HC Deb 08 November 1995 vol 265 c967W
Mr. Sweeney

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the proposed changes to the cash limits and running costs for the OPCS for 1995–96. [42226]

Mr. Sackville

Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate, the cash limit for class XII, vote 4-Office of Population Censuses and Surveys-will be increased by £2,666,000 from £35,775,000 to £38,441,000 and the running costs limit of OPCS will be increased by £1,702,000 from £49,694,000 to £51,396,000. This reflects the take-up of £1,281,000 for running costs and £635,000 for capital under the end-year flexibility arrangements announced by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 13 July 1995, at columns 776–82. It also reflects an increased running cost provision of £406,000 and increased capital provision of £1,780,000 in the national health service central register area for work on the Department of Health's existing number replacement project. Also included is an increased running cost provision of £15,000 and capital provision of £22,000 for the processing and production of abortion statistics. The increase in capital costs will be met from within the existing resources of the Department of Health, class XII, vote 3. There is also a capital provision of £750,000 for work on a building to house the London staff of the new Office of National Statistics. The increase will be offset by savings and a claim on the reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.