HL Deb 26 February 1991 vol 526 cc41-2WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether and when they will publish a document on the work of the Central Community Relations Unit and the Community Relations Council in Northern Ireland.

The Paymaster General (Lord Belstead)

There are at present no plans to publish a document on the work of the Central Community Relations Unit.

The Northern Ireland Community Relations Council regularly publishes a magazine which includes items about the council's work and articles about community relations activity. The council will be publishing annual reports and the first is expected to be published in May 1991.

Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Which of the 26 district councils in Northern Ireland have a community relations officer in post, which have appointed a community area officer or a community services officer; and which districts have an agreed community relations programme.

Lord Belstead

The Government have invited all 26 district councils to submit proposals to improve community relations in their areas. The proposals should include the appointment of a community relations officer and programmes to develop cross-community contact and increase mutual understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity.

The following councils have appointed community relations officers:

  • Armagh
  • Ballymoney
  • Banbridge
  • Craigavon
  • Dungannon
  • Fermanagh
  • Omagh
  • Strabane
  • Antrim
  • Down

The following councils expect to appoint officers in the near future:

  • Derry
  • Limavady
  • Magherafelt
  • Ards
  • Lisburn
  • Newry and Mourne
  • Coleraine
  • Moyle

All the above councils have agreed community relations programmes with the Central Community Relations Unit. Discussions about policy and programmes are continuing with a further five councils.

All 26 district councils employ an officer with responsibility for community services. Twelve councils have full-time posts and the remainder apportion community service duties to staff in the recreation, leisure and tourism departments.

The twelve councils with full-time staff are:

  • Ards
  • Belfast
  • Carrickfergus
  • Castlereagh
  • Craigavon
  • Derry
  • Lisburn
  • Newry and Mourne
  • North Down
  • Omagh
  • Strabane
  • Antrim