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15 Jan 2007 : Column 929W—continued
World Cancer Research Fund
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what grants have been allocated by her Department to the World Cancer Research Fund Ltd.; [113912]
(2) what (a) submissions, (b) papers and (c) correspondence have been received by her Department from the World Cancer Research Fund Ltd. [113913]
Ms Rosie Winterton: No departmental grants have been allocated to the World Cancer Research Fund International. The Department received one item of correspondence from their United Kingdom headquarters in September 2006. There is no central record of any other correspondence, submissions or papers having been received from this organisation.
Northern Ireland
A26
Mr. Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the daily average volume of traffic using the A26 road between Coleraine and Ballymoney is in Northern Ireland. [100821]
David Cairns: The Chief Executive of Roads Service (Dr. Malcolm McKibbin) has been asked to write to the hon. Gentleman in response to this question.
Letter from Dr. D M McKibbin, dated 15 January 2007:
You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a parliamentary question regarding what is the most recent average volume of vehicles per day using the A26 between Coleraine and Ballymoney. As this issue falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Roads Service, I have been asked to reply.
By way of background, I should explain that Roads Service collects traffic volume data by means of 270 automatic census points strategically located throughout the Northern Ireland road network. The information is recorded for one week in each quarter during the year and an annual average calculated. The results are published in Roads Service's annual Traffic and Travel Information Report, which presents the traffic volumes in a variety of formats for each site.
The latest data on the average daily number of vehicles using the A26 between Coleraine and Ballymena is shown in the following table.
| Location | Average daily flow |
| Number | |
Advisers
Mr. McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) whether there are restrictions on political activity included in the contracts of additional advisers appointed to the main political parties; [113731]
(2) whether additional advisers appointed to the main political parties are eligible for (a) support from officials in, (b) accommodation in property used by and (c) office facilities provided by the Office of First Minister and Deputy First Minister. [113732]
Mr. Hanson: The four main political parties represented on the Assembly’s Programme for Government Committee have been offered additional support under the Financial Assistance to Political Parties Act (NI) 2000 specifically in connection with the substantial work of that Committee. The Assembly scheme determined under the Act provides that those additional advisers shall act in accordance with any guidance issued by the Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service. Guidance is presently being prepared which will cover the issue of political activity during the Assembly election period.
I am arranging to place in the Library of the House the letters sent by the Secretary of State to the leaders of the four main parties, which set out details of the facilities that have been offered to them.
Alzheimer's Disease
Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what criteria are used when determining the prescription of Reminyl to patients with Alzheimer’s disease on the NHS in Northern Ireland. [115557]
Paul Goggins: Reminyl is available on prescription in Northern Ireland following examination and recommendation by a consultant, taking account of evidence-based practice and the needs of the patient. Consultants generally apply a test known as the Mini Mental State Examination which, together with functional and behavioural assessment of the patient, helps inform their decision on the prescription of drugs in individual cases.
The availability of drugs to treat people with Alzheimer’s disease, including Reminyl, is currently being reviewed by my Department in light of the recent NICE technology appraisal on drugs for Alzheimer’s disease and the institute’s broader clinical guideline on the management of dementia.
ASBOs
Mr. Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many antisocial behaviour orders have been issued in Northern Ireland in the last 12 months, broken down by parliamentary constituency. [104011]
Mr. Hanson: The relevant authorities have notified the Northern Ireland Office of 29 antisocial behaviour orders being granted in Northern Ireland. The relevant authorities have reported that eight of these orders were made in 2005 and 21 in 2006.
| Area | Number of orders |
We do not collect data by parliamentary constituency.
Biodiversity
Dr. McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what contribution he expects Northern Ireland to make to the target of halting the loss of biodiversity by 2010 agreed by all the member states during the 2001 EU Summit in Gothenburg; and if he will make a statement. [107785]
David Cairns:
Biodiversity is recognised as an issue for all Northern Ireland Departments. They are all currently striving to meet the recommendations of the NI Biodiversity Strategy which include some of the priorities set out in the recent EU Communication on “Halting the loss of Biodiversity by 2010—and beyond” issued in May 2006. Further work is ongoing to incorporate the EU Communication targets into Departmental Biodiversity Action Plans which are
being developed as part of the sustainable development strategy implementation plan launched on 26 November.
Biodiversity is a key aspect of sustainable development and is an integral part of the sustainable development strategy and its implementation plan.
Dr. McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made by the Department of the Environment to halt biodiversity loss by 2010 in Northern Ireland. [107786]
David Cairns: The Department of the Environment has made substantial progress in meeting the objectives of the Northern Ireland Biodiversity Strategy, which incorporates many of the EU Communication’s priorities. For example, the Environment and Heritage Service has been delivering action plans for species and habitats which have declined or suffered biodiversity loss and require conservation action. This includes the designation and management of statutory designated sites such as Natura 2000 and Areas of Special Scientific Interest.
