§ 21. Mr. Craigasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is his estimate of the cost to the taxpayer of terrorist damage to property in Northern Ireland that might have been avoided or ameliorated but for the trade dispute between the firemen and their employers; and what is his estimate of the cost in the terms of jobs lost or at risk by reason of the said damage to property.
§ Mr. CarterAccording to my latest information no jobs will be lost or at334W risk as a result of the industrial action which the firemen have been taking. I am not able to estimate how much higher compensation payments will have to be; but I can say that the money would have been better spent elsewhere.