HC Deb 13 November 2001 vol 374 cc606-7W
Mr. Bercow

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 30 October 2001,Official Report, column 642W, on departmental budgets, if he will provide a breakdown for each listed Department of the main items of intended expenditure that were not spent, comprising each of the annual underspend totals. [13201]

Mr. Andrew Smith

The allocation of budgets within Departmental Expenditure Limits is normally a matter for individual Secretaries of State. Under this Government's system of full End-Year Flexibility, unspent provision is available for use in future years. Departmental Appropriation Accounts break down outturn by section of the Vote.

Mr. Bercow

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he plans(a) to introduce corrective procedures for underspend of Final Department Expenditure Limit and (b) to examine the financial procedures in the (i) Department of Health, (ii) Department for Education and Skills, (iii) Ministry of Defence and (iv) Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions. [13200]

Mr. Andrew Smith

Under this Government's system of full End-Year Flexibility, unspent provision can be carried forward by Departments for use in future years. This removes the incentive, which applied under previous arrangements, to use up budgets wastefully at the end of the financial year. The allocation and management of budget within Departmental Expenditure Limits are in general a matter for individual Secretaries of State.

Mr. Bercow

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Health regarding under-spend in the Department of Health. [13204]

Mr. Andrew Smith

Treasury Ministers meet regularly with the Secretary of State for Health to discuss aspects of the Department of Health's performance and plans.