HC Deb 19 January 2004 vol 416 cc1020-1W
Mr. Webb

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the cost to the Exchequer per year of increasing by 100 per cent. the rate of child tax credit in respect of children under five. [148619]

Dawn Primarolo

The annual cost would be approximately £3 billion per year.

Mr. Bercow

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people in the Buckingham constituency(a) have applied for, (b) are eligible for and (c) received the child tax credit in 2003–04. [149191]

Dawn Primarolo

The estimated number of families receiving tax credits in the Buckingham constituency at 3 July 2003 is shown in "Child and Working Tax Credit Statistics. Geographical analyses—July 2003", which is on the Inland Revenue website at: www. inland reven ue.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/menu. htm. The estimates are based on a sample of cases, and are subject to sampling uncertainty. Estimates for January 2004 will be published on 30 January 2004.

No estimates are available at the constituency level of the number of people who have claimed tax credits or who are eligible for them.