§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which organisations have been consulted over the membership of the proposed Down and Lisburn unit trust and Craigavon and Banbridge unit trust; and which organisations were invited to nominate members to the trusts.
§ Mr. AncramMy noble Friend Baroness Denton, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State advises me that her450W predecessor did not consult on the membership of the Down and Lisburn and Craigavon and Banbridge Health and Social Services Trust boards.
§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what consultations he or his colleagues had with the Eastern and Southern health and social services boards regarding the membership of the boards of the Down and Lisburn unit trust and Craigavon and Banbridge trust.
§ Mr. AncramNone.
§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who were the lay helpers or assessors who were involved in the creation of the Down and Lisburn and Craigavon and Banbridge trusts; and what was their role.
§ Mr. AncramThe lay helper for the Down and Lisburn trust was Mrs. Gillian Shaw and the lay helper for Craigavon and Banbridge community trust was Mr. David Cook.
The position of lay helper in any trust is informal—voluntary and unpaid. Normally the role of lay helper is to assist in drawing up the formal appliction, and to support the sponsors of the application by giving potential trusts access to the types of skills and experience that non-executive members are expected to bring to the trust board. They are also expected to identify potential candidates for appointment as non-executive directors on the board of the trust.
§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what appointments were made to the boards of the Craigavon and Banbridge and Down and Lisburn unit trusts; when they took office; and what is their remuneration.
§ Mr. AncramOn 1 September 1993 the following appointments were made to the board of the Down Lisburn Health and Social Services Trust:
Chairman
- Mr. Gillian Shaw
Non-Executive Directors
- Mrs. Denise Fitzsimons
- Mr. Albert Baird
- Mr. Alfie Linehan
- Mrs. Ann Colgan
- Mr. Mark Ennis
Mr. David Cook was appointed chairman of the Craigavon and Banbridge Community Health and Social Services Trust on 23 November 1993. On 1 March 1994 the following non-executive directors were appointed:
- Mr. John Fairleigh
- Mr. Cyril McElhinney
- Ms Roisin McDonough
- Mr. Michael Morrow
Remuneration for chairmen is based on the revenue spending of the trust. On that basis, Mrs. Shaw receives £19,285 per annum and Mr. Cook receives £17,145. All non-executive directors receive £5,000 per annum.
§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what consultations took place with the district councils in the Eastern and Southern board area, with members of the Southern and Eastern health boards, with members of the Southern and Eastern health and social services councils, or with hon. Members with 451W constituencies covering the Southern and Eastern boards, regarding the membership of the Down and Lisburn and Craigavon and Banbridge trusts.
§ Mr. AncramNone.
§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to review the social fund system in respect of regional differences in applications and awards, the removal of budgetary considerations, clearer definitions of the circumstances in which an award is made, clarification of the priority groups and a wider remit for those the fund assists.
§ Mr. AncramThe operation of the discretionary social fund is monitored routinely. We believe that the basic principles of the fund are right and working well. Nevertheless, we continue to monitor its effectiveness and to introduce operational improvements as required.
Details of the basis of allocation and district allocations for 1994–95 are in the Library.