§ Mr. RathboneTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what cost increase identified in his recent departmental audit will be reflected in increased fees charged for work connected with the licensing of the sea disposal of waste.
§ Mr. CurryA departmental audit showed that departmental overhead expenditure had not hitherto been fully reflected in standard departmental costs used in the calculation of all its chargeable operations including licence fees for sea disposal. Necessary changes in central London accommodation also served to increase overheads.
§ Mr. RathboneTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what reasons he has for assuming 8 per cent. inflation for the fiscal year 1991–92 when assessing fees charged for work connected with the licensing of the sea disposal of waste.
§ Mr. CurryThe 8 per cent. figure was not intended to be a forecast of the general rate of inflation over the coming year. It is a planning figure which the Department has used as a realistic estimate of the likely increase in the cost of certain elements, including pay costs, which are included in the calculations of our fees for sea disposal licences.