§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Prime Minister what information she has about regional variations in retail and 191W wholesale prices charged by major companies, with particular reference to Northern Ireland; what is her estimate of the effect of higher prices in Northern Ireland on the level of public expenditure there; what account is taken of these factors in determining social, employment and other policies in the Province; and if she will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterPrice indices are not compiled on a regional basis. The level of public expenditure in Northern Ireland is determined by a wide range of factors which take into account the Province's particular circumstances including, where appropriate, prices and also wider national policies. The needs of Northern Ireland are reflected in the fact that public expenditure per capita on comparable programmes is substantially higher than elsewhere in the United Kingdom. Social, employment and other policies are similarly framed to take all relevant factors into account, including prices where appropriate, within the framework of national policy.