Introduction
1. The Main Supply Estimates for 2013-14, through
which the Government requests resources from Parliament to meet
its expenditure plans for the financial year ahead, were published
on 18 April 2013.[1]
The Main Supply Estimates comprise an Estimate for each Government
Department and, separately, for each public service pension scheme.
Our concern is with the Main Estimates of the Ministry of Defence
(MoD) and of the Armed Forces Pension and Compensation Schemes.
2. Departments are required to prepare Estimates
Memoranda to accompany each Estimate presented to the House.[2]
These Memoranda are intended to provide Select Committees with
additional information and useful explanations on the spending
proposals being put before the House.
3. The MoD has provided us with an explanation of
the key elements of its Estimates; these memoranda are printed
with this Report.[3] We
sought further information about the activities underpinning changes
in the Main Estimates in 2013-14; and the MoD's supplementary
memorandum responding to our request is also published with this
Report.[4] The purpose
of this Report is to highlight some features of particular interest.
1 HM Treasury, Central Government Supply Estimates
2013-14 Main Supply Estimates, HC 1079, 18 April 2013 Back
2
Guidance on the content of Estimates memoranda is prepared jointly
by the Scrutiny Unit of the House of Commons and the Treasury
and published in the Treasury's Estimates Manual July 2011 Back
3
Ev 1 and Ev 11 Back
4
Ev 12 Back
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