Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what financial support is being given by the Local Enterprise Development Unit to assist the publication of the new weekly newspaper,The Cross Examiner; where The Cross Examiner will be printed; what are the implications for employment in the existing weekly newspapers in circulation in the Newry/Mourne areas; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AtkinsLEDU has offeredThe Cross Examiner financial support by way of employment grant totalling £16,000.
The Cross Examiner will be published in Northern Ireland but will initially be printed in Monaghan.
Before offering assistance towards the publication of The Cross Examiner LEDU assured itself that the new newspaper will have no significant adverse effect on employment levels in existing competing publications.
Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which weekly newspapers in Northern Ireland are to receive financial support from the Local Enterprise Development Unit during the current year.
§ Mr. AtkinsLEDU has made offers of assistance to theDerg and District News and The Cross Examiner which could result in both receiving financial support during the current year.
Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which weekly newspapers in Northern Ireland have received financial support from the Local Enterprise Development Unit in each of the past five years.
§ Mr. AtkinsThe Northern Ireland Newspapers Group received financial support during 1987 and this support continued in 1988. Nuachtain received assistance in 1990.