| Previous Section | Home Page |
Column 711
Interest Rates
Mr. Riddick : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current level of interest rates.
Mr. Maples : Bank base rates are 14 per cent.
Mr. Wigley : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received in relation to the impact of interest rates on Welsh economic performance ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Maples : My right hon. Friend has received a number of such representations.
Environmental Improvement
Mr. Kirkwood : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has for using the taxation system to improve the environment ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Maude : The White Paper on the environment set out the Government's view that market-based instruments, such as tax measures, are often an effective way of achieving environmental goals. But the Government must consider a whole range of factors in determining the right response to environmental problems.
Bank of England
Mr. Watson : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he last met the Governor of the Bank of England to discuss Britain's economic performance.
Mr. Maples : My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer meets the Governor of the Bank of England from time to time to discuss a variety of matters.
Child Tax Allowance
Mr. Peter Bottomley : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the benefits which would be given to families on low incomes or on income support by a child tax allowance.
Mr. Maude : Child tax allowances would not benefit families who do not pay tax and some families with relatively small taxable incomes would only be able to take partial advantage of them. This is so whether or not a family is on income support.
Oil
Mr. Austin Mitchell : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of (a) the current yield in tax on indigenous oil production of an increase of one dollar per barrel and (b) the increase in cost to the United Kingdom economy as a result of that increase.
Mr. Maples : It is estimated that the extra North sea tax receipts from a sustained increase in the oil price of 1 dollar per barrel would yield about £0.2 billion in a full year assuming no change in the exchange rate or in company spending in the North sea. A rise in the price of oil can be expected to lead to somewhat higher inflation and slower growth, in the short term. However, sound fiscal and monetary policies should help guard against any sustained adverse effect on inflation or economic growth.
Mr. Austin Mitchell : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the yield from a tax of
Column 712
1p per litre on all oil fuels and of an additional 20p on a gallon of (a) petrol and (b) diesel on top of the present price.Mr. Ryder : The yield from a tax change on road fuels can be calculated from the tax revenue ready reckoner table published in chapter 4 of the "Autumn Statement".
Civil Service Pensions
Mr. Andrew Bowden : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received regarding the non-payment of civil service widows' pensions to the widows of post-retirement marriages with civil servants who retired before 6 April 1978.
Mr Ryder : A number of representations have been received about the arrangements made by the civil service pension scheme for the payment of pensions to the widows of post-retirement marriages. These seek an extension of those arrangements to include those widows of post-retirement marriages whose husbands retired before 6 April 1978. The Government have no plans to extend the present arrangements.
Ronson Group
Mr. Austin Mitchell : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Inland Revenue will investigate the tax affairs of the Ronson group of companies.
Mr. Maude : Such information is confidential.
Manufacturing
Mr. Dewar : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the gross domestic fixed capital formation for manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom in real terms in each year since 1970.
Mr. Norman Lamont : This information may be obtained from the CSO database, which is accessible through the House of Commons Library.
Mr. Dewar : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the annual index of gross domestic capital formation at factor cost in manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom in each year from 1970 to the most recent year for which figures are available.
Mr. Norman Lamont : Information in the form requested is not available.
Mr. Austin Michell : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the increase in the volume of exports of manufactured goods since 1985 in terms of 1990 prices.
Mr. Norman Lamont : Information relating to volumes of manufactured goods is only calculated at 1985 prices. This can be found in table A10 of the monthly "Review of External Trade Statistics" which is available in the Library of the House, or on the Central Statistical Office database which may be accessed through the Library.
Middle East (Expenditure)
Mr. Blunkett : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer from which budget headings the expenditure now being undertaken in the middle east, arising out of Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, is to be drawn ; and if he will make a statement.
Column 713
Mr. Norman Lamont : Most of the present expenditure in the middle east arising from Iraq's invasion of Kuwait falls to the defence budget. Assistance to refugees displaced by the invasion is being drawn from the aid budget.New Coins
Mr. Speller : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many new coins he intends to approve before December 1992 ; and what estimate he has of the cost involved in adapting, replacing or scrapping coin-operated machines.
