To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Bromley and Chislehurst of 11 January 2010, Official Report, column 783W, on VAT: local government, how much was paid in value added tax refunds to local authorities consequent on judicial rulings in (a) 2007-08 and (b) 2008-09. (319643)

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) currently estimates that around £2 million was repaid in 2007-08 to local authorities and around £40 million in 2008-09 in respect of the judgment in Fleming/Conde Nast. HMRC does not routinely collect information on the overall level of refunds to local authorities as a result of litigation rulings.