§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what margin of error is applied to in his Department's calculation of the revenue effects of extending employer national insurance contributions to all taxable benefits in kind. [13333]
§ Mr. Heald[holding answer 30 January 1997]: The current estimate of £250 million is based on the Inland Revenue's 1994–95 expenses and benefits survey. Owing to the complex methodology employed in producing the survey data, a robust calculation of the margin of error could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.