§ Mr. CoakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what changes he proposes to make in his Department's cash limits and running cost limits for 1997–98. [5552]
§ Mr. Doug HendersonSubject 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 increased by £225,000 from £619,601,00 to £619,826,000. The increase is required to take in a transfer of £225,000 (Other Current Expenditure) from the Cabinet Office for costs incurred on their behalf.
The gross running costs limit on Class II, Vote 1 will be increased by £3,250,000 from £524,020,000 to £527,270,000.
There is a requirement to provide for new costs and income associated with the Hong Kong Ethnic Minorities Citizens Unit and increased visa costs and income associated with new regimes in Colombia and Ecuador. All increases in provision will be fully offset by extra receipts, and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.