HC Deb 30 October 1989 vol 159 c8W
Mr. Knapman

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what changes have been made in 1989–90 cash limits for expenditure by the Overseas Development Administration.

Mrs. Chalker

Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate, the cash limit on the overseas aid vote (class II vote 5) will be increased by £74,613,000 to £1,365,579,000. The increase reflects adjustments to the aid programme during the year, including significant new commitments for Nigeria of £49,600,000—Official Report 6 December 1988 column 90 —and for the Commonwealth Development Corporation of £20,000,000—Official Report, 21 May 1989, column 38. The increase also includes £2,500,000 for the estimated costs in 1989–90 of training and advice under the know-how fund for Poland—Official Report 18 October 1989, column 149—originally to be incurred on class II vote 2, "Other External Relations". Pending approval of the supplementary estimate, urgent expenditure of £1,500,000 for this new service will be met by a repayable advance from the contingencies fund. The running costs cash limit for the ODA has also been increased by £300,000, from £43,831,000 to £44,131,000. The net effect of these changes has been charged to the reserve, and will not, therefore, add to the planned total of public expenditure.