§ Mr. WardTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether he has any changes to announce to his Department's cash limits or running costs limit for 1988–89.
§ Mr. ParkinsonSubject to Parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimates, the following changes will be made. The cash limit for Class VI, Vote 2 will be increased by £58,223,000 from £277,922,000 to £336,145,000. This is to cover restructuring costs relating to the fast reactor programme and outstanding liabilities of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority to British Nuclear Fuel plc for decommissioning and radioactive waste management operations. This increase is partly offset by savings of £5,077,000 on this Vote. The net increase will be charged to the reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.
The cash limit for Class VI, Vote 3 is increased by £1,275,000 from £26,788,000 to £28,063,000. This is the net effect of higher than forecast costs arising from the Piper Alpha technical investigation and public inquiry and on departmental staff and supporting services, plus provision for an extra Minister and the transfer of £3,000 to Class XX, Vote 1 as a contribution towards the costs of the direct entry grade 7 competition 1988. Savings of £291,000 have also been taken into account. The net increase will be charged to the reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.
Department of Energy's running cost limit will be increased by £827,000 from £28,249,000 to £29,076,000.