§ Mr. CaplinTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what changes he proposes to make to his Department's non-voted cash limit for 1997–98. [37664]
§ Mr. Chris SmithAs announced by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 17 July 1997,Official Report, columns 245–50, the DCMS/ERDF non-voted cash limit covering the payment of European Regional Development Fund grants, including supplementary credit approvals in respect of capital expenditure by local authorities, is eligible for an increase of £14,517,000 under the end year flexibility scheme for structural funds expenditure. The cash limit for 1997–98 has therefore been increased by £11,000,000 from £34,000,000 to £45,000,000 reflecting partial take up of the announced EYF amount to finance additional payments to approved projects.
The increase will be charged to the Reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.