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Hunting Bill

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with his colleagues in the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs about the extension of the Hunting Bill to Northern Ireland. [175638]

Mr. Pearson: My right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Rural Affairs referred to the issue of the introduction of a Hunting Bill with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland during an informal conversation in late 2002. There have been no other discussions with the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Lyric Theatre, Belfast

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what financial assistance the Government is providing for the redevelopment of the Lyric Theatre in Belfast. [178476]

Angela Smith: No decision has yet been taken on whether the Government will provide financialassistance for the redevelopment of the Lyric Theatre. This will depend on the strength of the business case and the availability of funding to meet the capital costs. My Department is currently working with the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and The Lyric Theatre to develop a robust and up-to-date business case for support from public sector funds.

Music Teaching

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what risk assessment was carried out when deciding upon a maximum class size of 20 for music classes; by whom this risk assessment was carried out; and what evidence there is to support the limiting of class sizes to 20 pupils. [178539]

Mr. Gardiner: The maximum class size of 20 for pupils in practical music classes was initially included in the Department's 2001 Circular on Class Sizes in Practical Subjects. More recently the Department reassessed the position by consulting with various educational specialists/organisations including the Department's Education and Training Inspectorate, representatives of heads of post-primary schools, school authorities and teacher unions.
 
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The professional view emerging from this consultation again confirmed 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 limit only applies to music classes involving the practical use of musical instruments. Also, the limit does not apply to choirs or orchestras, which are not classified as classes for the purposes of the Department's circular.

Should 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.

National Stadium

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the outcome was of the recent feasibility study into a National Stadium for Northern Ireland; whether a potential developer has been identified; and if he will make a statement. [178519]

Angela Smith: I made an announcement on 24 May 2004 on the outcome of the recent business plan exercise in relation to the concept of a Northern Ireland multi-sports stadium. This was to the effect that such a venture could be operationally viable provided the sports of Soccer, Rugby and Gaelic Games were engaged. No potential developer has been identified as it would be premature to seek to do so prior to the completion of a proper examination of site options and a formal commitment from the three sports concerned to a multi-sports stadium. I have arranged for a copy of my statement on this matter to be sent to the hon. Lady. A copy will also be placed in the Library

Northern Ireland Assembly

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the sums paid to Assembly Members in (a) salaries and (b) office and staff allowances since the Northern Ireland Assembly elections in November 2003. [176958]

Mr. Paul Murphy: Following my determination under Section 47 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 in respect of Members' salaries and allowances effective from 5 December 2003, a total of £1.377 million has been paid in respect of Members' salaries with a farther £1.518 million paid in respect of office costs and other
 
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allowances, including Members' travel and subsistence. These figures include payments made up to 31 March 2004.

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the costs of the Northern Ireland Assembly since its suspension in October 2002. [176970]

Mr. Paul Murphy: Since its suspension on 14 October 2002, the cost associated with maintaining the Assembly up to 31 March 2004 is £36.6 million. This figure comprises costs relating to Members and parties of £15.4 million; property, accommodation and business services £7.5 million; and salaries of the Assembly Secretariat of £13.7 million. An element of this latter figure is attributable to Assembly staff who have been working on non Assembly projects within the wider public sector in Northern Ireland since June 2003.

Osteoporosis

Mr. Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps are being taken by the Department for Health in Northern Ireland to tackle osteoporosis in females. [178610]

Mr. Pearson: The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety is promoting action to prevent osteoporosis through a range of strategies and action plans designed to encourage regular exercise, a balanced diet, smoking prevention/cessation, home accident prevention and a responsible approach to alcohol consumption.

In addition to lifestyle changes, there are a number of interventions, including medicines, used to prevent and treat osteoporosis. The choice of intervention is a matter for clinical judgment, having taken account of the evidence of effectiveness, clinical circumstances and the views expressed by the individual patient.

Policing Board for Northern Ireland

Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the outcome was of the recruitment competitions for the post of Communications Director for the Policing Board for Northern Ireland commenced in (a) July 2003 and (b) January 2004. [177671]

Mr. Pearson: I am advised by the Policing Board that there was no appointment made from the July 2003 Communications Director competition because none of the candidates interviewed were deemed suitable for the post. Therefore the post was re-advertised in January 2004. An offer has been made to a candidate and the Policing Board is awaiting a formal acceptance.

Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what account the Policing Board for Northern Ireland has taken of the Fair Employment Tribunal decision in the case of Willis v. Police Authority for Northern Ireland and others with regard to (a) the necessity of short-listing, (b) interview panels' notes to record assessments of candidates and decisions in relation to the short-listing and interviewing process and (c) the requirement to retain all application forms and related documents for 12 months; [177672]
 
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(2) for what reason the panel of the Policing Board for Northern Ireland decided not to record their individual assessments and selections in short-listing applicants for the post of Communications Director in July 2003; [177673]

(3) for what reason the Policing Board for Northern Ireland decided not to retain documentation relating to the recruitment competition for the post of Communications Director commenced in July 2003. [177674]

Mr. Pearson: I have been advised by the Policing Board that these are issues that have been raised in an application to the Fair Employment Tribunal in Northern Ireland by a candidate who was an unsuccessful applicant for the July 2003 competition for the post of Communications Director. As there are on-going proceedings, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further.

Public Bodies

Mr. Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether a code of conduct has been published in respect of members of the Implementation Body on Language. [176891]

Angela Smith: The North South Ministerial Council at a meeting on 14 June 2002 approved the code of conduct for Board members of the North South Language Body. The code of conduct has not been published.

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