§ 7. Mr. Ian Bruce (South Dorset)What arrangement has been put in place for the regular review of the block grant for the Welsh Executive. [103493]
§ The Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Paul Murphy)The Welsh block is determined within the framework of public expenditure control in the United Kingdom, and is normally assessed during the regular reviews of the Government's spending plans. The next spending review is taking place this year and continues the three-year planning cycle established in the comprehensive spending review.
These arrangements are detailed in the document "A Statement of Funding Policy", published by the Treasury on 31 March 1999.
§ Mr. BruceI am sure that the Secretary of State would wish to boast that Wales already gets more than its fair share of central Government expenditure, and that it has done very well out of regional assistance. Does he agree that to give extra money to the Welsh Assembly for match funding would be wholly unfair to the UK taxpayer?
§ Mr. MurphyFirst, I can tell the hon. Gentleman that Wales gets only its fair share of public expenditure. The system to which he refers has served Wales well for two decades. Any money going to Wales under objective 1 funding is a result of the fact that Wales qualifies, in terms of deprivation, for objective 1 status.