Mr. Maples : The Royal Mint has recently consulted the vending industry about proposals to issue United Kingdom 1p and 2p coins in copper- plated steel rather than bronze, as at present, because the cost of producing the coins now exceeds their face value. After careful consideration of the industry's response, my right hon. Friend has decided that copper-plated coins should be introduced from September 1992. The plated 1p and 2p coins will have the same weight, diameter and design as the existing coins and will circulate alongside them. I am placing an assessment of the cost to the industry in the library.
Following the consultation exercise carried out by the Royal Mint in 1987, the then Chancellor of the Exchequer announced that a smaller 10p coin would be introduced in 1992. The Chancellor has decided that this coin should also be introduced in September 1992, at the same time as the copper plated 1p and 2p coins, to minimise the cost to the vending industry.
NHS Contracts (VAT)
Mr. Robin Cook : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what refunds of value added tax on national health service contracts have been made to health boards in Scotland since 16 October 1989 ; where refunds of value added tax are made ; and what arrangements there are for that portion of such value added tax which requires to be paid to the European Community.
Mr. Ryder : A total of £24.3 million VAT has been refunded in respect of Scottish health boards' contracts since 16 October 1989. This sum includes refunds in respect of contracts where the special provisions of section 27(2A) of the VAT Act 1983 apply. Such refunds are included in the calculations necessary to establish our "own resources" payments to the European Community.
European Community
Mr. Spearing : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement concerning Councils of Finance Ministers of the European Communities, both formal and informal, he has attended since 1 September.
Mr. Major : Members of the Economic and Finance Council met informally on 7 and 8 September in Rome and formally in Luxembourg on 8 October. On both occasions I represented the United Kingdom with the assistance of the Financial Secretary at the October meeting. The September meeting concentrated on a discussion of economic and monetary union during which I gave a full explanation of the British proposals for a gradual evolutionary approach through the establishment of a
Column 714
common currency, known as the "hard ecu", and a European monetary fund. A majority of member states shared our view that much greater economic convergence in the Community was a necessary condition for further monetary integration, and that it was therefore undesirable to set a premature date for moving beyond stage one of EMU. I stressed the importance of ensuring that all member states could move forward together. I explained that our proposals would allow for that while providing a strong anti-inflationary discipline and giving people and businesses the opportunity to choose which currency they wished to use. It was agreed that there was a need for further analysis of our proposals both before and during the forthcoming intergovernmental conference.The consequences of the Gulf crisis were also discussed and the Commission put forward proposals for aid to those front-line states which were suffering as a result of the crisis. No decision was reached. It was agreed, however, that the resulting rise in oil prices should not be accommodated either by relaxing monetary or budgetary policies and that the increase in oil costs should not lead to higher wage settlements or product prices.
At the October meeting, the entry of the United Kingdom into the exchange rate mechanism of the European monetary system was widely welcomed. Economic and monetary union was again discussed both during the Council and at an inter-institutional meeting beforehand with the European Parliament. There was a growing consensus that more economic convergence was indeed needed before the Community moved beyond stage one and that objective criteria to determine the timing of such a move should be considered. The presidency will be reporting on progress with preparatory work on EMU to the European Council on 27 and 28 October. I expect discussions in ECOFIN and the Monetary Committee to continue.
There was a brief discussion of the Commission's proposals for VAT and excise systems after 1992 and for raising travellers' allowances on duty- paid goods in preparation for the single market. The consequences for the financial perspectives of German unification and the Gulf crisis were also considered. The money laundering directive was discussed. The majority of member states shared our concerns that the present draft appeared to extend the competence of the Community into the field of criminal law, but it was hoped that this problem could be resolved so that the directive could be agreed before the end of the year.
Mr. Spearing : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library any document or proposal sent to the Council or Commission of the European Community concerning implementation of economic and monetary union.
Mr. Maude : The Commission's report of 21 August entitled "Economic and Monetary Union", which was discussed at the informal Council of Economic and Finance Ministers in Rome on 7 and 8 September, was deposited in the House on 12 October ; and I have today placed in the Vote Office copies of an explanatory memorandum about it.
