HC Deb 23 February 1998 vol 307 cc2-3W
Mr. Stuart Bell

To ask the Prime Minister what proposals he has to change the Cabinet Office: Security and Intelligence Services cash limits for 1997–98. [30273]

The Prime Minister

Subject to Parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the cash limit for Class XVIII, Vote 2 will be increased by £1,863,000 from £718,913,000 to £720,776,000. The running costs cash limit will be increased by £1,967,000 from £367,688,000 to £369,655,000. The increase in running costs will be offset by the reallocation of expenditure within the Vote and take on board transfers from the Cabinet Office, Class XVIII, Vote 1 and the FCO, Class II, Vote 2. Capital end year flexibility of £1,349,000 has been taken up. There will be an increase in Appropriation in Aid of £2,987,000 and a net increase in Superannuation payments of £500,000.

The increase will be offset by transfers and charged to the Reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

Mr. Stuart Bell

To ask the Prime Minister what proposals he has to change the 1997–98(a) cash limit and (b) running costs limit for the Cabinet Office: other services Vote. [30272]

The Prime Minister

The cash limit for Cabinet Office: other services (class XVIII, Vote 1) will be increased by £2,922,000 from £37,444,000 to £40,366,000 and the running costs limit will be increased by £1,824,000 from £44,094,000 to £45,918,000.

This is to reflect a transfer of £1,604,000 from the Office of Public Service (Class XVIII, Vote 1) for security functions and jointly administered common services; a transfer of £4,000 to Security and Intelligence Services (Class XVIII, Vote 2) for services provided.

In line with previous practice, it has been decided that the Cabinet Office will bear the cost of the 1998 Economic Summit, requiring an increase in the department's 1997–98 provision of £1,322,000.

The increase will be offset by transfers and a charge on the Reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.