§ 9. Mr. Bradfordasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the community facilities which are planned for the Ravenhill and Woodstock Roads; and what is the total amount of expenditure for these projects.
§ Mr. CarterPrimary responsibility for the provision of community facilities rests with Belfast City Council and the area boards, but I understand that the facilities currently planned for the Raven-hill and Woodstock Roads area are a workshop for the handicapped, Ravenhill Road; a community recreation centre, Ormeau Park; a youth club and play centre, Clara Street; a youth centre, Ballynafeigh and a nursery school, Euston Road.
The total cost of these projects is estimated to be approximately £925,000.
In addition, suitable sites are being sought in the area for a family day centre, a children's home, a community centre and a branch library, and alternative uses are being considered for the Cherryville Street health clinic.
§ Mr. BradfordWhile I am grateful for the detail of that reply, may I ask the Minister whether he is aware that three of the projects mentioned are not related to the roads mentioned in the Question? Does he appreciate that the public inquiry report for this area is long overdue? Can he confirm that the building of a community centre is recommended in that report? What will be the date of publication of that report for redevelopment area No. 31?
§ Mr. CarterThe hon. Member is right. The public inquiry has been held and we are currently sifting the views that were made known. People were calling for a variety of projects. We have not yet decided what the final report should contain, what we should recommend and when the report should be made.
§ Mr. HardyWill my hon. Friend and his colleagues explain to the Northern Ireland people very clearly that the logical consequence of their being represented by hon. Members who demand less and less public expenditure in total yet at 1173 the same time continue to put forward rapacious demands for increased expenditure in their own area must be that their position and requests will be treated with considerable disfavour?
§ Mr. CarterMy hon. Friend is quite right. As I pointed out earlier, it is one of the bitter ironies of life for the Government in Northern Ireland that Unionist Members representing Northern Ireland call for public expenditure increases there and for public expenditure cuts in the rest of the United Kingdom.
§ Rev. Ian PaisleyCan the hon. Gentleman tell us about the site that was earmarked for a community centre on the left-hand side of the Woodstock Road going out from the centre of the city? Can he say why that site has not been developed as a community centre, irrespective of what political flag the people in that area fly?
§ Mr. CarterThe hon. Member's knowledge of the geography of Belfast is much greater than mine. I shall look into the point that he made. As I told the hon. Member for Belfast, South (Mr. Bradford) earlier, a public inquiry has been held and all of the representations made at that inquiry are currently being considered.