§ Mr. Michael McNair-Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the future of the security staff grants scheme.
§ Mr. ScottThe security staff grants scheme was introduced in 1972 as a non-statutory scheme to give the occupiers of business premises an incentive to employ static security guards to help secure their premises against terrorist attack. Over the years the scheme has been modified in the level of payments available and the categories of businesses eligible, and recent years have seen a substantial fall-off in the rate of take-up, from nearly £7 million in 1980–81 to less than £1 million in the current financial year.
Having reconsidered the value of the scheme, we have concluded that it has now served its purpose. It has therefore been decided that the scheme will be terminated with effect from 30 November 1986. Businesses eligible to claim from the scheme will have a further three months, up to 28 February 1987, to submit their outstanding claims.
Security grants to ferry companies, which for administrative convenience are paid under this scheme, will continue for the present, under other arrangements.