HC Deb 22 October 1987 vol 120 cc868-9W
Mr. Heddle

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has any changes to announce to his Department's cash limits.

Mr. Ridley

Yes, I propose the following changes, subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimates.

The non-voted cash limit for 1987–88 for new towns (DOE/NT1) has been reduced by £160 million from minus £145.146 million to minus £305.146 million to take account of disposals of property which are higher than forecast. The cash limit for 1987–88 for class X, vote 4 will be increased from £86.447 million by £20 million to permit additional funding for the National Heritage Memorial Fund and by £0.25 million in respect of repairing storm damage and tree planting in the royal parks. The Department's running costs limits in respect of the latter expenditure will be increased by £0.25 million from £147.911 million to £148.161 million. The revised cash limit for 1987–88 for class X, vote 4 will be £106.697 million. The cash limit for 1987–88 for class X, vote 2 will be increased by £2.75 million to enable the Countryside Commission to undertake the expanded tree planting scheme announced in my statement of 21 October. The balance of £137 million will be surrendered to the reserve.

The cash limit for class X, vote 2 will also be increased by £60,000 to enable the litter initiative within UK 2000 to continue and to cover a new international subscription. This increase will be offset by a reduction of £60,000 in the cash limit for class X, vote 5 due to slippage on research programmes. At the same time the cash limit for class X, vote 5 will be increased by a token £1,000 to enable the chairman of the Inland Waterways Amenity Advisory Council to be remunerated for his services. The revised cash limit for class X, vote 2, taking account of all changes, will br £199.318 million. The revised cash limit for class X, vote 5, taking account of all changes, will be £154.430 million.