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20 July 2009 : Column 790W—continued
Mr. Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many new security staff notified to his Department under the provisions of paragraph 13(1) of Schedule 13 to the Terrorism Act 2000 failed vetting; and for what reason in each case. [287673]
Paul Goggins: There were no new security staff notified under the provisions of paragraph 13(1) of schedule 13 to the Terrorism Act 2000 that failed vetting.
The Terrorism Act 2000 provisions fell in 2007 and were replaced by interim arrangements as set out in schedule 6 to the Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Act 2007.
Mr. Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many changes in security staff have been notified to his Department by private security companies in Northern Ireland as required under paragraph 13(1) of Schedule 13 to the Terrorism Act 2000 in each of the last five years; what arrangements are in place for vetting those staff; how many changed staff were vetted; and on average how long each vetting took. [287674]
Paul Goggins: The Terrorism Act 2000 provisions fell in 2007 and were replaced by interim arrangements as set out in schedule 6 to the Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Act 2007. The information requested regarding changes to security staff is not readily available and could be compiled only at disproportionate cost.
Under the Terrorism Act 2000 arrangements, the Secretary of State took into account a range of information from differing sources to determine if a company should be issued with a security licence. It was not the practice to vet individual security staff under these arrangements.
Mr. Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many companies are licensed as private security companies in Northern Ireland under the provisions of paragraph 6 of schedule 13 to the Terrorism Act 2000; and how many individuals are recorded as employed in those companies. [287676]
Paul Goggins: There are no companies licensed as private security companies in Northern Ireland under the provisions of paragraph 6 of schedule 13 to the Terrorism Act 2000.
The Terrorism Act 2000 provisions fell in 2007 and were replaced by interim arrangements as set out in schedule 6 to the Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Act 2007.
Swine Flu: Prisoners
Mr. Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) whether any cases of swine influenza have been diagnosed in the Northern Ireland prison population; [287709]
(2) what contingency arrangements are in place to protect the health of staff in prisons in Northern Ireland in the event of cases of swine influenza among prisoners. [287710]
Paul Goggins: There have been no cases of swine influenza reported among prisoners or prison staff in Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS) is working in close partnership with the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, the Public Health Agency and other health service colleagues to prepare for a potential outbreak within the prison population.
Pandemic flu contingency plans have been developed and NIPS has a range of measures in place. The key objectives will be to minimise onward transmission of infection and maximise appropriate healthcare interventions.
Advice on infection control is being kept up to date throughout the prison estate and guidance for staff and prisoners has been issued. Infection control measures, including hand gel dispensers and enhanced cleaning regimes, are in place. All three NIPS establishments have been supplied with stocks of personal protection equipment (PPE) for both healthcare and operational staff, and training for staff with regard to PPE is underway. Stocks of antivirals have been issued to each establishment, as well as additional medications for managing the symptoms of swine flu, such as paracetamol, antibiotics and respiratory drugs.
Terrorism
Mr. Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent steps he has taken to ensure the safety of Northern Ireland politicians from threats to their personal safety from (a) dissident republicans and (b) loyalist groups. [287484]
Paul Goggins: Both the Chief Constable and I take seriously the security of all those in Northern Ireland considered to be at risk. In accordance with the state's article 2 obligations, protection is provided commensurate with the threat. I regularly discuss changes to the threat profile with my security advisers.
Mr. Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps his Department is taking to reduce the number of punishment shootings. [287485]
Paul Goggins: While the most recent Independent Monitoring Commission report confirms that the number of shooting casualties is down on the preceding six months period, my Department will continue to work with the PSNI and other agencies in an effort to reduce the level of such criminality.
Mr. Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people in Northern Ireland were convicted of offences relating to punishment shootings in the last 12 months. [287488]
Paul Goggins: The information is not available in the format requested. Conviction data are collated by offence, but there are no offences provided for by legislation that relate specifically to paramilitary-style shootings.
It is possible, however, to provide information on the number of casualties resulting from paramilitary-style shootings. In 2008-09, there were 20 such casualties, two of which were attributed to loyalists and 18 to republicans.
