To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with reference to page 14 of the National Audit Office's report on the financial management of his Department, HC 289, what arrangements his Department has made with HM Treasury to carry forward unspent funds into future years through the system of end year flexibility; and whether there have been any changes to these arrangements in the last two financial years. (278646)

The take-up of end year flexibility (EYF) carry over of unspent funds into future years is subject to normal Treasury scrutiny on the basis of need, and in the light of the wider fiscal position. In 2008-09 the Foreign and Commonwealth Office took up £17.3 million EYF. There have been no formal changes to the EYF arrangements in the last two financial years.