HC Deb 18 February 1993 vol 219 cc333-4W
Mr. Trimble

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the certificates that have been issued by him under section 42 of the Fair Employment Act 1976 in the past 10 years, indicating the person or body the certificate related to and whether the certificate was issued on the ground of (a) national security, (b) public safety or (c) public order.

Mr. Atkins

In the past 10 years 18 section 42 certificates have been signed by or on behalf of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

Seven cases involved either the Northern Ireland Office or Northern Ireland Departments while the other 11 involved public bodies in Northern Ireland.

Information on the ground on which each certificate was issued is not available in the form requested.

Mr. Trimble

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons have received advice from the Fair Employment Commission under section 29(1) of the Fair Employment Act 1976.

Mr. Atkins

A total of 2,041 from 1 January 1990 until 31 January 1993.

Mr. Trimble

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons have been refused assistance under section 29(2) of the Fair Employment Act 1976 by the Fair Employment Commission, showing in each case the perceived religious affiliation of those refused and the grounds on which assistance was refused.

Mr. Atkins

During the period 1 January 1990 until 31 January 1993 assistance or further assistance under section 29(2) has been refusesd to 47 persons, of whom 33 were Roman Catholic and 14 were Protestant. Assistance was refused where (i) the investigation of the complaint had revealed no sustainable case, (ii) assistance to pursue the complaint would have conflicted with the commission's statutory functions, (iii) the complainant failed to co-operate or keep in contact with the commission or (iv) the complainant had approached the commission at such an advanced stage that the giving of assistance was impracticable. It is not appropriate to state the grounds on which such refusal was based in individual instances.

Mr. Trimble

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons have received assistance from the Fair Employment Commission under section 29(2) of the Fair Employment Act 1976.

Mr. Atkins

A total of 768 from 1 January 1990 until 31 January 1993.