§ Mr. KnapmanTo ask the Minister for the Civil Service what proposals he has for changes to the 1991–92 cash limit for the office of the Minister for the Civil Service.
§ Mr. RentonSubject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate the cash limit for the Office of the Minister for the Civil Service (class XIX, vote 1) will be increased by £217,000 from £41,721,000 to £41,938,000. The increase will be charged to the reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.
The increase is required to cover the cost of physical security improvements, refurbishment work in 10 Downing street and the cost of additional staff on outward secondment (this latter charge is offset by increased appropriations in aid). In addition appropriations in aid have been amended to take account of the Recruitment and Assessment Services Agency becoming ineligible to claim VAT refunds on contracted out services. The Recruitment and Assessment Services Agency's capital provision has been reduced to reflect a reassessment of its capital equipment requirements.
Some of the changes in provision have a consequent effect on the Department's running costs limit which will be increased by £141,000 from £49,052,000 to £49,193,000.