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North Down’s MP, Lady Hermon, has sought and obtained assurances from the Government that the local Assets Recovery Agency (ARA) budget will not be drained of much-needed resources as a result of the merger of the Agency with the Serious Organised Crime Agency.

Speaking in the House of Commons, the Ulster Unionist MP asked Security Minister Paul Goggins for “an absolute assurance that the transitional costs of merging SOCA with the Assets Recovery Agency will be taken as additional funding from the Home Office rather than out of the budgets of the Agency and SOCA, because those budgets should be used to fight crime, not to cover this merger.”

In response, Mr Goggins confirmed that: “All the costs related to the merger of the two agencies will be borne by the Home Office, which is the parent Department for the new agency.”

This assurance is the latest step in the North Down MP’s efforts to protect the assets recovery budget in Northern Ireland.  It follows on from her recent meeting with Home Secretary John Reid about this issue.  She has described this latest development as “greatly to be welcomed in the ongoing fight against organised crime.”

Ulster Unionist MP, Lady Hermon, has described as ‘pathetic’ figures revealing the conviction rate for those caught vandalising Northern Ireland’s transport network.

Speaking from her North Down Constituency Office, she said: “Nothing excuses assaulting Translink staff simply for doing their job and nothing excuses causing criminal damage to public property.  Since Translink provides such essential public services though its buses and trains, it’s an absolute disgrace that its staff and its property are treated in such a reprehensible manner.

The conviction rate for transport vandals is pathetic, to put it mildly, and I’m astounded the PSNI has not been much more rigorous in tackling this serious problem.  So I’ll certainly be demanding that the police together with Translink adopt a zero tolerance approach towards vandalism and assaults.  The immediate extension of CCTV provision to all Translink property would clearly be a step in the right direction.”

Ulster Unionist MP, Lady Hermon, has supported Macmillan Cancer Relief’s call for cancer sufferers to be given assistance with travel costs to and from hospital.  Speaking during the recent sitting of the Northern Ireland Grand Committee when the local budget estimates for 2006/07 were being debated, the North Down MP said:

“We are delighted that there is a new cancer centre based in Belfast City Hospital; it is long overdue.  A greater incidence of cancer is being diagnosed and earlier diagnosis gives people a greater opportunity of surviving.”

Lady Hermon went on, however, to draw the Minister’s attention to the serious parking difficulties at the Hospital and the associated parking costs.  Referring to a recent Radio Ulster news item highlighting the campaign led by Macmillan Cancer Relief, she urged the NIO Finance Minister, David Hanson, to take into account “the enormous cost that builds up for people who have been diagnosed with cancer and have to travel (to the new Regional Cancer Centre at the City Hospital, especially) from the west of the Province.”

Speaking after the debate, the North Down MP concluded:

“The costs of daily travel and parking mount up.  They place a further burden and worry on cancer sufferers, when their focus and priority should be their health.  Specialist health provision, when provided centrally, saves on the NHS budget and should free up money for a travel allowance.  So, I give my full backing to the Macmillan Cancer Relief campaign for a more sympathetic package for cancer sufferers and their families.”

Ulster Unionist MP, Lady Hermon, has strongly criticised the substantial unpaid sums of fines, costs and compensation in Northern Ireland’s criminal courts. Speaking from Westminster, she said:

“The figures disclosed by the Government in response to my Parliamentary Questions raise very serious concerns.  There are substantial sums outstanding in court fines, court costs and direct compensation to victims.  The sums owed in Magistrates Courts are huge and, unlike those owed in Crown Court cases, they are on the rise.

Even though nearly a third of the sums owed in Magistrates Courts are “cleared otherwise than by payment” and nearly half of those from the Crown Court are being dealt with in the same way, there still remain substantial amounts outstanding.

So, what’s the point of imposing fines if they are not going to be paid?   A fine is supposed to be a punishment, not a threat.  These figures will in no way reassure the public that those who break the law and are prosecuted will think twice before breaking it law again.”

Ulster Unionist MP Lady Hermon has, whilst giving firm support to the knife amnesty, called for the Government to look again at reforming anti-knife laws. Speaking from her Bangor constituency office, she said:

“It’s amazing that a Government which has made such a song and dance of re-balancing the scales of justice in favour of victims has just missed the opportunity to significantly reform knife laws.

Knives are incredibly dangerous items, and so even if only a small number of them are given up during the amnesty period that is still to be welcomed.  But what is irritating and extremely disappointing is a shorter amnesty in Northern Ireland compared to the rest of the United Kingdom, and I’ll certainly be pressing the NIO for its extension.”

The North Down MP continued:

“Nevertheless, the amnesty period should focus minds on law reform in this area.  It’s not enough simply to announce increases to maximum sentences for knife crime when the public know maximum sentences are rarely imposed.  What we need is a system based on strict liability for carrying knives in public, with exceptions for those licensed to hold them for work purposes.  People will only stop carrying knives, if they genuinely fear conviction.”

