HC Deb 14 April 1980 vol 982 cc510-1W
Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much of the receipts from the European regional development fund each year represents a straight addition to the money otherwise available to the recipients and hence a cash addition to the whole Northern Ireland economy; and how much of these receipts each year is used to offset part of the Government's expenditure in Northern Ireland.

Mr. Giles Shaw

[pursuant to his reply 27 March 1980, c. 687–88]: European regional development fund receipts in respect of industrial projects in Northern Ireland as in other parts of the United Kingdom are retained by Government in partial payment for financial assistance already provided and the total assistance provided mist be held within European Community ceilings for regional aid. Fund receipts in respect of infrastructure projects are passed on to the bodies charged

(i) Industrial receipts retained by the Government (ii) Infrastructure receipts passed on to other authorities
£ million £ million
1975–76 2.34
1976–77 3.76 1.58
1977–78 2.54 5.12
1978–79 1.28 2.91
1979–80 2.74 10.70*
*excludes £3.3 million that remained to be passed on at 29 February 1980.

Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much money Northern Ireland has been allocated in each of the financial years since 1 January 1973 to date from the European regional development fund; and how much Northern Ireland has received in each year.

Mr. Giles Shaw

pursuant to his reply [27 March 1980, c.687–88]: Details of the European regional development fund commitments and receipts on Northern Ireland projects since inception of the fund in 1975 to 29 February 1980 are as follows:

Financial year Allocations Receipts
£ million £ million
1975–76 7.45 2.88
1976–77 6.82 7.20
1977–78 8.74 6.38
1978–79 14.22 4.01
1979–80 27.84 15.86

The balance of the allocations will be taken up as relevant work progresses towards completion.