§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what sanctions he can apply to public bodies dependent on his Department's approval for expenditure on capital projects which overspend on such projects by 10 per cent. or more; and what procedures he has to detect unapproved overspends of 10 per cent. or more. [5007]
§ Mr. HagueThe Welsh Office determines levels of delegated authority for capital expenditure by public bodies such as non-departmental public bodies and NHS trusts. Within these delegations the bodies themselves are responsible for managing their capital projects, including any possible overspends. For projects above the delegated limits a variety of arrangements are in place in the Department to ensure effective monitoring and control of expenditure. These are tailor-made to meet the particular circumstances of the capital expenditure programme concerned. Expenditure on major capital projects is monitored and reported quarterly to senior management of the Department, and to the Treasury. Information about major capital projects is included in the Welsh Office departmental report, Cm 3215.