HC Deb 01 February 1991 vol 184 cc653-4W
Mr. Ian Bruce

To ask the Attorney-General whether any changes will be made to the Lord Chancellor's Department's cash limit and running costs limit for 1990–91.

The Attorney-General

Yes, subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate, the cash limit for the Lord Chancellor's Department, class X, vote 1 will he increased by £2,716,000 from £321,132,000 to £323,848,000.

The supplementary estimate gives effect to an increase of £2,472,000 in the Department's provision for the 1990–91 accommodation charge. The increase arises from the introduction of value added tax on commercial rents.

The supplementary estimate also gives effect to an increase of £254,000 in the Department's provision for estate management which arises from the introduction of value added tax on commercial use of fuel and utilities.

The increase to appropriations in aid of £10,000 is required to give effect to receipts in respect of nursery facilities.

The running costs limit for class X, vote I will be increased by £2,726,000 from £280,982,000 to £283,708,000.

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

Mr. Ian Bruce

To ask the Attorney-General whether any changes will be made to the Crown prosecution service's cash limit and running costs limit for 1990–91.

The Attorney-General

Yes. Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate, the cash limit for class x, vote 5 will be increased by £3,000,000 from £130,668,000 to £133,668,000. Within this total the Department's running costs limit will be increased by £4,000,000 from £125,107,000 to £129,107,000.

Additional provision is required to enable the Crown prosecution service to meet increased accommodation costs, mostly caused by rent reviews and essential office moves, and the costs of agency support staff to compensate for shortfalls in recruitment particularly in the south-east. The increase is within the forecast outturn for the planning total published today in the statistical supplement to the 1990 autumn statement.

Mr. Ian Bruce

To ask the Attorney-General whether any changes will be made to the Treasury Solicitor's Department's cash limit and running costs limit for 1990–91.

The Attorney-General

Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate, the cash limit for class X, vote 9 will be increased by £249,000 from £15,862,000 to £16,111,000. The additional provision is required for capital expenditure for new office accommodation in Taunton and a similar sum will he deducted from the provision allocated for 1991–92.

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

Mr. Ian Bruce

To ask the Attorney-General whether any changes will be made to the Serious Fraud Office's cash limit and running costs limit for 1990–91.

The Attorney-General

Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate, the cash limit for class X, vote 7 will be increased by £60,000 from £6,567,000 to £6,627,000. The Department's running costs limit will be increased by £60,000 from £6,367,000 to £6,427,000. This increase will enable the Serious Fraud Office to meet additional costs arising from a restructuring of its senior management.

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