§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the report entitled, "Missing the Target: a critique of Government policy on Targeting Social Need in Northern Ireland", published by the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action; and what plans he has to implement its recommendations. [9689]
§ Mr. AncramThe Government have noted the report on targeting social need published by the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action in December 1996. Though it contains some constructive comments, other criticisms of Government policies are not accepted, particularly when it is suggested that Northern Ireland should diverge from particular national or European Union policies. It would not be appropriate to come to a final view on the report's recommendations in advance of the Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights' report on employment equality which is scheduled to be published in the near future and which will also deal with targeting social need.