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Gender Equality Strategy

Baroness Amos: My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has made the following Ministerial Statement.

I wish to advise the House that on 14 August 2004, I will announce a public consultation exercise in respect of a proposed gender equality strategy, the Government's high-level policy for tackling gender inequalities in Northern Ireland.

This consultation follows our fulfilment of a commitment given by the previous Northern Ireland Executive, in its Programme for Government (2001–04) to bringing forward and implementing a cross-departmental strategy to tackle gender inequalities.

Copies of the Consultation Paper Gender Matters—Towards a Cross Departmental Strategic Framework to Promote Gender Equality for Women and Men 2005–2015 have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
 
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Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland: Corporate Plan and Business Plans

Baroness Amos: My honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has made the following Ministerial Statement.

I have today arranged for the Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland corporate plan 2004–07 and business plan 2004–05 document to be placed in the House Libraries. This document will also be made available on the Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland website at www.osni.gov.uk.

Invest Northern Ireland: Annual Report and Accounts 2002–03

Baroness Amos: My honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State has made the following Ministerial Statement.

The annual report and accounts of Invest Northern Ireland for the financial year ending 31 March 2003 were deposited in the Libraries of the House today.

Youth Council for Northern Ireland: Accounts 2001–02

Baroness Amos: My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has made the following Ministerial Statement.

The 2001–02 accounts of the Youth Council for Northern Ireland were deposited in the Libraries of both Houses on 21 July 2004.

Northern Ireland: Insolvency Service Annual Report and Accounts 2002–03

Baroness Amos: My honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has made the following Ministerial Statement.

In accordance with Articles 372 and 358(4) of the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 copies of the Insolvency Service annual report and accounts for year ending 31 March 2003 have been placed in the Libraries of the House today.

Tourism Ireland

Baroness Amos: I have today placed in the Library papers relating to decisions that have been taken during the period 1 October 2003 to 5 July 2004 which relate to the North/South Implementation Bodies and Tourism Ireland Ltd under the terms of the Exchange of Notes of 19 November 2002 (Cmnd 5708).
 
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Military Low Flying

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Bach): My honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Mr Ivor Caplin) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.

The amount of low flying training carried out in the UK low flying system (UKLFS) during the training year April 2003 to March 2004 was the minimum required for aircrew to reach and maintain their ability to fly at low level. The number of low flying training hours booked in the UKLFS (excluding the rotary wing dedicated user areas, where different booking arrangements apply) decreased by 1,996 hours, in comparison with the previous training year.

We are committed to ensuring that low flying training is spread as widely as is practically possible across the UK so that no single area is too burdened. However, due to a variety of reasons, population distribution and geographical and climate restrictions, it is unavoidable that some areas of the country may experience more activity than others.

I have today placed in the Library of the House a report giving a detailed account of the low flying training that has taken place in the UK low flying system for the training year April 2003 to March 2004. The report is also available on the MoD website: www.mod.uk/issues/lowflying.

Defence Housing Overseas

Lord Bach: My honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Mr Ivor Caplin) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.

Last year, the Ministry of Defence carried out a business process review of the management and delivery of defence housing. The review recommended merger between Defence Estates and the Defence Housing Executive, the agency responsible for the management and delivery of defence family housing in Great Britain but not in Northern Ireland or abroad. As phase 2 of the study, following the above merger, a further review is being undertaken of the management and delivery of family housing for UK forces overseas and in Northern Ireland.

The aim of the review is to examine the function, role, operation, funding and organisation of defence housing in Northern Ireland and overseas. It will seek to identify the most efficient and effective process to support the management and delivery of defence housing in those areas.

The review team will consult with a range of stakeholders during the course of the review including single-Service customers, trade unions, other government departments and other relevant bodies. The Ministry of Defence is interested also to hear the views of other organisations or individuals who would like to make a contribution to the review. Those
 
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wishing to do so should send their contribution by 31 August 2004 to:

Review Team for the Management and Delivery of Defence Housing Overseas Ministry of Defence Directorate of Management and Consultancy Services Main Building Whitehall SW1A 2HB

Or by e-mail to [e-mail].

I will advise Parliament of the outcome of this consultation and of any final decisions that are reached.

Duke of York's Royal Military School: Key Targets 2004–05

Lord Bach: My honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Mr Ivor Caplin) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.

The following key targets have been set for the Duke of York's Royal Military School for financial year 2004–05.

1. To achieve an average GCSE points score per 15 year-old pupil of 61.

2. To achieve 90 per cent of 15 year-old pupils gaining five or more passes graded A* to C at GCSE.

3. To achieve 30 per cent of GCSE passes at grades A* or A.

4. To achieve an average GCE points score per candidate of 268.

5. To achieve 35 per cent of GCE passes at grades A or B.

6. To achieve a pupil per capita cost of no more than £13,545.

7. To generate income of at least £800,000.

8. To achieve at least 310 applications for September 2004 intake.

Armed Forces' Pay Review Body

Lord Bach: My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Defence (Mr Geoffrey Hoon) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.

I am pleased to announce that I have reappointed Dr Anne Wright as a member of the Armed Forces' Pay Review Body for a second three-year term, commencing March 2005. This appointment has been conducted in accordance with the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments' guidance on appointments to public bodies.
 
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