HC Deb 24 October 1989 vol 158 cc444-6W
Mr. Robert G. Hughes

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether it is intended to change the cash limit on any departmental vote for which he has responsibility.

Mr. Gummer

Yes. Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate, the cash limit for Class IV, Vote 4 (other agricultural and food services and support for the fishing industry) will be increased by £300,000 from £148,631,000 to £148,931,000 to make provision for a single contribution to the International Sugar Organisation and the International Wheat Council. This contribution is being made towards a fund for stabilising rents over 10 years. The increase will be fully offset by a corresponding reduction by the Department of Trade and Industry in the cash limit for Class V, Vote 2 (support for industry (including research and development, protection of innovation, international trade, and enterprise and job creation programmes)) and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.