HC Deb 01 February 1996 vol 270 cc862-3W
Mr. Matthew Banks

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes are proposed in the cash limit and running cost limit for 1995–96 for the Inland Revenue. [13547]

Mr. Jack

Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate, the cash limit for class XVII, vote 4 will be increased by £25,000,000 from £1,630,358,000 to £1,655,358,000 and the running costs limit will be increased by £10,000,000 from £1,662,705,000 to £1,672,705,000. Within the cash limit increase is included the take up of £10,000,000 running costs end-year flexibility entitlement announced by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 13 July 1995,Official Report, columns 776–82. A further £1,330,000 is required in respect of a shortfall in law costs receipts. The balance of £13,670,000 is required to cover reduced receipts because of lower than expected charges to the Department of Social Security and the Department of Health and Social Services (Northern Ireland) for the cost of collecting of national insurance contributions. The £13,670,000 is entirely offset by a saving to the national insurance funds out of which the charges are met.

The increases other than that relating to the receipts from the national insurance funds will be charged to the reserve and will not, therefore, add to the planned total of public expenditure.

Mr. Banks

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes are proposed in the cash limit and running cost limit for 1995–96 for HM Customs and Excise. [13548]

Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary' supplementary estimate, the cash limit for class XVII, vote 3, will be increased by £8,824,000 from £850,237,000 to £859,061,000 and the running cost limit for Customs and Excise by £7,955,000 from £741,377,000 to £749,332,000.

The increase in the running cost limit arises from the take up of £7,955,000 of the end-year flexibility entitlement announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 13 July 1995, Official Report, columns 776–82. The adjustment to the cash limit also reflects an increase to provide £869,000 capital provision transferred from Property Holdings. The increase, other than the capital transfer which is offset by a saving to class VII, vote 8 will be charged to the reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.