HC Deb 25 April 1983 vol 41 c243W
Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much of the £63 million allocated to Northern Ireland out of the United Kingdom's European Economic Community budget refund for 1982 represents a cash addition to the Northern Ireland economy; and how much will be used to offset Government expenditure on Northern Ireland.

Mr. John Patten

These budget refunds were taken into account in public expenditure planning decisions, which were based on the assumption that such refunds would be made. They therefore enable public expenditure programmes, including the Northern Ireland programmes, to be maintained at a higher level than would otherwise be feasible.