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19 Jan 2006 : Column 1587W—continued
Housing Benefit
Mr. Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much was spent on housing benefit in Northern Ireland in respect of tenants in (a) Housing Executive property, (b) Housing Association property and (c) the Private Sector in 2005. [43056]
Mr. Hanson: £195 million was spent on housing benefit in Northern Ireland in respect of tenants in Housing Executive properties and £176.5 million in respect of Housing Association and Private Sector properties in the financial year 2004–05. Information with regard to this latter figure cannot be disaggregated further.
Independent Monitoring Commission
Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the Government expects the publication of the next report by the Independent Monitoring Commission. [42689]
Mr. Woodward: The next report of the Independent Monitoring Commission is expected at the end of January and will be published as soon as possible thereafter.
Joseph Rafferty
Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations he has made to the Prime Minister of the Irish Republic about the murder of Joseph Rafferty on 12 April. [14894]
Mr. Woodward: There have been no representations made by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland with the Prime Minister of the Irish Republic about the murder of Joseph Rafferty on 12 April.
Loyalist Paramilitary Disarmament
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will call for loyalist paramilitary disarmament in Northern Ireland. [43724]
Mr. Woodward:
The Government's position is clear; there is no place for paramilitary and criminal activity in a democratically governed Northern Ireland. As with the IRA, we remain committed to seeing complete and verified decommissioning of weapons held by all loyalist groups.
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Male Prisoners (Nationality)
Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of (a) female and (b) male prisoners in Northern Ireland are of foreign nationality; and what the nationalities concerned are in each case. [42720]
Mr. Woodward: As of 12 January 2006 the Northern Ireland Prison Service had: (a) 3.6 per cent. (1) of the total female population of 28 were foreign national prisoners and (b) 2.4 per cent. (31) of a total male prisoner population of 1,279 were foreign nationals. A breakdown by nationality is provided in the table.
Note:
These figures exclude immigration detainees as these persons are not prisoners under the terms of the Prison Service Act 1953.
Motoring Offences
Dr. McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many (a) women and (b) men were convicted of motoring offences in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years. [21633]
Mr. Woodward: The following table provides statistics, by gender, of persons convicted of motoring offences during the period 1999 to 2003 (2003 is the most up-to-date data currently available).
| Convictions | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | Female | Total | |
| 1999 | 13,869 | 1,913 | 15,782 |
| 2000 | 13,344 | 2,046 | 15,390 |
| 2001 | 12,403 | 2,063 | 14,466 |
| 2002 | 12,330 | 2,014 | 14,344 |
| 2003 | 14,049 | 2,293 | 16,342 |
Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people were stopped by police for suspected motoring offences in each of Northern Ireland's parliamentary constituencies in each of the last 24 months; and how many were subsequently prosecuted in each month. [41108]
Mr. Woodward:
The Police Service of Northern Ireland do not record statistics of the number of motorists stopped for motoring offences. The closest available information is detailed in the tables 1 to 4 and
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relates to road policing detections by District Officers and Road Policing Officers recorded by District Command Unit (DCU).
Statistics relating to convictions are also only available by District Command Unit. Tables 5 and 6 provide details of the number of prosecutions for motoring offences during the period 2002–03 (2003 being the most recent year for which statistics are available).
The tables have been placed in the Library.
Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people were breathalysed in each of Northern Ireland's parliamentary constituencies in each of the last 24 months; and how many were subsequently prosecuted in each month. [41109]
Mr. Woodward: The Police Service of Northern Ireland do not record statistics relating to the number of people breathalysed by parliamentary constituency but by District Command Unit. Tables detailing the number of preliminary breath tests conducted in each DCU by District Officers and Roads Policing Officers during the period 2004–05 have been placed in the Library.
Prosecution data relating to drink driving offences is also only available by District Command Unit. The statistics provided in tables 5 and 6 covers the period 2002–03 (2003 being the most recent year for which this data is available).
Paramilitary Arms
Mr. Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent assessment he has made of the quantity of paramilitary arms at large in Northern Ireland. [19414]
Mr. Woodward: The decommissioning of paramilitary weapons is a vital element in the process of taking violence out of Northern Ireland permanently.
On 26 September 2005, the IICD determined that the IRA had met its commitment to put all its arms beyond use in a manner called for by the legislation and that it remained for them to address the arms of all loyalist paramilitary groups, as well as other paramilitary organisations. The IICD has confirmed that it has an inventory of decommissioned IRA weapons. The IICD will, however, retain possession of this inventory until its mandate is complete and will, along with the Government, continue to work tirelessly in the pursuit of complete decommissioning by all paramilitary organisations both republican and loyalist.
