§ 12. Mr. McFallTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans she has for increased public expenditure on economic development in Scotland. [57390]
§ Mrs. LiddellThe Government provided a substantial increase for public expenditure in Scotland in the 2002 Budget. Scotland will receive annual increases ranging from £224 million in 2003–04 to £3.2 billion in 2007–08. Economic development is a devolved matter and it is for the Scottish Executive and the Scottish Parliament to decide on the allocation of resources according to their own priorities for Scotland.