asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any changes have been made to the cash limit for 1979–80 in respect of Home Office manpower and related costs, since his announcement of 27 November 1979.

The cash limit on the relevant Home Office cash block (HO1) has been raised from £313,867,000 to £315,867,000 to cover additional expen- diture arising from the need to make payment retrospectively of tax compensation on rent allowances paid to prison staff. Corresponding provision will be sought in a spring Supplementary Estimate.