HC Deb 21 December 1972 vol 848 c472W
Mr. Kilfedder

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much of the £200 million payable to the Northern Ireland Exchequer in 1972–73 is accounted for, respectively, by special payments, subsidies and grants-in-aid, showing in each case the various items of expenditure which make up the total figure.

Mr. David Howell

Paragraphs 13–15 of Cmnd. 4998, "Northern Ireland: Financial Arrangements and Legislation", contain details of estimates of special payments and subsidies for 1972–73, amounting to £133 million. In addition, the Northern Ireland (Financial Provisions) Act 1972 provides for grants-in-aid to the Northern Ireland Exchequer. Such grants are contributions in support of general revenue, and it is estimated that about £60 million will be paid in 1972–73. The autumn Supplementary Estimates totalling £54 million gave an indication of recent increases in expenditure to which the size of the grant-in-aid is related.