asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many premises have been given permission to open as amusement arcades in (a) Belfast and (b) outside Belfast in each of the last four years.
Planning permission has been granted for amusement arcades in Northern Ireland over the past four years as follows:
| Belfast | Outside Belfast | |
| 1979 | 2 | 6 |
| 1980 | 3 | 18 |
| 1981 | 5 | 19 |
| 1982 | 5 | 14 |
| Total | 15 | 57 |
asked the Secretary of Northern Ireland what recommendations were given to him by the Association of Local Authorities regarding the control of amusement arcades; when; and whether he intends to implement them.
Joint working party made up of representatives of the Association of Local Authorities of Northern Ireland, the Department of the Environment and the Fire Authority has recommended that entertainment licences should be required for any place where the use of any facilities is allowed for entertainment, recreation or amusement. Since then detailed consultations have taken place with ALANI, and I am considering whether to bring forward proposals for legislation.