§ 25. Mr. Bruce-Gardyneasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer which Departments have breached cash limits in the current financial year to date; what were 326W the reasons for these breaches, and their cost to public funds; and what remedial action is proposed to prevent repetition.
§ Mr. BiffenProvision sought in the Supplementary Estimates presented on 28 February was in excess of the announced cash limits for the Ministry of Defence the Scottish Home and Health Department, the Scottish Development Department and the Queen's and Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer, taken together, the excess of the provision sought over the announced cash limits is £69.5 million. As far as practicable, efforts are being made to minimise the overspending and the eventual outturn may not exceed the announced cash limits by the whole of this amount.
The reasons for the overspending are being pursued with the Departments concerned. Adjustments will be made to the 1980–81 cash limits of the Departments concerned in respect of any overspending which occurs in 1979–80.