§ Mr. Wheelerasked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he has any changes to announce to the cash limit for his Department's industrial support, Class IV Vote 9.
§ Mr. David HowellThe cash limit for my Department's industrial support, Class IV Vote 9 for 1980–81 has been reduced by £5,160,000 from £226,921,000 to £221,761,000.
The change represents a saving on research and development and is required to:
- (i) offset additional expenditure of £2,568,000, subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimates, on the non-cash limited Class IV Vote 7. This additional expenditure is to meet the cost of increased grants on the offshore supplies interest relief grant scheme and to offset reduced receipts from the ECSC coking coal levy.
- (ii) allow for a reduction of £2,592,000 reflecting adjustments in the phasing of the payment of operational grants to the National Coal Board.