HC Deb 19 July 1994 vol 247 c189W
Mr. Mackinlay

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if he will meet representatives of Ards borough council and war veterans from that district to discuss problems in respect of their desire to link with Belgian veterans and communities celebrating the 50th anniversary of liberation this autumn;

(2) if he will make an announcement on the visit to Belgium of war veterans living in the Ards borough council area before the parliamentary recess.

Mr. Tim Smith

My right hon. and learned Friend will be writing shortly to the hon. Member confirming that the Department of the Environment, Northern Ireland is prepared to consider favourably the granting of approval to Ards borough council to fund a visit to Belgium by ex-service men from its district as part of the Belgian liberation celebrations. In these circumstances, a meeting would not seem to be necessary.