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Northern Ireland: Departmental Stationery
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the stationery used by each government department in Northern Ireland is printed in one, two or three languages; and, in each case where stationery is printed in two languages, whether this complies with the Belfast agreement of 1998. [HL2689]
The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (Lord Rooker): The approach taken in relation to the language or languages used on Northern Ireland departmental stationery varies but still follows the approach taken by each Northern Ireland Executive Minister during devolution.
This approach is currently being reviewed.
Northern Ireland: Dissident Republican Movement
Lord Maginnis of Drumglass asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will hold discussions with organisers of the British Council of Shopping Centres conference in Belfast and the Northern Ireland Festival of Racing at the Maze, concerning the dissident republican bomb threats which caused the abandonment of these two events; and whether any financial loss incurred in the incidents qualifies for compensation from the Northern Ireland Office. [HL2251]
The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (Lord Rooker): The Compensation Agency has operational responsibility for administration of the statutory compensation scheme under the Criminal Damage (Compensation) (Northern Ireland) Order 1977. This scheme provides compensation for malicious damage to property in Northern Ireland caused by terrorism or unlawful assemblies of three or more people; and for malicious damage to agricultural property. The prevailing legislation makes no provision for threats of damage.
The Compensation Agency therefore has no plans to meet the two bodies mentioned.
Lord Maginnis of Drumglass asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have received any specific assurances from Sinn Fein or the Irish Republican Army concerning their willingness to co-operate with the Police Service for Northern Ireland and the courts in dealing with the dissident republican movement. [HL2249]
The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (Lord Rooker):
There have been no specific assurances on co-operation with the Police Service for Northern Ireland and courts in dealing with the dissident republican movement or others from Sinn Fein or the IRA. However, the Government continue to press Sinn Fein at every opportunity about its full support for and participation in policing arrangements, including joining the policing board.
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Northern Ireland: Human Rights Commission and Equality Commission
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
By what criteria they judge merit when appointing members to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission and to the Equality Commission. [HL2546]
The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (Lord Rooker): In the recent competitions for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission and the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, the merit of candidates for appointment was judged by assessing them against the following criteria:
Commissioner applicants were assessed against four criteria. Chief commissioner applicants were assessed against these four and an additional two criteria.
The criteria applying for both chief commissioner and commissioner posts were: corporate focus; responsibility and accountability; judgment and strategic thinking; and specialist expertise.
The two additional criteria for chief commissioner applicants were leadership; and management in a challenging environment.
Commissioner applicants were assessed against four criteria. Chief commissioner applicants were assessed against these four and an additional two criteria.
The criteria applying for both chief commissioner and commissioner posts were: knowledge and expertise; corporate focus; judgment; and accountability.
The two additional criteria for chief commissioner applicants were leadership; and strategy and vision.
Northern Ireland: Northern Bank Robbery
Lord Maginnis of Drumglass asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the £26 million Northern Bank robbery is currently attributed to the Provisional Irish Republican Army. [HL2771]
The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (Lord Rooker): The chief constable has publicly stated that in his professional opinion, and based on the intelligence to hand, responsibility for the Northern Bank robbery must be attributed to the Provisional IRA. That is still his view.
The Government fully accept the chief constable's judgment which was further endorsed by the Independent Monitoring Commission in its report of 10 February 2005.
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Northern Ireland: Office of the Police Ombudsman
Lord Maginnis of Drumglass asked Her Majesty's Government:
What is their response to the resolution carried unanimously by the Police Federation for Northern Ireland at its 14 September Annual Conference expressing no confidence in the Office of the Police Ombudsman. [HL2216]
The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (Lord Rooker): The independent Office of the Police Ombudsman is an integral part of the policing arrangements in Northern Ireland: its work helps ensure that the community has a police service which operates to the highest standards.
The Government welcome the creation of the Joint Working Group set up between the staff associations and the Police Ombudsman's Office and encourage its use as a forum to discuss and explore matters of concern.
Northern Ireland: Police Ombudsman
Lord Maginnis of Drumglass asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Rooker on 30 June (WA 42), why the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland believes that it is inappropriate under Section 63 of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 1998 to disclose correspondence between the ombudsman and the Lord Chancellor; and [HL2253]
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Rooker on 30 June (WA 42), whether the purpose of Section 63 of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 1998 is to protect witnesses giving evidence to the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland or to prevent the disclosure of correspondence between the ombudsman and the Lord Chancellor. [HL2254]
The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (Lord Rooker): The Police (Northern Ireland) Act 1998 states that it is an offence under Section 63 for the ombudsman or an officer of the ombudsman to disclose any information received in respect of the ombudsman's function of investigating complaints. Consequently, in regard to the specific case raised previously by the noble Lord, the ombudsman advises that it would be unlawful to disclose information into the public domain because it would directly or indirectly impact on the individuals involved in these matters. This would include the two police officers and others linked to the investigation, not least a member of staff of the ombudsman's office. Where such information appears in correspondence, Section 63 also applies. The ombudsman may provide a summary, which protects the identity of a person from whom the information was received and, where necessary, the identity of the persons to whom the information relates. I understand that the police
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ombudsman wrote to the noble Lord on 18 April 2005 with a detailed explanation of the context and issues in relation to the matter as well as offering to meet with him to address any other concerns he may have. The ombudsman has again advised that she will meet the noble Lord to discuss the matter at a time and location suitable to him.
Northern Ireland: Sinn Fein and the Provisional Irish Republican Army
Lord Maginnis of Drumglass asked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the latest assessment by the security services and the International Monitoring Commission of the linkage between Sinn Fein and the Provisional Irish Republican Army. [HL2768]
The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (Lord Rooker): The Government have consistently maintained that Sinn Fein and the Provisional Irish Republican Army are inextricably linked.
The Independent Monitoring Commission stated in its report on 19 October 2005 that it is essential to be able to observe cumulative changes in behaviour from the Provisional IRA "over a more sustained period of time" but that the initial signs were encouraging.
The 8th report of the IMC will be published early next year and it would be inappropriate to pre-empt the commission's findings.
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