§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the amount of money which he has made available for improvements and developments in Rathlin Island during 1975.
§ Mr. ConcannonOne application for improvement grant and two for housing on farms grant are now being considered.
§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will pay an early official visit to Rathlin Island, in view of the fact that it is the only inhabited offshore island in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesI have no present plans for such a visit.
I understand that my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary hopes to visit Rathlin Island in the near future.
§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what amount of money has been spent in Rathlin Island on housing during 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973 and 1974, respectively.
400W
§ Mr. ConcannonNone, according to records in the Housing Executive and the Northern Ireland Department of Housing, Local Goverment and Planning. Records of maintenance expenditure on housing by Ballycastle Rural District Council are not readily available. No applications were received during 1970–74 for private enterprise subsidies, conversion, improvement and standard grants, or housing on farms grant.
§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what amount of money has been spent in Rathlin Island on roads during 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973 and 1974, respectively.
§ Mr. ConcannonThe information is as follows:
Financial Year Approximate Expenditure £ 1970–71 1,000 1971–72 1,000 1972–73 1,000 1973–74 7,000 1974–75 8,650 Approximate Total 18,650
§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what amount of money has been spent on Rathlin Island on the harbour during 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973 and 1974, respectively.
§ Mr. OrmeThe information is not readily available in the form requested. I understand that since Moyle District Council became responsible for the harbour on 1st October 1973 it has spent approximately £8,000 on the harbour.
§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what amount of money has been spent in Rathlin Island on tourism during 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973 and 1974, respectively.
§ Mr. OrmeI understand that the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and Moyle District Council spent £1,127 in 1974–75 on publicity material about Rathlin Island. This is in addition to general publicity containing references to Rathlin Island.
§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has for the improvement of the harbour in Rathlin Island during 1975.
401W
§ Mr. OrmeThe Moyle District Council intends to deepen the harbour at Rathlin's North Pier during 1975 and has commissioned an investigation to establish the feasibility of providing a breakwater for the deepened harbour.
§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has for the installation of a piped water supply in Rathlin Island throughout 1975.
§ Mr. ConcannonAn investigation of possible sources of supply is currently being carried out by consultants who are expected to report in about a month's time. A decision on a scheme will then have to be made; but there is in any case no prospect of installations in 1975.
§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has for the supply of electricity throughout Rathlin Island during 1975.
§ Mr. OrmeA survey to assess demand on Rathlin Island and in the practicality of installing a public supply has been recently undertaken by the Northern Ireland Electricity Service. The results, which indicate the high cost involved, are under consideration.
§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what plans he has for the completion of the public toilets at the harbour in Rathlin Island;
(2) why the public toilets at the harbour in Rathlin Island have been under construction for over three years.
§ Mr. ConcannonCompletion of the public toilets has been delayed because of problems in the supply of water.