HC Deb 27 October 1995 vol 264 cc838-9W
Mrs. Currie

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what changes are proposed in his Department's cash limits for 1995–96. [40630]

Mr. Douglas Hogg

Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate, the cash limit for class III, vote 4 (Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food: departmental research, advisory services and administration, executive agencies and certain other services) will be increased by £8,338,000 from £322,070,000 to £330,408,000. The vote 4 supplementary estimate will give effect to the end year flexibility entitlement of £6,778,000 for running costs and £60,000 for capital announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 13 July 1995,Official Report, columns776–82. The supplementary estimate also reflects a £3,000,000 reduction in appropriations in aid and a £1,500,000 reduction in running costs for the Meat Hygiene Service due to transitional relief given to fresh meat plants.

The Intervention Board executive agency is eligible for an increase of £2,791,000 in respect of end year flexibility arrangements for running costs expenditure. At this stage it is proposed to take up £1,266,000 of this entitlement and increase the agency's running costs limit from £32,400,000 to £33,666,000.