§ Dr. Ms MowlamTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will provide further details on the difference between his Department's forecast for social security expenditure of £279,751,000 during the year 1993–94 and the official outturn of £1,350,527,594.
§ Dr. Sir John WheelerThe figures in the question are taken from the Northern Ireland financial statement, which is an abstract based on cash issues from the Northern Ireland consolidated fund. There were inconsistencies in the classification of social security and Social Security Agency expenditure in table IV of the statement, and these resulted in the discrepancies referred to. The classifications used are currently under review. The figures for cash issues for social security and Social Security Agency expenditure, taken together, were however correct.