HC Deb 03 February 2000 vol 343 cc725-6W
Mr. Michael J. Foster

To ask the President of the Council what proposals she has to amend the House of Commons Departmental Expenditure Limit for 1999–2000. [108471]

Mrs. Beckett

Subject to Parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate for Class XVIII, Vote 4 (House of Commons: Members Salaries etc) the House of Commons Departmental Expenditure Limit for 1999–200 will be increased by £3,311,000 from £273,236,000. The increase is the net effect of increases in financial assistance to Opposition parties and other current expenditure.

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