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Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether members of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission were involved in canvassing the Prime Minister of the Irish Republic to ensure that only members of the Roman Catholic faith are permitted to hold school teaching posts in church schools throughout Ireland; if so, who; and whether such activities would be appropriate for a human rights commissioner.[HL506]
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The appropriateness of commissioners' activities, within the context of the commission's own code of conduct, is a matter for the
commission itself. The Chief Commissioner has been asked to write to the noble Lord. A copy of his letter will be placed in the Library.Disqualifications Act 2000: Irish Government Support
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- On which dates the Government of the Irish Republic indicated its support for the Disqualifications Act 2000. [HL508]
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: I refer the noble Lord to the Answer I gave on 21 December (Hansard, col. WA 87).
RUC Widows' Compensation Payments: Tax
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they will ensure that extra compensation to be paid to Royal Ulster Constabulary widows as a result of a report from Mr John Steele is not subject to any form of tax upon payment. [HL533]
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: John Steele's report into the Patten Commission's recommendation for a new police fund was published in November.
John Steele proposed the payment of lump sums to pre-25 November 1982 widows whose husbands had been killed as a result of terrorism. This proposal was accepted by the Government and we have been working to implement it by April 2001. As John Steele noted in his report (paragraph 42) there are complicated tax issues to be considered and we are looking at these with the Inland Revenue.
Northern Ireland Security Policy: South Armagh Watch Towers
Lord Vivian asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What new factors have been taken into account in assessing the future of the South Armagh watch towers. [HL542]
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The Secretary of State receives regular briefings on security matters from the Chief Constable and his security advisors. We are committed to the normalisation of security arrangements in Northern Ireland as quickly as the threat allows.
It remains the position that the future of the South Armagh watch towers will depend on the ongoing assessment of the threat.
Lord Vivian asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether the Royal Ulster Constabularly, Army and security organisations have agreed that the South Armagh watch towers may be dismantled; and what are their new reasons for dismantling them now when they were opposed to their removal a few months ago. [HL543]
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: Historically, South Armagh has been a very dangerous area for the security forces. The towers helped to reduce that risk considerably and it is only when that danger disappears or is reduced to a minimal level that significant movement can be made in this area.
We do want to see the removal of all the special security measures in South Armagh in due course. This must however be assessed against the threat posed.
Any change to the current security force infrastructure in South Armagh will depend on the ongoing assessment of the threat. We will not take risks with the lives of the people of Northern Ireland and we will take further measures only when it is safe to do so.
Lord Vivian asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they intend to dismantle any of the South Armagh watch towers; and if so, how many. [HL544]
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: Security force commanders continually review the situation at these and other installations both to see where changes can be made and to ensure that continuing requirements are justified.
The Government's position remains consistent and clear. Any change to the current security force profile in South Armagh will depend on the ongoing assessment of the threat.
A specific level of security must be retained and at present this includes the towers in South Armagh.
Farmers: Suicides
Lord Lloyd-Webber asked Her Majesty's Government:
- How many deaths by suicide recorded in the United Kingdom during the past 18 months have been by farmers and others closely associated with agriculture.[HL625]
The Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, (Baroness Hayman): The number of suicides and deaths in England and Wales from undetermined injury between 1988-1999 (the latest period for which figures are available) is set out in the table shown. Figures for Northern Ireland and Scotland are a matter for the devolved administrations.
| Year of occurrence | Farmers, Horticulturists and Farm Managers | Farm Workers |
| 1988 | 60 | 30 |
| 1989 | 45 | 27 |
| 1990 | 49 | 27 |
| 1991 | 54 | 23 |
| 1992 | 47 | 25 |
| 1993 | 50 | 28 |
| 1994 | 44 | 23 |
| 1995 | 41 | 16 |
| 1996 | 36 | 29 |
| 1997 | 42 | 17 |
| 1998 | 54 | 18 |
| 1999 | 51 | 19 |
Source: ONS.
Baroness Byford asked Her Majesty's Government:
Baroness Hayman: In respect of payments under the Arable Area Payments Scheme for the 2000 harvest, EU Regulations require that payments for crops, other than non-food crops grown on set-aside land, are made by 31 January following harvest. At that date some 3 per cent by number and 1.98 per cent by value of claims remained outstanding. Payments for the majority are expected to be made in the first two weeks of February.
What proportion of Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) payments, by number and by value, has not yet reached the farmers for whom they were intended.[HL637]
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