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20 May 2004 : Column 1207W—continued
Unemployment
Mr. Wareing: , To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the level of unemployment was in Liverpool, West Derby constituency in each year since 1989. [173672]
Ruth Kelly [holding answer 17 May 2004]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Robert Wareing, dated 20 May 2004:
As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about unemployment in the Liverpool, West Derby constituency. (173672)
Table 1 gives levels of unemployment in the Liverpool West Derby Parliamentary Constituency covering the twelve months ending February of 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003. Estimates for the 12 month periods ending in February of all other years since 1989 are unavailable.
Estimates are taken from the Office for National Statistics' Labour Force Survey (LFS). As with any statistical sample survey, estimates for the LFS are subject to sampling variability.
ONS also compiles statistics of those claiming Jobseeker's Allowance (ISA) for local areas including Parliamentary Constituencies. Table 2 gives the annual average number of ISA claimants for the Liverpool, West Derby constituency in each year since 1989.
| Year | Number unemployed |
|---|---|
| 1997 | 8 |
| 2000 | 5 |
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2002 | (36)— |
| 2003 | 5 |
(36) Sample size too small for reliable estimate
Source:
ONS—Labour Force Survey
Source:
Jobcentre Plus administrative system
20 May 2004 : Column 1209W
20 May 2004 : Column 1210W
NORTHERN IRELAND
Airports
David Burnside: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what public funding supported capital infrastructure improvements were carried out at each of the Northern Ireland airports during the last five years. [174378]
Mr. Spellar: The information requested is set out in the table.
| 1999–2000 | 2000–01 | 2001–02 | 2002–03 | 2003–04 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belfast International Airport | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| Belfast City Airport | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| City of Derry Airport | 1.4 million | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| St. Angelo Airport | 973,583 | 26,417 | Nil | Nil | Nil |
"Capital infrastructure" is interpreted as being infrastructure that is necessary to the operation of an airport business.
Bilingual Policy
Rev. Martin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland by whom, by what authority, and when the decision was taken to continue the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety's bilingual policy following the suspension of the Northern Ireland Assembly in October 2002. [170053]
Angela Smith: During devolution Northern Ireland Executive Ministers decided policy on the language to be used by each Department for letterheads and public advertisements, including the use of Irish and Ulster Scots. At an early stage during the current period of suspension, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, decided that the position within each Northern Ireland Department, including the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, should remain unchanged. This remains his current assessment.
Bus Station (Lisburn)
Mr. Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the Department for Regional Development has received the economic appraisal for a new bus station in Lisburn; and when a decision will be made. [173195]
Mr. Spellar: The Department for Regional Development has not yet received an economic appraisal for a new bus station in Lisburn.
Civil Service
Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many staff were employed, by grade, in the Northern Ireland Civil Service in financial years (a) 2002–03 and (b) 2003–04; and if he will list the (i) total salary bill, (ii) average salary and (iii) change in average salary for staff within each grade during these two periods. [170032]
Mr. Pearson: The information in the following tables gives the total salary costs and average salary costs for staff in post at March 2003 and March 2004. These figures do not include non-salary payments such as allowances or non-consolidated bonuses. The figures given do not allow for the consequences of staff movements in to or out of grades on promotion during the financial year or other personnel changes within grades such as recruitment, retirement and wastage.
For these reasons the increase in average salary between 2002–03 and 2003–04 is different to the cost of the 2003–04 pay award which was 3.67 per cent.
| 2003 | Full-time equivalent staff numbers(37) | Salary total (£) | Average salary (£) |
|---|---|---|---|
| SCS | 215.95 | 13,970,622.01 | 64,693.78 |
| Grade 6 | 215.59 | 10,276,104.13 | 47,665.03 |
| Grade 7 | 910.39 | 36,061,567.23 | 39,611.12 |
| Deputy Principal | 1,730.25 | 54,065,540.27 | 31,247.24 |
| Staff Officer | 2,684.37 | 63,845,361.83 | 23,784.11 |
| Executive Officer I | 3,392.37 | 69,435,134.15 | 20,468.03 |
| Executive Officer II | 3,529.13 | 58,057,105.87 | 16,450.83 |
| Administrative Officer | 7,164.03 | 96,120,522.87 | 13,417.10 |
| Administrative Assistant | 2,618.97 | 28,905,560.18 | 11,037.00 |
| Total | 22,461.05 | 430,737,518.54 | 19,177.09 |
(37) These figures refer to permanent NICS non-industrial staff-in-post in the 11 Northern Ireland Departments (excluding NIO).
20 May 2004 : Column 1211W
Class Sizes
Mr. Beggs: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what discretion is available to principals and governors in applying the guidance on class sizes in practical subjects in post-primary schools contained in Circular 2004/05; [173202]
(2) whether (a) choir and (b) orchestra are considered practical subjects for the purposes of restricting class sizes in post-primary schools as outlined in Circular 2004/5; [173208]
(3) whether the limitation on class sizes in music lessons is affected by (a) the types of instruments being used and (b) the number of pupils using instruments; [173209]
(4) for what reason the decision was taken by the Department of Education, outlined in Point 15 of Circular 2004/5, to supersede the exception previously granted to class sizes in music by Circular 2001/14 and the Department's letter dated 19 December 2001. [173211]
Mr. Gardiner: The Department considers that in general health and safety hazards are such that adequate and safe supervision of pupils is not possible if more than 20 pupils are present in a class and involved in practical activities. This applies to music classes but not choirs or orchestras which are not classified as classes for the purposes of the Department's Circular on Class Sizes in Practical Subjects. This Circular supersedes an earlier Circular which temporarily removed the 20 pupils class size limit. This occurred because of representations which were made at the time that schools required more notice before implementing the policy in relation to class sizes in music.
In meeting the Circular's requirements schools should consider the effective use of timetable strategies to reduce class sizes. Should any other issues arise for specific schools with regard to meeting the maximum class size requirement of 20 pupils for music, schools can seek advice from the Department on an appropriate way forward.
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