HC Deb 02 November 1998 vol 318 cc361-2W
Mr. Reed

To ask the President of the Council if she intends to make any changes to the 1998–99 cash and running costs limit for the Privy Council Office. [58112]

Mrs. Beckett

Subject to Parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the cash limit for Class XVIII, Vote 3 will be increased by £179,000 from £2,708,000 to £2,887,000 and the gross running costs limit reduced by £374,000 from £2,734,000 to £2,360,000.

The increase is accounted for by the taking up of an amount (£179,000) under end year flexibility arrangements as foreshadowed by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 14 July 1998, Official Report, columns 131–36. The decrease in the gross running costs limit reflects the transfer of £553,000 to the Cabinet Office (Class XVIII, Vote 1) in respect of funding for the UK Anti Drugs Coordination Unit, as partially offset by the full take-up of end year flexibility.

The increase will be met by a charge on the Reserve, and will therefore not add to the planned total of public expenditure.