Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many dwellings have been purchased by his Department for the use of civil servants in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years; what was the total cost; what was the average price; what were the minimum and maximum prices; how these prices compare with the average for Northern Ireland houses; what are the rents being paid; what are the economic rents; who pays the rates; and of the occupants, how many came from Northern Ireland and how many from Great Britain.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThe quarters provided in accordance with normal Civil Service conditions, for officials of my Department who are serving on detached duty in Northern Ireland are purchased by, and remain the property of, the Department of the Environment. As is usual for Government-owned property, a contribution in lieu of rates is paid by the Treasury Valuer.
It would be contrary to the public interest and the safety of officers concerned to publish further details.
Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether any civil servants in Northern Ireland have a police guard at their homes.
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§ Mr. Merlyn ReesIt would not be in the interests of security to publicise what measures the police take in the course of their duty to maintain law and order for the protection of any individual members of the community.
Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many posts, and at what levels in the Civil Service, in Northern Ireland are held by persons who transferred or were transferred there in the last four years.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesWithin my Department there are at present about 60 United Kingdom Civil Service posts in Northern Ireland, in a variety of Civil Service grades, filled by civil servants who have previously served elsewhere in the United Kingdom. As regards other United Kingdom Departments, this is a matter for my right hon. Friends concerned.
Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many of the civil servants transferred to Northern Ireland from Great Britain in the last four years were based outside Belfast: and where they are or were based.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesWithin my Department, none. Transfers of civil servants in other United Kingdom Departments and the location of their posts are the responsibility of my right hon. Friends concerned.