To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what procedures are followed for authorising policies with significant financial implications for her Department, with particular reference to the role of the finance director; and if she will make a statement. (164887)

Budgets within the Home Office are planned and delegated on the basis of known priorities and pressures. In order to ensure a robust approach finance officials reporting to the Finance Director are engaged in policy development with significant cost implications to ensure policy proposals are affordable.

Significant projects and programmes are managed through a Group Investment Board chaired by the Director General of Finance and Commercial on which the Finance Director sits. In compliance with HM Treasury principles on delegated authority we seek clearance with the Treasury for projects and programmes above an agreed limit.