AQW 15609/17-22

Mr Stewart Dickson
Alliance Party
East Antrim

Tabled Date: 02/03/2021
Answered On Date: 12/03/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy (i) for an update on the future of HMS Caroline as a visitor attraction in Belfast; and (ii) to detail the options being considered to end the need to rely on the sole authority of the Budget Act to fund the attraction in future.

Answer:

(i) During the period of temporary closure of HMS Caroline, my officials have been working to identify a range of options for the future of the Ship. Discussions are ongoing with representatives of the National Museum of the Royal Navy and the National Lottery Heritage Fund on the options for the future of the attraction, and due to commercial sensitivities, it would not be appropriate for me to provide any detail on these discussions at this time.

I re-emphasise that I remain committed to finding a solution that ensures that this important cultural and heritage visitor attraction remains in Belfast and I will make further comment on the matter in due course, once the discussions have concluded.

(ii) Differing legal and financial issues are being considered as part of the work on the options for the future of the attraction as outlined above, and it would not be appropriate for me to comment further until the discussions with the National Museum of the Royal Navy and the National Lottery Heritage Fund have completed.