§ Lord Lester of Herne Hillasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Answer by Lord Henley on 21 March [H.L. Deb., col. WA 65], where in Section 2.2.9 or elsewhere in Government Accounting it is stated that continuing expenditure resulting from prerogative powers still exercisable by the Crown alone, such as obligations under international treaties, is a recognised exception to the general terms of the 1932 agreement between the Treasury and the House of Commons Committee of Public Accounts.
§ Lord HenleySection 2.2.9 ofGovernment Accounting states that "… the Treasury is normally only able to authorise expenditure which does not have (or which goes beyond) specific statutory authority, if it is expected to continue for no more than a couple of years. There is however, a recognised exception for continuing expenditure resulting from the exercise of prerogative powers still exercisable by the Crown alone, 39WA such as obligations under international treaties. Specific legislation is not necessary in such cases, and such expenditure may therefore rest on the authority of the Appropriation Act" (Amendment No. 6, August 1994).
An up-to-date copy of the Government Accounting is available in the Library of the House.
§ Lord Lester of Herne Hillasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Answer, by Lord Henley on 21 March (WA 66), whether, and if so during what period of time, they consider that the convention that public expenditure which is either significant or recurring is required to be authorised by specific Act has been breached in relation to public expenditure incurred under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme.
§ Lord HenleyI refer the noble Lord to my answer of 21 March, (Official Report, col. WA 66).