§ Sir John Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much (a) Roman Catholic and (b) Protestant youth organisations in the Western education and library board area are receiving from public funds in the current year; what are the comparable figures for other areas; what is the policy of his Department regarding the allocation of such grants; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ScottGrant-aid towards the running of local voluntary youth clubs is the responsibility of the five education and library boards. It is not the practice of either the Department of Education for Northern Ireland or the area boards to determine the religious affiliations of recognised youth groups when applications for funding are submitted, and no records are kept which would enable me to provide the information requested.