§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what(a) advice and (b) instructions have been given by the Treasury to departments in relation to earmarking of reserves within existing departmental budgets; and if he will make a statement. [59439]
§ Mr. Byers[holding answer 12 November 1998]: I cannot answer substantively before Parliament is prorogued. I will, however, write to the hon. Member.