HC Deb 01 November 1993 vol 231 cc30-2W
Sir Nicholas Fairbairn

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what changes he proposes to make in his Department's diplomatic wing cash limits and running cost limits for 1993–94.

Mr. Goodlad

Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate the following changes will be made.The cash limit for class II, vote 1, (Overseas Representation) will be reduced by £10,319,000 from £828,928,000 to £818,609,000. The gross running costs limit on class II, vote 1 will be reduced by £5,537,000 from £585,414,000 to £579,877,000 following a transfer of provision to class II, vote 2 (non-running costs). The cash limit for class II, vote 2 (Other External Relations) will be increased by £98,121,000 from £203,109,000 to £301,230,000. The increase will be met by savings of £10.3 million on vote 1, by savings of £2 million on vote 2 and by increased appropriations in aid on vote 2 of £1.7 million and the balance will be charged to the Reserve. The cash limit for class II, vote 3 (External Broadcasting and Monitoring) will be increased by £2,597,000 in respect of the take up of end year flexibility entitlement announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 14 July 1993, c. 512–17.

None of the proposed changes will add to the planned total of public expenditure.