| Previous Section | Home Page |
Mr. Lennox-Boyd : In all entry clearance cases where a Member corresponds with the Minister, the migration and visa correspondence unit is asked to assess, on information supplied by the post, whether there is any evidence of illogicality or procedural error, or whether there are any compassionate circumstances that have not been taken into account. Should the inquiry raise such matters, the Minister will consider the case.
Mongolia
Mr. Soley : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to have British Council representation in Mongolia.
Column 320
Mr. Lennox-Boyd : There are no plans at present for British Council representation in Mongolia.
Cyprus
Mr. Cox : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to meet the President of Cyprus ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Garel-Jones : We have congratulated Mr. Clerides on his recent election success and welcome his commitment to attend continuing negotiations on the intercommunal dispute to be held by the United Nations in New York. No firm date has yet been set for a meeting with President Clerides, but we hope a mutually convenient opportunity may be found in advance of those talks.
Hong Kong
Sir Ivan Lawrence : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he has for improving relations with China over Hong Kong.
Mr. Goodlad : Diplomatic contacts with China have taken place in recent weeks in Peking. Our aim has been to explore whether a firm and productive basis could be found for the two sides to enter formal talks on the arrangements for the 1994-95 elections. In announcing last week that the Bill embodying those arrangements would not be published on 26 February, the Hong Kong Government promised to set out the reasons for the delay. The Governor made a statement to the Legislative Council on 5 March to this end.
Since the Governor's policy address to the Legislative Council last October, we have made clear that we are ready to talk at any time and without pre-conditions in an effort to reach an understanding with the Chinese side on these electoral arrangements. The Legislative Council is already examining the boundaries and Election Commission Bill. The Executive Council endorsed on 2 February draft legislation embodying the remainder of the Governor's constitutional proposals. So there is no mystery about what the draft legislation contains. We passed a copy of it to the Chinese side on 6 February. At the same time we repeated formally our willingness to talk at any time without pre-conditions ; and we explained to the Chinese side that the Bill was ready for gazetting.
We received a positive response on the principle of talks from the Chinese side. To help ensure that talks got off to the best possible start, we and the Governor, with the advice of the Executive Council, decided to postpone our original plan for gazettal on 12 February, while making clear to the Chinese side that there could not be an indefinite delay, given the practical need to press ahead with legislation. We proposed an early starting date for the talks and told the Chinese side of the composition of our negotiating team. In the absence of a Chinese response, we and the Governor decided, again with the advice of the Executive Council, to delay gazettal for a second time on 19 February and for a third time on 26 February. We wished to give every possible opportunity for the Chinese side to respond.
At the beginning of March, we did receive a reply. But despite further diplomatic contacts, in which we have continued to press for early talks, we have not yet been able to announce a starting date for them. We have made
Column 321
plain that we are ready for the talks to proceed on the basis of the Joint Declaration, the principle of convergence with the Basic Law, and the relevant understandings and agreements reached between China and Britain. We consider the Governor's proposals are wholly compatible with these.As far as we are concerned, we are ready to talk immediately. Following further exchanges in Peking in recent days, there remain only a few points of disagreement which could and should be resolved quickly. In the meantime, we and the Governor decided to defer gazettal for a fourth time.
Mr. Raymond S. Robertson : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the annual report on Hong Kong will be laid before Parliament.
Mr. Goodlad : The report is being published and laid before Parliament today. Copies will be placed in the Library of the House.
ENVIRONMENT
Thames Helicopter Pad
Mr. Tony Banks : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action his Department is taking in respect of the plans submitted by Thames Heliport plc for a mobile helicopter pad on the Thames ; and what representations he has received.
Mr. Baldry : I am aware of the proposal by Thames Heliport plc for a floating heliport on the Thames. The scheme's promoters have been encouraged to discuss their plans with the appropriate local planning authorities. It is, of course, for those authorities to consider whether an application for planning permission should be made. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received correspondence on this matter from the hon. Member for Vauxhall (Ms. Hoey), the Theatres Trust, the Shakespeare Globe Trust, the London Rivers Association, the London Boroughs Association, and from the London borough of Tower Hamlets.
Isle of Wight
Mr. Barry Field : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will announce the start date of a new authority for the Isle of Wight and the arrangements for a shadow authority for the island.
Mr. Howard : In line with my announcement on 21 December I have consulted the authorities on the Isle of Wight about the timing and arrangements for structural change. In the light of this consultation I intend, if Parliament approves a new local government structure for the island in due course, to establish any new authority on 1 April 1995, with a shadow authority elected in May 1994. This will ensure there is adequate time for preparation of effective arrangements for the provision of services to the people. The county council elections will go ahead on 6 May and are not affected by these proposals
Column 322
Radiation Leak, Sellafield
Mr. Flynn : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what changes he plans in the arrangements for publishing details of leaks of radiation from Sellafield, following the leak of 13 February.
