HC Deb 02 November 1998 vol 318 cc340-1W
Mr. Tyrie

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the oral statement by the Economic Secretary of 26 October 1998,Official Report, column 75, what is the size (a) in absolute terms and (b) as a percentage of each department's spending head of the margins to cover uncertainties built into departmental spending plans. [57594]

Mr. Byers

Table 4.4 of the "Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report" (Cm 3978) showed surpluses on current budget, over and above the balanced position that is necessary to achieve the golden rule. There are additional elements of caution built into the projections from the reserve within DEL and the AME margin in the public spending plans. Figures for departmental spending plans were published in the Comprehensive Spending Review (Cm 4011).