HC Deb 27 January 1988 vol 126 c247W
Mr. Anthony Coombs

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether any change has been agreed in voted provision for the Overseas Development Administration in 1987–88.

Mr. Chris Patten

Subject to parliamentary approval of the spring Supplementary Estimate, the cash limit for the overseas aid vote (class II, vote 5) will be increased to £1,096,875,000. The change allows for an agreed carryover of aid programme underspending in 1986–87, for part of the cost of the United Kingdom subscription to the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency and for other minor adjustments. Subject to parliamentary approval, the cash limit on the overseas aid administration vote (class II, vote 6) will also be increased to £28,191,000 to meet additional capital expenditure for the development and introduction of computer systems and other costs. The increases do not add to the planned total of public expenditure in 1987–88.