§ Mr. SayeedTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs further to her answer of 8 July 2002,Official Report, column 685W, on department-sponsored organisations, what plans she has to ensure that organisations sponsored by her Department are given their budgets prior to the beginning of the financial year. [70294]
§ Mr. MorleyThe Spending Review 2002 settlement will provide the opportunity to allocate indicative budgets for 2003–04 to 2005–06. This also provides the opportunity to give an indication of the anticipated level of support over the period. Following the crea:ion of DEFRA, we are further examining how the budget planning process can be enhanced, and the timetable we are working to should finalise allocation decisions prior to the start of the financial year.