TREASURY went into damage limitation mode yesterday as it agreed to seek to delay the capital prioritisation debate for a month in the light of a massive error in its report.

It discovered late on Friday that there was not £100m. available in the States cash pool, as indicated in its report that backs borrowing £175m. to help fund the £301m. capital spending programme.

That 11th-hour revelation dealt a huge blow to supporters, led by deputy Matt Fallaize, of an alternative funding mechanism that would use internal borrowing from that cash pool.

It left them no time to prepare any alternative amendments to the report.

The department met yesterday afternoon, with talk that it could even face a vote of no confidence if it did not delay the debate scheduled for next week. It agreed to ask the States to put back the debate for a month, but is standing by its borrowing proposals.

‘My board has made this decision to ensure the proper democratic process is not undermined,’ said minister Charles Parkinson (pictured). ‘We recognise that Deputy Fallaize and his supporters have had insufficient time to consider and develop other options and would be unable to present other amendments at next week’s States meeting.’