6. Mr. Michael Jabez FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on what steps are being taken to tackle organised crime in Northern Ireland. [145479]
§ 10. Mr. GapesTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on steps he is taking to prevent criminals from profiting from unlawful activities in Northern Ireland. [145483]
§ Mr. IngramOn 25 September, the Secretary of State announced the establishment of a multi -agency task force in Northern Ireland to tackle organised crime. The task force and its subgroups continue to meet to prepare a640W Northern Ireland organised crime strategy for 2001–02. I should also mention that the police and other agencies in Northern Ireland continue with successful operations against organised criminals. In answer to a question on 20 December, I gave just two examples. Customs and Excise had seized 45 million illegal cigarettes in the first three quarters of this financial year; and had closed 13 fuel plants, thereby preventing some 40 million litres of illicit fuel entering the Northern Ireland economy.
§ 8. Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the Government's policy is for reducing violent crime in Northern Ireland. [145481]
§ Mr. IngramThe Government have set a specific target within the current policing plan for 2000–01 to achieve a detection rate for violent crimes of at least 50 per cent. Provisional figures for the period April 2000 to September 2000 indicate a clearance rate of 53.6 per cent.