§ Mr. ReedTo ask the President of the Council if there are any proposals to amend the Privy Council Office Departmental Expenditure Limit/running costs limit for 1999–2000. [97831]
§ Mrs. BeckettSubject to approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the Departmental Expenditure Limit (DEL) for Class XVII, Vote 5 will be decreased by £296,000 from £2,166,000 and the running cost limit will be decreased by £296,000 from £2,502,000 to £2,206,000.
The reduction in DEL and running cost limit is the net effect of increases to cover the salary and associated costs of the Parliamentary Secretary, Privy Council Office; and to meet the costs arising from my roles as cross Government spokesperson and as Leader of the House, offset by a payment to the Cabinet Office, Class XVII, Vote 1 of £480,000, reflecting the transfer of responsibility for the Lord Privy Seal's Office.