HL Deb 03 December 2001 vol 629 c84WA
Lord Hardy of Wath

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether there are any plans to change the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's departmental expenditure limit (DEL) and administration costs limit for 2001–02. [HL1693]

Baroness Amos

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's departmental expenditure limit (DEL) will be decreased by £3,206,000 from £1,365,910,000 to £1,362,704,000 and the administration costs limit will be decreased by £960,000 from £635,558,000 to £634,598,000. Within the DEL change, the impact on resources and capital are as set out in the following table:

The Minister of State, Home Office (Lord Rooker)

There are numerous examples of statutory provisions which prevent review by the courts to a greater or lesser extent and it is not possible to provide a comprehensive list.

Such provisions vary enormously depending on the context in which they appear. For example, a statute may provide that a certificate by the Secretary of State shall be conclusive evidence of the matters contained therein. Alternatively, it may provide that a particular decision shall be final or conclusive or that it shall not be questioned in any court. In many cases, an alternative review process is provided for.

Many of the statutory provisions in question have not been tested in the courts. Some of those that have been tested have been held not to prevent review (sometimes a limited review) by the courts.