§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list for each departmental policy review presently in progress or scheduled,(a) a description of the purpose of the review and (b) its expected date of completion. [10183]
§ Mr. Paul Murphy[holding answer 22 July 1997]: Departments carry out policy reviews on a continuous basis.
Major reviews currently in progress are as follows:
The Training and Employment Agency is reviewing its objectives and measures aimed at assisting the long-term unemployed back to work. Results are expected by the autumn.The Department of Education (NI) is conducting a policy review of the Youth Service which will make recommendations for its future development. The report is expected by end-December 1998.The Department of Education (NI) is conducting a review of school discipline to produce a strategy for the promotion and maintenance of good behaviour in schools. This will be published by Christmas 1997.The Northern Ireland Office is carrying out a review of the Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 to assess whether it remains relevant, effective and proportionate to the level of public safety demanded by society today and the reasonable expectations of the shooting community and firearms trade. Completion is expected in October 1997.