§ Mr. McCuskerasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what consultations, if any, took place before he made his decision to abolish the Northern Ireland Sports Coucil.
§ Mr. GoodhartThe Sports Council for Northern Ireland has not been abolished and there are no plans to do so. The Government's proposals would have the effect of making the council an advisory body without executive functions.
§ Mr. Pendryasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what instructions have been issued by the Minister 705W responsible for sport in Northern Ireland concerning the staff situation of the Northern Ireland Sports Council prior to the appropriate amending legislation to the Recreation and Youth Service Northern Ireland Order 1973 being discussed by Parliament.
§ Mr. GoodhartThe council has been directed to reduce its staffing complement from 42 to 31 with effect from 1 September 1980 or as soon as practicable afterwards. This follows a recommendation of a staff review that the Department of Education should consider withdrawing from the Sports Council its advisory responsibilities in all capital grant schemes which it was considered could be more effectively and economically dealt with from within the Department.