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3 May 2006 : Column 1637W—continued
Curriculum and Assessment
Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer of 13 March 2006, Official Report, column 2033W, on curriculum and assessment when he expects to be in a position to write to the hon. Lady for North Down with the Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment's advice. [68091]
Angela E. Smith: Since the hon. Lady's previous question, the Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment has continued to work on a detailed response to the points raised by Dr. Morrison. This material is now available and will be sent to the hon. Lady and placed in the Library of the House.
Domestic Rates
Mr. Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects the Department of Finance and Personnel in Northern Ireland to complete the valuation of domestic properties in connection with the rating of those properties. [66987]
Angela E. Smith: The valuation phase of domestic revaluation will be completed by the end of May 2006 and publication of the draft schedule of values will take place on a phased basis over a seven-week period commencing the end of June 2006.
Draft Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan
Mr. Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the expected timescale is for a public inquiry into the draft Belfast metropolitan area plan. [67623]
Angela E. Smith:
The Department of the Environment has recently written to the Planning Appeals Commission formally requesting a public inquiry into the draft Belfast metropolitan area plan (BMAP), published in November 2004, and Amendment No. 1 to the draft plan, published in
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February 2006. The PAC's formal acceptance of the request and their response as to when the inquiry might begin are currently awaited. The arrangements and timetable for the inquiry will thereafter become the responsibility of the PAC.
Drug Addicts
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many registered drug addicts there are in each (a) ward, (b) county and (c) constituency in Northern Ireland; what percentage of the total this represents in each case; and if he will make a statement. [67932]
Mr. Woodward: The Northern Ireland Addicts Index Database holds information on all those persons registered in concurrence with the Misuse of Drugs (Notification of and Supply to Addicts) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 1973. It is based on a specific list of drugs, not necessarily all those which are used by addicts, and is dependent on GPs and other doctors filling in and submitting the required form. It does not represent the full total of those currently in treatment for problem drug use in Northern Ireland. The latest figures from the Database shows that in 2004/2005 there were 239 'registered drug addicts'. Their distribution by Health and Social Services Board is provided in the following table:
| Number | Percentage | |
|---|---|---|
| Northern | 102 | 43 |
| Eastern | 97 | 41 |
| Western | 20 | 8 |
| Southern | 15 | 6 |
| Total | (18)239 | 100 |
(18) This figure includes 5 individuals for whom Health and Social Services Board could not be established.
Note:
The data collected for the database does not facilitate description of those on the register by council ward or Parliamentary constituency.
The Government take the problem use of illicit drugs very seriously and will continue to ensure appropriate and accessible treatment and support is available across Northern Ireland. We will also continue to promote activities aimed at reducing illicit drug use. Further details of action planned to address this issue will be found in the New Strategic Direction for Alcohol and Drugs 2006–2011 to be launched on May 8.
Economic Growth
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the rate of economic growth has been in Northern Ireland for each of the last 10 years. [67074]
Angela E. Smith:
Economic growth rates for the UK regions are derived from the regional gross value added statistics released by the Office of National Statistics. The ten most recent growth rates for Northern Ireland are illustrated in the following table. It should, however, be noted that these are on a nominal basis, as reliable regional price deflators are unavailable to convert them into real terms.
3 May 2006 : Column 1639W
Emergency Drills
Mr. Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on what dates since October 2001, local authorities and emergency services have carried out nuclear emergency drills in co-operation with UK agencies; and where these drills were carried out. [22763]
Angela E. Smith: Government Departments in Northern Ireland have not held any nuclear emergency drills involving local authorities and emergency services since October 2001.
Employment Statistics
Mr. Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what change there has been in the number of people employed full-time on farms in Northern Ireland over the past 10 years. [67549]
Angela E. Smith: The number of full-time farmers in Northern Ireland has fallen from 23,400 in 1995 to 18,200 in 2005, a decline of 5,200.
The number of other full-time workers on farms in Northern Ireland has fallen from 3,600 in 1995 to 2,600 in 2005, a decline of 1,000.
Farming (Fraudulent Claims)
David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people have been successfully prosecuted under the (a) Animals (Records) Order (Northern Ireland) 1997, (b) Sheep Annual Premium Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1992 and (c) Integrated Administration and Control Systems Regulations 1993 in each of the last five years; and what the total cost was of fraudulent claims made in each case in each year. [65368]
Angela E. Smith: The information is as follows:
Note:
Nil prosecutions for Animal (Records) Order alone.
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| Year of conviction | Scheme year | Number of convictions | Cost of fraud (£) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004–05 | 2003 | 3 | 3,732.00 |
| 2005–06 | 2004 | 2 | 8,301.00 |
| Total | 5 | 12,033.00 |
Note:
No IACS convictions prior to 2004–05
Female Council Candidates
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many female candidates there are in the Northern Ireland council elections. [67072]
Mr. Hanson: According to the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland's records, 201 candidates at the 2005 district council elections were female. This was out of a total of 918 candidates and represents just under 22 per cent. of the total. There are no local council elections taking place in Northern Ireland this year.
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