HC Deb 26 April 1990 vol 171 cc278-9W
Mr. Kilfedder

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the expenditure and receipts of the International Fund for Ireland are subject to examination by(a) the local government auditor and (b) the Comptroller and Auditor-General.

Mr. Cope

The responsibility for auditing the accounts of the international fund lies with the independent auditors appointed by the board as provided for under article 11 of the agreement establishing the fund. A number of the fund's main programmes of work are administered on behalf of the fund by Government Departments and agencies. In such cases where a Government Department or agency makes payments on behalf of the fund such payments are subject to scrutiny by the Comptroller and Auditor-General in the normal way.

Mr. Kilfedder

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action he proposes to take to ensure that the religious composition of the work force in firms and other organisations grant-aided by the International Fund for Ireland in the border counties is a fair reflection of the composition in the local travel-to-work area.

Mr. Cope

The Fair Employment (NI) Act 1989 places the primary responsibility for ensuring fair participation by members of both communities in a work force on the employer concerned. This duty is, however, backed up by strong enforcement measures which can be taken by the Fair Employment Commission as necessary. Additionally, I understand that each recipient of assistance from the International Fund for Ireland is required to confirm acceptance of the principle of equality of opportunity and non-discrimination in employment.

Mr. Kilfedder

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make representations to the board of the International Fund for Ireland to call for it to require recipients of its funds to carry out the Government's recommendations on fair employment.

Mr. Cope

The conditions attaching to the receipt of assistance from the International Fund for Ireland are a matter for the independent board appointed to administer the fund. I understand, however, that each offer of assistance from the fund requires the recipient to confirm acceptance of the principle of equality of opportunity and non-discrimination in employment. In addition, of course, each recipient is subject to the statutory obligations placed upon employers by the Fair Employment (NI) Acts.