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Drivers: Speed Cameras
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
How many speed cameras are in operation in Northern Ireland; and whether they have any plans to introduce more such cameras. [HL5397]
The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (Lord Rooker): The PSNI presently have four fixed safety cameras in operation, all of which are located in the greater Belfast area. It also has eight mobile speed detection cameras, which are a regional resource and are deployed at identified sites across Northern Ireland where there is a history of injury collisions and evidence of speeding.
The PSNI is committed to ensuring the safety of Northern Ireland roads for all sections of the community and as a result of the success of the introduction of the fixed safety cameras in the Belfast area, it has purchased and commenced the installation of a new style of fixed camera system, which measures motorists' average speed over greater distances, at two locations on the A1 road to the north and south of Newry city.
10 May 2006 : Column WA135
Further routes will continue to be examined with a view to deploying additional fixed cameras on routes where the reduction of serious casualties can be maximised in future.
Dyslexia
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (Lord Rooker): The requested information is not available. However, 1 per cent of children at schools in Northern Ireland in 2005–06 are recorded as being dyslexic.
Education: Northern Ireland Post-primary Provision
Lord Rana asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will recall the Northern Ireland Assembly or its Education Committee to consider the current proposals to reform post-primary education in response to concerns expressed over the restructuring. [HL4632]
The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (Lord Rooker): The Government recognise that direct rule is second best and will continue to work toward restoration at the earliest opportunity. However, the Government believe that it is inappropriate to allow this to affect the implementation of vital social reforms.
The review of post-primary education has been going on for more than five years. There has been extensive consultation on the key elements of the reform package and we must proceed to implement the changes and end the uncertainty for pupils and parents.
Energy Efficiency: Railways
Lord Tanlaw asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have assessed how much carbon emission and electricity would be saved if Network Rail and London Underground Limited were to replace steel conductor rail with aluminium equivalent. [HL5422]
Lord Davies of Oldham: The Government have not made such an assessment.
Firearms: Consultation
Lord Mancroft asked Her Majesty's Government:
Why the publication of the response to the Home Office 2004 consultation paper, Controls on Firearms, has been delayed. [HL5041]
The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal): We received a very large response to the consultation—around 4,500 submissions. They have all been read and analysed and a summary is being prepared which will be published in due course. We will consider how and when to establish the firearms advisory committee once we have determined how we want to proceed with the review of firearms controls. The last meeting of the Firearms Consultative Committee was held on 14 January 2004.
Gabon: Wild Animals
Lord Jones of Cheltenham asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will make representations to the Government of Gabon regarding the treatment of gorillas and other captive wild animals in that country. [HL5583]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Triesman): Gabon, along with the UK and all great ape range states, is a partner to the UN environment programme/UN educational, scientific and cultural organisation great apes survival project partnership. This project aims to bring worldwide attention to the great ape crisis, raise funds for conservation and develop a global strategy for conserving great ape populations.
We welcome the establishment of 13 national parks throughout Gabon but are concerned about the treatment of captive great apes and other wild animals in Gabon and would encourage the Government to ensure conditions are improved.
There is no resident UK mission in Libreville, so our main engagement in-country, including on sustainable development, is through EU partners.
Lord Jones of Cheltenham asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will make representations to the Government of France regarding the alleged use of wild animals in experiments carried out by French military forces in Gabon. [HL5584]
Lord Triesman: France has strict rules and regulations on the use of wild animals in experiments and we are not aware of the French military forces in Gabon abusing them.
Government Departments: IT Services
Baroness Byford asked Her Majesty's Government:
Which information technology service companies are providing major services to central government departments; and which departments each such company is serving. [HL5490]
Lord McKenzie of Luton: Reliable information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Immigration: Reception and Detention Centres
Lord Ouseley asked Her Majesty's Government:
How many complaints were made during 2003 to 2005 involving allegations of racism or inappropriate behaviour against staff at immigration reception and detention centres; and what was the nature of each complaint. [HL5470]
The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal): The total number of complaints of racism and inappropriate behaviour made against all contracted staff, including those employed in reception and removal centres can be found in the Complaints Audit Committee reports on the Immigration and Nationality Directorate website. However, information on the nature of each allegation made against reception and removal centre employees is not readily available except on examination of Immigration and Nationality Directorate case files at disproportionate cost.
Irish Language Agency
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have agreed that part of the Irish Language Agency should move to County Donegal; if so, when they agreed this; by what procedure; and after what consultation. [HL5395]
The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (Lord Rooker): At their meeting in Belfast on 6 March 2006 with the board chairperson and chief executive of Foras na Gaeilge, British and Irish Ministers agreed in principle, subject to the approval of the North/South Ministerial Council, that 30 Foras na Gaeilge staff posts should be located in Gweedore, County Donegal. The board of Foras na Gaeilge is to bring forward further proposals relating to the precise sections and functions to be located there.
Regarding consultations I have nothing further to add to the Answers I gave the noble Lord on 10 October 2005 (WA 41), 17 November 2005 (WA 158) and 30 November 2005 (WA 41).
Local Government: Northern Ireland
Lord Maginnis of Drumglass asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the Comptroller and Auditor-General for Northern Ireland and the Audit Commission have been asked to examine the financial feasibility of current proposals to create seven councils in a re-structuring of local government in Northern Ireland; and, if so, what were the results of this examination. [HL5382]
The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (Lord Rooker): No such request has been made. It is not the function of the Comptroller and Auditor-General for Northern Ireland nor the Local Government Auditor (who is responsible for local government audit in Northern Ireland) to comment on or be involved in policy development.
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