January budget shortfalls
McMahon asks about shortfalls in the January budget allocations, and Bruton says he can provide detailed information, reporting total under-provision of £481 million. Woods asks that the details be circulated; the Chair reiterates that he cannot direct Ministers’ answers, followed by brief political interjections.
Is the Minister in a position to give information about the shortfall, if any, that applied to each of those Departments in the January budget?
Comment on this
It would be fair to circulate that in the same way that the Minister is proposing to circulate the reply to the question under discussion.
Comment on this
The grand total of the emerging excesses was £481 million. A total of £481 million was under-provided in the January budget of 1981 and now we have a fuss over savings of £19 million out of that.
Comment on this
On a point of order, I should like to ask the Chair to use his influence to ensure that the Minister is as forthcoming with the information requested by this side of the House as he has been with the information requested by his own backbenchers.
Comment on this
As I explained earlier, that is not the function of the Chair. I am not responsible for answers.
Comment on this
I was very tempted to ask that question earlier. The Minister, in fact, was covering for the previous Minister.
Comment on this
The Deputy is looking for a car; he is being a good boy. He will be considered for the car.