§ Mr. Robert McCartneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will provide a replacement grant to the Northern Ireland Boys' Football Association in place of that withdrawn by the Sports Council; and if he will meet a delegation from the Sports Council to discuss its recent report on the organisational needs of ungranted non-school boys' football. [13803]
§ Mr. Ancram[holding answer 8 February 1996]: The provision of grant is a matter for the Sports Council.
The council has advised that it has not sought a meeting, nor has it produced a report.
§ Mr. McCartneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the criteria used by Price Waterhouse to argue for the abolition of the team grant in its review of the junior sports club scheme. [13804]
§ Mr. Ancram[holding answer 8 February 1996]: Decisions in the light of the Price Waterhouse report were a matter for the Sports Council, and were taken on the basis that the promotion of sport for young people could be undertaken more effectively and efficiently by other means. Support for youth football is being maintained, but has been refocused to increase effectiveness and value for money.