HC Deb 19 July 1995 vol 263 cc1384-5W
Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on progress with the European special assistance package for Northern Ireland. [35002]

Sir John Wheeler

A draft programme under the European initiative for peace and reconciliation was jointly submitted by the United Kingdom and the Irish authorities on 9 June. Negotiations on the details of the programme are continuing with the European Commission with a view to its early adoption.

Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the changes in expenditure on superannuation and other allowances in the Department of Finance and Personnel; and if he will make a statement on anticipated future changes in expenditure. [35001]

Sir John Wheeler

Expenditure by the Department of Finance and Personnel on superannuation and other allowances includes expenditure on (i) pensions, lump sums and gratuities and ii) redundancy and early retirement costs to former civil servants and other members of the principal civil service pension scheme (Northern Ireland). Expenditure on item (i) is largely offset by income consisting of contributions from employing organisations—including Northern Ireland Departments and the Northern Ireland Office—and individuals. Expenditure on item (ii) fluctuates in line with the need of redundancies and, during the financial years 1993–94 and 1994–95, major redundancy programmes were implemented across the Northern Ireland civil service. It is likely that further redundancy schemes will be required in the present and future financial years.

Mr. Robathan

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the prior options study of the Northern Ireland Statistics, Census Office and General Register Office was completed; and what has been the outcome of the study. [36551]

Sir Patrick Mayhew

On 18 January my right hon. Friend the Member for Westminster, North (Sir J. Wheeler) announced that the Statistics, Census Office and General Register Office functions of the Statistics and Social Division of the Department of Finance and Personnel would be subject to a prior options study. That study is now complete and I have decided that the statistics and social division of DFP should become a next steps agency and that preparations for its launch should proceed with a view to agentisation by 1 April 1996.