HC Deb 16 May 1980 vol 984 cc684-6W
Mr. Bradford

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) whether the Northern Ireland Housing Executive sought grant-aid from the historical monuments and buildings branch of the Department of the Environment (Northern Ireland) for the repairs undertaken in respect of Shrigley monument in County Down;

(2) whether the Department of the Environment (Northern Ireland) was involved in the decision which resulted in the Northern Ireland Housing Executive undertaking the repair of Shrigley monument in County Down;

(3) under which housing provisions the Northern Ireland Housing Executive undertook the repair of Shrigley monument in County Down; and what audit procedures will be applied for the expenditure involved;

(4) whether he is satisfied that no private interest was being furthered by the action of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive in repairing the Shrigley monument;

(5) what is the estimated cost of the repair of Shrigley monument, County Down.

Mr. Goodhart

[pursuant to his reply, 8 May 1980, c. 233]: This monument is the property of the Housing Executive. It was listed as a building of special architectural or historical interest in 1976.

No formal application by the Executive for grant aid has been made for its restoration although there were discussions with the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland before repairs to the monument were undertaken. It is, however, the policy to encourage public bodies receiving substantial financial aid from public funds to bear the full cost of maintaining listed buildings.

The repairs were undertaken by the Executive under the provisions of section

INVESTMENTS BY FOREIGN FIRMS WHICH CONCLUDED AGREEMENTS FOR SELECTIVE ASSISTANCE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Year New projects Expansions Nature of investments
1960 2 2 Engineering; abrasives
1961 6 5 Textiles; clothing; engineering; tobacco; sports equipment
1962 2 3 Engineering; clothing; rubber
1963 1 4 Engineering; abrasives; sports equipment; cutlery and tableware
1964 4 3 Engineering; food; adhesvie tape
1965 6 5 Textiles; engineering
1966 6 3 Textiles; clothing; engineering; medical equipment; plastics; rubber
1967 1 3 Engineering; rubber
1968 5 7 Engineering; rubber; polyurethane foam; food; clothing
1969 3 5 Engineering; rubber; textiles; clothing; picture frames
1970 2 9 Engineering; textiles; clothing; leather
1971 3 12 Engineering; textiles; rubber; medical equipment; picture frames; paper; paper for tipping cigarettes
1972 5 Engineering; clothing; rubber; adhesive tape
1973 6 4 Engineering; textiles; clothing; rubber; plastics; food; adhesvie tape; domestic electrical appliances; carpet tiles
1974 6 7 Engineering; textiles; plastics; rubber; domestic electrical appliances; ceramic products; clothing; tissue paper
1975 3 4 Engineering; clothing; plastics; food; domestic electrical applicances; candles; surgical appliances
1976 2 1 Engineering; clothing; polyurethane products
1977 7 Engineering; clothing; textiles
1978 4 2 Engineering; rubber; electronic medical equipment; motor cars; paper tissues
1979 7 8 Engineering; textiles; clothing; food; plastic moulding; adhesvie tape; tissue paper; cosmetic brushes; seat belts; peat processing

21 of the Housing Act (Northern Ireland) 1945 as amended by the Housing Executive Act (Northern Ireland) 1971. The normal audit procedures for Housing Executive expenditure will apply.

Although these are primarily matters for the Housing Executive, I understand that the cost of the repairs has been estimated at about £35,000 and that the Executive is satisfied that no private interests are being furthered in the repair of the monument.