§ Mr. HumeTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on Belfast areas of training, detailing the areas involved, the financial commitment, the employment levels involved, its structure and the criteria used in planning the scheme; and what methods and criteria will be used to assess its progress.
§ Mr. Viggers[holding answer 26 July 1988]: Action teams represent an intitiative to focus additional resources to directly benefit areas of multiple deprivation. Areas are selected on the evidence of the Belfast areas of need survey. Each team has a budget of £500,000 per annum, services a population in the region of 15,000 and is charged with the broad objective of identifying the major needs of the area and co-ordinating means of resolution in co-operation with existing agencies and the local community groups. Four teams are presently in operation covering the separate areas of Lower Shankill/Lower Falls, Duncairn/New Lodge, Springfield and Riverside. A further four teams are planned to become operational soon. The Policy Research Institute has been appointed to evaluate the initiative.