§ Mr. Chapmanasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about financial support for the Zoological Society of London.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinI have considered the operational plan prepared by the society earlier this year. It is clear that it will be a little time before the society can dispense with Government support. The Government have accordingly agreed to provide further financial support for up to three years, ending on 31 March 1986. The president and council of the society have given an assurance of their best endeavours to develop their plans during this period with the objective of reducing their operating deficit and operating without further Government revenue support beyond 31 March 1986.
For the current financial year, parliamentary approval for a grant of up to £2 million to cover the prospective deficit in this year's operation will be sought in a Supplementary Estimate on the central environmental 276W services etc. Vote — Class VIII, Vote 2. Pending that approval, the expenditure will be met as necessary by repayable advance from the Contingencies Fund.
The cash limit for Class VIII, Vote 2, will accordingly be increased by £2 million from £116,702,000 to £118,302,000. This increase is being met from within my Department's existing public expenditure survey provision and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.
For 1984–85 provision will be sought in the main Supply Estimates.