§ Mr. StottTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what services and support local district councils provide for secondary schools and further education colleges in respect of rates payments.
§ Mr. Needham[holding answer 14 May 1991]: There are two rates in Northern Ireland, the regional rate determined by the Department of Finance and Personnel, which funds regional services, including education, and the district rate struck by each district council to meet the costs of district services which include the provision of leisure facilities—playing fields, leisure centres, swimming pools, and so on—and environmental services—refuse collection and disposal, street cleansing and litter control, building control, environmental health enforcement and so on. District services are provided for secondary schools and further education colleges.