Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the estimated capital savings as a result of the present moratorium on new public expenditure on capital projects in Northern Ireland; how much of this saving is required as a result of expenditure on terrorist-related incidents; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. MawhinneyIt is anticipated that the temporary deferment of new capital contracts should provide sufficient resources to offset the imbalance between new demands and easements within the Northern Ireland block amounting to some £30 million. This figure represents the net effect of substantial numbers of adjustments to budgets, both increases and decreases, arising since the start of the financial year, of which security-related costs are only one element. Final decisions on the adjustments required will be taken in the context of the spring supplementary estimates which will be laid before the House in February and the details will be made available then.