§ 24. Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will increase the scope of his rates relief scheme beyond Belfast, Londonderry and Newry, so as to relieve other businesses affected by Irish Republican Army terrorist activity.
§ Mr. David HowellNo. The objective of the rates relief scheme is to mitigate the effects of terrorist activities on main regional shopping centres which provide a comprehensive service to the whole community and which have suffered serious loss of business.
There are other schemes of assistance operating generally throughout Northern Ireland for the purpose described by my hon. Friend.