Northern Ireland: Public Expenditure

Lord Barnett Excerpts

Tuesday 22nd June 2010 Lords Chamber

[Lord Barnett]

My Lords, the noble Lord said that the very important report of the Select Committee on the Barnett formula would be considered in due time. Would he care to define the meaning of “due time”? Does he appreciate that the Chancellor has just announced that in the autumn there will be departmental cuts in public expenditure of some 25 per cent? Does the noble Lord recognise that if this is not noted and taken care of, there will be very serious problems in England?

[Lord Shutt of Greetland]

My Lords, it is not for me to take a view on when that time will be. I am not able to indicate when it is—