Mr. Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what steps are being taken to ensure the security and safety of community halls in Northern Ireland; [287490]
(2) how many attacks involving (a) petrol bombs, (b) blast bombs, (c) paint bombs and (d) pipe bombs there were in Northern Ireland in each month of the last five years; [287567]
(3) how many (a) petrol, (b) pipe, (c) blast and (d) paint bombs were recovered by the Police Service of Northern Ireland in each of last 12 months; [287572]
(4) how many members of dissident republican groups have been arrested in the last two years; [287573]
(5) how many people have been arrested for offences in connection with the activities of loyalist paramilitary groups in the last five years; [287574]
(6) how many people arrested for offences in connection with the activities of (a) dissident republican groups and (b) loyalist paramilitaries in the last 12 months had (i) a gun licence and (ii) licensed weapons at the time of arrest; [287575]
(7) how many legally-owned weapons have been confiscated in connection with (a) dissident republican and (b) loyalist paramilitary activities in the last 12 months; [287576]
(8) how many vehicles have been hijacked by (a) dissident republicans and (b) loyalist paramilitaries in each of the last 12 months; [287577]
(9) how many (a) attempted, (b) threatened and (c) completed attacks there have been by dissident republicans on police stations in Northern Ireland in each of the last 12 months; [287578]
(10) how many (a) attempted, (b) threatened and (c) completed attacks there have been by dissident republicans on schools in Northern Ireland in each of the last 12 months; [287579]
(11) how many (a) attempted, (b) threatened and (c) actual attacks there have been by dissident republicans on army bases in Northern Ireland in each of the last 12 months; [287580]
(12) how many barrack buster mortars have been recovered by the Police Service of Northern Ireland in the last five years; [287582]
(13) how many attacks by dissident republicans have involved barrack buster mortars in the last five years; [287583]
(14) how many video cameras have been seized by the Police Service of Northern Ireland from dissident republicans in the last 12 months; [287605]
(15) how many times (a) the Army and (b) the RAF have been asked to provide assistance to the Police Service of Northern Ireland in the last 12 months; [287615]
(16) how many police vehicles in Northern Ireland have been (a) damaged and (b) taken out of service due to criminal acts in each month of the last five years; and what the cost to the public purse has been; [287616]
(17) how many death threats were issued to former members of the (a) Police Service of Northern Ireland, (b) Royal Ulster Constabulary and (c) Ulster Defence Regiment by (i) dissident republicans and (ii) loyalist paramilitaries in each month of the last four years; [287626]
(18) what damage has been sustained by Land Rovers used by the Police Service of Northern Ireland whilst on patrol in Northern Ireland as a result of paramilitary activity in each of the last 12 months; [287629]
(19) what damage has been sustained by soft top vehicles used by the Police Service of Northern Ireland whilst on patrol in Northern Ireland as a result of paramilitary activity in each of the last 12 months; [287630]
(20) how many threats have been issued by (a) dissident republicans and (b) loyalist paramilitaries against off-duty members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland in the last 12 months; [287631]
(21) what recorded attempts have been made by (a) dissident republicans and (b) loyalist paramilitary groups to acquire weapons and munitions using legitimate gun licence holders in the last 12 months; [287632]
(22) how many threats have been issued by (a) dissident republicans and (b) loyalist paramilitary groups against named individuals (i) in the Police Service of Northern Ireland and (ii) not in the Police Service of Northern Ireland in each of the last 12 months; [287633]
(23) how many Police Service of Northern Ireland officers have been injured by paramilitary activity whilst on duty in each month of the last two years; [287636]
(24) how many times Police Service of Northern Ireland officers have come under (a) attack and (b) attempted attack from an explosive device whilst (i) on duty and (ii) off duty in the last 12 months; [287637]
(25) how many times in the last 12 months Police Service of Northern Ireland officers have come under gun fire whilst (a) on duty and (b) off duty; [287638]
(26) what percentage of calls answered by the Police Service of Northern Ireland related to counter-terrorism activities in the latest period for which figures are available; [287641]
(27) how many police dogs were (a) injured and (b) killed as a result of paramilitary activity in each month of the last five years; [287650]
(28) how many times Police Service of Northern Ireland officers (a) drew and (b) fired weapons in each month of the last five years; [287668]
(29) how many threats have been issued by (a) loyalist paramilitaries and (b) dissident republicans against former members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland in each of the last five years. [287679]
Paul Goggins: As these are operational matters for the Chief Constable, I have asked him to reply directly to the hon. Gentleman, and will arrange for a copy of his letters to be placed in the Library of the House.
Mr. Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his estimate is of the number of rocket launchers held by dissident republicans. [287584]
Paul Goggins: It would be inappropriate to comment on what are security and intelligence matters.
Mr. Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps have been taken to protect Police Service of Northern Ireland officers whilst they are off duty. [287634]
Paul Goggins: Both the Chief Constable and I take seriously the security of all those in Northern Ireland considered to be at risk. In accordance with the state's article 2 obligations, protection is provided commensurate with the threat. I regularly discuss changes to the threat profile with my security advisers.
Mr. Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his most recent estimate is of the number of individuals involved in (a) dissident republican activity and (b) loyalist paramilitary activity. [287642]
Paul Goggins: It would be inappropriate to comment on what are security and intelligence matters.
Mr. Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent representations he has received on paramilitary punishment shootings; and if he will make a statement. [287985]
Paul Goggins: Ministers receive representations relating to criminal activity, including punishment attacks, on a regular basis. Where offences have occurred they are actively investigated by the PSNI.
Weapons
Mr. Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many personal protection weapon applications which were refused in each month of the last five years were subject to (a) successful and (b) unsuccessful appeals against the refusal. [287619]
Paul Goggins: The following table indicates the number of appeals relating to PPWs that were allowed or refused in each month since January 2004. In March 2009 the decision was taken not to make any further decisions on appeals until the outcome of the PSNI's internal review was known. I am now considering those appeals that were suspended during that period.
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