Subsection (1) gives the power to incur expenditure. Subsections (2) to (7) clarify and limit the way the power would work.
Subsection (2) requires the Secretary of State to obtain the approval of both the Treasury and the House of Commons before the power is exercised in any specific instance.
A report detailing the purpose and amount of expenditure must be laid before the House of Commons. (This procedure is modelled on the provisions of section 88B of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 – inserted by the Local Government Finance Act 1992, Schedule 10, paragraph 18).
Subsection (3) limits the Secretary of State’s right to incur expenditure to two years, starting from the date the report is approved by the Commons.
Subsection (4) ensures that other powers to incur expenditure, either for development work or under other specific legislative authority, are not affected by this new power.
Subsections (5) and (6) provide for adjustments between the Consolidated Fund and the National Insurance Fund (which pays for National Insurance benefits and their administration).
Commentary Commentary Part VI: General Commentary