HC Deb 28 November 2001 vol 375 cc962-3W
Mark Tami

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to amend the Welsh departmental expenditure limit for 2001–02. [19621]

Mr. Paul Murphy

The Wales departmental expenditure limit will be increased by £44,845,000 from £8,490,071,000 to £8,534,916,000. The increase is a result of:

  1. (i) the take up of end-year flexibility entitlement of £30,560,000
  2. (ii) net transfers from other Government Departments of £7,563,000
  3. (iii) additional provision of:
    • £5,300,000 for the transfer of the Forestry Commission in Wales to the Assembly;
    • £1,058,000 for areas affected by foot and mouth;
    • £450,000 for the Addington fund; and
    • £474,000 for drug prevention and education
  4. (iv) a reduction of £560,000 in respect of a Council Tax Benefit penalty.

The increase includes the following transfers

  1. (i) £609.000 to the Food Standards Agency for the Maclean report
  2. (ii) £5,425,000 from the Forestry Commission
    3. 963W
  3. (iii) £40,000 from the Department for Education and Skills for NTO Cymru
  4. (iv) £1,032,000 from the Department for Education and Skills for Student Access/Hardship Bursaries
  5. (v) £1,225,000 from the Home Office for the Partnership Development Fund
  6. (vi) £450,000 from the Department for Transport, Local Authorities and the Regions for the Planning Inspectorate.

The increase in DEL will be offset by transfers from other Departments, from the Reserve or take up of end-year flexibility and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.