§ Mr. BeithTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to increase the proportion of his Department's budget spent directly on targeted crime prevention work; and if he will make a statement. [25046]
§ Mr. MichaelOur manifesto made clear the Government's commitment to be tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime. We also gave an undertaking that, for the first two years, the Government would work within the Departmental spending limits already announced.
142WPlans and priorities for spending after the 1998–99 financial year are being examined in the Comprehensive Review of all public expenditure, with a view to ensuring that taxpayers' money is being spent effectively in order to meet the Government's manifesto commitments.