§ Mr. Peter Robinsonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards making grants to local authorities for the provision of ice-skating facilities in Northern Ireland; and when he will be in a position to make such grant aid available.
§ Mr. John PattenThe funds available to the Department of Education for Northern Ireland for grant-aiding the provision of sporting and recreational facilities by district councils are committed, until the end of the financial year 1983–84, to the completion of a major capital programme. When funds become available for further provision, consideration will be given to making grants towards the cost of providing public ice-skating facilities.