HC Deb 12 January 1987 vol 108 cc56-7W
Mr. John David Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many nights each of the Ministers in his Department spent in Northern Ireland during the months of July, August, September, October and November.

Mr. Tom King

The information is as follows:

Mr. Viggers

All applications from potential ACE sponsors are carefully scrutinised to ensure that they satisfy the aims and objectives of the scheme and regular on site inspections of projects are carried out. Regular reviews of ACE are made to ensure its continued effectiveness and to assess its usefulness in improving prospects of ACE workers to find permanent jobs.

Mr. Bell

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether there are any plans for increasing the number of places available under the Action for Community Employment scheme.

Mr. Viggers

Yes. The number of jobs promoted through ACE will rise to an average of 6,200 throughout 1987–88.

Mr. Bell

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the impact of the moratorium on approvals of Action for Community Employment schemes imposed by the Northern Ireland committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions in May.

Mr. Viggers

I take it the question relates to the Action for Community Employment scheme. The moratorium has had little impact—financial resources to undertake new projects had already been fully committed prior to the moratorium which does not affect existing projects.

Mr. Bell

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he has any plans for lifting the requirement for potential and current sponsors for Action for Community Employment schemes to seek trade union approval for their activities.

Mr. Viggers

No.

Mr. Bell

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he is satisfied with the current arrangements for the recruitment, management and training of Action for Community Employment workers.

Mr. Viggers

Yes.

Mr. Bell

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he has any plans for increasing the number of Action for Community Employment places available to undertake energy efficiency work, under the aegis of Neighbourhood Energy Action.

Mr. Viggers

I have no immediate plans to increase the number of Action for Community Employment (ACE) places involved in energy efficiency work.

Mr. Bell

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the recent withdrawal of Action for Community Employment funds from St. Matthews Tenants Association in the Short Strand area of Belfast; and if he will lay down a policy for such terminations of Action for Community Employment funding in mid-term.

Mr. Viggers

The policy in respect of terminaion of Government funding for community groups is outlined in the reply given to a question by the hon. Member for Solihull (Mr. Taylor) on 27 June 1985.

Government financial assistance to the St. Matthew's Tenants Association is being withdrawn in accordance with this policy.