§ Mr. Bradfordasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the statutory basis for excluding representatives of the main Churches in the Province from the policy-making bodies in respect of youth work in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. John Patten[pursuant to his reply, 22 January 1981, c. 242]: Churches are not excluded from the policy-making process in respect of youth work in Northern Ireland. Overall policy for youth work is a matter for the Secretary of State and policy at local level is a matter for education and Library boards. The Northern Ireland youth committee is a statutory body whose main function is to advise the Secretary of State and the education and Library boards on the development of the youth service. Legislation provides for the representation of the Churches on education and Library boards, and a number of clergymen are members of the youth committee.