§ Mr. Ovendenasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what provision has been made in table 2.4 of Command Paper No. 7439, "The Government's Expenditure Plans", to implement the proposals in paragraphs 28–34 of Command Paper No. 7143, "The Challenge of North Sea Oil";
(2) which sections of Command Paper No. 7439, "The Government's Expenditure Plans", propose increased public expenditure to implement the proposal in paragraph 45 of Command Paper No. 7143, "The Challenge of North Sea Oil"; and what is the extent of such extra expenditure in each sector.
§ Mr. Joel BarnettThe expenditure plans contained in Cmnd. 7439 reflect both the contribution made by North Sea oil to the resources available for public expenditure, and the priorities for the use of the oil revenues set out in Cmnd. 7143. But, in framing the plans, the Government have not sought to identify specific items of industrial or other expenditure which have been made possible by the oil revenues. The Government intend to publish in due course a further annual report to Parliament on progress towards the objectives set out in Cmnd. 7143.