Police Numbers
David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average number of police officers on out-of-station duty each day was in each district command unit in the Province in each of the last five years. [17534]
Mr. Woodward:
The PSNI Human Resource Department do not hold data in relation to the average number of police officers out-of-station duty" on each day in each DCU for the last five years.
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However, since the inception of the Human Resource Planning Strategy under the objective of Improving Organisational Performance through efficient and effective deployment practices, the PSNI has committed to increasing the percentage of officer time spent on front line policing to 72 per cent. by 2007–08.
The Front Line Policing Measure for the PSNI currently stands at 56.6 per cent. for 2004–05 and they are currently on target to achieve the 2005–06 target of 60 per cent.. This figure cannot be fully calculated until the completion of activity sampling towards the end of the financial year.
Police Service of Northern Ireland
Mr. Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many regular Police Service of Northern Ireland (a) full-time reserve and (b) part-time reserve officers are on (i) long-term sick leave and (ii) short-term sick leave within Castlereagh. [19574]
Mr. Woodward: As of the 19 October 2005, Castlereagh DCU recorded the following sick absence details for regular, full-time reserve and part-time reserve officers:
Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what ballistic and armouring tests are carried out on (a) patrol cars, (b) armoured land rovers and (c) VIP cars in the Police Service of Northern Ireland fleet; and to what standard such testing is conducted; [27303]
(2) what (a) standards and (b) procedures are used by the Police Service of Northern Ireland in relation to the procurement and use of ballistic steel for armouring purposes; [27304]
(3) in what posts (a) Mr. David Graham, (b) Mr. John Wilson, (c) Mr. Nigel Booth, (d) Mr. Gerry Murray and (e) Mr. Dave Bradley have served with (i)the Police Authority of Northern Ireland and (ii) the Police Service of Northern Ireland; what the duration of their service was in each case; what experience each has in (A) ballistic engineering and (B) vehicle armoury; and what professional qualifications each has. [27464]
Mr. Woodward: These questions deal with issues that are currently subject to an ongoing criminal investigation and no further information can be made available at this stage.
Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what guidelines apply to the suspension of Police Service of Northern Ireland officers and staff pending the formal investigation of irregularities; and in what circumstances staff are suspended. [27367]
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Mr. Woodward: There are two distinct sets of guidelines which cover police officers and police staff. These are as follows:
1.Police Staff are covered by NICS code paragraph 1084, which states:
An individual may at any time be suspended from duty if, in the opinion of the person exercising disciplinary powers, that course is a necessary precaution in the public interest pending the outcome of criminal or disciplinary investigations or proceedings, and no alternative course eg transfer to other duties is appropriate. Suspension in these circumstances, as distinct from suspension as a disciplinary penalty (see paragraph 1093d), does not imply any decisions about the case, and this important distinction should be kept in mind whenever any record or report of the period of absence is necessary. Pay in respect of any period of suspension may be withheld wholly or in part so long as such suspension continues, if the person exercising disciplinary powers so decides. In such circumstances individuals may be told that they may be eligible to claim for National Insurance benefits such as unemployment or sickness or supplementary benefits. Where it is decided that pay, in the whole or in part, should continue, for the purposes of calculating the amount to be paid the person on suspension should be treated in the same way as staff treated during the first six months of sickness absence. This would entail, among other things, paying shift disturbance (SDA) for the first 30 days but not paying notional overtime. Any decision to withhold pay will be subject to early and regular review; among the factors taken into account will be the circumstances of the alleged offence and the person's dependents. If disciplinary proceedings result in a penalty any withheld pay in respect of the suspension will be forfeited wholly or in part if the person exercising disciplinary powers so determines after consideration of all the circumstances of the case. Any withheld pay which it is decided will not be forfeited will be paid. Someone cleared of all charges, will receive a net sum making up any shortfall in net pay that would have been received during the period of suspension. Where it is concluded that someone should be paid during the period of suspension including retrospective payment, the period, the period should reckon under the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme in the normal way. The procedures set out in this paragraph do not affect the practice whereby a line manager may send someone home if the circumstances seem to require this: unless this is for a very brief period, however, consideration should be given by the person exercising disciplinary powers to the need for formal suspension.
