§ Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for Health, to what extent the National Health Service spending has been(a) over and (b) under planned levels in (i) financial year 2001–02 and (ii) the first half of this financial year; and if he will make a statement. [136870]
§ Mr. HuttonThe resource underspend for the Department, which includes National Health Service spending, in 2001–02 was £526 million. The Department plans to spend all available resources in the current financial year. To ensure that best use is made of resources in year, end-year flexibility arrangements allow expenditure to be carried forward into the next financial year.