Member

The requirement for Treasury approval is a long-standing convention, being one aspect of the Treasury’s power of control in matters of finance and public expenditure. Let me be clear that, in relation to including spending limits in legislation, it is rare for financial or spending limits to be contained in primary legislation, for the reason I mentioned in my introductory remarks. I have asked officials to find me examples of legislation where it happens and there are a handful of Acts with spending limits—but they are limits on individual payments, rather than setting an overall limit on what financial assistance can be given. So, while I accept that the noble Lord is very exercised and has developed his points with eloquence, we think there are sufficient controls in place through the normal Treasury controls over how the Government will react with the body, so I do not believe that the amendments are necessary.