§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his latest estimate is of the growth of current expenditure in the total departmental expenditure limit, in real terms, for the period 1998–99 to 2003–04; and if he will make a statement. [20303]
§ Mr. Andrew SmithThe annual average real growth in current expenditure within departmental expenditure limits between 1998–99 and 2003–04 is 4.1 per cent.