HC Deb 19 February 1976 vol 905 cc1474-5
14. Mr. Stonehouse

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what contribution Northern Ireland taxpayers make to the current annual public expenditure of £1,300 million in the Province.

Mr. Orme

The total of taxation and other revenues to be raised in Northern Ireland in the financial year 1975–76 is estimated at £720 million.

Mr. Stonehouse

Do not the figures confirm that the subsidy from other United Kingdom taxpayers to people in Northern Ireland amounts to about £17 per week per person? Does not that entitle British electors on this side of the Irish Sea to have some say in Northern Ireland affairs? Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that they will become exasperated if all sections of the community in Northern Ireland cannot get together to find a solution to the situation that now prevails?

Mr. Orme

The House is aware that final authority rests within the House. The subvention to Northern Ireland, which is a region of the United Kingdom, is in excess of subventions to other regions within the United Kingdom, but it is true that Scotland, Wales and other regions do receive subventions. I agree that while trying to use the money to the best advantage in reducing unemployment and creating employment, the people in Northern Ireland have a political responsibility. I think that they should take account of that responsibility.

Mr. Bradford

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that a tax contribution is made by Northern Ireland which is not reflected in the Northern Ireland returns, due to the fact that certain United Kingdom-based industries which have operations in Ulster make centralised returns to the mainland? Will he confirm that the total expenditure on security and compensation for bomb damage is included in the subvention to which he has referred?

Mr. Orme

There is an element of truth in the hon. Gentleman's point about United Kingdom-based industries and taxation. We estimate—these can be only round figures—that the subvention for the current financial year will be in excess of £400 million. That figure includes compensation.

Rev. Ian Paisley

Will the right hon. Gentleman confirm that the individual in Northern Ireland bears the same responsibility to the Crown, in that he has to pay the same rates of income tax, as any other citizen within the United Kingdom?

Mr. Orme

Although taxation might be on the same level, the return is not of the same proportion. The subvention exists and is real. The House cannot get away from that. The subvention must be taken into account. We are not attacking it we are explaining the situation to the House. There is a responsibility on those in Northern Ireland to recognise what the rest of the United Kingdom is attempting to do for them.