18. To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to commence the next Comprehensive Spending Review. (286208)

Departmental budgets are set until April 2011. The exceptional economic uncertainty we now face means that it would not make sense to set budgets now for 2014, less than half way through the current spending review period. The Chancellor will set out economic and fiscal forecasts at the time of the Pre-Budget report, when he will return to this issue.

21. To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps his Department is taking in preparation for the next Comprehensive Spending Review. (286211)

Departmental budgets are set until April 2011. The exceptional economic uncertainty we now face means that it would not make sense to set budgets now for 2014, less than half way through the current spending review period. The Chancellor will set out economic and fiscal forecasts at the time of the Pre-Budget report, when he will return to this issue.