§ Mr. Fittasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he has carried out a survey in the field of industrial and housing development in the west Belfast area; and, if so, when the result of this survey will be made known.
§ Mr. OrmeA study on industrial development which the Northern Ireland Department of Commerce and the Commission430W of the European Communities commissioned in 1973 to help deal with some of the economic problems of West Belfast was carried out by Inbucon International Consultants to supplement the Department's own efforts in providing jobs in West Belfast. The main aim of the study was to identify projects which could lead to employment in the area. The final report was received in June this year and after further discussions with the consultants was submitted in October to the Northern Ireland Economic Council. The Economic Council has yet to consider the report.
No specific survey in the field of housing development limited to West Belfast has been carried out. However, a Northern Ireland housing condition survey was completed in 1974, the detailed results of which were published in February 1975 by district council area. A socio-economic household survey also covering the whole of Northern Ireland is currently being undertaken, linking information from the housing condition survey to a wide range of social and economic information. It is expected that the results of this survey will be available early in 1976.