§ Mr. Archerasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the latest available figures on the numbers of men and women in Northern Ireland who are contracted out of the state earnings related pension scheme; and what proportion they form of the total number of employed men and women in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. NeedhamThe latest available figures are those for the tax year ended 5 April 1983 and are as follows:
Contracted out Percentage of total number employed Men 146,165 49.60 Women 82,405 38.27
§ Sir John Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will now specify the benefits obtained from the Anglo-Irish agreement in the campaign against terrorism.
§ Mr. Scott[pursuant to his reply, 21 April 1986]: The Irish Government have signed the European convention on the suppression of terrorism. The Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the Commissioner of the Garda Siochana are making good progress in their programme of work to improve security co-ordination, and my right hon. Friend expects a report soon.