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2 Nov 2005 : Column 1215W—continued
NORTHERN IRELAND
Perverting the Course of Justice
Mr. Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many individuals have been charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years. [22758]
Mr. Hanson: The following table shows the number of recorded crime offences relating to perverting the course of justice that were cleared via a sanction detection in 1999–2000 to 2004–05.
It should be noted that crime clearance figures are counted on the basis of crimes rather than offenders.
(101) Offences relating to perverting the course of justice are: perverting the course of justice; attempting to pervert the course of justice; conspiracy to pervert the course of justice; and doing an act with intent to pervert the course of justice.
(102) Prior to September 2003, includes juvenile advice and warning. Since September 2003, includes juvenile informed warning and restorative caution.
Source:
PSNI Recorded Crime Statistics
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Mr. Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many individuals have been prosecuted in Northern Ireland with attempting to pervert the course of justice in each of the last five years. [22759]
Mr. Hanson: The following table shows the number of persons prosecuted and convicted in each of the calendar years 1999 to 2003, for offences relating to perverting the course of justice. Data for 2004 are not yet available.
Conviction statistics are offender based. Where a person is being dealt with for more than one offence at the same court sitting, only the most serious offence (that attracting the most severe court penalty) is included in the statistics.
| Prosecuted | Convicted | |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 6 | 2 |
| 2000 | 19 | 15 |
| 2001 | 2 | 1 |
| 2002 | 12 | 7 |
| 2003 | 4 | 3 |
Note:
1. Offences relating to perverting the course of justice are: perverting the course of justice; attempting to pervert the course of justice; conspiracy to pervert the course of justice; and doing an act with intent to pervert the course of justice.
Source:
NIO
On the Run"
Dr. McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many alleged Republican offenders are known to be on the run from UK security forces. [21558]
Mr. Hain: I have asked the Police Service of Northern Ireland to conduct a review of outstanding warrants, and I will write to the hon. Gentleman when this review is complete.
Accident and Emergency Staff
Mr. Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many members of staff at accident and emergency departments of hospitals in Northern Ireland have suffered injuries as a result of attacks upon them by members of the public as they carried out their duties in each of the last five years. [23232]
Mr. Woodward:
I refer the hon. Gentleman to my answer of 20 October 2005, Official Report, column 1229W. The level of detail now requested is not recorded centrally and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
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A-Levels
Mr. Gregory Campbell:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of students attending (a) grammar schools and (b) secondary
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level schools in Northern Ireland obtained pass marks at A level in the latest period for which figures are available. [22853]
Angela E. Smith: The information for the 2003–04 academic year is as follows:
(103) Irrespective of whether they were entered for any GCE A level examinations.
(104) GCE A level only, not equivalent qualifications such as AVCEs.
Antisocial Behaviour Orders
Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many antisocial behaviour orders have been issued in each constituency in the Province; and if he will make a statement. [22629]
Mr. Hanson: Five interim antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) on application have been granted in Northern Ireland to date; one in the Belfast city council area, two in the Larne borough council area, and two in the Coleraine borough council area. Data are not collected by parliamentary constituency.
Information on ASBOs by conviction is not collected centrally and would only be available at disproportionate cost. It is intended that this information will be captured by the Northern Ireland Court Service through their Integrated Court Operation System (ICOS) which is due to be rolled out from early next year.
ASBOs are a useful tool for tackling antisocial behaviour and are available to the PSNI, District Councils and Northern Ireland Housing Executive as part of a structured approach to tackling antisocial behaviour which may also include the use of mediation, warnings and acceptable behaviour contracts.
Aphis Database
Dr. McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many male calves, with dairy sires born in Northern Ireland in the past 12 months, were registered on the APHIS database. [23384]
Angela E. Smith: APHIS does not routinely hold sire breed data and I am therefore unable to answer the question in the format requested. However, I can tell the hon. Member that 64,953 male calves were registered as dairy breeds on APHIS during the 12 months ending 30 September 2005. This figure includes bull calves. The breeds included are Ayrshire, Holstein, Jersey, Friesian, Guernsey and Dairy Shorthorn.
Avian Influenza
Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the occasions on which the contingency arrangements for avian influenza have been exercised in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [23566]
Jacqui Smith: DARD has an avian influenza (AI) contingency plan which is available for use in the event of an outbreak. This contingency plan takes account of experiences of dealing with the foot and mouth disease outbreak in 2001. DARD is committed to delivering an ongoing cycle of simulation and desktop exercises as part of epizootic disease preparedness. In June 2004, the Department tested the efficacy of its generic epizootic disease contingency plan for epizootic disease (CPED), on which the AI plan is based. In addition, over the past months DARD has tested several aspects of its avian influenza plan. In December 2004, an operational partners seminar was held to discuss the AI plan with partner organisations and stakeholder representative bodies. In June 2005, an exercise was carried out over two days to test the adequacy of Health and Safety guidance and the health services procedures to be used in the event of an outbreak. A desktop exercise was also carried out in conjunction to test the emergency procurement arrangements set out in call-off contracts. Tests were also carried out on 15 March 2005 and on 20 September 2005 on humane slaughter techniques. This involved a broiler flock and caged layer flock respectively. In October 2005, an exercise was carried out to test communication arrangements and how the command structures operate. The plan is subject to an ongoing process of review and updating.
Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what mechanisms are in place in Northern Ireland to prevent an outbreak of avian influenza. [23594]
Angela E. Smith: The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development keeps the threat posed by the spread of avian influenza (AI) under constant review and initiates protective measures deemed necessary to prevent its introduction as appropriate.
In line with European Union-wide measures, actions taken to date have included banning the importation of live birds and products from avian influenza affected areas. Other Decisions of the European Union (EU) Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health aimed at taking further preventative measures to limit the potential spread of the disease will be acted upon as required.
The Department has recently re-issued advice to the poultry industry regarding biosecurity measures to be observed to limit the risk of disease entering Northern Ireland and stopping its spread should it be introduced. The Department also provides information and guidance through its website to stakeholders and is engaged in a series of discussions with key industry representative bodies on an ongoing basis to ensure that there is a regular exchange on the developing situation.
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For the third successive year, an AI survey is being carried out this autumn on certain types of poultry. Wild bird surveillance is also being undertaken, with the support of the Environment and Heritage Service and other non-government organisations.
There is close co-operation between relevant Departments to ensure a joined-up approach to the threat of AI including in respect of the implications for public health. Officials are also working closely with their counterparts from the Department of Agriculture and Food in the Republic of Ireland in relation to AI, which is of mutual interest in the context of the island of Ireland.
The Department has a contingency plan in place, which has been approved by the EU, to ensure that any outbreak of AI is dealt with quickly and effectively. This plan is continually being reviewed and updated, and has been tested on two occasions in recent weeks.
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