Daily Dispatch Wednesday 29th March 2006

MAGINNESS - BRITISH MUST NOT MUZZLE INQUIRIES

Commenting on the British Government decision to revert to holding the Hamill murder inquiry under the terms of the controversial Inquiries act SDLP Justice Spokesperson Alban Maginness MLA stated:
“The Secretary of State has given an assurance to the Hamill family that he does not intend to use any of sweeping censorship powers under the Inquiries Act. He must hold true to his word to the Hamills and hold back from using these draconian powers to cover up the truth.

By contrast, in the Finucane case, the British Government have been totally upfront that they intend to use their censorship powers left right and centre. Indeed they made public that one of the reasons why they went to the bother of passing the legislation was so that they could muzzle a Finucane inquiry.

Commenting on reports of non cooperation by some witnesses to the Hamill murder Mr Maginness added:
“It is deeply disturbing that some witnesses have not come forward to cooperate with the inquiry. It is vital that the inquiry takes as strong stance on non-cooperation so that no one is able to frustrate the inquiry getting to the truth.”

Notes to Editors:
The inquiry already dealt with public interest immunity issues before the request for conversion of terms was made.

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SDLP MEMBERS ON BELB SEVERELY DISAPPOINTED AT DECISION TO IMPLEMENT SAVAGE EDUCATION CUTS

The SDLP have expressed severe disappointment about the decision by the BELB to support savage education cuts at the meeting today, 29 March 2006. The SDLP representatives on the Belfast Education and Library Board, Councillors Pat Convery, Pat McCarthy and Tim Attwood firmly opposed the £6.6 million cuts at the BELB Board meeting on 20 March 2006.This was forced through by ministerial appointees while all the political parties opposed the cutbacks.

Cllr Pat Convery stated ”This decision will have a major impact on the children of Belfast. The £6.6 million cuts will hit schools, libraries, the youth and library services. Parents will have to pay more for school meals, children may be put at risk because of fewer school crossing patrols, library charges will be higher and special needs education will be reduced.

Cllr Pat McCarthy stated, “The SDLP opposed these cutbacks because we believe thee children of Belfast deserve a quality, schools, library and youth service. This will be not be achieved by cuts of £6.6million which will hit the most vulnerable sections of our community hardest. Parents should note that this is not the beginning or the end in education cutbacks. Parents, pupils and the community need to campaign together to oppose these cutbacks.

Cllr Tim Attwood stated, ”This is a scandal. Only last week the Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown said in his budget speech that he wanted “all schools and all pupils to have world class IT, equipment, teaching materials and buildings.” Why should children and schools in Belfast settle for less? These cuts mean that they will.

Gordon Brown MP also announced that “in the coming five years investment in schools will rise from £5.6 billion today to reach £8 billions a year”. Where is this investment in Belfast schools? Parents and children should be furious with the decision by the BELB today and should be lobbying the direct rule minsiters for a share of the £8billion to build a first class education system for the kids of Belfast.”

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