§ Mr. LansleyTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the increase in the overall running costs of Government departments. [119962]
§ Mr. Andrew SmithThe recently published figures for the running costs of Government Departments show that the final spend for 1998–99, the latest year for which final data are available, is £110 million less in cash terms than the previously published estimated outturn for that year.
Spending plans published by the previous Administration were higher overall for the three years 1997–98 to 1999–2000 than this Government have achieved.
639WIn real terms, administrative expenditure totalled £15,014 million in 1994–95, £14,737 million in 1995–96 and £14,323 million in 1996–97. This Government spent £13,725 million in 1997–98 and £14,003 million in 1998–99—the last year for which final figures are available.