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24 May 2004 : Column 1343W—continued
Racial Attacks
Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information he has received about the extent and trend of racial attacks in Northern Ireland; what action is being taken with regard to them; and if he will make a statement. [174188]
Mr. Spellar: The following table sets out the number of racial incidents reported to the police in Northern Ireland since 2001.
The Government have frequently put on record their abhorrence of all forms of intolerance and racism. They are committed to eradicating such manifestations of hatred, whether based on racism or on sectarianism and are developing a co-ordinated response to the problem in Northern Ireland.
I will shortly bring forward an Order in Council to enable courts to deal more severely with crimes motivated by racist, sectarian and homophobic hatred.
The proposals will require sentencers to treat racial and religious aggravation as aggravating factors, where proven, when sentencing and to extend this legislation to offences motivated by hatred of sexual orientation.
The proposals also increase maximum sentences available for certain specified, mainly violent, offences including where racial, religious or sexual aggravation is proven.
24 May 2004 : Column 1344W
The Community Safety Unit (CSU) is leading the development of a Hate Crime recording and monitoring system for Northern Ireland. The minority ethnic communities are represented and fully participating on the Working Group. Integral to the development of the System will be the engagement with the various minority ethnic communities to establish protective and preventive security schemes, and the carrying out of research into racially motivated crime. The CSU has provided funding to a number of counter-racism/sectarian projects under the Challenge Competition—seven at a total cost of £384,000.
The final version of the Race Equality Strategy (which takes account of extensive consultation with all sections of NI society) will be published by the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister this summer and specific actions will be included in a detailed implementation plan developed in line with the strategy.
These measures will send out a clear message that racism has no place in our society.
| Total number of racial incidents | |
|---|---|
| 1998–99 | 93 |
| 1999–2000 | 237 |
| 2000–01 | 260 |
| 2001–02 | 185 |
| 2002–03 | 226 |
| 2003–04 | 453 |
Republican Intelligence Operation (Stormont)
Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the cost was of personal security measures introduced for individuals following the discovery of a Republican intelligence operation at Stormont in October 2002. [173743]
Mr. Pearson: Since 1 January 2000, the Government have committed £12.2 million to provide physical security measures at the homes of those whose personal details were compromised.
Residents Parking Schemes
Mr. Beggs: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will provide resources to introduce pilot residents parking permit schemes in Northern Ireland. [174090]
Mr. Spellar: The Chief Executive of Roads Service (Dr. Malcolm McKibbin) has written to the hon. Gentleman in response to this question.
Letter from Dr. Malcolm McKibbin to Mr. Roy Beggs, dated 20 May 2004:
You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question asking if he will provide resources to introduce pilot residents' parking permit schemes in Northern Ireland. I have been asked to reply as the issue raised falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Roads Service.
Roads Service has been examining the case for introduction of a limited number of residents' parking schemes and has identified potential pilot schemes in the south Belfast area. These pilot
- schemes would take at least 12 months to implement and Roads Service is willing to allocate the necessary resources. We are in discussions with the PSNI regarding enforcement.
I hope this information is helpful.
Water Cannon Vehicles
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on what date he received the request from the Irish Government for the loan of two water cannon vehicles used by the Gardai for dispersing anti-globalisation protestors on 1 May 2004; what the duration of the loan was; how many Police Service of Northern Ireland and other personnel (a) accompanied the vehicles and (b) were involved in their operation; what the cost was of the loan arrangement; and what charge has been levied upon the Irish authorities. [174535]
Mr. Pearson: I am advised that on 23 March 2004 the Police Service of Northern Ireland received a written request from the Commissioner of An Garda Siochana to provide two water cannon vehicles for the period 18 April to 4 May inclusive. This was to facilitate the training of Garda officers to work in the use of water cannon and cover the period of potential protests from 1 to 3 May. The request was made direct from one police service to another and not from the Irish Government. A service level agreement was drawn up between the two services to cover this arrangement.
I am given to understand that no PSNI officers accompanied the vehicles to the Republic of Ireland nor were PSNI officers involved in their operation in Dublin. On this occasion no charge was levied for the provision of the vehicles in the spirit of joint co-operation between An Garda Siochana and PSNI, as set out in chapter 18 of the report of the Independent Commission on policing in Northern Ireland.
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what requests for loans of water cannon vehicles have been received from the Irish authorities for days during (a) June and (b) July. [174536]
Mr. Pearson: I have been advised that PSNI has received no requests from either An Garda Siochana or the Irish Government for the provision of PSNI water cannon during June or July 2004.
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what training in the use of water cannons has been provided for non-UK personnel; how many persons were trained over what period; what the cost was of training provided; and what charge has been levied upon the beneficiary states. [174537]
Mr. Pearson:
The Police Service of Northern Ireland has advised me that the service provided water cannon training for 21 non United Kingdom personnel. Eighteen officers from An Garda Siochana were trained in the operation of water cannons over a period of six days and three Senior Officers received training in command and control issues relating to the deployment and use of water cannon. No charge was levied for this training on the basis of furthering co-operation with other police services, as recommended in the report of the Independent Commission on policing in Northern Ireland.
24 May 2004 : Column 1346W
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what reports have been received from the Irish authorities concerning the effectiveness and safety of water cannon weaponry on loan from the Police Service of Northern Ireland for the period covering 1 May; what weight of water was discharged; and whether any persons were injured by the use of this equipment. [174538]
Mr. Pearson: I have been advised by PSNI that they have not received any written reports concerning the use of water cannon on this occasion. PSNI would therefore not have specific information such as the weight of water used or whether there were injuries resulting from the use of water cannon. However, they have indicated that An Garda Siochana contacts have advised that the water cannons were judged to be an effective tactical option.
DEFENCE
A400M
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the delivery of the A400M. [173371]
Mr. Ingram: As previously stated to my hon. Friend on 5 March 2004, Official Report, column 1151W, the in-service date of the A400M (defined as acceptance into service of the seventh aircraft) is 2011. We expect delivery of the final (twenty fifth) aircraft to be in 2015.
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