§ Mr. CaplinTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes are proposed in the cash limit and running costs limit for the Inland Revenue in 1998–99. [58269]
§ Dawn PrimaroloSubject to Parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the cash limit for Class XVI Vote 4 will be increased by £97,284,000 from £1,633,425,000 to £1,730,709,000 and the running costs limit will be increased by £84,284,000 from £1,726,296 to £1,810,580,000.
The vote is eligible for a cash limit increase of £28,084,000 running costs and £1,968,000 capital in respect of end year flexibility amounts as announced by my right hon. Friend the then Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 14 July 1998, Official Report, columns 131–36.
In addition there are increases in the cash limit of £46,000,000 running costs for preparatory work on the introduction of income tax credits and work on other measures announced in the March 1998 Budget, and £12,000,000 running costs and £11,032,000 capital to upgrade the department's computer systems.
Offsetting these increases is a transfer of £1,800,000 to the Scottish Office, class XIII, vote 6 in respect of a reduction in the forecast need for development work on income tax in Scotland.
All the increases other than that relating to the interdepartmental transfer will be charged to the reserve and will not, therefore, add to the planned total of public expenditure.