§ Mr. MacleanTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what methods of depreciation his Department will apply in the current financial year to fixed assets in the preparation of departmental resource accounting balance sheets. [96910]
§ Mr. RookerThe Department depreciates fixed assets in accordance with Statement of Standard Accounting Practise (SSAP) 12 and HM Treasury's Resource Accounting Manual. Depreciation is provided on all tangible fixed assets, using the straight line method, at156W rates calculated to write off, in equal instalments, the current replacement cost (less any estimated residual value) of each asset over the expected useful life. Fixed assets are depreciated from the month following acquisition. No depreciation is charged in the month of disposal.