§ Mr. Keith SimpsonTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reasons the Ministry of Defence does not have an administration costs limit. [181773]
§ Mr. BoatengThe Ministry of Defence was originally excluded from the administration cost control regime because it could have discouraged inter-changeability between Service and civilian personnel. The Ministry of Defence is not exempt from the administration costs efficiency target announced in the 2004 Budget. This target applies to all departments and MOD will be required to freeze the equivalent of its administration budget over the Spending Review years.