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Mr. Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much British Trade International spent on promoting defence exports in each of the last three years. [12053]
Ian Pearson: I have been asked to reply.
The promotion of defence exports is a matter for Defence Exports Services Organisation. Under its Support for Exhibitions Seminars Abroad (SESA) programme United Kingdom Trade and Investment does provide support for trade associations to organise groups to attend overseas exhibitions and seminars. This has included the Defence Manufacturers Association (DMA) and the Society of British Aerospace Companies (SBAC) and can involve the promotion of non-weapon products for the defence
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industry as well as civil markets. In the last three years support for DMA and SBAC events overseas under SESA has been:
£ | |
---|---|
200203 | 521,472 |
200304 | 379,661 |
200405 | 280,740 |
Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the companies from which his Department has purchased goods and services of a total value above £1 million in each of the last three years; and how much was spent in respect of each company. [11739]
Angela E. Smith: Details of companies from which Departments in Northern Ireland have purchased goods and services of a total value above £1 million in each of the last three years and how much was spent in respect ofeach company are set out as follows. Cumulative spends above £l million with individual companies across Departments could be identified only atdisproportionate cost and are therefore not provided.
In addition the Northern Ireland Office purchased goods and services of a total value of £26,425,626 from nine companies in 200203, £25,485,195 from 11 companies in 200304 and £27,045,080 from 10 companies in 200405. In each case the total amount purchased from each company exceeded £1 million. Due to security and commercial confidentiality it is not appropriate to name individuals companies in this case.
Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many cases of work-related stress have been reported in his Department in each of the last three years; how much compensation was paid to employees in each year; how many work days were lost due to work-related stress in each year; at what cost; what procedures have been put in place to reduce work-related stress; at what cost; and if he will make a statement. [7869]
Angela E. Smith: NI Departments hold information in respect of working days lost due to psychiatric/psychological illnesses. However, it is not currently possible to determine precisely if these absences have been caused by, or made worse by work-related stress. Therefore, the information set out as follows reflects only those cases where work-related stress was specifically reported on either self-certificates or on medical certificates. Information on costs is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate costs. Work is under way to develop a coding system that will more accurately record work-related illnesses.
A range of corporate measures has been introduced to help tackle stress including the promotion of work life balance, healthy lifestyle programmes and a Workplace Health Improvement Programme. Departments have also produced guidance for staff and managers on how to identify and manage work-related stress and complimented by training and awareness seminars. Managers also have the support of the Occupational Health Service (OHS), including the provision of Psychiatric nursing services, a comprehensive Welfare service and Employee Support Programmes (EAP). These programmes and support mechanisms take a more holistic view of staff health and well-being, including stress. While we can identify the overall cost of the provision of services, such as the OHS, Welfare and EAPs, any costing information, specific to work-related stress, is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
A major workforce health survey is currently underway with over 30,000 Northern Ireland civil servants invited to complete a health questionnaire. The survey contains a substantial section on stress, and seeks to identify where work may have been a contributory factor. The stress questions have been based on the Health and Safety Executive's Stress Management Standards.
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Number of cases of work-related stress have been reported | |
---|---|
200203 | 58 |
200304 | 76 |
200405 | 90 |
Total compensation paid(110)(£) | |
---|---|
200203 | 0 |
200304 | 10,000 |
200405 | 0 |
Number of work days lost due to work-related stress | |
---|---|
200203 | 3,797 |
200304 | 4,548 |
200405 | 5,448 |
Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how much revenue was raised from domestic rates in Northern Ireland in (a) 199798 and (b) 200405; and what the projected level for 200506 is. [15191]
Angela E. Smith: The amount of rates collected from the domestic sector for 199798 and 200405 was £166.5 million and £346.8 million respectively.
The projected domestic revenue for 200506 is £366.3 million.
Mr. Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the 10 worst areas in Northern Ireland for educational accomplishment based on the Nolan indices; and what steps he is taking in each area to make improvements in performance. [14504]
Angela E. Smith: The 10 most deprived areas for achievement of qualifications and access to education under the Northern Ireland Multiple Deprivation Measure 2005, the children and young people" sub-domain, are:
Super Output Areas (SOAs) are a new geography that has been developed by NISRA to improve the reporting of small area statistics. Until now the standard unit of presenting local statistical information has been the
12 Sept 2005 : Column 2480W
Electoral Ward (Wards). However, in Northern Ireland, Wards vary greatly in population size (Census 2001), from fewer than 800 residents to more than 9,000. This is not ideal for regional and local comparisons. SOAs have been created on a ward-by-ward basis taking into account measures of population size and mutual proximity. SOAs may constitute a whole ward, or part of a ward, and aim to provide standard areas of geography with a population between a lower threshold of 1,300 and an upper threshold of 2800.
Raising the educational achievement of all young people, and especially those in areas of greatest social need, is a key priority for Government. This is reflected in a variety of measures including increased funding (under TSN, enhanced pre-school provision and a range of intervention programmes to improve literacy and numeracy, and to make curriculum provision more relevant to pupils' needs.
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