HC Deb 10 July 1980 vol 988 cc743-5
11. Mr. Flannery

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many staff of the Sports Council it is proposed to make redundant as the result of the transfer of the executive powers of the council to civil servants in Departments.

Mr. Goodhart

The present complement of the Sports Council is 42. The Government's proposals provide for a purely advisory body without its own staff or premises.

Mr. Flannery

Does the Minister realise that those who will be made redundant are highly specialised, dedicated and trained personnel, whose training has taken many years? Will he give serious thought to doing something more about the matter because, through the Sports Council, those people help to break down barriers, especially between youngsters? It would be sad if they were made redundant. What does he intend to do with them if he does displace them?

Mr. Goodhart

There will be an expanded role for district councils in that area. I expect that the highly qualified staff of the Sports Council will find employment with the district councils.

Mr. Bradford

How much money is disbursed by the Department for the provision of facilities; and how much money is disbursed by the Sports Council?

Mr. Goodhart

About five times more money is disbursed by the Department than by the Sports Council. The amount disbursed by the Sports Council in grants in the last financial year was slightly over £400,000. It took slightly under £300,000 in administrative costs to make that distribution.

Rev. Ian Paisley

Will the Minister give a breakdown of the 42 personnel? How many are experts, and how many are only office staff?

Mr. Goodhart

About 14 of the 42 staff could claim substantial expertise in the sporting area. The remainder are office staff.

Mr. Fitt

Is the Minister aware that the Sports Council in Northern Ireland is one of the few organisations that draws support from the whole community across the political and religious divide? Is he further aware that there is bitter resentment from every significant section of the community in Northern Ireland that is involved with sport about the way that the announcement was made, and that no consultation took place with the Sports Council? Will he be honest with the House and admit that a "con" trick has been perpetrated by making the district councils believe that they will be given added functions? Even if the Government gave them added functions, they would be incapable of carrying them out.

Mr. Goodhart

There is no "con" trick involved in the matter. About £200,000 of extra funds should be available primarily for district councils as a result of eliminating the administrative costs of the Sports Council. Meanwhile, the members of the Sports Council may continue as an advisory body. Members with great expertise in sporting matters can serve as members of the advisory body.

Mr. McCusker

If the hon. Gentleman is convinced that this decision is right, why has the Minister with special responsibility for sport given a categoric assurance that he will not do the same in England, Scotland and Wales?

Mr. Goodhart

The circumstances in England, Scotland and Wales are different from those in Northern Ireland. The administrative costs in relation to expenditure on sport in Northern Ireland are very much higher than they are in England, Scotland and Wales.