§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the £16 million aid offered by the EEC Commission for housing projects in Northern Ireland will be in addition to planned expenditure by Her Majesty's Government; and if the arrangements for the making of these grants have been finalised with the Commission.
§ Mr. Prior[pursuant to his reply, 26 October 1981]: There is as yet no Community instrument to provide the legal authority for the Commission to make the proposed grant. Her Majesty's Government are co-operating fully with the Commission as it prepares the necessary regulation. Discussions with the Commission are proceeding on the basis set out in the answer given to my hon. Friend earlier today by my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer. I can confirm that if the proposed grant is made available expenditure on housing in Northern Ireland will be higher than it could otherwise have been.