HC Deb 15 December 1976 vol 922 cc759-60W
Mr. Kilfedder

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he is satisfied that none of the funds available under social needs legislation is being used to assist the IRA; and what checks are made to ensure that every beneficiary of such funds who may appear to be bona fide has no links with terrorist organisations.

Mr. Carter

Grants to community groups are no longer disbursed under the social needs legislation. Since 1st April 1976 grants have been made under the Recreation and Youth Service (Northern

1974
Speciality Consultant Medical Assistant Senior Registrar/Registrar Senior House Officer House Officer General Practitioner
Accident and emergency 1
Anaesthetics 2 1 1 1
Chest medicine 1
Dermatology 1 1
ENT surgery 2 1 2
General medicine 2 1 3 3
General surgery 2 1 3 3
Geriatrics 1 1
Obstetrics and gynaecology 3 1 2
Ophthalmology 1
Orthopaedic surgery 1 1
Paediatrics 1
Pathology 3
Psychiatry 1 1 1
Radiology 2
Radio therapy/medical oncology 1
Total 24 5 4 10 6 4

Ireland) Order 1973 by district councils, which on that date became responsible for providing financial assistance to community groups including the provision of community centres. We have no knowledge that any of these grants—which are made only after the most careful scrutiny of applications—are being used to assist the IRA or any other paramilitary organisation. However, if the hon. Member has evidence to the contrary we would be glad to hear of it.