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Lord Rooker: Equality-related consultations arising from Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 began after equality schemes were approved by the Equality Commission in 2001. Between 2001-02 and 2005-06, in the Office of the First
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In relation to whether and how groups respond to consultation, this information is not readily available in the form requested and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. However, the noble Lord may wish to note that for every equality-related consultation issued, officials record to whom consultations were issued, who responded and what was said. A summary of consultation responses is published (usually on the department’s website).
In relation to policy changes arising from consultation, when equality is mainstreamed effectively into decision-making throughout the policy development process, there may be no changes to the policy per se at a later stage.
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty’s Government:
Regarding Section 75 groups recognised by paragraphs 4 and 5 of Schedule 9 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998, how many consultations the Department for Employment and Learning in Northern Ireland has arranged in each year since 1999; what those consultations were; and what groups they consulted.[HL7558]
Lord Rooker: The Department for Employment and Learning has carried out a total of 39 consultations since 1999. A list of these consultations has been placed in the Library.
A current list of all people and organisations consulted in line with the department’s statutory equality duty has also been placed in the Library.
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
Regarding Section 75 groups recognised by paragraphs 4 and 5 of Schedule 9 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998, how many consultations the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety in Northern Ireland has arranged in each year since 1999; what those consultations were; and what groups they consulted; and [HL7636]
Regarding Section 75 groups recognised by paragraphs 4 and 5 of Schedule 9 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998, whether the groups consulted by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety in Northern Ireland responded to any consultation; to what extent and in what form they addressed equality of opportunity issues; and whether any suggestions were made leading to a change in proposed policies.[HL7637]
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Lord Rooker: As Section 75 did not come into force until 1 January 2000, the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety did not carry out any consultations under the terms of Section 75 before then.
The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety has not maintained a central comprehensive register with details of all consultations that have taken place with Section 75 groups since 1 January 2000. It is therefore not possible to provide a comprehensive Answer to these Questions without incurring disproportionate costs. However, records have been maintained showing that 20 equality impact assessments (EQIAs) have been carried out since January 2000 under Section 75. Details of these EQIAs can be found on the department’s website at www.dhsspsni.gov. uk/index/hss/equality/eq-completed-eqias.htm.
The groups consulted as part of the 20 EQIAs will have been drawn from the department’s consultation list which is updated on an ongoing basis. The current list has been placed in the Library.
While there is little evidence in the EQIA reports to indicate that the outcome of the consultations alone resulted in any significant changes to the 20 policies concerned, there are examples of the EQIA process having prompted changes and improvements to better promote equality of opportunity. Details, including examples, can be found at the department’s report of its five-year review of its equality scheme at www.d hsspsni.gov.uk/index/hss/equality/eq-section75/equality-review-of-equality-scheme.htm.
Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000: Maps
Lord Greaves asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the first review of the conclusive maps of access land in each area will commence before 10 years have elapsed from the date of issue of the maps; and whether the 10-year period within which the review must be undertaken is a target date for the commencement of the reviews or for their completion.[HL8101]
The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Rooker): We take the view that Section 10 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 means that a review must be completed not more than 10 years after the issue of the conclusive map that is being reviewed.
Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000: Section 26(4) Provisions
Lord Greaves asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether any advice has been provided under the provisions of Section 26(4) of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000; and, if so, whether the advice has been published.[HL8100]
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The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Rooker): English Nature—now Natural England—as the relevant advisory body for nature conservation purposes in England, has provided the relevant authorities with formal advice for sites of potential concern in the light of the introduction of the right of access under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. Natural England has not published this advice and is under no statutory duty to do so.
Crime: Alcohol and Drugs
Lord Roberts of Llandudno asked Her Majesty's Government:
How many people in each police authority area were convicted of alcohol and drug offences in
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The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal): Available information on drug convictions relate to persons found guilty at court and are given in the first tables. Population data for 1980 and 1985 are not available centrally.
Data on convictions for alcohol offences broken down by police force area are available from 1985 onwards. The available information is given in the second tables.
Data for 2004 has been provided instead of 2005; 2005 data will be available in late November.
| 2000 | 2004 | |||||
| Force | Defendants found guilty | Mid-year population figures | Percentage of population convicted | Defendants found guilty | Mid-year population figures | Percentage of population convicted |