§ Mr. John Browneasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has any change to announce in the cash limit which compensates Her Majesty's Stationery Office trading fund for the provision of reports of parliamentary debates at less than full cost, and for the price concession to public libraries.
§ Mr. Peter ReesHer Majesty's Stationery Office supplies official publications to public libraries at a discount of 50 per cent. The 1983–84 Estimate was approved in a sum below what was necessary to maintain the discount at this level, pending the outcome of a review which it was hoped would result in new arrangements being in place for the beginning of the financial year. Since that has proved not to be possible, Treasury Ministers have decided to continue present arrangements throughout 1983–84. Therefore, and subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the cash limit for class XIII, Vote 21, of which this provision forms a part will be increased by £389,000 from £6,997,000 to £7,386,000. This increase will be charged to the Contingency Reserve and will not, therefore, add to the planning total for public expenditure.