asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much of the contingency reserve for the current financial year has now been allocated; to which Departments and for what purposes; and how much of it remains to be allocated.

The last public expenditure White Paper—Cmnd. 7049—included provision for a contingency reserve in the current year of £750 million at 1977 survey prices—£815 million at 1978 survey prices. The main allocations from the reserve have been:

£ million at 1978 survey prices
Employment measures	156
Measures announced in the Budget	396
Christmas bonus and winter fuel scheme	141

After allowing for these and other smaller allocations, the amount remaining in the reserve is around £50 million. Details of announced changes in expenditure are set out in returns sent regularly to the Expenditure Committee. I refer my hon. Friend to HC92-ii and 92-iii of Session 1977–78.