§ Ms HarmanTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 12 May,Official Report, columns 232–34, what were the principle causes of the difference between the figure for local authority self-financed expenditure of £9,700 million in 1993–94 and the equivalent figure of £10,400 million published in table 5B.3 of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report" 1994–95; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PortilloThe principal cause is revised estimates by local authorities of their capital receipts in 1993–94, as reported to the Department of the Environment in their capital payments returns for the third quarter of 1993–94, which became available in the spring of 1994.
§ Ms HarmanTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 12 May,Official Report, columns 232–34, what were the principal causes of the difference between the figure for expenditure on the European Communities of £1,620 million in 1993–94 and the equivalent figure of £2,450 million published in table 5B.3 of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report" 1994–95; and if he will make statement.
§ Mr. PortilloThe main cause is unexpected changes to the timing of contributions to the Community budget. The 579W precise moment at which contributions are made to the Community and their quantum depend on many factors outside the Government's control, making this programme difficult to forecast with accuracy.