To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 21 April 2008, Official Report, columns 1689-90W, on the Valuation Office: measuring instruments, what the reasons were for the differences in expenditure in 2007-08 and 2006-07. (204874)

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) undertakes various types of valuation and surveying work on behalf of a number of public sector clients for a wide range of purposes and requires the appropriate professional equipment to perform these roles effectively.

At the end of 2007-08, the VOA placed an order for 1,100 laser measures across the network, to include both additional and replacement units, where the current units were beyond their economic life. This bulk order has contributed to the increase in expenditure on surveying equipment from 2006-07.

Laser measures are used in all work areas, including non domestic rating, council tax and district valuer services.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 21 April 2008, Official Report, columns 1689-90W, on the Valuation Office: measuring instruments, if he will place in the Library the invoices for the purchases in 2007-08. (204875)

The tendered contract price for individual items is commercial in confidence. I am therefore unable to place copies of the invoices in the Library, as they contain information regarding the cost of specific items.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 21 April 2008, Official Report, columns 1689-90W, on the Valuation Office: measuring instruments, who the designated supplier is. (204876)

The Valuation Office Agency’s (VOA) contracted supplier of surveying equipment is Survey Express Services Ltd (SES), based in Catford, London.