HC Deb 14 December 1982 vol 34 c66W
Mr. Needham

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the implications for Northern Ireland expenditure programmes of the announcement made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 8 November.

Mr. Prior

The statement made by my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 8 November 1982 announced a total public expenditure planning total for the Northern Ireland programme of £3,822 million for 1983–84. Because of subsequent minor technical adjustment this now stands at £3,827 million, which is an increase of some £50 million on the previously planned total underlying the last public expenditure White Paper (Cmnd. 8494). As indicated in the November statement, the figures will continue to be subject to further, technical adjustments before publication in the 1983 public expenditure White Paper. I have decided on the following cash allocations to individual programmes within the overall Northern Ireland planning total—rounded to the nearest £5 million:

1983–84
£ million
Agriculture 75
Industry, energy, trade and employment 405
Transport 120
Housing 330
Other environmental services 160
Law, order and protective services 400
Education, libraries and arts 565
Health and personal social services 630
Social security 1,085
Other public services 25
Common services 30
3,825

These planning figures will form the basis for preparation by Northern Ireland Departments and the Northern Ireland Office of main Estimates for the coming year. These will provide for the detailed allocations to services for which each Department is responsible and will be presented to Parliament in due course. The proposals reflect my assessment of how best to allocate the Northern Ireland public expenditure total in response to local needs and circumstances.

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