HC Deb 31 March 2003 vol 402 c533W
Mr. Donaldson

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will ensure that there is a full investigation of the circumstances surrounding the murder of the son of Mr. David Wright that is fully compliant with Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights. [106064]

Jane Kennedy

The government does not believe that there is a continuing obligation upon it to hold a new, article 2 compliant investigation into a past incident where there has already been an investigation. This position is presently being challenged in the courts, but no final judgment has been reached.

However, the government is determined to get to the bottom of allegations of collusion once and for all. That is why, in May 2002, the British and Irish governments appointed the Canadian Judge Peter Cory to look at allegations into six high profile cases, including that of Billy Wright, with a view to advising what more needs to be done to establish the truth.

Numbers (wte) employed in cross border bodies as at 28 February 2003
Body Permanent Secondees Temporary Placements Total
The Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission 32 1 2 2 37
Waterways Ireland 299 2 15 316
The Trade and Business Development Body 35.6 1 36.6
The Special EU Programmes Body 27 3 30
The North/South Language Body 36 2 2 40
The Food Safety Promotion Board 20 1 5 1 27
Grand total 486.6

Staff costs in 2000–02
£
Body 20001 2001 2002
The Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission 776,772 868,930 864,062
Waterways Ireland 3,600,000 5,600,000 25,600,000
The Trade and Business Development Body 479,134 906,028 1,123,446
The Special EU Programmes Body 433,409 587,574 942,418
The North/South Language Body 1,158,516 1,232,190 1,325,374
The Food Safety Promotion Board 139,000' 319,000 471,000
1 Costs relating to 2000 cover the period 3 December 1999 to 31 December 2000.
2 Estimate.