§ 21. Mr. O'Halloranasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether progress on the Belfast areas of need project is being inhibited by lack of resources.
§ Mr. CarterSince last year, when my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State set up the special planning team for the Belfast areas of need, there has been a substantial diversion of resources into the deprived parts of inner Belfast as well as additional finance in the form of aid for the construction industry. In total, these diverted and additional resources amount to over £17 million. However, more resources are clearly needed to overcome the massive social and economic problems in the Belfast areas of need, and the Government are constantly looking for ways to develop and expand the major effort now under way.