To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what changes are proposed to the cash and running costs limits for 1990–91 in respect of the Paymaster General's Office.

Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate, the cash limit for the Paymaster General's Office (class XVIII, vote 12) will be increased by £170,000 from £19,120,000 to £19,290,000 and the running cost limit by £85,000 from £17,573,000 to £17,658,000. The increases in running costs mainly reflects an increase in postal charges. The increase in cash limit also includes a reduction in receipts from the national insurance fund.These increases are within the forecast outturn for the planning total published today in the statistical supplement to the 1990 autumn statement.