§ 27. Mr. ConwayTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the role of the Community Relations Council.
§ Dr. MawhinneyThe Community Relations Council was established in January 1990 to provide support, facilites and recognition for organisations operating at local level which are concerned with the development of community relations, awareness of cultural diversity and conflict resolution. The council aims to increase mutual respect and understanding, increase public awareness of activities which improve community relations and promote constructive debate about community relations and cultural diversity.
Around £100,000 will be available to the council in 1990–91 to develop new project work. The council will also have responsibility for a number of funding programmes previously carried out by central Government, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Voluntary Trust. These programmes are concerned with supporting cross-community contact and widening understanding of and respect for the different cultural traditions in Northern Ireland.