§ Mr. SymsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give(a) the reasons for the projected change in net provision of money for fire and emergency planning in 2001–02, (b) details of those areas of action which have received less funding than was provided for at the commencement of financial year 2001–02 and (c) examples of measures which are funded under Request for Resource 1-H. [22132]
§ Mr. Blunkett[holding answer 10 December 2001]: As a result of Machinery of Government changes announced by the Prime Minister on 8 June 2001, resources were transferred to the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions for the Fire Service, and to the Lord Chancellor's Department for Remembrance Day in line with the transfer of responsibilities.
No areas have received less funding than was provided for at the start of the financial year. The reduction in resources is wholly attributable to the Machinery of Government transfer.
The remaining resources under Request for Resources 1-H fund the Emergency Planning function. These resources are also subject to the Machinery of Government changes and will be transferred to the Cabinet Office in the spring.