§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answers by the Lord Privy Seal on 11 March (WA168) and 30 April (WA102), why in the cases of the Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development, Culture, Arts and Leisure and Social Development and the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister was more underspend carried from 2001–02 into 2002–03 than was underspent in 2001–02. [HL2939]
§ Lord Williams of MostynThe underspend figures included inWA168 reflected actual expenditure for 2001–02, as determined by final outturn information for that year, collated in February 2003. However, the amount carried forward from 2001–02 into 2002–03, as detailed in WA 102, was (in accordance with Treasury's end year flexibility (EYF) scheme) based on an estimate of departmental spend in 2001–02 as determined by provisional outturn information in early summer 2002. Departmental expenditure figures can increase or decrease between provisional outturn and final outturn stages, and any such changes are taken into account in determining the final EYF claim.
As highlighted in WA 102 the remainder of the amount available for carry forward, based on actual departmental spend, will be drawn down in 2003–04, subject (as is always the case in respect of EYF) to agreement by the Treasury.