HC Deb 17 November 1981 vol 13 cc80-1W
Mr. Edward Gardner

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any changes to make on the cash limit for the Prisons Vote, class IX Vote 8.

Mr. Whitelaw

Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the cash limit on the prisons Vote will be raised by £7,384,000 from £440,737,000 to £448,121,000. The increase provides for the impact on the prison system of the urban unrest in the summer—£4,361,000—and residual expenditure on last year's prison emergency—£4,057,000. However, in accordance with normal practice, a deduction has been made from the cash limit in respect of the overspending in 1980–81—£1,034,000. The additional provision will be found from the contingency reserve and so does not add to planned spending totals.