Action for Community Employment (Hansard, 5 June 1986)

§ 11. Mr. Dubs
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the criteria of the Department of Economic Development in providing Action for Community Employment funding in Northern Ireland; and, if he will make a statement.

§ The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (Dr. Rhodes Boyson)
The main criteria for ACE projects are as follows. First, the project must provide something of benefit to the community; secondly, the project sponsor must employ adults who are long-term unemployed; and, thirdly, existing jobs must not be put at risk. I am pleased to report that in Northern Ireland there are now 5,600 people employed under ACE.

§ Mr. Dubs
While I understand the Government's obvious concern that public money should not be channelled to organisations which have links with paramilitary groups, is it not easier to make such accusations than to prove them? Will the Minister reconsider the position of four groups in Northern Ireland—Dove House, Shantallow, the Top of the Hill Tenants Association and Conway Street Mill in Belfast—where 47 jobs have so far been lost, to see whether they could not be deemed to be eligible for continuing public support?

§ Dr. Boyson
I understand the hon. Gentleman's concern about the matter, and it is shared by other hon. Members. We have had considerable correspondence, especially on one of the four groups that he mentioned. Only 1 per cent. of people who apply for ACE schemes are rejected on security grounds. It is extremely difficult to make that decision. On the other hand, the previous Secretary of State made it clear in a written answer on 27 June 1985 that such payments must be carefully watched. Otherwise, there is a grave risk of directly or indirectly improving the standing and furthering the aims of paramilitary organisations which would obviously be against the public interest.

§ Mr. Holt
My hon. Friend will know that one aspect of the Anglo-Irish agreement was of America giving the United Kingdom money, whether we wanted it or not. Has any of that money been channelled through this organisation for economic development? If so, how much has been spent? If not, what channel is being used, how much of this year's £50 million has been received, and how many jobs have been created?

§ Dr. Boyson
None of that money has been spent along the lines suggested. Indeed, the suggestion of money is still, as it were, bogged down in the Senate. We would welcome any international fund or help, particularly where there were no limitations on the way in which the money could be spent.

§ Mr. Hume
The Minister will be aware of my detailed correspondence with him about one organisation mentioned by the hon. Member for Battersea (Mr. Dubs). Is he aware of the public invitation by Dove House for anyone sent by the Minister to carry out the most thorough investigation into its activities? Does he agree that that is a reasonable offer, and that in those circumstances he should review its case and send someone to investigate what it is doing?

§ Dr. Boyson
The Secretary of State and I are prepared to review cases at any time, but we must be sure that there is no threat of money going to paramilitary organisations. There is no closed door at any time on these issues.

§ Mr. Mallon
Is the Minister aware that, because of a developing social security paranoia in the north of Ireland, almost every golf and rugby club is being improved through the ACE scheme, and that the socially deprived areas, where the money is most needed, are at greatest risk because that is where the paranoia is having its effect? Does he agree that that is extremely dangerous?

§ Dr. Boyson
I am not entirely clear about the hon. Gentleman's point, but obviously I will talk to him about it. After the results this week of British teams in the World Cup, perhaps we can help their facilities at the same time.

§ Mr. Archer
May I beg the Minister to consider whether it is possible that he is wrong about this? Does he accept that some of us have looked closely at the groups enumerated by my hon. Friend the Member for Battersea (Mr. Dubs), and that, if we had found any evidence to suggest that any of them was a front for criminal activities, we would not be pursuing this matter? Is the hon. Gentleman further aware that Bishop Daly has endorsed our conclusions? For the sake of these desperately deprived communities, will the hon. Gentleman consider the suggestion of the hon. Member for Foyle (Mr. Hume), which was to appoint an independent investigator, or does he prefer to be suspected of doing what the Government did in England to community groups in the areas of the GLC and the metropolitan counties?

§ Dr. Boyson
As I have already said, only seven out of between 600 and 700 groups have had money withheld. The money was withheld because we received advice that they were a security risk. Withholding that money is not an attempt to deprive people of money in poor areas. Indeed, the other 600 to 700 groups exist largely in such areas.