HC Deb 01 February 1991 vol 184 cc674-6W
Mr. David Martin

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes are proposed in the cash limit and running cost limit for 1990–91 for Customs and Excise.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate, the cash limit for class XVIII, vote 6 will be increased by £23,438,000 from £647,862,000 to £671,300,000 and the running costs limit by £1,380,000 from £575,799,000 to £577,179,000. The increase in the running costs limit arises from the need to enforce sanctions against trade with Iraq and for extra costs associated with a survey for the Central Statistical Office and a centrally organised telecommunications system project. The increase in the cash limit otherwise is almost wholly accounted for by the need to pay interest on large refunds of VAT being made as a result of recent legal decisions in both United Kingdom and European Community courts. There is also a predicted shortfall in receipts due mainly to a lower-than-expected number of requests by traders for out of hours attendance by officers.

The increases are within the forecast outturn for the planning total published today in the statistical supplement to the 1990 autumn statement.

Mr. Hannam

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any changes are proposed in the cash limit and running cost limit for 1990–91 for the Inland Revenue.

Mr. Maude

Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate the cash limit for class XVIII, vote 7 will be increased by £4,167,000 from £1,403,945,000 to £1,408,112,000 and the Department's running cost limit by £182,000 from £1,327,395,000 to £1,327,577,000. The change in the running costs limit arises from a transfer from the Cabinet Office (Office of the Minister for the Civil Service) for challenge funding (class XX, vote 1). The change in cash limit also includes the full take-up of the capital end-year flexibility entitlement announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 25 July 1990. The increases are within the forecast outturn for the planning total published today in the statistical supplement to the 1990 autumn statement.

Mr. Moate

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether there will be any changes to the Treasury's cash and running costs limits in 1990–91.

Mr. Mellor

Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimates, the cash limit for class XVIII, vote 1 will be increased by £407,000 from £77,531,000 to £77,938,000.

The cash limit increase reflects the take-up of £509,000 of the entitlement to carry forward capital underspends announced by my predecessor on 25 July 1990, Official Report, columns 235–38, offset by a net reduction of £102,000 in provision for running costs expenditure in the light of reduced requirements. The increase is within the forecast outturn for the planning total published today in the statistical supplement to the 1990 autumn statement.

A token supplementary estimate will be sought for class XVIII, vote 3, reflecting higher running costs and other expenditure by the Civil Service Catering Organisation in the light of increased trading activity fully offset by an increase in receipts from their customers. The increase in running costs expenditure partly reflects the take-up of the full entitlement of £377,000 to carry forward running costs underspends announced on 25 July 1990.

As a result of these changes, the running costs limit of Her Majesty's Treasury will be increased by £1,988,000 from £83,147,000 to £85,135,000.

Mr. Moss

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is proposing any change to the Central Statistical Office's running cost limit for 1990–91.

Mr. Maples

Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary token supplementary estimate, the running cost limit for class XVIII, vote 13 will be increased by £26,000 from £22,457,000 to £22,483,000. The increase reflects the measures planned, in response to the 34th report, Session 1989–90, of the Committee of Public Accounts (Cmnd 1323), to improve the quality of price collection for the retail prices index. The increase in provision for these measures is offset by savings in the capital provision on the same vote.

Mr. Hind

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes he proposes to make to the cash and running cost limits for 1990–91 for the National Investment and Loans Office.

Mr. Maples

Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate, the cash limit for class XVIII, vote 11 will be increased by £249,000 from £1,000 to £250,000. The additional provision is required to cover a shortfall in fees payable on loans to local authorities. The increase is within the forecast outturn for the planning total published today in the statistical supplement to the 1990 autumn statement. The running costs limit will be reduced by £169,000 from £1,369,000 to £1,200,000.