HL Deb 21 March 1995 vol 562 cc65-6WA
Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Answer by Lord Henley on 6 March (HL, WA 6), whether they will list the occasions during the past 10 years in which they have followed the convention that public expenditure which is either significant or recurring is required to be authorised by specific Act, in addition to the Appropriation Act.

Lord Henley:

It is normal to provide specific statutory authority for expenditure on a continuing function either before the expenditure commences or as soon as a suitable opportunity for legislation arises. There have been many such pieces of legislation in the past 10 years both as part of more wide-ranging Bills and as individual Bills. The complete information requested in the question could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Answer by Lord Henley on 6 March (HL, WA 6), whether, in deciding to introduce a statutory scheme for criminal injuries compensation in 1988, they were influenced by whether this would accord with the convention that significant or recurring public expenditure is required to be authorised by specific Act, in addition to the Appropriation Act.

Lord Henley:

The convention was a factor in the decision to introduce a statutory scheme for criminal injuries compensation in 1988. The Home Secretary has declared his intention of putting the new tariff scheme on a statutory basis as soon as practicable.

Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to their reply of 6 March 1995 (WA 6), whether they consider that public expenditure incurred in complying with the obligations imposed upon the United Kingdom by the European Convention on Human Rights is either significant or recurring, so as to require to be authorised by specific Act, in addition to the Appropriation Act; and, if not, why not.

Lord Henley:

As stated in 2.2.9 of Government Accounting, continuing expenditure resulting from the exercise of 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 Committee of Public Accounts. Expenditure incurred in complying with the European Convention on Human Rights is covered by the exception and may therefore rest on the authority of the Appropriation Act.

Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to their reply of 6 March 1995 (WA6), whether they consider that public expenditure incurred under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme is either significant or recurring, so as to require to be authorised by specific Acts, in addition to the Appropriation Act; and, if not, why not.

Lord Henley:

Yes.