§ Mr. Humeasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if he will make a statement outlining his assessment of the situation facing community and voluntary groups who are normally dependent on grant aid received through Belfast city council, detailing the number of jobs and the type of projects which are now at risk;
(2) if he will consider giving direct grant aid under the Community Relations (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 1975 to those community and voluntary organisations whose funding through local authorities is presently under threat;
(3) what consideration has been given to giving direct grants for the new financial year to those community and voluntary organisations who normally receive grant aid through Belfast city council and deducting the amount paid in such grants from any funds which might be forwarded to Belfast city council.
§ Dr. MawhinneyThe Government consider it regrettable that the actions taken by Belfast city council have created serious problems for community and voluntary groups. I understand that 37 full-time and 10 part-time jobs are directly affected. Projects and services involved include community associations, community resource centres, citizens' advice bureaux, and play organisations, serving a wide range of client groups in local communities.
I am anxious that support from local councils for such organisations should continue beyond 31 March 1986. The funding of these groups remains, however, a matter for the local councils.