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Martin Sixsmith
The Earl of Northesk asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether the Strategic Communications Unit,
or any of its members, was involved in any
media briefings concerned with the resignation of
Mr Martin Sixsmith from his post in the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions.[HL3037]
The Minister for the Cabinet Office and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Lord Macdonald of Tradeston): No.
Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they have received representations from the Government of the Irish Republic supporting the Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman; what was the nature of these representations; by whom were they made; and what was the response.[HL3002]
The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Williams of Mostyn): No formal representations have been received from the Government of the Irish Republic supporting the Police Ombudsman.
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What arrangements they are making to train the Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman and her staff in the skills required to write clear, concise and consistent reports.[HL3100]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: The arrangements for the training of staff in the Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman's office are entirely a matter for that office.
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What is the annual budget for the office of the Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman.[HL3101]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: The annual budget for the office of the Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman for financial year 2001–02 is £5,815K.
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What redress members of the police in Northern Ireland should have when accused of offences by the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland and which subsequently prove to be incorrect.[HL3168]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: The police ombudsman does not have the power to accuse police officers of committing offences. The decision as to the substance of a case investigated by the police ombudsman is for the Director of Public Prosecutions to decide. Common law provides for civil action to be taken by those who believe they have been wrongly prosecuted.
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether the office of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland can be cited in libel actions.[HL3169]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: The police ombudsman can be cited in libel actions. However in relation to defamatory material published in the course of her duties, the police ombudsman has the benefit of qualified privilege, which means that any action against her would only succeed if malice could be proved.
Northern Ireland: Appointments
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- In which areas of public appointment in Northern Ireland the Government of the Irish Republic is consulted.[HL3103]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: I refer the noble Lord to Lord Falconer of Thoroton's Answer of 30 November 2000 (Official Report, col. WA 161).
Northern Ireland: Policing
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- How many people were on the establishment of the Royal Ulster Constabulary and on the Police Service of Northern Ireland on 1 January from each year from 1994 to date.[HL3165]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: The manpower figures for the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the Police Service of Northern Ireland on 1 January of each year from 1994 to date are as follows:
| Year | Regular Strength | Full-time Reserve Strength | Part-time Reserve Strength |
| 1994 | 8,469 | 3,184 | 1,388 |
| 1995 | 8,499 | 3,199 | 1,488 |
| 1996 | 8,424 | 3,101 | 1,582 |
| 1997 | 8,430 | 2,929 | 1,473 |
| 1998 | 8,495 | 2,982 | 1,323 |
| 1999 | 8,465 | 2,936 | 1,235 |
| 2000 | 8,521 | 2,718 | 1,170 |
| 2001 | 8,349 | 2,551 | 1,095 |
| 2002(2) | 7,126 | 2,237 | 1,021 |
(2) Figures for 2002 do not include trainees.
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
Lord Williams of Mostyn: The Government have made no representations to the Government of Ireland to seek an independent inquiry into the police investigation of the Omagh bomb in 1998. The Government are satisfied that the Government of Ireland and an Garda Siochána wholeheartedly share our objective of bringing to justice the perpetrators of this terrible atrocity.
Lord Rogan asked Her Majesty's Government:
Lord Williams of Mostyn: There have been five major pieces of such legislation. Information on the more minor legislation is not available in the form requested.
Lord Roberts of Conwy asked Her Majesty's Government:
Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton: Since devolution on 1 July 1999 and the establishment of the National Assembly for Wales and the Wales Office, staffing for the Wales Office has increased from 38 to 44 1 . The increase in staffing costs has been £406,000 in cash terms and £389,000 in constant terms (as measured by the GDP deflator at market prices) 2 .
Equivalent figures for the National Assembly for Wales are a matter for the Welsh Assembly Government.
Whether they have made representations to the Government of the Irish Republic to seek an independent inquiry into the police investigation of the Omagh bomb of 1998; and, if not, why not.[HL3292]
What is the total number of separate pieces of legislation relating to education at secondary and primary level in Northern Ireland passed by Parliament from 1989 until education became a devolved matter.[HL3367]
What has been the increase in staffing numbers at the Wales Office, including the National Assembly for Wales, since the dissolution of the Welsh Office; and what has been the increase in staffing costs in cash and constant terms over the same period.[HL2799]
1 The figures are shown on a staff-year basis and include the number of special advisers and overtime calculated on a staff year full-time equivalent. The figure for 1999–2000 has been calculated pro rata because the Wales Office was in existence only for three-quarters of that year
(1 July 1999 to 31 March 2000). The figure for this year so far has also been calculated pro rata.
2 The figures for this year so far include the costs up to and including February 2002 and are calculated pro rata.
25 Mar 2002 : Column WA29
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