§ Mr. NellistTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the 37W compatibility of that part of his Department's letter of 20 January, reference RDI 88 622/56/5, to Mr. Christopher Farmer, director of education at Coventry city council, which rejected section 11 funding for posts at the Foleshill information and advice centre, on the grounds that they would be assisting all sections of the community, with that part of the letter which rejected section 11 funding for a development work for the Asian sheltered residential accommodation on the grounds that the postholder would be working just for Asian clients; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John Patten[holding answer 16 March 1989]: I am satisfied that the extracts from this Department's letter, which have been taken out of context, as can be seen from the full text which I have placed in the Library, are in no way incompatible. Coventry city council's applications for the posts in question did not identify what special need, particular to the relevant Commonwealth community, the proposed posts would address. Identification of such need is an essential pre-requisite for approval of section 11 grant. If Coventry city council requires further clarification, officials at the Home Office will be pleased to explain the reasons for refusal in greater detail.