§ Mr. Duncan SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Bromsgrove (Miss Kirkbride) of 5 June 1998,Official Report, column 402, concerning winter fuel payments, when he expects to provide a precise figure for her Department's actual expenditure on winter fuel payments. [53178]
§ Mr. DenhamTotal expenditure on Winter Fuel Payments during 1997–98 was £190,646,790. The latest information for 1998–99 shows that during April additional expenditure of £1,184,260 was incurred. Further expenditure will be brought to account as any additional or replacement girocheque payments are encashed.
Expenditure is classified as being incurred at the point when payments are made by automated credit transfer into bank or building society accounts, or issued by Payable Order. Expenditure on girocheque payments is incurred following encashment.