To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the costs of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister were since it was established; what the planned expenditure is for 2004–05; and if he will make a statement. [99924]

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was established as a result of the Machinery of Government changes on 29 May 2002. The forecast gross administration resource expenditure for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, (including Government Offices but excluding its executive agencies) for 2002–03 is £269 million; and the planned gross administration resource expenditure for 2004–05 is £264 million. These figures exclude capital additions and related non-cash charges.