HC Deb 12 March 1987 vol 112 c453
10. Ms. Clare Short

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what conditions are imposed by the European Community on the use of community funds for ACE projects.

The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (Mr. Nicholas Scott)

The European Community does not impose any specific conditions on ACE projects in Northern Ireland. The entire Northern Ireland ACE programme qualifies for support from the European social fund on the basis that it meets the eligibility criteria laid down in the social fund guidelines.

Ms. Clare Short

It seems from that answer that the six ACE workers at St. Mathew's, who were so wrongly threatened with dismissal on unspecified security grounds—which led to the closure of the only Irish language nursery in Northern Ireland—have no hope of justice from the EEC. Has the Minister, since the issue was last raised, looked into the threatened closure of that project and can he give us any more welcome news today?

Mr. Scott

The decision was made in compliance with the terms of the answer, with which the hon. Lady will be familiar, by my right hon.Friend the Home Secretary when he was Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. On at least one occasion where a grant had been denied on the basis of that parliamentary answer, it was possible for the organisation concerned so to reorganise its affairs that ultimately it became eligible for grant.

Mr. Archer

Does the Minister of State appreciate that the withdrawal of funding, without assigning any reason which can be challenged or argued, can have a devastating effect on the community and on the employees, and that it can operate unjustly. Does he realise that there is a genuine problem which should be discussed?

Mr. Scott

Certainly, as has been shown in the past, we are willing to discuss these matters, but the terms of my right hon. Friend's parliamentary answer, that it is important that where public funds are concerned there should be minimal risk of those funds ending up in the hands of paramilitary organisations, is a principle with which the House will agree.