§ Mr. KnoxTo ask the Attorney-General whether any changes will he made to the Crown Prosecution Service's cash limit and running costs limit for 1987–88.
§ The Attorney-GeneralYes. The cash limit on class XX, vote 25 (Law Charges, England and Wales) will be reduced by £22,209,000 from £107,009,000 to £84,800,000 and the running costs limit by £21,209,000 from £103,209,000 to £82,000,000. This is because the Department has, so far, failed to recruit sufficient staff to carry out its statutory duties. Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the non-cash limited class XX, vote 26 (Crown Prosecutions, England and Wales) will be increased by £8,100,000 gross. It will be offset by additional receipts of £4,500,000 increasing the net provision by £3,600,000 from £44,900,000 to £48,500,000. Most of this increase is needed to hire private agents to perform the functions of Crown prosecutors. The balance of £18,609,000 will be surrendered to the reserve.