| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
7 Apr 2005 : Column 1676W—continued
Jordanstown Swimming Pool
Mr. Beggs: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the closure of the University of Ulster's Jordanstown swimming pool. [224961]
Mr. Gardiner: The University of Ulster is an independent, autonomous institution responsible for its own policies, practices and estates management. The decision to close the pool was taken for operational reasons, based on considerations of health and safety and economic viability.
The University of Ulster is currently conducting a consultation process, in line with the recommendation of the University's Visitor, Sir Ronald Weatherup, with
7 Apr 2005 : Column 1677W
the representatives of the former users of the pools, those affected by the closure decision such as Newtownabbey borough council and North Eastern Education and Library Board and other interested parties.
Long-term Care (Benefits)
Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the entitlement to full state pension and other relevant benefits of patients receiving long-term care in hospitals announced in the Budget extends to patients in Northern Ireland. [224970]
7 Apr 2005 : Column 1678W
Mr. Spellar: I can confirm that the reduction in pensions and certain other benefits, which applies where a person has been in hospital for more than 52 weeks, will also be abolished in Northern Ireland.
Ministerial Duties
Mr. Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many full days each Northern Ireland Minister was on duty in the Province during each of the last 12 months. [220440]
Mr. Paul Murphy: The number of days that each Northern Ireland Minister was on duty in Northern Ireland in each of the last 12 months was as follows:
David Burnside: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many days each Minister in his Department has spent on duty in the Province in the last 12 months. [224819]
Mr. Paul Murphy: The number of days that each Northern Ireland Minister was on duty in Northern Ireland in each of the last 12 months was as follows:
Newry and Mourne (Regeneration)
Mr. Trimble: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much money was spent by each Government Department in the Newry and Mourne district council area on (a) urban regeneration and (b) economic development in each of the last five years. [224065]
Mr. Gardiner: The right hon. Gentleman will receive a response to this question as soon as possible. However, I apologise that it has not been possible to collate this information before Prorogation. A copy of the letter will be placed in the Library.
Nutts Corner
David Burnside: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has for the improvement of the racing and customer facilities at Nutts Corner racing circuit. [224093]
Angela Smith: Plans for improving the racing and customer facilities at Nutts Corner racing circuit is a matter for the owners of the facility, Antrim borough council. However, the Sports Council for Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board can provide advice and assistance to Antrim borough council in planning for the improvement of racing and customer facilities at Nutts Corner racing circuit should it be required.
Pensioner Households (Additional Payments)
Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer of 22 March 2005, Official Report, column 706W, on Northern Ireland, whether persons in Northern Ireland whose 65thbirthday falls on 6 October will qualify for the additional £200 payment to over 65 pensioner ratepayer households equivalent to that in Great Britain. [224176]
7 Apr 2005 : Column 1679W
Mr. Spellar: As the qualifying week for the £200 payment is 19 to 25 September 2005, a person whose 65thbirthday falls on 6 October will not qualify for the payment.
Pensions
Mr. Beggs: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with (a) the Irish Government and (b) ICI on pension arrangements for former employees of Richardson's Fertilisers Belfast (Irish Fertiliser Industries); and if he will make a statement. [224500]
Mr. Gardiner: The hon. Gentleman will receive a response to this question as soon as possible. However, I apologise that it has not been possible to collate this information before Prorogation. A copy of the letter will be placed in the Library.
Police Service
Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the Police Service of Northern Ireland has adopted the colour vision requirements arising from his Department's review of the medical assessment process for police recruits. [216839]
Mr. Paul Murphy: I apologise for not being in a position to answer this question before Prorogation. However, I will respond to the hon. Lady in writing. A copy of the letter will be placed in the Library.
Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average Police Service of Northern Ireland response time to emergency calls was in (a) North Down District Command Unit (DCU) area and (b) each other DCU in Northern Ireland in each of the past 12 months. [212325]
Mr. Pearson: The Police Service of Northern Ireland does not currently record the response times to emergency calls, however these form part of the forthcoming policing plan for 2005–06.
Polling Stations (Disabled Access)
Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many designated polling stations in each constituency in the Province have purpose-built wheelchair access; and if he will make a statement. [216342]
Mr. Paul Murphy: I apologise for not being in a position to answer this question before prorogation. However I will write to the hon. Lady. A copy of the letter will be placed in the Library.
Postage
Mr. George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been spent on postage by the Department in each year since 1997. [215015]
Mr. Paul Murphy:
The Northern Ireland Office (excluding its Agencies and NDPBs) has spent the following on postage since 1997:
7 Apr 2005 : Column 1680W
| £ | |
|---|---|
| 1997–98 | 99,438 |
| 1998–99 | 88,299 |
| 1999–2000 | 118,961 |
| 2000–01 | 84,132 |
| 2001–02 | 144,506 |
| 2002–03 | 260,606 |
| 2003–04 | 265,356 |
Roads
Mr. Trimble: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether improvements to (a) the A24 road between Belfast and Carryduff and (b) the A7 road between Carryduff and Saintfield are planned over the next two years. [222122]
Mr. Spellar: The Chief Executive of Roads Service (Dr. Malcolm McKibbin) has been asked to write to the hon. Gentleman in response to this question.
Letter from Dr. Malcolm McKibbin to Mr. David Trimble, dated 6 April 2005:
You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question, whether improvements to (a) the A24 road between Belfast and Carryduff and (b) the A7 road between Carryduff and Saintfield are planned over the next two years (222122). I have been asked to reply as this issue falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Roads Service.
Our Eastern Division is undertaking a programme of assessment of strategic routes to identify what improvements may be needed in the context of each overall route. The A24 and A7 will form part of this assessment programme however, apart from ongoing routine and structural maintenance, currently Roads Service has no specific planned improvements to these roads over the next two years.
A potential scheme to provide an overtaking lane on the A7 between Carryduff and Saintfield at Glassdrumman, has been identified and will be progressed subject to the availability of funds.
You may be aware that Roads Service has already completed a number of schemes on the Carryduff to Downpatrick route, which have provided increased carriageway and verge width, improved forward sight distances and designated overtaking opportunities.
In conclusion, I can assure you that we remain committed to the further improvement and upgrading of the roads infrastructure in this are and along this route in particular.
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |