Non-departmental Public Bodies

Baroness Armstrong of Hill Top Excerpts

Tuesday 19th October 2010 Lords Chamber

[Lord Taylor of Holbeach]

I thank my noble friend for his intervention, which reinforces the point which I have been making, that there will be a series of announcements from individual spending departments consequent upon the spending review.

[Baroness Armstrong of Hill Top]

My Lords—

[Lord Hunt of Kings Heath]

My Lords, the Minister says that the reduction in number of public bodies is not driven by savings, but can I refer him to the statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office on 25 May which said that the savings resulting from the reduction in number of public bodies were anticipated to be £1 billion year on year? Will he admit to the House that the Government have found that enormous costs are associated with getting rid of the bodies? Why will he not answer the Question asked by my noble friend; namely, what is the actual figure for savings that the Government have come to?