Goods and Services

HC Deb 08 February 1973 vol 850 c148W

Mr. Molyneaux

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much expenditure on goods and services in Northern Ireland in 1972–73 is expected to exceed income; what proportion of this deficit is due to agricultural subsidies; what proportion to the current disturbances; and what proportion of the current agricultural subsidies will in future become the responsibility of EEC institutions.

Mr. Peter Mills

Payments to the Northern Ireland Exchequer, transfers to Northern Ireland National Insurance Funds and United Kingdom agricultural subsidies in Northern Ireland are expected to amount to about £200 million in 1972–73. Of this total agricultural subsidies and the Remoteness Grant are expected to be about £28.3 million. All these payments are over and above the payment representing reserved taxation raised in Northern Ireland less certain deductions, and exclude the cost of military operations which is borne directly by the Ministry of Defence.

It is not possible to quantify all the effects of the disturbances on expenditure or to indicate what proportion of agricultural subsidies will in future become the responsibility of EEC institutions.