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Robert Laverty

Mr. Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the investigation into the murder of Robert Laverty on 15 July 1972 in North Belfast. [218959]

Mr. Paul Murphy: The PSNI inform me that arrests have been conducted in respect of this matter. To date no persons have been made amenable for the murder of constable Laverty.

Sexual Abuse

Mr. Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what Government resources are available to help the victims of sexual abuse in Northern Ireland. [220628]

Angela Smith: Health and Social Services Boards provide a range of medical and mental health services to victims of sexual abuse via the Health Trusts. These services include counselling, medical services provided in accident and emergency units and specialist genito-urinary unit services. Government Departments and other public sector bodies also provide funding to voluntary sector organisations, such as the Nexus
 
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Institute, the Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Centre (NI), and Victim Support NI, which offer counselling and support services to victims/survivors.

The investigation of serious sexual offences and child abuse matters is the responsibility of the Care Units of the Police Service for Northern Ireland. The units are staffed by specially trained police officers and provide support to victims throughout investigations and subsequent court proceedings.

The policy of the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland is that the Department will consider the proper interests of victims (and witnesses) at every stage in the criminal process. The Department takes practical steps to give effect to its policy on the treatment of victims, including ensuring that staff treat victims with sensitivity and understanding, ensuring that proper use is made of appropriate legal measures to assist victims to give evidence to courts and that victims are kept informed of significant developments in the case in which they have an interest.

Mr. Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he plans to announce the strategy to address sexual abuse in Northern Ireland. [220629]

Angela Smith: The development of a regional strategy to address sexual violence in Northern Ireland is being taken forward jointly by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety and the Northern Ireland Office, in conjunction with other Departments and agencies whose responsibilities also encompass matters relating to sexual violence. It is proposed to publish a consultation document on the strategy in the summer of this year and to publish the final strategy in April 2006.

Mr. Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what services are provided by the statutory sector to the victims of sexual abuse in each health and social services board area in Northern Ireland. [220630]

Angela Smith: The four Health and Social Services Boards in Northern Ireland provide a range of medical and mental health services through the Health Trusts in those areas. These services include counselling, medical services provided in accident and emergency units and specialist services in the genito-urinary unit. In addition, further counselling and support services are provided by the Boards through funding to Voluntary Sector Organisations like the Nexus Institute.

Smuggling (Livestock)

David Burnside: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the scale of smuggling in livestock in the Province. [219670]

Mr. Pearson: I have no evidence of significant smuggling of livestock within the island of Ireland. Sheep and pigs can be traded freely, subject to European Union rules, which are actively enforced by the relevant authorities in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The export of cattle from Northern Ireland is prohibited under European Union rules though incentives to smuggle do exist. To prevent such smuggling there is close liaison between the enforcement authorities who share information and target action where necessary. Such action includes joint operations and following one
 
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such operation last year several prosecutions are pending. Other action taken includes the establishment of a central enforcement team within the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development's Veterinary Service, the targeting of cattle identification inspections and tightening the rules on movement of animals to ensure that the system of traceability is maintained.

Welfare Foods

Mr. Beggs: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans the Government have to extend the welfare food scheme to Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [220531]

Angela Smith: A welfare foods scheme, parallel to that which exists in Great Britain, has been in operation in Northern Ireland since 1940. The scheme has been reviewed and consultation is ongoing, throughout the UK, on draft regulations for the introductory phase of the Healthy Start voucher scheme in a defined area in England. The intention is to introduce the new scheme in Northern Ireland at the same time as the rest of the United Kingdom.

ELECTORAL COMMISSION

European Constitution

Kate Hoey: To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission what criteria the commission will apply when designating organisations for the EU constitution referendum. [218734]

Mr. Viggers: The Electoral Commission provided guidance on the designation process for the north east referendum held in November 2004. The commission has informed me that it is currently reviewing that guidance, and plans to publish specific guidance on the designation process for any referendum to be held following enactment of the European Union Bill by autumn 2005.

Kate Hoey: To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission how the commission intends to regulate organisations that would be permitted participants in the referendum on the EU constitution that are (a) partially or (b) wholly funded by institutions of the European Union. [218735]

Mr. Viggers: By virtue of the provisions of section 117 of the Political Parties Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (PPERA), all participants who intend to spend over £10,000 campaigning in a referendum are required to register as 'permitted participants' with the Electoral Commission. Section 105 of the Act prohibits organisations that do not carry out their main business activities in the United Kingdom from being permitted participants.

PPERA also prohibits an organisation which is not eligible to be a permitted participant from making donations to a permitted participant, unless the total value of its donations to that participant is less than £200.
 
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As regards the institutions of the European Union, Iam informed by the Electoral Commission that it has already indicated that it does not regard the European Commission as falling into any of the categories of organisation that can be a permitted participant.

The Electoral Commission will review the statutory returns submitted by permitted participants in order to ensure that they have complied with the requirements of the legislation.

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Avian Flu

Mr. Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps are being taken to develop a vaccine to counter avian flu; and if she will make a statement. [219286]

Miss Melanie Johnson: I have been asked to reply.

The National Institute for Biological Standards and Control has secured an isolate of the current avian influenza virus strain and has produced a candidate vaccine virus using reverse genetics" technology for use should this be required.

We are working closely with other countries, the World Health Organisation, the European Commission and manufacturers to ensure that a vaccine can be developed as quickly as possible after a pandemic flu strain emerges.

Cross-compliance

Mr. Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether farmers will face penalties for failing to meet cross-compliance requirements; whether allowances will be made to farmers due to late information being supplied to them; and if she will make a statement. [218466]

Alun Michael: Cross-compliance requirements for the single payments scheme (SPS) apply from 1 January 2005. Three booklets outlining cross-compliance requirements, which reflect either existing law or represent good farming practice, were sent out to farmers in late 2004.

If SPS applicants do not comply with cross-compliance requirements, they may have their direct payments, including SPS, reduced in part or in total.

Mr. Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what inspection regime she has put in place for cross-compliance; and if she will make a statement. [218467]

Alun Michael: In considering possible options for the enforcement of cross-compliance, Defra's key concern has been to develop a flexible, cost-effective and proportionate enforcement apparatus which supports the Department's policy objectives as set out in the Strategy for Sustainable Farming and Food, based on the sustainable development of the industry, including taking account of the competitive position of agriculture in England compared with other UK and European farmers.
 
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After careful consideration and close consultation with the relevant enforcement bodies and stakeholders, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, has charged the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) with overall responsibility to ensure cross compliance enforcement meets the Commission's minimum requirements in 2005, provides appropriate coordination of inspections and acts a single point of contact for all cross-compliance related farmer inquiries. The RPA will discharge this responsibility working in partnership with the various specialist enforcement bodies, such as the Environment Agency, who will be formally delegated to carry out inspections within their respective areas as required.

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