HC Deb 21 May 1985 vol 79 cc394-7W
Mr. Eggar

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many departmental committees of inquiry he and his predecessors have established since 1972; and what were the subjects the committees investigated, the dates they were established, who chaired them and the dates they reported.

Mr. Hurd

The available information for the Northern Ireland Office and Northern Ireland Departments is as follows:

Title of Report or Subject Matter Date Established Chairman Date Committee Reported
Report of a Committee to Review the Principles and Operations of the Criminal Injuries to Property (Compensation) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971 November 1975 Sir James Waddell CB 30 July 1976
Adoption of Children in Northern Ireland—Report of the Children and Young Persons Review Group 9 January 1976 Sir Harold Black (d. January 1981)

N. Dugdale (January 1981–)

16 June 1982
Legislation and Services for Children and Young Persons in Northern Ireland—Report of the Childrens and Young Persons Review Group 9 January 1976 Sir Harold Black 12 December 1979
Report on the present and projected financial position of the Northern Ireland Electricity Service 25 March 1976 Mr. G. T. Shepherd 4 June 1976
Rate liability of bodies providing facilities for sport, recreation and community activities in Northern Ireland (Title—"Report of the Lawrence Committee") 14 September 1976 Prof. R. J. Lawrence 1978
Report and Recommendations of the Road Accident Study Group November 1976 Mr. James Hughes 1 July 1977
Report of the Working Party on Alternative Transfer Arrangements November 1976 Mr. A. C. Brooke 1977
Opportunities at Sixteen 1977 Mr. Derek Birley 1978
Report of the Working Party on Voluntary Schools 1977 Dr. J. M. Benn 1979
Report of Working Party on Regional Museums in Northern Ireland May 1977 Mr. W. O. Malcolm 11 May 1978
Review of Rural Planning Policy 30 May 1977 Dr. W. H. Cockcroft MA D. Phil. FIMA 10 March 1978
Reports of the Working Party on Administrative and Legislative Aspects of Reorganisation of Secondary Education on Preparatory and Boarding Departments, Staffing of Secondary Schools and In-Service Training June 1977 Dr. R. J. Dickson 1979
Report of the Working Party on the Management of Schools in Northern Ireland June 1977 Professor A. E. Astin 1979
Committee of Inquiry on the Police (HO; NIO; Scottish Office). The structure and role of police staff associations August 1977; Reappointed (as Committee of Inquiry) December 1977 Lord Edmund-Davies July 1979
Committee of Inquiry on the Police (HO; NIO; Scottish Office). Reports on negotiating machinery and pay August 1977; Reappointed (as Committee of Inquiry) December 1977 Lord Edmund-Davies July 1978
Report of the Inter-Departmental Review Body on Intoxicating Liquor Licensing in Northern Ireland 30 August 1977 Mr. R. H. A. Blackburn 1 November 1978
Report of the Working Party on Social Priority Schools March 1978 Mr. Gordon D. Macintyre 1980
The Investigatory Commission into Northern Ireland Housing Executive Contracts 22 March 1978 His Honour Judge R. T. Rowland QC 5 April 1979
Committee of Inquiry into police interrogation procedures in Northern Ireland: Report June 1978 Judge H. G. Bennett QC 16 February 1979
Northern Ireland Review Committee on Mental Health Legislation 8 September 1978 Mr. Justice MacDermott 6 October 1981
The Future of Higher Education in Northern Ireland—the Report of the Higher Education Review Group for Northern Ireland December 1978 Sir Henry Chilver a. Interim Report —The Future Structure of Teacher Education in Northern Ireland— published in May 1980
b. Final Report made to Minister and published in January 1982
Railway Accident January 1979 Major C. B. Holden 13 March 1981
Committee of Inquiry into Angling in Northern Ireland 15 March 1979 Professor R. D. C. Black 23 March 1981
Railway Accident February 1981 Mr. G. J. Lewis 14 September 1982
Report of the Working Group on Professional Studies and Professional Development in Teacher Training in Northern Ireland September 1981 Mr. I. H. N. Wallace January 1983
Railway Accident October 1981 Mr. G. J. Lewis 3 June 1982
Committee of Inquiry into Children's Homes and Young Persons' Hostels 15 January 1982 Mr. Stephen McGonagle Committee disbanded by the Secretary of State on 18 February 1982
Museums and Galleries Commission—Review of Museums and related Services in Northern Ireland 28 January 1983 Professor B. Morris 18 October 1983
Railway Accident March 1983 Major C. B. Holden 17 April 1985
Advanced Further Education Courses in Londonderry—the Report of a Review Group March 1983 Mr. T. Cowan November 1983
Review of the operation of the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1978 8 April 1983 Sir George Baker 15 March 1984

Title of Report or Subject Matter Date Established Chairman Date Committee Reported
Report of an Inquiry by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons into the security arrangements at HM Prison Maze relative to the escape on Sunday 25 September 1983, including relevant recommendations for the improvements of security at HM Prison Maze September 1983 Sir James Hennessy 26 January 1984
Report of the Committee on Professional Legal Studies September 1983 Professor P. M. Bromley 19 April 1985
Joint Working Group on Homelessness 25 November 1983 Mr. R. C. Martin 10 August 1984
Committee of Inquiry into the Regional Medical Cardiology Centre at the Royal Victoria Hospital 20 January 1984 Mr. J. M. Benn, CB, MA, LLD 28 June 1984
Committee of Inquiry into Children's Homes and Hostels 21 March 1984 Judge William Hughes Committee still functioning
Working Party set up to consider how best to ensure a closer working relationship between the Ulster Museum and the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum and to make recommendations on the harmonisation of the various functions performed by them 20 October 1984 Miss C. Macmahon Report not yet available

Note: total number 49.