§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what allocations from the Contingency Reserve have been made for(a) 1997–98 and (b) 1998–99; what is the value of the remaining unallocated component of the Contingency Reserve in (1) 1997–98 and (2) 1998–99; and if he will make a statement.[13284]
§ Mr. Darling[holding answer 6 November 1997]The Reserve announced in November 1996 for 1997–98 was £2,5 billion. The main Estimates included allocations of £200 million from the Reserve to departments and the summer Supplementary Estimates included allocations of a further £52 million. The winter Supplementary Estimates to be presented on 13 November will include allocations of a further £234 million. The Reserve for 1998–99 will be £2.8 billion reflecting the allocations in my reply to the hon. Member of 30 JulyOfficial Report, column 347.