HC Deb 17 September 2003 vol 410 cc815-6W
Mr. McGrady

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he will publish the complete needs and effectiveness evaluations in respect of departmental budgetary matters. [123960]

Mr. Pearson

The Northern Ireland Executive initiated work on the needs and effectiveness evaluations in 2001. The main findings from the effectiveness report on financial assistance to industry have already been released on the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment's website. Further release of the effectiveness studies will be made subject to agreement with appropriate Ministers. As far as needs assessment is concerned the Government have no plans to review the Barnett formula.

It should be noted that although each Team had moneys uncommitted at 29 July, there existed applications in the system which had not yet been processed. Column (d) on the table shows the potential value of the applications currently under assessment.