HC Deb 29 July 1975 vol 896 c484W
Mr. Moonman

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish in the Official Report details of those areas of work of his Department for which time cycles have been prepared covering the next 10 years or more; how far these have been budgeted for; what advice he has sought; and whether such planning has taken into account socio-economic models and the experience of other countries.

Mr. Ennals

Long-term policy planning and forward-looking assessments are undertaken in my Department but both are necessarily subject to adjustment in the light of political, economic and other developments overseas. Similarly, longterm projections of departmental expenditure, in areas such as automation of communications, are prepared from time to time for internal use. Broad assumptions about medium-term requirements are reflected in the annual White Papers on Public Expenditure. Outside advice is sought as necessary.