§ Mr. Mallonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people are in receipt of supplementary benefit in the constituencies of (a) Antrim, North, (b) Belfast, East, and since 1983.
§ Mr. NeedhamRecords relate only to social security office areas, the boundaries of which are not coterminous with those of parliamentary constituencies. However, the nearest available information is as follows:
Antrim North Belfast East August 1983 9,450 8,278 July 1984 10,205 9,041 July 1985 10,121 8,535 July 1986 10,775 8,914
§ Mr. Mallonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects to announce details of special financial and employment assistance for Newry and Armagh comparable to the measures announced for the Carrickfergus area in the recent past; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ViggersThe Department of Economic Development announced in June 1986 an increase from 45 per cent. to 50 per cent. in the maximum rate of industrial development grant available in the Carrickfergus area. This rate, which is the highest available in Northern Ireland, already applied to the Newry and Armagh area.
In September the IDB announced a new initiative aimed at stimulating industrial development at local level by working closely with community organisations. The initiative is being tested in two areas—Londonderry and Carrickfergus—on a pilot basis and, if successful, will be extended to other areas in Northern Ireland.