§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will indicate the amount of capital allocated to each roads division within the Department of the Environment in Northern Ireland in each of the following years: 1980–81, 1981–82, 1982–83, 1983–84, 1985–86 and 1986–87.
§ Mr. NeedhamThe information is as follows:
contains a provision to enable courts in Northern Ireland to attach what are commonly known as "fourth conditions" to probation orders. Under this proposal a court may require attendance at a day centre or an activity centre for up to a maximum of 60 days. This provision and the reduction in the age for community service orders will bring Northern Ireland into line with existing law in England and Wales.
It is also proposed to amend the law relating to young offenders centres to enable a number of young person currently being held on remand in a prison or who have been given prison sentences of up to four years to be accommodated in a young offenders centre which is better suited to their needs.
Other proposals affecting the sentencing powers of courts in Northern Ireland include an amendment to the Children and Young Persons Act (NI) 1958 to enable a juvenile court both to try and to sentence a young person who pleads not guilty in a case where he is charged jointly with an adult who pleads guilty; a number of amendments to the law relating to attendance centre orders; the abolition of recorded sentences and their replacement with enhanced powers to suspend sentences; and an amendment to the existing power to defer sentences.
The order would also increase a number of penalties to bring Northern Ireland into line with Great Britain. It is proposed to increase the maximum penalty for cruelty to children from two years to 10 years; for indecent assault 281W on a female from two years to 10 years; and for attempted rape and assault with intent to commit rape from seven years to life imprisonment.