Castle Buildings Talks

HC Deb 17 March 1997 vol 292 cc396-7W

Mr. Robert McCartney

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will specify the powers under which he paid the income tax liabilities of delegates to the Castle Buildings talks; how much was involved; what budget the money came from; and if this facility has been made available to staff. [19929]

Sir Patrick Mayhew

[holding answer 13 March 1997]: Allowances to delegates are paid under the authority of section 6 of the Northern Ireland (Entry to Negotiations, etc) act 1996. For the current financial year, allowances to them for which tax is due will be paid at a grossed-up rate, so that individuals receive sums equivalent to the allowances untaxed. The cost for the current year in respect of the talks will be approximately £109,000. The cost falls under subhead A2 of the Northern Ireland Office vote 1. Staff employed by parties and Governments participating in the talks are not subject to the same regime of allowances, and are not therefore subject to the arrangements above.