§ Mr. SwinneyTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what powers of direction he will have over money transferred to the Scottish Consolidated Fund as a consequence of increased investment in specific, nominated projects in England and Wales; if such money would have to be used by the Scottish Parliament for identical projects in Scotland or for projects in the same departmental heading; and what monitoring role his Department would have over the use of such money. [68599]
26Wno taxation and (ii) with higher rate taxpayer recipients paying tax on the benefit at the higher rate, taking into account the consequential effects on working families tax credit, income support payments and other means-tested benefits. [67795]
§ Mrs. Roche[holding answer 3 February 1999]: The required rates of child benefit and the gross and net costs, are given in the table. The net costs take into account the consequential effects on income support, housing benefit and council tax benefit. Entitlement to Working Families Tax Credit is not affected by changes to child benefit rates.
§ Mr. Milburn[holding answer 3 February 1999]: The Scottish Parliament will have the maximum freedom to determine its own expenditure priorities within the funds allocated to it. Control and scrutiny of spending by Ministers of the Scottish Parliament will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament. The Treasury will continue to collect and publish information on spending in Scotland.
§ Mr. SwinneyTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to establish a public service agreement between the Treasury and the Scottish Executive over moneys transferred to the Scottish Consolidated Fund; what will be the purpose of such an agreement; and what discussions he has had with the Scottish Office on this issue. [68430]
§ Mr. Milburn[holding answer 3 February 1999]: I have no plans to establish a public service agreement between the Treasury and the Scottish Executive.