§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will update the figures contained in table 5A.4 of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report 1997–98," showing projected United Kingdom expenditure on BSE for(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [11186]
§ Mr. Darling[holding answer 29 July 1997]: The provision made for expenditure on BSE remains as in that table, supplemented by a further £0.2 billion spread over 1996–97 and 1997–98 in respect of the selective cull of animals most at risk of developing BSE announced on 16 December 1996, Official Report, column 632. The actual outturns will depend on a variety of factors, including some policy decisions that have not yet been taken.