Mr. Robert Watt:

I do not wish to repeat the answer again, or waste members' time, but the process of members asking questions is scrutinising what is happening in terms of the budget for this year. As the months proceed, we will be able to discuss in more detail how the position is emerging.

The options for the Government are clear. The Government can make a policy decision to save money elsewhere. A demand-led scheme might deliver savings, a capital project might slow down or might not be delivered on time, or there could be other efficiencies. There could be a variety of changes. The Government might decide to have a Supplementary Estimate if the House supports it in the autumn and then the allocation will be increased. There are a variety of different options available to the Government. We shall see as the year progresses how we deal with it.

I do not think this is a new or startling development. This happens every year. It is unusual in as much as it is a high profile policy decision that the Government took in respect of public sector pay, so in that sense it is different. Every year things emerge between budget day, Revised Estimates and then as the year progresses, and the Government is flexible and adaptable in terms of policy choices and options in order to deal with the consequences of that.