§ Rev. Martin SmythTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when his Department hopes to be in a position to provide additional financial help to the Northern Ireland Hospice to enable it to meet the financial consequences of the recent nurses' pay review; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Needham[holding answer 9 May 1988]The Department's policy is to offer financial help towards the administration costs of the regional office of voluntary bodies. Boards may help with service costs which includes nurses' salaries. The Department is committed to helping the Northern Ireland Hospice with its central administration costs and will be informing the hospice shortly of the level of grant-aid available for the 1988–89 year.