North Down’s MP Lady Hermon has voiced deep concern at the announcement by the South Eastern Education & Library Board to close two key primary schools in the constituency.

Speaking following the announcement, the Ulster Unionist MP said: “This news had come as a very deep shock to the local communities in Conlig and Groomsport, which are understandably baffled and angry about the SEELB’s decision.

As someone whose primary education was delivered in a small village school in County Tyrone, I know from first-hand experience the considerable benefits for both parents and children in having local, albeit small, primary schools.”

The local MP continued:

“Tomorrow morning (Thursday), I shall be having separate meetings with representatives from each of the schools in order to discuss our campaign to persuade the Department of Education to reverse the Board’s decision.  There must be alternatives to closure, and I shall certainly be pursuing those options with vigour.”

During his evidence to the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, Ulster Unionist MP Lady Hermon tackled Secretary of State Peter Hain MP on some of the NIO’s recent failures. Speaking from Westminster afterwards, she said:

“Peter Hain certainly did not get off lightly today.  During his evidence to the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, I challenged him to articulate the NIO’s strategy in bringing about loyalist decommissioning. Not for the first time, his answers came up short.”

The North Down MP continued:

“He also failed to express any regret for the use of the term ‘joint stewardship’ by the Prime Minister last month at Armagh, a term completely contrary to the principle of consent.  It’s of great concern that a Government which has been in power for so long with a Secretary of State who has a year’s experience in the job can, nevertheless, recklessly bandy about such terminology without any regard for the deep anxiety and offence caused to the unionist community.”

Ulster Unionist MP Lady Hermon has through a series of Parliamentary Questions exposed the failures in Northern Ireland of Community Sentencing. The North Down MP said:

“A high percentage of offenders are re-offending. We all know that. The majority of crime is committed by a minority of criminals. However, it’s shocking to discover that around 40% of those made subject to Community Orders re-offend during the currency of those Orders. We know the fault isn’t with the Probation Service which cannot be expected to monitor these offenders 24/7. The pressure on the Probation Service’s resources makes effective monitoring and engagement virtually impossible. Nevertheless, at the current time rehabilitation is failing.”

Commenting on Charles Clarke’s new proposals for control orders for dangerous criminals after release from prison, the Ulster Unionist Home Affairs Spokesperson continued:

“It’s the duty of every Government to protect the public and it’s the duty of any Home Secretary to maintain public confidence in the criminal justice system and reassure the public that dangerous offenders are being dealt with. The recent spate of murders committed by those on licence or under some form of supervision has seriously eroded public confidence.”

“I’ll keep an open mind on Charles Clarke’s proposals and study the detail. If they tackle the problem effectively, I’ll ensure Northern Ireland isn’t left behind. But before we deal with new measures, we should get rid of current measures that are clearly failing. I would begin by terminating early release as it currently stands. It’s appalling that offenders can be released, before serving even half of their sentence, into a system of inadequate supervision. That is, and has been, a recipe for disaster, in particular for the innocent victims.”

Ulster Unionist MP Lady Hermon has voiced scepticism about the Government’s announcement of new proposals to deport foreign criminals. The North Down MP said:

“What the Home Secretary has announced isn’t anything new. The power to deport foreign criminals is already there but it just isn’t being used enough and that is the real problem. Even if the Government does introduce new legislation, it won’t apply to EU nationals, it won’t apply to those who can’t be deported for logistical reasons and, no doubt, to those who immediately claim asylum.”

The Ulster Unionist Home Affairs Spokesperson continued:

“If we look at the prison population in Northern Ireland, there are 9 females and 114 males who are not British citizens. But only one of those women and only approximately 20 of those men are non-EU citizens. So, it’s hard to see what the Government is seeking to change by this announcement, apart from changing headlines of inaction into headlines of action.

That aside, the real issue needing urgently to be addressed is the complete abdication of responsibility of foreign Governments for their citizens who come to the UK and commit offences, get caught and sentenced. It’s then that we, the taxpayers, spend on average over £85,000 per annum keeping these foreign criminals locked up, whilst their home Governments contribute nothing towards their upkeep.”

North Down’s Ulster Unionist MP, Lady Hermon, has today extended her warmest congratulations to Her Majesty The Queen for her 80th Birthday on Friday.

Speaking today from Westminster, Lady Hermon paid heartfelt tribute to The Queen, saying: “The Queen has faithfully served the people of the United Kingdom all her life, and as Queen for over fifty years now. She has consistently done so with a sense of enthusiasm, interest and encouragement. At a time when most people her age are well settled into retirement, Her Majesty continues her duty to all the people of this country.”

The local MP also acknowledged the steadfast support, dedication and loyalty of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh over the years: “With the support of Prince Philip, who will be 85 in June, The Queen sets us an example of selfless public service. On behalf of the people in my constituency, I send Her Majesty many happy returns and the peace and prosperity of her nation and people.”