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THE ARTS
Poetry
Mr. Flynn : To ask the Minister for the Arts what proportion of his annual budget is spent on poetry.
Mr. Renton : In the current financial year I estimate that about £1.5 million will be spent on poetry. This figure comprises the grants allocated by the English regional arts boards and the Scottish and Welsh arts councils, as well as by the Arts Council of Great Britain. It represents 0.77 per cent. of the Government's 1991-92 grant-in-aid of £194.2 million to the Arts Council.
Welsh Arts Council
Mr. Murphy : To ask the Minister for the Arts if he plans to increase funding to the Welsh Arts Council.
Mr. Renton : The Welsh Arts Council is funded from the Government's overall grant-in-aid to the Arts Council of Great Britain on the basis of a formula that has been in operation for many years. I share the view of the arts councils in London and Cardiff that Wales is well served by this arrangement. This year's allocation of £11 million is a 12.25 per cent. increase over last year--well in advance of inflation.
CIVIL SERVICE
Private Security Firms
Mr. George : To ask the Minister for the Civil Service if he will list the number of private security firms currently employed by his Department, the number of employees for each firm on the contract, the total value of each contract and the total value of all contracts for each financial year since 1984-85.
Mr. Renton : The Cabinet Office currently employs one private security firm supplying eight employees on two contracts. The total value of the contracts for 1991-92 is £188,000. Figures for previous financial years are available from 1985-86 and are as follows--
|£
------------------------
1985-86 |61,609
1986-87 |64,831
1987-88 |77,534
1988-89 |69,692
1989-90 |76,924
1990-91 |127,216
Civil Service (Women)
Mr. Charles Wardle : To ask the Minister for the Civil Service if he will make a statement on progress towards achieving equality of opportunity for women staff in the Civil Service.
Mr. Renton : A great deal has been achieved. A report on progress during 1990-91 in increasing equality of opportunity for women in the civil service will be published on 28 October. Copies will be placed in the Library of the House.
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War Service
Mr. Morgan : To ask the Minister for the Civil Service what representations he has received concerning the 1950 cut-off limit for world war 2 active service to be taken into account for the calculation of public service pensions for those who entered the civil service or equivalent public service organisations subsequent to world war 2.
Mrs. Gillian Shephard : I have been asked to reply.
The Government receive representations from time to time suggesting relaxations in this aspect of the rules governing public service pension schemes. The cut-off date of 30 June 1950 was established for new entrants to the civil service by the Superannuation (War Service) (End of Period) Order 1950--SI 1950 No 962. This cut-off date applies similarly to those who entered other public services after the war.
NATIONAL FINANCE
Taxation
Mr. Jopling : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to compensate taxpayers in the event of delays in repaying claims to them, as a result of the extra claims stemming from the move to independent taxation for husbands and wives.
Mr. Norman Lamont : The normal rules for payment of interest on overpaid tax will apply.
The Inland Revenue is setting up new offices around the country specifically to deal with the very substantial increase in claims for repayment of tax arising from independent taxation and the changes in the taxation of bank and building society interest. Estimates of the number of claimants are inevitably uncertain but the measures taken should ensure that repayment claims are processed with the minimum possible delay.
Mr. Butler : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the number of people who have been reclassified by the Inland Revenue from schedule D to schedule E status since 1979.
Mr. Maude : I regret there is insufficient information available centrally to enable a reliable estimate to be made.
Childcare
Sir David Steel : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to introduce (a) tax relief on childminding costs and (b) non- taxable childcare vouchers.
Mr. Norman Lamont : The Government continually keep under review the tax arrangements for parents with young children, but have no such plans at present.
Farming
Mr. Pawsey : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing the level of financial support for the farming industry alongside that for other major industries.
Mr. Mellor : It is not possible to give a fine industrial breakdown because many support schemes are available
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to a wide range of industries. The table shows direct financial support to the private sector by broad industrial group.
Industry |Government |Contribution |Government
|financial |of industry to|support as a
|support |GDP |percentage of
|GDP
|(£ million) |(£ million) |contribution
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Energy and water |196 |24,334 |0.8
Agriculture, forestry
and fishing |1,718 |7,102 |24.2
Mining, manufacturing
and construction 582 143,080 0.4
Transport and communication |1,087 |34,031 |3.2
Source: Tables 2.1 and 9.4 of UK National Accounts 1991.
Note: The table gives the 1990-91 estimated outturn for general Government expenditure
by function. The expenditure includes subsidies and capital grants to the private
sector, but excludes other elements of support such as the provision of subsidised
Government services and trade and tariff protection.
Ambulance Car Volunteers
Mr. Wigley : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will seek to amend the law to allow tax exemption for ambulance car volunteers on their mileage allowance.
Mr. Maude : The position in law is that motor mileage allowances paid to individuals, whether employees or volunteers, who use a car on health service business are only liable to income tax if the allowances exceed the cost of running and maintaining the car for health service driving and so result in a profit.
I am not persuaded that there is a case for amending the law to exempt volunteer drivers from tax on any profits on their mileage allowances. But I am aware that there has been some concern about the recent introduction of arrangements for taxing any profit on these allowances.
