HC Deb 11 December 1989 vol 163 c449W
Mr. McGrady

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what additional responsibilities have been assumed by the Minister for the Economy in Northern Ireland in the Department of Economic Development since 25 July;

(2) what are the current responsibilities of the Minister for the Environment in Northern Ireland;

(3) what changes have been made to the budget of the Minister for the Environment in Northern Ireland since 25 July;

(4) what changes have been made to the budgets of the Minister for the Economy in Northern Ireland in the Department of Economic Development and the Department of the Environment since 25 July.

Mr. Brooke

All Northern Ireland Departments are under my direction and control and I have allocated economic development and environment responsibilities as follows:

Mr. Needham

  • Urban Regeneration;
  • Urban Development Grant;
  • Belfast Action Teams;
  • Promotion of Belfast City Centre;
  • Planning Service;
  • Lands Service; and
  • Ports and Harbours.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

  • The remainder of the Department of Environment functions.

The main changes to budgetary allocations since 25 July are summarised in the table and have been reflected as necessary in the autumn Supplementary Estimate approved on 4 December.

Department of Economic Development Industry Trade and Employment; Increase of £42 million reflecting additional provision for Shorts and Harland and Wolff offset by emerging savings on Industrial Development and Labour Market services. Energy; Reduction of £8 million through additional loan repayments by NIE.

Department of Environment Mr. Needham's responsibilities Reduction of £2 million mainly reflecting delays in Urban Development Schemes coming forward for grant. Mr. Bottomley's responsibilities Roads and Transport; Net reduction of £1 million reflecting several minor changes. Housing; Reduction of £42 million reflecting interest savings from the write-off of loans to NIHE. The reduction did not affect the resources available for physical housing programmes. Indeed the availability of increased Housing receipts has facilitated an increase in the gross expenditure by the NIHE. Environmental and Miscellaneous Services; Additional £1 million reflecting several minor changes.

The changes to budgets do not involve any increase in total public expenditure.