HC Deb 02 December 1993 vol 233 cc1152-3
5. Mr. Peter Bottomley

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the Rathlin ferry service.

Mr. Atkins

The Government are committed to a safe and comfortable Rathlin ferry service. We have grant-aided Moyle council for safety works at Ballycastle and Rathlin harbours and have provided subsidies to the ferry operators. Major harbour works are required for a modern ferry service, but resources for those works will be considered along with other requirements against necessarily limited resources.

Mr. Bottomley

I ask this question about north Antrim with the agreement, and blessing, of the hon. Member for Antrim, North (Rev. Ian Paisley), in his absence. Does my hon. Friend agree that it is wrong that, year after year, the necessary moneys to provide safe harbours at each end of the ferry service are cancelled from the estimates? Is it not about time that there was a firm commitment so that both the residents of, and the visitors to, this historic island can get on and off their boats in safety?

Mr. Atkins

I know that my hon. Friend takes a close interest in Rathlin island and is still famed on the island for his involvement there when he served in the Province. I share with him and the islanders the concern about the lack of resources, but he will know that we have undergone a difficult public expenditure round and finances are tight. It is in my mind to do something about that as soon as we can, not least because my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland also has an interest in a route that might exist from Campbeltown to Rathlin and Ballycastle. However, resources are simply not available at this stage.

Mr. A. Cecil Walker

As the Minister responsible for another form of ferry service, will the hon. Gentleman tell us when he hopes to publish the taxi review, which has been with his office for some time?

Mr. Atkins

The hon. Gentleman is ingenious, but he makes a fair point. It is one which my right hon. and learned Friend and I have been looking at in some detail. I am conscious of the urgency of the matter and of the concern that the hon. Gentleman has represented to me and others, and we are doing our level best to produce something soon.

Ms Hoey

The Minister will be aware that there has been great delay in advertising for a teacher for the home tuition unit on Rathlin island. When will that post be advertised? Does he agree that if it is the Department's aim to increase the number of integrated schools, Rathlin island would be a wonderful place to set an example? It is the only place in Northern Ireland where people of all faiths are buried together. Should we not be trying to get an integrated school there?

Mr. Atkins

Not only are people buried together, but they live together, and in this context that is perhaps more important. The hon. Lady raises a fair point. As she will know, I am not responsible for education, but I have taken the liberty, thanks to her, of making some inquiries. There has been no request from the island for an integrated school and that is the most fundamental factor, but my hon. Friend the Member for Devizes (Mr. Ancram), the Under-Secretary of State who looks after education matters, and I in general terms will look at the matter closely to see what can be done to follow through the point which she raises.