The introduction of the new arrangements will therefore by phased in gradually over a number of years. Only one quarter of the profit element for the period from 6 October 1991 to 5 April 1992 and for 1992-93 will be taxed ; one half of the profit will be taxed for 1993-94 ; and three quarters of the profit will be taxed for 1994-95. Tax will not be payable on the full amount of the profit element until 1995-96.
The Government greatly appreciate the work done by so many volunteer drivers, as do the communities they serve.
I hope that this gradual phasing-in of the arrangements will meet the concern that has been expressed.
Deeds of Covenant
Sir David Steel : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has given further consideration to simplifying the procedures for completing a deed of covenant.
Mr. Norman Lamont : I assume the right hon. Member has in mind tax relief on charitable covenants. On Budget day last year we authorised the Inland Revenue to publish guidance, including simple model forms of covenant, to help charities and individuals making charitable covenants to get it right for tax. Copies can be obtained from the Inland Revenue claims brach offices in Bootle and Edinburgh which deal with the tax affairs of charities. Copies are also available in the Library.
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We are always ready to consider any further improvements which can be made in this area. However a deed of covenant is a legal document, not a tax form, and must meet the requirements of general, non-tax, law if it is to be valid. If the right hon. Member has in mind the simplification of general law procedures for making deeds, that is a matter for my right hon. Friends the Lord Chancellor and the Secretary of State for Scotland.Tax Exempt Special Savings Accounts
Mr. Cohen : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer why the TESSA regulations require both the collection of the date of birth and the national insurance number ; whether he has any plans to modify the regulations to reduce the amount of personal data collected ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Maude : Only individuals aged 18 or over may open a TESSA, and each may have only one TESSA at a time. The date of birth and the national insurance number are required on the TESSA application form to enable the Inland Revenue to check that the TESSA exemption is properly given. The information required from TESSA applicants has been kept to a minimum, and I have no plans to change it.
Bloodstock
Sir David Steel : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps Her Majesty's Government have taken to achieve a uniform bloodstock value added tax rate throughout the Community.
Mr. Norman Lamont : In an effort to achieve a fair competitive climate within the Community for the British bloodstock industry, the Government have been and are continuing to press the European Commission to take action to prevent the potential distortion of competition which could arise because of the disparity in VAT rates on bloodstock between the UK, Ireland and France.
We have authorised discussions between officials and industry representatives about the possible introduction in the UK of an agricultural flat rate scheme. This scheme could put farmer/breeders on a par with their counterparts in other member states who already operate similar schemes, which include the breeding and rearing of thoroughbred horses.
The Government, officials and industry representatives will continue to work very closely together to achieve a level playing field for the British bloodstock industry.
VAT
Mr. Allason : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many businesses in Torbay deregistered for value added tax in the most recent 12 -month period for which figures are available.
Mrs. Gillian Shephard : The local VAT office at Exeter covers areas in addition to Torbay. A total of 3,292 deregistrations were processed by that office in the year to 30 September 1991.
Sir John Farr : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to equalise the conditions under which value added tax becomes payable on repairs as between new purchasers of former council houses and tenants of council houses.
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Mrs. Gillian Shephard : I regret that it has not been possible to provide an answer before Prorogation. Therefore, I shall write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of the letter in the Library.Private Security Firms
Mr. George : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the number of private security firms currently employed by his Department, the number of employees for each firm on the contract, the total value of each contract and the total value of all contracts for each financial year since 1984-85.
Mrs. Gillian Shephard : There are no private security firms employed by my Department.
Environmental Protection
Mr. Flynn : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what matters in regard to the protection of the environment were discussed at the International Monetary Fund annual meeting and the meeting of G7 Finance Ministers recently held in Bangkok.
Mr. Maples : Protection of the environment was one of many issues discussed at a series of recent meetings in Bangkok. The development committee of the World bank and IMF, which met on 14 October, agreed that actions to protect the environment were essential to both the priority development objectives for the nineties ; the reduction of poverty and the achievement of sustainable growth. My right hon. Friend's speech noted that industrial and developing countries alike have a collective responsibility for our environment and that global action is required. He expressed strong support for the global environment facility as the channel through which common interest in this issue can be addressed.
Property Transactions
Mr. Fearn : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many property transactions have taken place each month in the current year.
Mr. Maude : The information requested is in the following table.
Growth rates of M0, M4 and
M3:
Percentage change over same
quarter previous year
Period ending
----------------------------
1979
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
1980
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
1981
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
1982
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
1983
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
1984
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
1985
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
1986
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
1987
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
1988
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
1989
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
1990
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
Source: Bank of England.
Comparable information for Scotland is not available. Data for England and Wales are published monthly in table 41 of "Economic Trends", and are available via the CSO database.
Column 502
City Hospital, Nottingham
Mr. Allen : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what (a) loans, (b) debts, (c) interest repayments and (d) other outstanding financial items there are between the City hospital, Nottingham, and the Treasury.
