HC Deb 19 February 1976 vol 905 cc1477-8
16. Sir Nigel Fisher

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will increase the Government allowance for mixed community children's holidays in Northern Ireland.

Mr. Moyle

I have no proposals at the present time to increase the Government allowance for mixed community holidays in Northern Ireland. I am, however, reviewing existing policy on Government support for such holidays in Northern Ireland and elsewhere and I shall make a statement shortly about future policy.

Sir N. Fisher

Will the right hon. Gentleman say why travel grants of £12 per head are given for holidays in England whereas an allowance of only £1.75 per head is given for holidays in Northern Ireland? Does he agree that in Ireland children of different religions are mixed together on holiday, whereas children going to England are often sent to different individual families and do not get to know each other, which should be one of the objectives of the exercise?

Mr. Moyle

The hon. Gentleman's second point is a matter that we shall be considering in the review on policy. There will always be a substantial differential between those going to Great Britain and those spending their time in Northern Ireland, but what is the exact differential is another matter.

Mr. Costain

Does the right hon. Gentleman have any reports about the mixed community of 200 children who came to Folkestone last summer at the expense of the residents of Folkestone? Did he hear what a success the visit was, and will he encourage more like it to take place?

Mr. Moyle

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for saying that the visit was a success. I have not had a report, as these holidays are undertaken by voluntary bodies. Such bodies do not report to the Government in detail, although we give them grants to help them with their work.

Mr. Bradford

Does the right hon. Gentleman accept that it is futile to spend substantial sums on a fortnight's operation when the Government assist education systems which cause divisions in the community and condition children in the minority community in Northern Ireland to feel that they are part of a different ethnic group as well as a different cultural group?

Mr. Moyle

The arrangements for education as they affect Roman Catholics in Northern Ireland are substantially the same as those for the whole of England and Wales, and most of the United Kingdom. I do not think it possible to force people to change those arrangements.