HC Deb 30 November 1992 vol 215 cc17-8W
Dr. Hendron

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how much money has been spent by the Department of the Environment (NI) on the upkeep of the unauthorised Glen road travellers' site over the past five years;

(2) how much money has been spent by the Belfast city council on the upkeep of the unauthorised Glen road travellers' site over the last five years.

Mr. Atkins

I understand that Belfast city council has spent approximately £50,000 and the Department of the Environment has not spent any money on the upkeep of the unauthorised site in the last five years.

Dr. Hendron

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much money has been spent by Belfast city council on the provision and maintenance of the official travellers' site at Glen road.

Mr. Atkins

I understand that provision of the official travellers site at Glen road has cost Belfast city council £915,000 to date, which will be reimbursed by the Department of the Environment, and that approximately £9,000 has been spent by the council on maintenance.

Dr. Hendron

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what effect on the timetable for the provision of Northern Ireland Housing Executive houses is being caused by the presence of the travellers on the unauthorised Glen road site.

Mr. Atkins

I understand from the Housing Executive that no delay has been caused on the timetable for provision of houses by the executive.

Dr. Hendron

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the immediate plans for the unauthorised site at Glen road and the travellers currently camped there.

Mr. Atkins

Belfast city council proposes to move the travellers from the unauthorised site to an interim site on Glen road. The site will then be secured. lit the longer term these travellers will be reallocated permanent sites planned by Belfast city council.

Dr. Hendron

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the estimated cost of their future plans for the Glen road site.

Mr. Atkins

Future capital spend on the Glen road travellers site is estimated by Belfast city council as £50,000.

The estimated cost of the first phase of the Housing Executive's public housing scheme at Glen road is £2 million.