HC Deb 16 December 1998 vol 322 cc567-8W
Mr. Wigley

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish his definition of the Barnett formula in the context of the establishment of the National Assembly for Wales and the Scottish Parliament; and what changes have been made to(a) the formula and (b) its interpretation as a result of those establishments. [63482]

Mr. Byers

The Government have already set out a statement of principles to govern changes to the devolved administrations' budgets in a reply given by the then Chief Secretary to the Treasury to my hon. Friend the Member for East Ham (Mr. Timms) on 9 December 1998,Official Report, columns 510–13. I shall be publishing a paper describing the funding arrangements for the devolved administrations in due course. This will include details of the operation of the Barnett formula under devolution. Copies will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.