HC Deb 24 May 1990 vol 173 cc362-3W
Mr. Andrew Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if any changes will be made to his Department's main supply estimates for cash-limited expenditure in 1990–91.

Mr. Ridley

Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary revised estimate, the cash limit for class IV vote 2 (Support for industry, international trade, statutory and regulatory work, consumer protection and administration) will be reduced by £58,000 from £787,435,000 to £787,377,000, and the running cost limit by the same amount from £304,292,000 to £304,234,000. Provision of £4,850,000 will be sought for outstanding ex gratia payments to Barlow Clowes investors and for administrative expenses incurred by the Government's agents in respect of the ex gratia payments, and provision of £2,000,000 for legal costs in connection with Barlow Clowes recovery actions. There will be a corresponding reduction of £6,850,000 in provision for support for industrial research and development, reflecting an anticipated underspend. Additional provision will also be sought for the Companies House executive agency and the radiocommunications executive agency in order to enable them to meet their planned requirements: in both cases, the additional provision will be fully matched by additional receipts. In addition, provision of £38,000 will be transferred to class XIX vote 2 (the Cabinet Office) to cover the transfer of the post of Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, and provision of £20,000 will be transferred to class X vote 1 (the Lord Chancellor's Department) in respect of work being carried out for the Department.

The proposed outstanding Barlow Clowes payments and recovery actions are new services and it is expected that some payments will fall due within the next few weeks. Pending parliamentary approval for these new services, expenditure will therefore be met by repayable advances from the Contingencies Fund.

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