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8 Jun 2004 : Column 352W—continued
PPP Contracts
Mrs. Iris Robinson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many times the principal private public partnerships officer with the South Eastern Education and Library Board (SEELB) met the Chief Executive of the SEELB over the past year to brief him on the development of negotiations in relation to the private public partnership scheme involving Comber
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High School and Bangor Academy; what matters were discussed on each occasion; and for what reasons the Chief Executive of the SEELB did not inform staff in March that jobs would be transferred from the Board to the preferred bidder in January 2006. [174009]
Mr. Gardiner: I have been informed that the Chief Executive of the South Eastern Education and Library Board met with the Head of the PPP Education Service/Project Manager for the Bangor and Comber Project on 35 occasions since 17 May 2003 to brief him on the Bangor and Comber Project. All aspects of the project were discussed including those relating to legal, financial, technical, facilities management, staffing and consortia/bids.
On 26 March 2002, meetings were held with caretaking, cleaning and catering staff in both Bangor Academy and Sixth Form College and Comber High School. Staff were informed that transfers were likely.
School based staff were kept informed throughout the process through their line managers; line managers were kept informed through monthly briefing meetings chaired by a senior officer of the SEELB.
On 15 January, 2004 meetings were held in both Bangor Academy and Sixth Form College and Comber High School. Staff were informed that transfers were likely.
On 4 February, 2004 meetings were held in both Bangor Academy and Sixth Form College and Comber High School to allow staff to meet representatives of Jarvis. The caretakers of both schools attended; other staff did not.
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On 9 March 2004 the SEELB issued a letter to the catering, cleaning and caretaking staff in Bangor Academy and Sixth Form College and Comber High School informing them of Jarvis proposals and of the intent to establish a series of union meetings and the date of the first meeting.
Trade unions were kept informed throughout the process and were furnished with documentation and opportunity to discuss staffing issues with the shortlisted bidders. This is in line with the Information and Communication memorandum as agreed by the trade unions, the five education and library boards and CCMS through the PPP Service Information and Communication Forum.
Pre-School Places
Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many Pre-School Education Advisory Group (PEAG) places were allocated to each (a) private playschool and (b) state nursery unit in the Dundonald area in 2004–05; how many applications were received on behalf of children living in the Dundonald area seeking a pre-school place for their final pre-school year, at each pre-school facility; how many children living in the Dundonald area failed to obtain a PEAG place for their final pre-school year; and how many PEAG places were awarded to pre-school facilities in Dundonald for children under the age of three in 2004–05. [174007]
Mr. Gardiner: The information requested is as follows.
| Pre-school providers in the Dundonald area | Places available | Number of applicants with Dundonald addresses at first preference |
|---|---|---|
| King's Road Nursery School | 52 full-time places | 24 |
| Brooklands Nursery Unit | 26 full-time places, 52 part-time places | 79 |
| Ballybeen Women's Centre Playgroup | 16 | 12 |
The pre-school admissions process was completed on 31 March. At that date 17 children from the Dundonald area did not gain a place in one of their preferred settings. The local Education and Library Board has provided the parents of these children with details of unfilled pre-school places in the wider area.
There were no places awarded to children under the age of three in 2004–05.
Road Building
David Burnside: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the estimated cost is of providing a dual carriageway between (a) Ballygawley and Omagh, (b) Omagh and Strabane and (c) Strabane and Londonderry. [176330]
Mr. Spellar: The Chief Executive of roads Service (Dr. Malcolm McKibbin) has written directly to the hon. Gentleman in response to this Question.
Letter from Dr. Malcolm McKibbin to Mr. David Burnside dated 1 June 2004:
You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question asking what the estimated cost is of providing a dual carriageway between (a) Bally gawley and Omagh, (b) Omagh and Strabane and (c) Strabane and Londonderry. I have been asked to reply as the issue raised falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Roads Service.
| £ million | |
|---|---|
| Preliminary estimates for the provision of these lengths of dual carriageway are: | |
| Ballygawley to Omagh (including bypass) | 110–153 |
| Omagh Strabane | 139–192 |
| Strabane (including bypass) to Londonderry (Craigavon Bridge) | 97–135 |
I would stress the preliminary nature of these estimated costs. No feasibility studies or surveys have been undertaken of possible schemes and thus alignments for such schemes have not been identified. The costs assume a mixture of agricultural and development lands, are based on approximate lengths using typical costs, and depend on the standard of road provided.
I trust this information is helpful.
Sustainable Transport Plan
Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the progress being made on the implementation of a sustainable transport plan for Northern Ireland. [176542]
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Mr. Spellar: The Regional Transportation Strategy for Northern Ireland 2002–2012 sets out a strategic framework for the future planning, funding and delivery of an integrated, sustainable transport system for the region. The Transportation Vision of the RTS is
"To have a modern, sustainable, safe transportation system which benefits society, the economy and the environment and which actively contributes to social inclusion and everyone's quality of life."
The Strategy seeks to address the effect of years of under-investment in transportation. It tackles deficiencies in the current transportation systems to make best use of existing assets and introduces a number of important enhancements to the infrastructure and services. At the same time, programmes have been initiated to promote sustainable transport, such as walking, cycling and public transport, and to encourage modes of travel other than private car for appropriate journeys.
An Annual Monitoring Report for 2003–04 on the progress to date in implementing the RTS is currently being prepared and will be published in September. Copies of the Report will be made available in the Library.
Teachers
Mr. Mallon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has for the publication and circulation of the second part of the Curran Report into teachers' salaries and conditions of service. [176679]
Mr. Gardiner: The Independent Inquiry's Final Report Part 2 is detailed and its recommendations have significant financial implications. The Department is currently costing these and the Report will be published and circulated in due course.
Titanic Quarter (Tourist Facilities)
Mr. Beggs: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans are in place for the development of tourist facilities and attractions at the Titanic Quarter in Belfast by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board; and if he will make a statement. [174092]
Mr. Gardiner: The recent 'Tourism in Northern Ireland—A Strategic Framework for Action 2004–07' has identified Belfast, and in particular its historical connections with Titanic (Maritime) Belfast, as one of five signature projects for Northern Ireland tourism.
Belfast city council and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board intend to commission research into realising the potential of the 'Titanic' theme for Belfast and Northern Ireland.
Trevor Kell
Mr. Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations he has received about the investigation into the murder of Trevor Kell in December 2000 in North Belfast. [169234]
Mr. Pearson:
The Government have received a variety of correspondence concerning the investigation of the murder of Trevor Kell.
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Mr. Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the status of investigations into the murder of Trevor Kell in North Belfast in December 2000. [169235]
Mr. Pearson: The murder of Trevor Kell is an on-going investigation. A number of persons were arrested and interviewed but released without charge, due to lack of evidence. The police will continue to pursue any new line of inquiry to help develop and progress this inquiry.
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