Mr. Maclean [holding answer 2 March 1993] : Any need for change would be based on the outcome of current investigations of recent incidents, which would have to be discussed and agreed with other Government Departments.
Mr. Simon Hughes : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the implications of the recent leak at Sellafield for the process and cost of decommissioning the thermal oxide reprocessing plant.
Mr. Maclean [holding answer 2 March 1993] : None. The process and cost of decommissioning is primarily a matter for the Department of Trade and Industry and Her Majesty's nuclear installations inspectorate.
Mr. Simon Hughes : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he received from the Meteorological Office at the time of the recent leak from Sellafield about weather conditions in the area.
Mr. Maclean [holding answer 2 March 1993] : No information was received from the Meteorological Office.
Pollution Inspectorate
Mr. Gareth Wardell : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish (a) the total staff complement of Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution and (b) the number of field inspectors currently in post at HMIP ; and what were the corresponding figures for (a) and (b) for the air pollution inspectorate at the point of transfer to HMIP.
Mr. Maclean [holding answer 3 March 1993] : HMIP currently employs 169 inspectors out of a total complement of 377.5 staff. On its formation in April 1987 HMIP had a total complement of 199 staff, including 42 inspectors and eight sampling officers who transferred from the former industrial air pollution inspectorate.
Capital Expenditure
Mr. Straw : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list for each year since 1 April 1990 every instance of his using his powers under section 40(6) of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 to give a direction to treat expenditure as being for capital purposes, showing separately in each case the name of the authority or authorities, the estimated amount of the expenditure and his reason for giving the direction.
Mr. Howard [holding answer 4 March 1993] : Directions under section 40(6) of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 have been issued between 1 April 1990 and 2 March in respect of the following types of expenditure :
Redundancy costs
Directions have been issued in respect of substantial expenditure on lump- sum redundancy or severance payments.
Late rating adjustments
Directions have been issued in respect of substantial "late
Column 323
rating adjustments". These are refunds by authorities of rates under the old rating system arising from retrospective changes in ratepayers' liabilities, normally as a result of appeals.Losses arising on bank deposits
Directions have been issued in respect of substantial provisions for estimated losses arising from financial difficulties of certain banks (BCCI, Chancery and Edington).
Column 324
Tenants' choice schemeA direction has been issued in respect of interest arising on instalment payments by an authority to the purchaser of housing under the Tenants' Choice scheme.
It is intended to issue directions in respect of certain costs arising in connection with debts inherited from the former Greater London Council. No such directions had been issued at 2 March. Details of all the individual directions issued are set out in the tables.
Column 323
Directions relating to redundancy payments
Authority |Date direction was|Amount
|issued
|£ million
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Directions issued in respect of 1990-91
Southwark |11 June 1990 |5.000
Rochdale |11 June 1990 |1.035
Wigan |11 June 1990 |5.000
Northants |11 June 1990 |0.803
Bristol |9 July 1990 |5.000
Liverpool |13 July 1990 |0.673
Greenwich |23 July 1990 |0.700
Bristol |15 August 1990 |2.000
Hackney |30 August 1990 |1.000
Hillingdon |30 August 1990 |4.000
North Tyneside |10 September 1990 |1.000
North Tyneside |13 September 1990 |4.000
Hammersmith and Fulham |28 September 1990 |0.750
Bradford |1 November 1990 |1.500
Harrow |13 November 1990 |2.900
Southwark |12 December 1990 |3.000
Eastbourne |7 January 1991 |0.423
Haringey |8 January 1991 |6.000
Gosport |15 January 1991 |0.300
Brent |17 January 1991 |0.300
Manchester |18 January 1991 |2.712
Eastleigh |23 January 1991 |0.488
Newham |31 January 1991 |2.368
Eastbourne |6 February 1991 |0.040
