§ Mr. ChopeTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the instances in which sums required for fulfilling guarantees made by the Government were charged on and issued out of the Consolidated Fund in each of the last five years. [100745]
§ Mr. Andrew SmithSuch sums are normally paid out of voted moneys. While Departments are advised that they should consider whether an immediate statement should be made to Parliament in respect of a maturing contingent liability of this kind, information is not collected centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. There have been no payments under guarantees charged by statute directly on the Consolidated Fund in the last five years.
§ Mr. ChopeTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if it is the policy of the Government that sums required for fulfilling guarantees given by the Export Credits Guarantee Department are charged on and issued out of the Consolidated Fund. [100744]
§ Mr. TimmsIt is established Supply procedure for departmental payments such as claims in respect of guarantees issued by ECGD to be made out of moneys voted by Parliament. An excess requirement would necessitate drawing on the Consolidated Fund.