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23 Nov 2005 : Column 1991W—continued
Emergency Planning Budget
Mr. McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the budget is for 2006–07 for emergency planning in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [29477]
Angela E. Smith: As the estimated funding levels for emergency planning services by Government Departments and public bodies are contained within a wide range of budgets it is not possible to provide an aggregated figure for the overall position. The Northern Ireland civil contingencies framework, which is to be published shortly, requires, among other things, that
all organisations shall develop and maintain civil contingencies plans and other preparations in relation to their functions so that they can deliver those functions for the purpose of preventing an emergency, reducing, controlling or mitigating its effects or taking any other action necessary in relation to it".
The framework also requires that organisations
but it is the responsibility of individual departments to determine what is appropriate funding in the light of risk assessments and having regard to other priorities.
Employment Tribunals
Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment his Department has made of the merits of allowing the use of video-conferencing at employment tribunal hearings in Northern Ireland. [30246]
Angela E. Smith: The Department is currently assessing the merits of using video conferencing at tribunal hearings and discussions have commenced with stakeholders on this issue.
Environmental Protection Agency
Mr. McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects to establish an independent Environmental Protection Agency for Northern Ireland; and when the Environment and Contaminated Land (Northern Ireland) Order is planned to be implemented. [29480]
Angela E. Smith: The Minister of State for Northern Ireland, Lord Rooker, announced an independent Review of Environmental Governance in Northern Ireland in July 2005. The review will consider, among other things, the arrangements for the organisation and supervision of the environmental governance system. Lord Rooker hopes to be in a position to launch the review soon.
Most of the provisions of the Waste and Contaminated Land (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 relating to waste have been in force for some time. However Part III, which provides for a contaminated land regime in Northern Ireland, has not yet been implemented. The Department is currently reassessing the likely resource requirements and the options for implementing Part III.
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Farmers
Dr. McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average age of registered farmers in Northern Ireland was (a) in 2000 and (b) on the latest date for which figures are available. [30217]
Angela E. Smith: Information on the age profile of the farm work force is collected as part of the EU Farm Structures Survey. For the purposes of this survey, farmers are considered to be those individuals who are legally and financially responsible for the farm and who are also responsible for the day-to-day management of the farm business. The most recent years for which information is available are 2000 and 2003.
Fire Service
Dr. McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to ensure the safety of fire officers attending fires within the Northern Ireland community. [30151]
Mr. Woodward: I am introducing, in the new Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order, which will be laid at Westminster early in the new year, a new statutory offence covering assault or obstruction of firefighters and anyone helping them in the execution of their duties. This explicit statutory protection highlights the seriousness of this offence, which endangers both the lives of firefighters and those they are trying to help. It is intended that the new offence will have a deterrent effect, reducing the number of attacks on firefighters and their equipment.
The penalties are in line with the legislation relating to police officers, and include provision for conviction on indictment, whereby someone found guilty of the offence could face up to two years in prison and/or an unlimited fine. The penalty, on summary conviction, will be imprisonment for up to six months and/or a fine up to the statutory maximum of £5,000.
Meanwhile, the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service continues to place an increased focus on community education and communication in order to reduce deaths and injuries from fire and attacks on personnel.
Fisheries Conservancy Board
Mr. Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the financial position of the Fisheries Conservancy Board in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [30759]
Mr. Hanson: Following the reduction in agency work income for the Fisheries Conservancy Board, the board are currently exploring how they can operate within the new budgetary constraints.
Free Public Transport
Mr. Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to introduce free travel on public transport for those aged 60 years and over in Northern Ireland. [30761]
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Mr. Woodward: I have no plans at present to introduce free travel on public transport for Northern Ireland residents aged 60 to 64. However the Northern Ireland Concessionary Fares Scheme will be reviewed shortly. This review will consider the feasibility of extending the scheme to additional groups, including those aged 60 years and over.
Fuel Poverty
Mr. McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he plans to take to tackle fuel poverty in Northern Ireland. [29457]
Mr. Hanson: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Belfast, North (Mr. Dodds) on 14 June 2005, Official Report, column 313.
Further Education
Dr. McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many pupils aged 16 to 18 years are being educated in further education colleges in Northern Ireland. [30206]
Angela E. Smith: The following table details the number of pupils (aged 16–18) who are being educated in a further education college in NI for the academic year 2004–05.
| Age(13) | Academic Year 2004–05 |
|---|---|
| 16 | 9,764 |
| 17 | 9,306 |
| 18 | 7,139 |
| Total 16 to 18 year olds | 26,209 |
(12) Data relate to a snapshot of students on 1 November of the relevant academic year.
(13) Age is at 1 July at the beginning of the relevant academic year.
Source:
FESR snapshot
Grant Thornton
Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland why Deloitte MICS were replaced as financial advisers on the Civil Service electronic human resources contract by Grant Thornton. [26752]
Angela E. Smith: Financial advice was provided by Deloitte MCS Ltd. from March 2004 to May 2005 when their contract expired. Under the Public Services Contracts Regulations 1993 a new procurement competition for Financial Advisers was required. One compliant tender, from Grant Thornton UK LLP, was received in response to the procurement competition. This was considered to meet the Department's requirements and consequently they were appointed to provide financial advice to the Department of Finance and Personnel.
Guest Speakers
Mr. Gregory Campbell:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what guidelines are used by the Department for Culture, Arts and Leisure in Northern
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Ireland, on the invitation of guests who are asked to make a speech at events organised by the Department to mark sporting achievements [31089]
Mr. Hanson: It is normal practice that the governing body for the sport involved is invited in advance to nominate speakers on its behalf.
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