asked the Minister for Finance if the Government has taken a decision to postpone until the 1987 financial year payment of current and/or capital expenditure which is due for payment in the current financial year; and if he will indicate the effect, if any, such postponement will have on the budget outturn for each year.

The Government has taken no such decision which would be completely at variance with the principles of Government accounting which require that all matured liabilities be paid within the financial year.