Northern Ireland: Public Expenditure

Lord Forsyth of Drumlean Excerpts

Tuesday 22nd June 2010 Lords Chamber

[Lord Shutt of Greetland]

Because I don’t know. If I knew I would tell him—but there we are. The noble Lord, Lord Barnett, introduced his paper a third of a century ago and we are still talking about it. I accept and personally take the view that the Barnett formula should be looked at again. The present position is that it will be looked at again, but in due time.

[Lord Forsyth of Drumlean]

My Lords, can the Minister help me? I thought that the coalition Government’s policy was to implement the recommendations of the Calman report—which specifically said that we should move to a needs-based system of funding, in line with the unanimous recommendation of the committee of this House which looked at the Barnett formula in great detail not some time ago but in the last Session of Parliament.

[Lord Shutt of Greetland]

My Lords, the need for “due time” is also apparent with the Calman report. It is a matter for consideration by the coalition Government.