HC Deb 17 July 1997 vol 298 cc243-4W
Mr. Malcolm Bruce

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, following the recent Budget, he will give his estimate of the total real level of his Department's budget, in 1995–96 prices, in(a) 1997–98 and (b) 1998–99; if he will estimate what such figures were for (1) 1997–98 and (2) 1998–99 following the November 1996 Budget on the basis of the estimates of the GDP deflator contained in that Budget; and if he will make a statement. [8321]

Mr. Darling

[holding answer 14 July 1997]: The figures requested for the spending plans of the Chancellors' Departments within the Control Total are as follows: (a) £3,000 million, (b) £2,949 million, (1) £3,027 million, (2) £2,999 million.

Mr. Malcolm Bruce

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what new plans he has to introduce cuts and savings in his Department as a result of the effect on his Department's budgets for 1997–98 and 1998–99 of the upward revisions to the GDP deflators in the Budget on 2 July; and if he will make a statement. [8322]

Mr. Darling

[holding answer 14 July 1997]: All Departments are reallocating spending within their Departmental ceilings as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review.