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Electricity Supplies

6. Jeff Ennis (Barnsley, East and Mexborough) (Lab): What plans he has to improve the long-term sustainability of the electricity distribution system in Northern Ireland. [57306]

The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (Mr.   David Hanson): The new £59 million environment and renewable energy fund which the Government have established will help to increase the proportion of electricity from sustainable sources currently distributed to customers in Northern Ireland from 5.6 per cent. to 12 per cent. by 2012. We have also commenced an all-island electricity grid study to facilitate renewable generation up to 30 per cent. by 2020.

Jeff Ennis: Obviously, the Minister is absolutely right to say that we need to invest more in renewable energy in Northern Ireland. What specific steps is he taking to encourage individuals to invest in renewable energy?

Mr. Hanson: As part of the £59 million fund, over the next two years some £8 million will be available to enable more than 4,000 private households to install solar, wind or geothermal energy systems. Also, there is almost £2 million for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive to install 600 solar panels in its properties.
 
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That will, I hope, encourage the use of renewable energy. To set that in context, I can say that if that investment had been made in England, more than 100,000 properties would, over the next two years, have benefited from investment in solar power and other forms of renewable energy. I think that is very positive.

Mr. Jeffrey M. Donaldson (Lagan Valley) (DUP): Given the Minister's support for power-sharing, does he agree that the future of Northern Ireland's electricity industry is bound up with the national industry throughout the rest of the United Kingdom? Will he support the greater integration of the Northern Ireland network into the UK national network and the sharing of power between the two islands?

Mr. Hanson: We will look at whatever is in the   interests of Northern Ireland as a whole. In the Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill before the House we are looking at the potential for an all-Ireland electricity generation market. We shall certainly consider the potential for links with the United Kingdom. The key point is what is in the interests of the people and the consumers in Northern Ireland, and we will do whatever is right and necessary in terms of co-operation with the Republic and with the rest of the United Kingdom to achieve those aims.

Unemployment

7. Mary Creagh (Wakefield) (Lab): What steps he is taking to assist those in Northern Ireland who are economically inactive back into work. [57307]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Angela E. Smith): A comprehensive range of provisions is available which includes the new deal, disablement advisory service programmes and the bridge to employment programme.

Mary Creagh: I thank my hon. Friend for her reply. What specific measures has my hon. Friend introduced to help lone parents return to economic employment?

Angela E. Smith: My hon. Friend highlights a specific area that we have addressed. Lone parents are included in the pathways to work project, which is funded by the skills and science fund. To ensure joined-up government we have linked pathways to work for lone parents with the extended schools programme so that when parents who want to work are at work their children are cared for in a secure and safe environment.

Paramilitary Ceasefires

8. Mr. David Gauke (South-West Hertfordshire) (Con): What his assessment is of the observance of the paramilitary ceasefires in Northern Ireland. [57308]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Mr. Shaun Woodward): The Independent Monitoring Commission made it clear on 8 March that it believes that the Provisional IRA has   taken a strategic decision to follow a political path. It does not, in its view, present a terrorist threat. The Government continue to engage with loyalist
 
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paramilitary representatives, and we remain firmly committed to helping them make the transition from conflict to peace.

Mr. Gauke : Notwithstanding the IMC reports, there are persistent claims that some IRA members have kept their arms, despite the announcement of the IRA ceasefire in July. What is the Minister's assessment of those claims, and is there any validity in the suggestion that the IRA continues to hold arms?

Mr. Woodward: First, I agree with the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning, and I suggest that the hon. Gentleman read that report and not be too selective in his judgments. I remind him, too, that on 8 March the Independent Monitoring Commission made it clear that it believes that PIRA has taken the strategic decision to follow a political path, does not present a terrorist threat, and is not a threat to members of the security forces. The IMC, the IICD and the Government have no reason to doubt the commitment of the IRA leadership to the undertakings that it has given.

Northern Ireland Education Order

9. Sammy Wilson (East Antrim) (DUP): If he will reverse his decision to introduce the Northern Ireland education Order. [57309]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Angela E. Smith): No. Consultation on the draft Education (Northern Ireland) Order ended on 7 March. I will carefully consider the responses and whether any changes should be made to the draft order before it is laid before Parliament in the spring.

Sammy Wilson : Despite the Secretary of State's blustering defence of the proposals, the Minister will be aware that in the last consultation 90 per cent. of respondents opposed the proposed changes. Her refusal to accept that view has caused increasing anger. Those changes should be rightly decided by local people in the Assembly, which the Secretary of State is determined to set up, so does she not agree that it is for local people to make that local decision?

Angela E. Smith: If the hon. Gentleman wants those decisions to be made in a devolved Assembly he knows the route that he must take. While the Assembly is suspended, the Government will make decisions. I fail to understand how academic selection at the age of 11 can be the appropriate way to decide the right pathways to education for young people.

Post-primary Education

10. Mr. Greg Hands (Hammersmith and Fulham) (Con): What plans he has to change arrangements for post-primary education in the Province. [57310]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Angela E. Smith): The Government have introduced a number of reforms, including a revised curriculum, an entitlement framework to widen access to academic and vocational courses for all pupils,
 
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and new admissions arrangements which will replace academic selection at the age of 11 with a system based on informed parental choice.

Mr. Hands: I thank the Minister for her answer, but the Prime Minister has made it clear that he has no intention of scrapping academic selection in parts of the UK where parents want it. Why should Northern Ireland be any different?

Angela E. Smith: The system to be introduced in Northern Ireland is one of informed parental choice, and the Prime Minister has made it clear that he is in favour of such choice. In Northern Ireland, we have a system in which 40 per cent. of children go to grammar school, yet the majority of the population do not achieve their potential. We will introduce a system that best meets the needs of children, young people and the economy in Northern Ireland. [Interruption.]

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. The House must keep quiet so that we can hear the questions and answers.

Animal Welfare Legislation

11. Mark Pritchard (The Wrekin) (Con): What changes are proposed to animal welfare legislation in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [57311]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Angela E. Smith): Department of Agriculture and Rural Development officials are currently finalising a wide-ranging review of animal welfare legislation aimed at identifying measures needed to strengthen powers to deal with animal welfare abuses, and they will consult stakeholders on the review after Easter. The detailed provisions of any new arrangements will depend on the outcome of the review and subsequent consultation, and they will take account of the provisions in the Animal Welfare Bill.

Mark Pritchard: Does the Minister not agree that the law is an animal ass if people in Northern Ireland need a licence to keep a dog but not an alligator? If so, will she tell the House what changes she intends to put in place?

Angela E. Smith: The hon. Gentleman may be aware that there are measures in place to address the matter. We will examine the increased powers and write to him on that point.

Mr. Gregory Campbell (East Londonderry) (DUP): Given the recent revelations about many wild animals being caught in Northern Ireland under obscure circumstances, when will the Minister introduce the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 in Northern Ireland?

Angela E. Smith: The Minister of State, my noble Friend Lord Rooker, is looking into the matter. We are examining it carefully to see what improvements can be made to existing legislation.
 
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