§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the total cost of operating the Northern Ireland Office from its inception until January 1974; and what has been the cost for the period from February 1974 to the present.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThe cost of operating the Northern Ireland Office—i.e. salaries and general administration expenses—for each of the periods concerned was:
30.3.72–31.1.74 £1,480,000 1.2.74–30.9.74 £1,752,000 The main reason for the additional expenditure is that on 1st January 1974 NIO became directly responsible for the salaries and general expenses of the Northern Ireland staff of the former Ministry for Home Affairs and dependent services—police, prisons, etc.