HC Deb 31 January 1989 vol 146 cc206-7W
Mr. Baldry

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he proposes to make any changes to the cash limit on the Property Services Agency's civil vote and also to the running cost limit for 1988–89.

Mr. Ridley

Yes. Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the cash limit for class XX, vote 19, will be increased by £71.152 million from £2,000 to £71.154 million. The increases are needed to finance the acquisition of freehold office accommodation and the internal restructuring of the agency ahead of fully commercial operation in 1993. The increase will be charged to the Reserve and therefore will not add to the planned total of public expenditure.

In addition, PSA's civil running cost limit is being increased by a net £3.599 million to £143.678 million to cover expenditure on internal restructuring. This increase includes an offsetting reduction of £1,000 to meet corresponding increase in the running cost limit of the Office of the Minister for the Civil Service (class XX, vote 1) for the transfer of costs for recruitment under the direct entry grade 7 competition 1988.