HC Deb 23 May 2003 vol 406 cc92-3W
Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to reduce his Department"s underspend in 2003–04 from that of 2002–03. [112767]

Mr. Blunkett

The Home Office works towards a balanced budget and to minimise the risk of overspending. The Home Office is currently estimating an underspend of £56 million against its resource Departmental Expenditure Limits (DEL), and £37 million against its capital DEL in 2002–03. These are 0.5 per cent. and 3.3 per cent. of total provision respectively. Planned spending for 2003–04 is set out in the 2003 Departmental Report (Cm 5908).