The Earl of Munsterasked Her Majesty's Government:
What external finance limit has been set for the current financial year for the Commonwealth Development Corporation.
§ The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Chalker of Wallasey)The external finance limit for CDC for 1996–97 is being increased by £31,400,000 from minus £15,000,000 to plus £16,400,000. The change allows for the take up of an entitlement under end year flexibility arrangements and a temporary increase in borrowing by CDC. The increase will be charged to the reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.