§ 19. Mrs. Shirley Williamsasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what funds were received from the European social fund and the European regional fund, respectively, in 1981–82 for Northern Ireland projects; and how much of these funds was offset against expenditure in Northern Ireland by Her Majesty's Government.
§ Mr. John PattenIn 1981–82 Northern Ireland received £16.5 million from the European regional development fund and £25 million from the European social fund of which £7.7 million and £21.4 million respectively was retained by Government. Community receipts are taken into account when the appropriate level of public expenditure in the United Kingdom as a whole is being determined. Community receipts in 1981–82 therefore enabled public expenditure in the United Kingdom, and hence in Northern Ireland, to be maintained at a higher level than would otherwise have been feasible.