Fraudulent Claims
Mr. Allen : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many persons have been successfuly prosecuted for fraudulent tax claims and fraudulent social security claims in the latest year (a) in England and Wales, (b) in the most appropriate area to the east midlands and (c) in the most appropriate area to Nottingham, for which figures are available ;
(2) how much money has been lost in the latest year for which comparable figures are available as a result of fraudulent tax claims and fraudulent social security claims.
Mr. Maude : I regret that it has not been possible to provide an answer before Prorogation. Therefore, I shall write to the hon. Member and place a copy of the letter in the Library.
Local Government Finance
Mr. Speller : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will authorise district councils to use funds accumulated from the sale of property to build houses and flats for sale and rent to the local community.
Mr. Yeo : I have been asked to reply.
I will write to my hon. Friend.
Tax Fraud
Mr. Rooney : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff in the Inland Revenue numerically and proportionately are engaged in fraud detection.
Mr. Maude [holding answer 21 October 1991] : In the year to 31 March 1991, some 3,200 Inland Revenue staff were employed on the detection and investigation of tax evasion, equivalent to 5.2 per cent. of total staff. It is not possible to identify separately the figures relating to fraud detection.
Privatisation
Mr. Nellist : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total amount, at October 1991 prices, which has been raised from privatisation issues of shares since May 1979.
Mr. Maude [holding answer 21 October 1991] : Total privatisation proceeds from May 1979 to end 1990-91 are £43 billion in September 1991 prices.
British Telecom
Ms. Mowlam : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many applications for the British Telecom share offer have been received by each of the eight retail financial institutions.
Mr. Maude [holding answer 21 October 1991] : The number of individuals who have selected each of the eight
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shareshops in registering an interest in applying for shares in the forthcoming BT share sale will be announced after the end of the registration period in the second half of November.Ms. Mowlam : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what criteria were applied in the selection of each of the eight retail financial institutions chosen to participate in the British Telecom second share flotation.
Mr. Maude [holding answer 21 October 1991] : A number of presentations were received from private sector bodies in response to the Chancellor's invitation in his budget speech to make proposals for cheap and accessible means for individuals to buy and sell shares in the secondary market. From these, the Government selected eight organisations equipped to undertake, at relatively short notice, the work arising on the BT sale and providing a choice of financial institutions familiar to the public.
Bank of Credit and Commerce International
Mr. Vaz : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consideration was given to appointing a different company from the auditors when Price Waterhouse were appointed by the Bank of England to prepare section 41 of the Banking Act 1987 report into BCCI.
Mr. Norman Lamont : The appointment of investigators under Section 41 of the Banking Act 1987 is a matter for the Bank of England. They have assured me that in making such appointments they choose the firm that seems best placed to perform the investigation in the circumstances.
Money Growth
Mr. Lawson : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing, for each quarter from the first quarter of 1979 to the last quarter of 1990 inclusive, the percentage annual growth of (a) M0, (b) M4 and M3.
Mr. Norman Lamont [holding answer 18 October 1991] : Publication of M3 ceased in July 1989. The available information is contained in the following table.
Growth rates of M0, M4 and M3 :
Percentage change over same quarter previous year
Period ending M0 M4 M3
1979
Q1 12.4 12.8 11.7
Q2 12.3 14.1 13.3
Q3 12.6 14.6 13.3
Q4 12.3 14.4 13.0
1980
Q1 10.1 13.9 12.9
Q2 9.2 15.3 15.5
Q3 7.5 15.6 16.3
Q4 5.5 17.1 18.6
1981
Q1 7.0 17.4 18.0
Q2 5.6 17.0 16.9
Q3 5.8 16.5 16.9
Q4 5.2 13.9 25.0
1982
Q1 2.4 14.0 25.9
Q2 3.0 12.3 22.6
Q3 2.3 11.9 19.9
Q4 3.1 12.0 8.9
Column 504
1983Q1 6.0 14.4 12.5
Q2 6.2 13.8 12.4
Q3 5.7 13.1 11.5
Q4 7.1 12.7 11.1
1984
Q1 5.0 11.5 8.2
Q2 5.2 12.5 8.1
Q3 5.8 13.1 9.2
Q4 5.5 13.2 10.1
1985
Q1 5.4 13.8 11.9
Q2 5.1 12.8 11.8
Q3 3.8 13.4 14.1
Q4 3.7 13.0 13.4
1986
Q1 5.1 14.5 16.9
Q2 3.5 15.7 18.9
Q3 4.7 15.8 19.0
Q4 6.2 15.6 19.3
1987
Q1 2.5 13.8 19.6
Q2 4.0 13.5 19.4
Q3 5.3 14.7 20.1
Q4 3.3 15.8 22.3
1988
Q1 6.4 16.8 21.0
Q2 7.7 16.8 20.2
Q3 8.1 18.7 22.4
Q4 8.5 17.3 20.0
1989
Q1 6.8 17.6 20.8
Q2 5.5 18.4 33.8
Q3 4.5 18.9 --
Q4 5.7 18.0 --
1990
Q1 5.0 17.7 --
Q2 6.4 16.9 --
Q3 4.7 14.7 --
Q4 2.5 12.2 --
Source : Bank of England.
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