Mr. Spearing : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he deposited in the Vote Office the communication of the Commission of the European Community to member
Column 715
Governments, dated 21 August, concerning implementation of economic and monetary union and the related Government memorandum ; and what other steps he has taken to publicise the contents of each document.Mr. Maude : The Commission report to which the hon. Member refers was deposited in the House on 12 October and copies of an explanatory memorandum have today been placed in the Vote Office.
Liquid Petroleum Gas
Mr. Colin Shepherd : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he plans to review the taxation of liquid petroleum gas used for automotive propulsion purposes.
Mr. Ryder : My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer will carefully consider the taxation of all forms of road fuel in the course of preparing his Budget.
HOME DEPARTMENT
Convicted Persons (New Evidence)
Mr. Corbyn : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received concerning the machinery by which the Court of Appeal deals with new evidence on convicted persons.
Mr. John Patten : My right hon. and learned Friend has received a number of representations from Members of both Houses of Parliament, and from members of the public, about the role of the Court of Appeal in considering such cases.
World Cup (Deportations)
Mr. Denis Howell : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to seek the destruction of all photographs and records of the English football supporters deported from Italy following the decision of the Italian Government to withdraw restrictions upon them returning to Italy and acceptance of their innocence.
Mr. Peter Lloyd : In the absence of any other football-related information on them, the national football intelligence unit will destroy by the end of the year the records it holds of all those who were removed from Italy during the World cup without having been convicted of an offence. Any person who wishes to see his record may apply to do so under the Data Protection Act 1984.
Birmingham Pub Bombings
Mr. Alton : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give the name, ranks and forces of those who attended the meeting at Scotland Yard on Friday 29 November 1974 to co-ordinate action for gathering intelligence against suspected members of the IRA in England, in connection with the Birmingham pub bombings.
Mr. Waddington : I understand that a number of conferences were held following the Birmingham pub bombings and that these were attended by members of police forces which were engaged in the investigations. Records relating to these conferences have since been destroyed, and the Metropolitan police are unable to say which forces attended which conferences or on what dates the conferences took place.
Column 716
Wyndham Burnett
Mr. Roy Hughes : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement concerning the release on parole of Wyndham Burnett a prisoner at Wayland prison, Norfolk, sentenced in December 1986.
Mrs. Rumbold : I wrote to the hon. Member on 17 September.
Police Cells
Mr. Andrew F. Bennett : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners were still in police cells in Greater Manchester on 12 October.
Mrs. Rumbold : On Friday 12 October, there were 269 prisoners in Greater Manchester police cells.
Sports Events
Mr. Pendry : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his plans for the future of the national football intelligence unit ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Peter Lloyd : The purpose of the national football intelligence unit is to counteract serious and persistent football hooligans by co- ordinating police intelligence in this country and by improving liaison with police forces abroad. Its aims were more fully explained in Home Office circular 30/1990, a copy of which is in the Library. We shall continue to support the unit in its important work.
Sports Events
Mr. Pendry : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his undertaking to look carefully and quickly at the recommendation in Lord Justice Taylor's final report into the Hillsborough tragedy that it be made a specific offence to chant obscene or racialist abuse at designated sports grounds, 29 January, Official Report, column 21, what plans he has for implementing this recommendation.
Mr. Peter Lloyd : We hope to announce shortly our conclusions on whether to create this offence and the others recommended by Lord Justice Taylor.
Mr. Peter Bottomley : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to prevent broadcasters giving prominence through coverage of motor sports events to brewing companies' names and advertising.
Mr. Peter Lloyd : We have no plans to do so. I understand, however, that the Brewer's Society has advised its members not to become involved in the sponsorship of motor sports events.
Special Constabulary
Mr. Conway : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how funding is distributed for the special constabulary in England and Wales ; and whether he has any plans to increase this funding in the near future.
Mr. Peter Lloyd : Expenditure on the special constabulary is a matter for police authorities ; all expenditure qualifies for 51 per cent. police grant from the Government.
