§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his latest cash estimate of expenditure on the Prison Service in(a) 1997–98 and (b) 1998–99; and how these figures differ from those implied by the departmental spending plans set out in the "Financial Statement and Budget Report 1997–98"; and if he will make a statement. [11247]
§ Ms Quin[holding answer 29 July 1997]: The "Financial Statement and Budget Report 1997–98" did not set a separate figure for Prison Service expenditure.
The expenditure plans of the Prison Service were set out in table 1 of the audit of Prison Service resources which we published on 25 July. That table gives details of transfers between the Prison Service and the Home Office and other Departments made since the conclusion of the 1996 public expenditure survey.
The expenditure plans set out in the audit have been increased as a result of my right hon. Friend's announcement on 24 July of increased funding for the Prison Service this year and next year, to help meet the pressure arising from prisoner population. The effect of those changes is to increase planned expenditure to:
- 1997–98: £1,774.5 million
- 1998–99: £1,733.3 million