§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the estimated effect on his Department's budget of the increase in value added tax announced in the Budget; and what is the net increase in his Department's expenditure proposed for the current year.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinThe Department's Votes for 1979–80 are estimated to have 405W to bear an additional cost of some £45 million arising from the increase in the rate of value added tax. There is to be no increase in the cash limits for this.