§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland why he has delayed the implementation of the democratic decision by the Ballymena borough council to close its swimming pool on Sundays; while Sunday opening decisions by other councils have been implemented immediately.
§ Mr. Carter,pursuant to his reply [Official Report 24th November 1978; Vol. 958, c. 798], gave the following information
Ballymena borough council first submitted byelaws relating to the hours of opening of its swimming pool complex to the Department of Education for Northern Ireland on 14th March 1978. After these byelaws had been carefully considered the council was told on 23rd June that, on the basis of legal advice, the byelaws fell short of the statutory requirements. On 15th August the council told the Department that it had clarified this, and revised byelaws were received by the Department in early October. The Department wrote to the council on 21st November conveying further legal advice and comments on the byelaws.