§ Dr. Hampsonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what increase would occur in the regional rate in 1983–84 if the proposals outlined in the discussion paper issued in January by the Department of Finance and Personnel were adopted.
§ Mr. PriorIt is calculated that if the proposals in the discussion paper were adopted there would be an increase of 2.9 per cent. in the non-domestic regional rate and of 3.4 per cent. in the domestic rate over the comparable figures for 1982–83. The respective rate poundages would be 86.54p and 74.54p. The effect would be that the overall average rate increase in Northern Ireland (regional and district) would be 4.3 per cent. I am still considering reactions to the discussion paper. The order which determines the level of regional rate will be laid before Parliament in early March.