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13 May 2003 : Column 205W—continued
State Pathology Department
Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what research the State Pathology Department undertakes in Northern Ireland. [102016]
Mr. Browne: It is the policy of the State Pathologist's Department to use where appropriate, the valuable information gained from conducting post mortem examinations, particularly in areas such as sudden infant deaths, suicides, terrorist related deaths and genetic disorders. This information may be of tremendous value, particularly in inherited diseases for genetic counselling and in other instances for providing advice and guidance in preventing further similar deaths.
In conveying such information, the anonymity of the deceased is protected. If relatives decide to donate tissue or organs specifically for research, the State Pathologist's Department must have their written consent to do so.
The State Pathologist's Department does not use material derived from Coroner's post mortem examinations to conduct research. Such material is solely taken to assist in the ascertainment of the cause of death, or if required for evidential purposes in suspected criminal cases.
Teachers' Salaries
Mr. David Trimble: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the effect changes to the common funding formula, and in particular changes to threshold funds, will have on funds available for teachers' salaries. [100977]
Jane Kennedy: The intention is to introduce the common formula in the calculation of school budgets for 2004–05.
All changes to the common formula, when in place, will be subject to detailed modelling and consultation with education interests. There is no separate allocation for teacher costs within LMS formulae and schools may therefore decide for themselves the staffing complement and the organisational structure.
The inclusion of threshold resources within school delegated budgets in 2003–4 means that, on average, school budgets will increase by between 8 per cent. and 11 per cent. depending in which area the school is located. In common with longstanding arrangements any school with a financial difficulty should contact its funding authority which will consider what additional financial support can be made available under its LMS Scheme and taking account of its responsibilities for other schools in its area.
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Voting Attitudes
Mr. Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been spent on (a) opinion polling and (b) research into the attitudes of voters in Northern Ireland in each year since 1997. [100726]
Mr. Browne: The amount spent by the Northern Ireland Office on attitudinal research in each year since 1997 is set out in the following table:
| Year | Cost (£) |
|---|---|
| 1997–98 | 14,200 |
| 1998–99 | 15,400 |
| 1999–2000 | 64,675 |
| 2000–01 | 56,750 |
| 2001–02 | 90,545 |
| 2002–03 | 82,232 |
(19) Relating to views on a range of issues including organised crime, views on the Northern Ireland Policing Board, attitudes to devolution and the NIO's contribution to the Community Attitudes Survey.
Walsh Visa Programme
Mr. Beggs: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people from Northern Ireland have entered into the Walsh Visa Programme; how many of these dropped out early from the programme; and what the financial cost has been to the Government of running this programme. [100068]
Jane Kennedy: 449 people from Northern Ireland have entered the US under the Walsh Visa Programme.
163 participants are still working in the US under the terms of the visa. I should clarify that the visa scheme allows participants to live and work for up to three years in the USA. There is no requirement for individuals to stay for the full three years visa period.
Expenditure on the programme to date is £1,787,000 with an expected outturn of £1,952,000 by the end of 2002–03.
HOME DEPARTMENT
Terrorism Act
Lembit Öpik: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the observations in relation to staffing levels at ports in Lord Carlile of Berriew's 'Report on the Operation in 2001 of the Terrorism Act 2000'; and if he will make a statement. [110717]
Mr. Blunkett: In his report on the operation of the Terrorism Act (laid before Parliament on 26 November 2002), Lord Carlile recommended that consideration should be given to the creation of a single ports and borders police force.
The Government have made it clear that we do not rule out in the longer term any change that could be shown to improve the security of the UK, but that our immediate priority must be to exploit to the full all the opportunities for closer working between Special Branches and with our border agencies. Recent steps
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include measures to strengthen Special Branches, and to develop closer co-operation between them and improve co-ordination through the appointment of a National Co-ordinator of Ports Policing. Wholesale reorganisation of our border controls could adversely impact our defences at a time of enduring threat.
There are currently around 1,200 Special Branch officers at ports in the UK. Staffing levels at ports are a matter for the Chief Constable of each force. The level of Special Branch officers at ports in England and Wales is supported by the Home Office through Dedicated Security Post funding.
In addition to the Special Branch border control function, separate uniform policing arrangements are made on a territorial basis as the circumstances of each port dictate. The hon. Member will be aware of Sir John Wheeler's report on airport security which recommended a review of the arrangements by which airports are 'designated' for uniform policing purposes. 'Designated' airports have a full time uniform police presence paid for by the airport operator. That review is under way.
Responsibility for security at sea ports rests with the owners of the port. There are, however, eight ports in the UK which have dedicated non Home Office port police.
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people are detained without trial under the Terrorism Act 2000; and how many of them are under 18. [112114]
Mr. Blunkett [holding answer 8 May 2003]: No one is detained without trial under the Terrorism Act 2000, though individuals may be held for investigation purposes following arrest for strictly limited periods.
Under the immigration powers in Part 4 of the Anti-Terrorism Crime and Security Act 2001, 15 foreign Nationals have so far been detained. Of the total detained, two have voluntary left the United Kingdom. The other 13 remain in detention.
None of these people is under 18 years of age.
Abu Hamza
Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has received requests for assistance from the United States authorities relating to information provided by James Ujaama and the case of Abu Hamza. [111715]
Mr. Blunkett: For operational reasons it is Home Home policy to neither confirm nor deny that a request has been received.
Airport Arrests
Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were arrested at airports in the UK in the last two years. [112135]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: Data on the number of arrests for notifiable offences are collected centrally at police force area level only and as a result we cannot identify specific locations.
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Antisocial Behaviour
Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many anti-social behaviour orders have been (a) applied for and (b) obtained by (i) police and (ii) local authorities in Cheshire in each year since their introduction. [112315]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth [holding answer 12 May 2003]: Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) were introduced from 1 April 1999. Information held centrally up to 31 May 2000 is for the number of ASBOs issued within England and Wales by police force area only.
From 1 June 2000 official statistics on the number of ASBOs issued within England and Wales are based on quarterly returns from Magistrates' Courts Committees (MCCs). From copies of the orders we have been able to identify the applicant involved.
The number of notifications received by the Home Office of ASBOs issued in Cheshire from 1 April 1999 to 30 November 2002 (latest available) are given in the table.
We are aware that the numbers of ASBOs made nationally have been consistently under reported in returns made by magistrates' courts and are considering how reporting can be improved.
| Period | Total | Issued | Refused |
|---|---|---|---|
| Police applications by result | |||
| 1 April 1999 to 31 May 2000(20) | (21)— | (21)— | (21)— |
| 1 June 2000 to 31 December 2000 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 January 2001 to 31 December 2001 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 1 January 2002 to 30 November 2002 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| Total | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| Local authority applications by result | |||
| 1 April 1999 to 31 May 2000(20) | (21)— | (21)— | (21)— |
| 1 June 2000 to 31 December 2000 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 January 2001 to 31 December 2001 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 January 2002 to 30 November 2002 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total applications by result | |||
| 1 April 1999 to 31 May 2000(20) | (21)— | 0 | (21)— |
| 1 June 2000 to 31 December 2000 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 January 2001 to 31 December 2001 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 1 January 2002 to 30 November 2002 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| Total | 9 | 9 | 0 |
(20) For this period the number of ASBOs issued only is known
(21) Not available
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