§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if it is his policy that the existing departmental spending totals for 1998–99 will be adhered to; what is his policy on the transfer of expenditure savings from one Department to another for 1998–99; and if he will make a statement.[13286]
§ Mr. Darling[holding answer 6 November 1997]: The Government are committed to holding to the Control Total for 1998–99. Departments known their baselines for 1998–99 and are planning spending accordingly. There are no current plans to reallocate spending between Departments but it may be appropriate on occasion to find savings from one Department to cover increases in another as was done with the NHS this year. Minor transfers will continue in the normal course of business—for example, to meet the cost of new policy initiatives which fall outside the originating Departments.