HC Deb 24 March 1988 vol 130 c224W
47. Mr. Illsley

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the future of the International Fund for Ireland.

Mr. Stanley

The International Fund for Ireland published its first annual report last December. This sets out an impressive record of progress, including the establishment of seven priority programmes designed to stimulate economic activity in key sectors of the economy. The report notes that of the £54 million available to the board for disbursement, £48 million has already been committed across the priority programmes. The fund has announced commitments to specific projects totalling £8 million. The Government welcome the care with which the board has approached its challenging task and is confident that the fund will continue to fulfil its objectives of promoting economic advance and contact, dialogue and reconciliation throughout Ireland. We hope that further financial support may be channelled to the fund from friendly countries to enable its work to continue.