The PSNI has introduced a very robust, human rights compliant suspension policy which was crafted following a long and detailed consultation process with counsel, human rights etc. The policy takes into account 20 substantive considerations when deciding whether or not an officer should be suspended from duty (Code Section 9 App. 9 as attached). In practice the investigating officer, the District Commander, the Supervising Member and the Head of Internal Investigation Branch forward recommendations to the Deputy Chief Constable regarding the issue of suspension. These recommendations are based on the substantive considerations. The Deputy Chief Constable is the person responsible for deciding whether or not an officer should be suspended from duty. The circumstances of the suspension is reviewed on a monthly basis by the Head of Internal Investigation Branch and the Supervising Member.
Appendix 9(9)—Suspension: Substantive Considerations— (See RUC Code Section 9, paragraph 25)
Matters to be considered—Listed below are various factors which may be taken into account in considering whether to suspend a member from duty. These factors provide general guidance and are not exhaustive of the considerations which
- may be examined and weighed in any given case. Further, the weight, if any, to be accorded by the decision-maker to the factors which they consider will be a matter for them.
1.Whether continued duty by the member concerned would be conducive to the promotion and maintenance of high standards of discipline within the police service.
2.The nature and seriousness of the alleged misconduct and any apparent aggravating or mitigating factors.
4.The member's personal and family circumstances, including the impact which suspension from duty is likely to have on them.
6.Consideration of the wishes and interests of the victim of the member's alleged offences, including any reparation they may have obtained in some other form of proceedings.
7.The strength of the case against the member concerned, including the member's defence to, or explanation of, the matters under investigation, (where known).
8.The range of penalties available, or likely to be available, in the event that the member s conduct was determined not to have met the appropriate standard.
9.The likelihood of getting a member to a discipline hearing, especially where medical considerations might militate against a discipline hearing. (See N1O Guidance paragraphs 3.67 and 3.68 and Annex T.
10.Recommendations from the member detecting the offence/investigating officer, divisional commander(s) and 'G' Department. [Code Section 9, paragraph 25(2)].
11.The member's apparent role in the matter under investigation. Were they, for example, under the influence of a higher rank? Were they a victim of circumstances? Have they been adequately dealt with by the criminal courts? Was the member concerned in a supervisory position, which brings with it the necessity to provide an example to more junior members? etc.
12.The message required to be sent to the police service or wider community. Relevant considerations may include recent events which have impacted upon, or shaped the expectations of the public regarding the professionalism, probity and conduct of police officers.
13.Cognisance to be paid to the Chief Constable's policy on the circumstances surrounding the discipline incident, egdiscrimination, harassment, equal opportunities policy, drink driving.
14.Any possible or actual legal proceedings—such as a civil action or employment tribunal proceedings.
15.The need to remove the member from an area, in order to protect witnesses, evidence or the integrity of the investigation.
16.In criminal cases, whether a prosecution has been initiated against the member concerned or the prospects of a direction to prosecute issuing.
17.The member's continued credibility to perform police duties, ie give evidence in court, interview suspects or witnesses, or deal with other police matters of a sensitive or delicate nature.
18.Whether temporary transfer of the member concerned from their normal duties during the formal investigation or pending the outcome of misconduct proceedings, is appropriate and proportionate.
Sammy Wilson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Police Service of Northern Ireland's arrangements for (a) tendering, (b) ordering,
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(c) delivery, (d) invoicing and (e) payment for goods and services in relation to vehicle transactions; and if he will make a statement. [27465]
Mr. Woodward: A Project Board, chaired by a non-executive director, comprising members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland's Audit and Risk Committee and the Policing Board's Audit and Best Value Committee has been established to oversee a review of policies, procedures and responsibilities for (a) tendering, (b) ordering, (c) delivering, (d) invoicing and (e) payment for goods and services.
Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what assessment he has made of the level of (a) technical qualifications and (b) expertise in relation to ballistic and armouring protection matters of (i) managers and (ii) staff in the Police Service of Northern Ireland Transport Services Department; [27466]
(2) who took the decision to contest the civil proceedings brought by Northern Ireland Sheet Metal Works Ltd. in respect of steel contracts; what criteria were used to decide that the case should proceed; and who gave authority to settle the case; [27467]
(3) if he will list (a) corporate entertaining and (b) receipt of gifts declared by (i) Mr. David Graham and (ii) Mr. Joe Stewart of the Police Service of Northern Ireland in each of the last five years; [27468]
(4) on whose authority Mr. David Graham declined to give evidence at the recent court proceedings involving Northern Ireland Sheet Metal Works Ltd. and the Police Service of Northern Ireland regarding contracts to supply steel; and for what reasons the decision was taken. [27469]
Mr. Woodward: These are management issues for the Chief Constable and the Northern Ireland Policing Board. The Chief Constable will write to the hon. Member. A copy of the letter will be placed in the Library.
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