HC Deb 16 July 1991 vol 195 c101W
Mr. Wigley

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what basis it is determined what amount of new money should be allocated to Wales when new money is made available for Government expenditure in England; and if he will make a statement on the policy for allocation of such resources which has been followed by the Government over the past five years.

Mr. Mellor

Provision for central Government expenditure in Wales falls into two main categories: programmes within the so-called Welsh block and those outside it. Provision for programmes outside the block —agriculture, fisheries and food, industry and employment—is a matter for negotiation in the public expenditure survey in the normal way. Provision for programmes within the block is largely determined by the application of a formula to the increments accruing to comparable programmes in England. Decisions about the allocation of resources within the overall total are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.