asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Davies of Oldham on 23 June (WA 207), whether the assessment of the VAT base may be altered during the course of a financial year to reflect increases in VAT revenues caused by price rises. [HL4609]

Updated estimates for VAT receipts in 2008-09 taking account of all relevant economic factors including price changes will be published in the forthcoming Pre-Budget Report and Statement released in the autumn.

The latest published estimate of VAT receipts in 2008-09 is £83.8bn. This can be found in table C.6 of the 2008 Financial Statement and Budget Report, www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/media/7/3/bud08_ chapterc.pdf.