Dr. McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what resources have been made available to meet the target to halt biodiversity loss by 2010 in Northern Ireland. [107787]
David Cairns: The Department of the Environment has recently employed a biodiversity officer to assist Departments to devise biodiversity action plans which will incorporate relevant targets set out in the EU Communication “Halting the Loss of Biodiversity by 2010—and beyond”. This officer will also offer practical assistance to Departments to embrace nature conservation aspects when undertaking their functions. This stance builds on the continued resourcing for biodiversity elsewhere in Government. This notably includes work being undertaken by the Environment and Heritage Service in designating and managing statutory nature conservation sites, as well as funding a broad range of biodiversity projects and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development funding of agri-environment schemes.
The DOE, in line with other Departments, will review its current commitments to consider what additional aspects of the EU Communication can be undertaken.
Dr. McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what policies he has in place to meet the target to halt biodiversity loss in Northern Ireland by 2010; and whether he plans to introduce additional measures to meet the target. [107788]
David Cairns: The Department of the Environment is committed to reviewing the policies and recommendations of the Northern Ireland biodiversity strategy to incorporate the targets included in the EU Communication “Halting the loss of Biodiversity by 2010—and beyond”. This review will influence, and be a key component of, the implementation of the priority area of “natural resource protection” identified in the sustainable development strategy.
The ongoing development and revision of planning policies will continue to contribute to halting the loss of biodiversity.
Dr. McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures have been put in place to monitor and evaluate progress towards the target to halt biodiversity loss in Northern Ireland by 2010; and what biodiversity indicators have been adopted. [107789]
David Cairns: Progress in achieving the recommendations of the Northern Ireland biodiversity strategy is regularly monitored and an independent progress report is submitted to Government every three years. Any relevant additional targets to be incorporated into this process that flow from the EU Communication “Halting the loss of Biodiversity by 2010—and beyond” will be included in the next progress report, scheduled for September 2008.
In addition, the EU Communication sets out to develop a small set of “biodiversity headline indicators” by 2007. These indicators, which are currently being considered by devolved administrations within the UK, are intended to inform member states of the effectiveness of key policies and pressures affecting the trends of biodiversity within the EC.
Car Parks
Mr. Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many new pay and display machines were installed in car parks run by the Department for Regional Development in Northern Ireland between 1 September 2006 and 31 December 2006; and at what cost to the public purse. [114924]
David Cairns: The Chief Executive of Roads Service (Dr. Malcolm McKibbin) has been asked to write to the hon. Gentleman in response to this question.
Letter from Dr. Malcolm McKibbin, dated 15 January 2007:
You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question regarding, how many new pay and display machines were installed in car parks run by the Department for Regional Development in Northern Ireland between 1 September 2006 and 31 December 2006; and at what cost to the public purse.
As this issue falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Roads Service, I have been asked to reply.
I can advise that between 1 September 2006 and 31 December 2006 a total of 70 new pay and display machines were installed in Roads Service car parks at a cost to the public purse of approximately £270,000.
Child Abuse
Mrs. May: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many Roman Catholic diocesan officials have been (a) interviewed by the police in Northern Ireland and (b) charged in relation to withholding evidence of clerical child sex abuse in the last 10 years. [112658]
Paul Goggins: I have been advised by the Police Service of Northern Ireland that the information sought is not available in the requested format. The information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Daisy Hill Hospital
Mr. McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has for the provision of pathology services at Daisy Hill hospital, Newry from April 2007 onwards. [112897]
Paul Goggins: The Department is currently consulting on the recommendations of a review of clinical pathology laboratory services in Northern Ireland. The report of the review makes 23 recommendations, which aim to ensure the sustainability of high quality laboratory services across Northern Ireland. The recommendations include proposals for reconfiguration of the current service delivery profile. If the recommendations are accepted and implemented, Daisy Hill hospital would provide site-essential, rapid response clinical biochemistry and haematology services 12-hours daily. Out of hours urgent samples would be transferred to the nearest large acute hospital, 24-hour blood transfusion services would be maintained, with out of hours cover from the nearest large acute hospital laboratory, and with electronic release of blood for patients who have previously been cross-matched.
The consultation period runs until 28 February 2007, following which the responses will be considered and decisions on the future profile of hospital pathology services finalised.
Derry City Centre: Car Parking
Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will introduce a permit scheme to exempt residents of Derry city centre from new car-parking restrictions introduced under the Northern Ireland Department for Regional Development’s contract with NCP. [114979]
David Cairns: The chief executive of Roads Service (Dr. Malcolm McKibbin) has been asked to write to the hon. Gentleman in response to this question.
Letter from Dr. Malcolm McKibbin, dated 15 January 2007:
You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question, if he will introduce a permit scheme to exempt residents of Derry City Centre from new car-parking restrictions introduced under the Northern Ireland Department for Regional Development’s contract with NCP.
As this issue falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Roads Service, I have been asked to reply
I can advise that currently there is no scheme which allows Roads Service to exempt residents in Derry City Centre from the normal requirements to comply with current parking regulations, other than those that exist within the Pedestrian Zone, to which residents’ access is permitted by permit. I can also advise that Roads Service has no plans at present to introduce such a scheme.
I am sure you will appreciate that waiting restrictions are introduced either to facilitate the safe movement of traffic, or for traffic progression reasons and that permitting residents to park at these locations, during periods when restrictions are in force, would reduce the likelihood of these objectives being achieved.
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