Theresa May (Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Also Shadow Minister for Women), Work and Pensions; Maidenhead, Conservative)

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much money was reallocated from her Department to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and its predecessor in (a) 2008-09 and (b) 2009-10; and for what reason in each case.

Jim Knight (Minister of State (the South West), Regional Affairs; South Dorset, Labour)

holding answer on 16 September 2009

The information is as follows:

(a) The Department for Work and Pensions transferred £645,000 for 2008-09 to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and its predecessor, of which £330,000 was in respect of the extension of compensation to all sufferers of Mesothelioma, and £315,000 in respect of the Government Skills Strategy.

(b) The Department for Work and Pensions transferred £975,000 for 2009-10 to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and its predecessor, of which £660,000 was in respect of the extension of compensation to all sufferers of Mesothelioma, and £315,000 in respect of the Government Skills Strategy.