HC Deb 05 July 1983 vol 45 c58W
Mr. Richard Page

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry by how much his Department's scientific and technological assistance Vote cash limit will be increased in 1983–84.

Mr. Parkinson

Subsequent to the changes announced by my right hon. and learned Friend the then Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 12 May 1983—[Vol. 42, c.416]—and subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the cash limit on Class IV, vote 6 will be increased from £309,596,000 by £20,656,000 to £330,252,000.

The increase is the sum of three separate changes:

  1. (1) Following the innovation package announced in the Budget, the then Secretary of State for Industry announced to the House on 21 March 1983 various measures to assist British Industry. The cost of these measures in 1983–84 that will fall to Scientific and Technological Assistance (Class IV, Vote 6) is £14,000,000. The increase will be met from the Contingency Reserve.
  2. (2) An increase of £5,956,000 to be made for certain projects previously forecast to be supported finder the Industrial Development Act covered by Class IV, Vote 1. The increase will be met by a transfer from Class IV, Vote 1.
  3. (3) An increase of £700,000 to allow for additional expenditure by the Department of Industry on its share of a jointly financed project. This increase has been offset by a reduction in expenditure by the Department of Transport.

The increases will not therefore add to the planning total of public expenditure.

The Supplementary Estimate for Class IV, Vote 6 will be for £20,591,000 which also takes account of the £65,000 reduction for national insurance surcharge announced in May.