HC Deb 21 June 2004 vol 422 cc1239-40W
Lady Hermon

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent(a) meetings have been held and (b) representations have been made by the Sports Council to promote the development of amateur ice hockey in Northern Ireland. [178528]

Angela Smith

The Sports Council for Northern Ireland met with representatives with an interest in the sport of ice hockey as follows.

Information of patients awaiting a first out-patient appointment is collected at Trust and specialty level. The latest available waiting list statistics show the position at 31 March 2004. The NI Ice Hockey Federation in November 2003 Castlereagh Borough Council in November 2003 Belfast Community Ice Hockey Club in January 2004

A further meeting has been planned for 16 June 2004 with representatives from the Belfast Community Ice Hockey Club.

Lady Hermon

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the Sports Council recognises the Northern Ireland Ice Hockey Association; and what individuals the Sports Council understands to constitute the Northern Ireland Ice Hockey Association. [178529]

Angela Smith

The Sports Council for Northern Ireland does not recognise the Northern Ireland Ice Hockey Association, as this body is no longer operational. The sports Council now officially recognises the Northern Ireland Ice Hockey Federation, in place of the Northern Ireland Ice Hockey Association, as the governing body in Northern Ireland. It is understood that there is one member club—the Northern Ireland Ice Hockey Club—which is affiliated to the Northern Ireland Ice Hockey Federation.