§ Mr. Heddleasked the Minister of Transport whether the Roads etc., England cash limit for 1980–81 has yet been finalised; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FowlerExpenditure against this cash block in 1979–80 was £454.271 million. This was £3.852 million—0.86 per cent.—in excess of the cash limit. For the current year the cash limit for Class VI, Vote 3 published in the Supply Estimates (HC 470) will accordingly be reduced by this amount.
Parliament has already approved an increase in this cash limit of £0.248 million in respect of the Civil Service 75W pay award 1980 (Class XIII, Vote 31, HC 643). A Supplementary Estimate will shortly be submitted for the approval of the House which would have the effect of increasing the cash limit by £0.250 million. These funds will be required under section 113 of the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980, to pay claims for compensation for depreciation of property values.
Subject to parliamentary approval to the Supplementary Estimate, the Roads etc. England cash limit for 1980–81 will be £548.360 million. This figure supersedes the one given in reply to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Derbyshire, South-East (Mr. Rost) on 25 July.—[Vol. 989, c. 420.]