Column 717
The Government are also financing a three- year national publicity campaign to aid recruitment. This will start in 1991 at an estimated cost of around £1.5 million a year.Personal Data
Mr. Cohen : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his Department will take positive steps to discuss with the Data Protection Registrar all his Department's legislation that impacts on the use, collection, processing or holding of personal data ; and whether he will make a statement.
Mrs. Rumbold : I am reminding officials of the need to consult the registrar about proposed legislation which might affect or be affected by the Data Protection Act 1984.
Mr. Andrew F. Bennett : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department why the Government reserved the right to comply, or not, with principles 2.2 and 2.4 (collection of data) of the recommendation NO R (87) 15 of the Committee of Ministers to member states regulating the use of personal data in the public sector ; whether these principles are complied with in respect of the information held on the police national computer; whether these principles are complied with in respect of personal information held on computer by the special branch; and whether it is the Government's intention to rescind the reservation entered to these principles.
Mr. Lloyd : The Government reserved their position on principles 2.2 and 2.4 after consultation with the Association of Chief Police Officers. Principle 2.2 requires the police to inform individuals, where practicable, that data have been collected about them without their knowledge. It was felt that occasions would arise when although it would be practicable to disclose such information, it would be undesirable to do so; for example, where an individual might inform an associate that he had been under suspicion. The proviso that information need be disclosed only when the object of the police activities was no longer likely to be prejudiced was regarded as unrealistic and impractical in the context of police work. Principle 2.4, which restricts police activities in collecting data on particular groups such as suspected paedophiles, could seriously inhibit the police in preventing and detecting crime. The Government therefore entered reservations on both these principles. That remains the position.
In collecting and storing data, the police national computer and computer systems in police forces comply with the ACPO code of practice for police computer systems. The code establishes procedures and safeguards to promote the maintenance of good practice and compliance with the Data Protection Act 1984. A copy of the code is in the Library.
Iraqi Nationals
Mr. Austin Mitchell : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Iraqi nationals are at present in the United Kingdom.
Mr. Peter Lloyd : It is estimated from the labour force surveys that some 5,000 Iraqi nationals, including students, are usually resident in the United Kingdom. Information on the number of Iraqi nationals currently in this country as visitors is not available.
Column 718
May Inquiry
Mr. Mullin : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make arrangements for those classified documents which Sir John May's inquiry into the Guildford and Maguire cases deems necessary for the purposes of that inquiry, to be made available to that inquiry ;
(2) if he will make arrangements so that Sir John May's inquiry into the Guildford and Maguire cases is not constrained by the convention that police reports are not customarily allowed to enter the public domain ;
(3) if he will waive public interest immunity in respect of documents which Sir John May's inquiry into the Guildford and Maguire cases deems necessary for the purposes of that inquiry.
Mr. John Patten : We have no reason to believe that the present arrangements make unavailable to Sir John May the documents he needs to carry out his inquiry satisfactorily, and therefore see no need at present to change those arrangements.
Security Checks
Mr. Andrew F. Bennett : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many security check inquiries were made of the National Identification Bureau on individuals by (a) Government departments and (b) other approved bodies in the years 1986, 1987 and 1988 ; and if he will list the names of the approved bodies who may undertake such inquiries ;
(2) if he will list the areas of employment which require security checks ; and if he will list the areas of employment of those individuals who were the subject of a security check in 1989 ; (3) what was the cost of making security check inquiries on individuals in 1989.
Mr. Peter Lloyd : Details of criminal records are not released to bodies outside the criminal justice system except where disclosure is clearly in the public interest. Information may be provided by the National Identification Bureau to Government Departments and other bodies, direct or through the police, for purposes such as the protection of national security, the protection of children and other vulnerable members of society and ensuring probity of justice. This covers a wide range of areas of employment but detailed records of these are not kept.
Under the terms of the data protection registration for the police, information may be released to the following :
Central Government Departments
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority
Gaming Board for Great Britain
Office of Fair Trading
Local Authorities
Foreign Governments
Police Forces
Prosecuting Authorities
Courts
Judges
Magistrates
Probation Service
Hospitals, nursing homes
Banks
Lawyers
Research Organisations
British Telecom
British Broadcasting Corporation
Civil Aviation Authority
| Next Section
| Home Page |