§ Mr. WilshireTo ask The Attorney-General whether any changes will be made to the Lord Chancellor's Department's cash limit and running costs for 1989–90.
§ The Attorney-GeneralYes. Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate, the cash limit for the Lord Chancellor's Department, class XI, vote 5, will be increased by £11,798,000 from £248,480,000 to £260,278,000. This reflects mainly an increase of £11,000,000 to maintain progress on the court building programme and £1,500,000 to meet previously unexpected VAT on rents. The overall increase is partly offset by an increase in net recoveries from fees of £1,500,000. This net increase will be charged to the reserve.
The Supplementary Estimate also gives effect to the transfer of £50,000 from the Home Office (class XI, vote 3) for the purchase of recording equipment to be used in the Crown court; a reorganisation of expenditure within the sub-heads; a grant in aid of £163,000 to the Council for Licensed Conveyancers; and the recovery of £50,000 from the Public Record Office (class XX vote 11) in respect of audit costs.
The running costs limit for the Department will be increased by £165,000 from £238,334,000 to £238,499,000. This reflects the increase of £1,500,000 in respect of increased VAT on rents, partly offset by a reduction of £1,335,000 to compensate for an overspend in 1988–89.