§ Mr. KeetchTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list for(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 1999–2000 the funds budgeted for by his Department that were not spent, the budget head any underspends came from, the reason for any underspend and if underspends were carried forward into the next year's budget; and if he will make a statement. [130659]
§ Mr. SpellarThe overall underspend in 1997–98 was some £225 million and in 1998–99 it was some £74 million. I can confirm that the provisional outturn for 1999–2000 indicates an overall underspend of some £318 million. The underspends for 1997–98 and 1998–99 were carried forward into the subsequent financial year. I am confident that the same procedure will be followed for 1999–2000. The final amount carried forward will be reduced by the amount of underspend on Kosovo and Bosnia, for which my Department was given access to the Reserve.
I will write to the hon. Member concerning the detail of the years in question and a copy will be placed in the Library of the House.