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29 Nov 2005 : Column 373W—continued
Conservation Areas
Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many dedicated qualified conservation area officers are employed by the Northern Ireland Planning Service; and how many of those are (a) members of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation and (b) not members but eligible for membership; [32688]
(2) which planning districts in Northern Ireland have a dedicated qualified conservation area officer responsible for the management of conservation areas and other designated areas; [32690]
(3) how much money was spent by his Department on external consultants' fees relating to conservation areas in each year since 2002. [32689]
Angela E. Smith: There are seven dedicated planning officers who provide advice on conservation area matters. Two officers are members of the Institute of Historic Buildings Conservation. One officer is eligible but not a member. One officer is currently training and will become eligible.
There is at least one dedicated officer in each divisional planning office. Qualifications are as above with the remainder having taken, or undertaking, appropriate training.
Details of the money spent on external consultant fees relating to conservation areas each year since 2002 are contained in the following table.
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| Expenditure (£) | |
|---|---|
| 2002–03 | 103,929 |
| 2003–04 | 105,174 |
| 2004–05 | 21,983 |
| April-October 2005 | 36,594 |
GCSE
Mr. Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the quality of the GCSE exam in Northern Ireland. [31997]
Angela E. Smith: The level of attainment at GCSE continues to improve and young people are increasingly better motivated and prepared for examinations. The regulatory bodies in England, Wales and Northern Ireland work closely with all the awarding bodies on the accreditation and marking of public examinations to ensure that standards are maintained. In Northern Ireland, the marking of exam scripts is subject to extensive moderation by CCEA, whose standards are independently assessed by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA).
Consultants/Special Advisers
Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list recipients of consultancy fees paid by each Government Department in the Province over each of the last three years. [24855]
Angela E. Smith: A list of the recipients of consultancy fees paid by each of the 11 Departments of the Northern Ireland Administration and the Northern Ireland Office (excluding Agencies and non-departmental public bodies) has been placed in the Library.
Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many (a) consultants and (b) special advisers were employed by his Department in each year since 1997; what the cost of each was in each year; and if he will make a statement. [27417]
Mr. Woodward: The information requested is as follows.
The number of consultants employed by the Northern Ireland Office in each year since 1997 could be answered only at disproportionate cost.
The cost to the Department of employing external consultants in each year since 1997 is as follows:
| Cost (£) | |
|---|---|
| 1997–98 | 403,000 |
| 1998–99 | 309,000 |
| 1999–2000 | 352,035 |
| 2000–01 | 479,897 |
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(27) Up to October 2005.
Since 2003, the Government have published on an annual basis the names and overall cost of special advisers and the number in each pay band. For the most recent information I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister on 21 July 2005, Official Report, 158–162WS. Information on the numbers of special advisers prior to 2003 was provided at regular intervals and this information will be available in the Library of the House.
Departmental Finance
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the real terms percentage increase in allocated resources for his Department (a) was for the period 1997–98 to 2004–05 and (b) is estimated to be between 2005–06 and 2007–08 (i) for each period and (ii) for each year. [31040]
Mr. Woodward: The following information refers to the Northern Ireland Office (including its Agencies and NDPBs). It does not include information for the 11 Departments of the Northern Ireland Administration.
Notes.
1. For the financial years 1997–98 to 2005–06, Allocated Resources are based on the Department's Main Parliamentary Estimates.
2. For the financial years 2006–07 and 2007–08, Allocated Resources are based on forecast Parliamentary Estimates calculated from the Department's Spending Review 2004 settlement.
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Drug Awareness
Mr. Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many teachers who specialise in drug awareness and prevention are employed in schools in each education board in Northern Ireland. [31976]
Angela E. Smith: Drugs education is delivered in schools as part of a wider programme of Personal, Social and Health Education. As recommended by departmental guidance, all schools have a designated teacher for drugs education. Drugs awareness training is available to all teachers and every post-primary school, and many primary schools, have at least one teacher who has received it.
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