year.
8 May 2003 : Column 896W
Rev. Ian Paisley: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many police officers the Police Ombudsman has suspended from duty pending investigation since her appointment to the post. [107481]
Jane Kennedy: The Police Ombudsman has no power to suspend police officers. However where, during the course of an investigation, there are indications that the conduct of a police officer did not meet the appropriate standard, the Ombudsman is required to immediately notify the appropriate authority, and provide all relevant material, to enable that authority to consider suspension. In the case of a non-senior officer (up to Chief Superintendent) that authority is the Chief Constable and in the case of a senior officer the authority is the Northern Ireland Policing Board. The Chief Constable advises that since the appointment of the Police Ombudsman on 6 November 2000 a total of 15 police officers have been suspended, following such notifications, pending investigation by the Ombudsman's office.
Prerogative of Mercy
Mr. Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to his Answer of 20 March 2003, Official Report, column 895W, on the Prerogative of Mercy, if he will name each individual convicted of a terrorist offence who has been granted the Royal Prerogative of Mercy in each year since 1998; and what the reasons were in each case for the exercise of the Royal Prerogative. [106104]
Mr. Paul Murphy: It is Government policy not to comment on individual cases.
Prisons (Self-Inflicted Deaths)
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many self-inflicted deaths in Northern Ireland Prison Service accommodation there were in each establishment in each of the last 10 years. [110451]
Jane Kennedy: The information requested is as follows:
| Year | Maghaberry | Magilligan | Hydebank Wood | Maze | Belfast | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | — | — | — | — | — | Nil |
| 1994 | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | 3 |
| 1995 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 2 |
| 1996 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 3 |
| 1997 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 |
| 1998 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 |
| 1999 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 3 |
| 2000 | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | 3 |
| 2001 | — | — | — | — | — | Nil |
Note:
2002–03: Three deaths in custody awaiting Coroner's inquest
Property Portfolio
Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the estimated value is of the property portfolio held by his Department. [108368]
Mr. Paul Murphy: The total value of the property portfolio held by the Northern Ireland Office as recorded in the NIO Asset register in the year 2001–02 is £9,080,803.38.
The total value of the property portfolio held by the Northern Ireland Administration as recorded in the 2001–02 audited accounts was £1,648.1 million.
Public Order
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what rank of officer in the RUC press office was responsible for giving comments to the press and media covering disturbances on the evening of
8 May 2003 : Column 897W
17 March 1999; what opinion was expressed on the public order consequences of (a) the public gathering of a Lambeg drum competition in Corcrain Orange Hall and (b) the funeral wake for Rosemary Nelson; and if he will place transcripts of interviews and released statements in the Library. [102638]
Jane Kennedy: The officer in the RUC Press Office on the evening of 17 March 1999 held the rank of Sergeant.
The relevant transcripts have been placed in the Library.
Royal Victoria Hospital
Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the recent investigation at the Royal Victoria Hospital into the disappearance of donated money. [111689]
Mr. Browne: As this matter is currently subject to a police investigation it would not be appropriate to make any statement at this time.
Saville Inquiry
Mr. Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the cost has been of accommodation provided at public expense to those attending the Saville Inquiry in London. [106236]
Mr. Browne: The Northern Ireland Office has agreed to meet the accommodation costs of a limited number of family members of those killed or injured on Bloody Sunday who are attending the Inquiry in London, as well as the families legal representatives and the counselling organisation Cunahm, which is providing support to the families. Up to the end of February 2003 the cost was £181,268. Accommodation is obtained at rates used for civil service staff staying in London on business.
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