Explanatory Memorandum from the Department
of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (EST 98A)
PART II—COMMENTARY ON THE SUPPLY ESTIMATES
CLASS VI, VOTE 5: DEPARTMENT
OF THE
ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT
AND THE
REGIONS: ADMINISTRATION
More details can be found in the Annual Report
1998, chapters 2 and 17 and Tables A5, A11, A12, A13, A14, A15
and B26.
| Vote total
|
|
| £000 |
|
| Final net provision 1996-97 | 550,751
|
| Provision sought 1998-99 | 437,850
|
| Change | -112,901 |
| Change (Per cent) | -20 Per cent
|
| |
| Final net provision 1997-98 | 477,636
|
| Provision sought 1998-99 | 437,850
|
| Change | -39,786 |
| Change (Per cent) | -8 Per cent
|
|
The provision on this Vote covers the administrative costs,
including running costs, of central DETR, the Departmental contribution
to the running costs of government offices for the regions, grant
in aid to the Health and Safety Commission and residual payments
in respect of PSA. Prior to merger these had been provided from
the relevant Sections of Class V, Vote 2 (Transport) and Class
VI, Votes 5 and 6 (Environment). Sections A, B, C and D are either
amalgamations or carry overs of the provision previously carried
on the equivalent Sections of Class V, Vote 2 and Class VI, Vote
5. Section E was previously held separately on Class VI, Vote
6.
Individual Sections where the level of provision has changed
significantly are:
| Section A—Central administration
|
|
| £000 |
|
| Final net provision 1996-97 | 344,579
|
| Provision sought 1998-99 | 207,105
|
| Change | -137,474 |
| Change (Per cent) | -40 Per cent
|
| |
| Final net provision 1997-98 | 241,175
|
| Provision sought 1998-99 | 207,105
|
| Change | -34,070 |
| Change (Per cent) | -14 Per cent
|
|
Annual Report 1998—Chapter 2, paragraphs 2.5-2.7; figure
2a
These year on year reductions are due to the completion of
the major part of the departmental relocation projects, the costs
of severance schemes in past years, transfer of provision for
the former DoE share of Government office expenditure to section
B and the efficiency improvements required to meet the reductions
in running cost provision imposed on the Department.
| Section D—PSA Services
|
|
| £000 |
|
| Final net provision 1996-97 | 19,553
|
| Provision sought 1998-99 | 12,287
|
| Change | -7,266 |
| Change (Per cent) | -37 Per cent
|
| |
| Final net provision 1997-98 | 14,857
|
| Provision sought 1998-99 | 12,287
|
| Change | -2,570 |
| Change (Per cent) | -17 Per cent
|
|
Annual Report 1998—Chapter 2, paragraph 2.26; figure
2a
The decrease reflects the continued planned reduction in
the number of staff seconded to the privatised former PSA Services
businesses.
Annual Report 1998—Chapter 2, paragraph 2.26; figure
2a
This provision—which is outside the Control Total—was
previously held on a separate net Vote (Class VI, Vote 6). Expenditure
related to the privatisation programme of PSA in the previous
years has been exceeded by receipts, including staged payments
from the purchasers of the businesses. Excess receipts were paid
to the Consolidated Fund leaving a token Vote in both years. These
payments ceased in 1997-98 and in 1998-99 expenditure is expected
to exceed receipts.
|
