§ Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many advance factories have been built in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years; and how many are presently vacant.
§ Mr. Moyle,pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 21st May 1976; Vol. 911, c. 740], circulated the following information:
186W
1971 5 1972 6 1973 10 1974 8 1975 7
§ Mr. MoyleIn the first six months of its existence—that is, from 1st October 1973 to 31st March 1974—the Western Education and Library Board spent a net total of £3.5 million on running expenses and £0.7 million on capital account. For 1974–75 the unaudited figures are £7.9 million and £1.7 million respectively. The accounts for 1975–76 are still being prepared; but the Northern Ireland Department of Education has issued cash advances to the board amounting to £12.9 million on current account and £2.6 million on capital account for that financial year.
Records of expenditure and school population by district council area are not available, but the school population for the Western Board's area is as follows:
To date in 1976 one factory has been completed and two are under construction. Fourteen factories are vacant at present.