§ Mr. CranTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the cost to the Exchequer of paying a London allowance to those lawyers, accountants and inspectors of taxes employed in, or seconded by, Government Departments over the last Five years for which figures are available.
§ Mr. BrookeThe estimated cost to the Exchequer was £1.25 million in financial year 1987–88. Only inspectors of taxes received a London allowance as distinct from London weighting in 1986–87, at an estimated cost of £0.25 million. No London allowances were paid before April 1986.
These figures exclude the knock-on effects on ERNIC, pensions and superannuation.