To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what budget was planned for his Department in 2007-08; how much his Department has spent in the year to date; and what the projected expenditure outturn for the year is. (175013)

[holding answer 17 December 2007]: DEFRA’s budget (resource and capital DEL less depreciation) for 2007-08 is £3,617 million. It is for Ministers and the Department to manage its affairs during the year and to report on outturn to Parliament. The Department is currently addressing those pressures arising from the summer floods (£30 million) and the animal disease outbreaks (£35 million). However, action is being taken by the Department to manage down these cost pressures.