§ 11. Mr. Sean Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the total cost of social security payments in Northern Ireland in 1982.
§ Mr. Chris PattenIn the financial year 1982–83, the total sum paid was £924,536,085.
§ Mr. HughesIn view of the Minister's complacent replies to my hon. Friends the Members for Coventry, South-East (Mr. Nellist) and for Leeds, Central (Mr. Fatchett), will the Minister take this opportunity to accept the simple proposition that in Northern Ireland, as in the rest of the country, it is better to use such resources to create jobs rather than to pay people to be unemployed?
§ Mr. PattenI am not aware of having been complacent. I do not believe that many people could reasonably argue that the main reason for Northern Ireland's serious economic problems is inadequate public expenditure.