Sheffield |19 February 1991 |8.500
Ealing |28 February 1991 |0.750
Barnsley |27 March 1991 |1.500
Bexley |15 May 1991 |0.489
Camden |5 July 1991 |2.100
Tameside |6 September 1991 |0.434
Merton |6 September 1991 |0.382
North Tyneside |13 November 1991 |0.810
Directions issued in respect of 1990-91 and 1991-92
Bromley |6 December 1990 |1.300
Greenwich |17 January 1991 |3.300
Tower Hamlets |21 February 1991 |9.000
Wigan |28 February 1991 |5.000
Salford |13 March 1991 |2.621
Newcastle upon Tyne |26 April 1991 |4.500
Bexley |15 May 1991 |0.489
Hammersmith and Fulham |6 September 1991 |0.250
Directions issued in respect of 1991-92
Southwark |12 December 1990 |5.000
Derbyshire |25 January 1991 |11.000
Haringey |15 February 1991 |7.000
Sheffield |19 February 1991 |2.500
Lambeth |5 March 1991 |11.500
Sutton |14 March 1991 |0.400
Hillingdon |15 March 1991 |6.000
Rochdale |3 April 1991 |0.800
Ipswich |31 May 1991 |0.775
Lambeth |26 June 1991 |2.000
Rochdale |4 July 1991 |0.800
Brent |10 July 1991 |1.000
Hackney |29 August 1991 |2.000
Dartford |29 August 1991 |0.420
Coventry |3 September 1991 |1.750
Bristol |5 September 1991 |1.200
Merton |6 September 1991 |0.391
Hammersmith and Fulham |6 September 1991 |0.500
Harrow |25 September 1991 |2.200
Gosport |16 October 1991 |0.250
Brent |28 October 1991 |1.000
Lewisham |6 November 1991 |4.000
Sutton |13 November 1991 |0.200
North Tyneside |13 November 1991 |1.000
Reading |18 November 1991 |0.600
South Bedfordshire |18 December 1991 |0.500
Chorley |31 December 1991 |0.230
St. Albans |3 January 1992 |0.310
Stoke |20 January 1992 |1.089
Sefton |5 February 1992 |0.500
Eastbourne |13 February 1992 |0.216
Manchester |14 February 1992 |1.800
Liverpool |19 February 1992 |4.995
Harrow |27 February 1992 |0.800
Barnsley |5 March 1992 |1.000
Ealing |8 April 1992 |2.000
Harrow |12 May 1992 |0.450
Reading |20 May 1992 |0.150
Enfield |1 June 1992 |1.200
Camden |23 June 1992 |4.520
Havering |5 August 1992 |0.470
Directions issued in respect of 1991-92 and 1992-93
Northumberland |17 December 1991 |3.500
Bristol |31 December 1991 |3.500
South Tyneside |31 December 1991 |2.750
Newcastle upon Tyne |3 January 1992 |6.165
Thamesdown |7 January 1992 |2.000
Bristol |16 January 1992 |3.900
Dartford |22 January 1992 |0.600
Bury |24 January 1992 |2.500
Adur |6 February 1992 |0.125
Islington |21 February 1992 |2.400
Harrowgate |18 March 1992 |0.133
Adur |5 June 1992 |0.085
Directions issued in respect of 1992-93
Salford |20 December 1991 |3.000
Havant |17 January 1992 |0.500
Southwark |21 January 1992 |5.000
Shropshire |28 January 1992 |1.000
Wigan |5 February 1992 |3.000
Greenwich |11 February 1992 |2.000
Derbyshire |11 February 1992 |5.000
Sutton |27 February 1992 |1.250
Gloucestershire |27 February 1992 |2.200
Lambeth |28 February 1992 |5.000
Brent |5 March 1992 |1.000
Rochdale |5 March 1992 |1.250
Tower Hamlets |18 March 1992 |5.000
Langbaurgh on Tees |12 May 1992 |0.600
Harlow |1 June 1992 |3.200
Basildon |17 June 1992 |1.000
Hillingdon |6 July 1992 |4.000
North Tyneside |13 July 1992 |0.750
Three Rivers |13 July 1992 |0.106
Brent |17 July 1992 |1.000
Rochdale |17 July 1992 |0.500
Havering |5 August 1992 |0.500
St. Helens |7 August 1992 |7.000
Welwyn Hatfield |7 September 1992 |1.000
South Bedfordshire |12 October 1992 |0.500
Haringey |22 October 1992 |1.000
Hackney |10 November 1992 |2.000
Stoke on Trent |10 November 1992 |1.355
Harrow |12 November 1992 |4.000
Brent |16 November 1992 |1.250
Thamesdown |16 November 1992 |0.500
Three Rivers |17 November 1992 |0.018
North Devon |24 November 1992 |0.249
Stevenage |24 November 1992 |0.800
Sheffield |10 December 1992 |4.000
Reading |23 December 1992 |0.600
Stockton on Tees |5 January 1993 |0.300
Birmingham |14 January 1993 |20.000
South Tyneside |18 January 1993 |0.850
Winchester |20 January 1993 |0.447
Brent |5 February 1993 |0.550
Tameside |12 February 1993 |0.500
Hackney |16 February 1993 |2.500
Barnet |18 February 1993 |0.900
Manchester |26 February 1993 |10.000
Directions issued in respect of 1992-93 and 1993-94
Greenwich |19 October 1992 |3.000
Middlebrough |10 December 1992 |2.000
Newham |10 December 1992 |9.000
Greenwich |5 January 1993 |3.000
Islington |5 January 1993 |3.400
North Tyneside |18 January 1993 |4.000
Sutton |22 January 1993 |1.500
Adur |25 January 1993 |0.140
Norwich |26 February 1993 |1.888
Directions issued in respect of 1993-94
Northumberland |10 December 1992 |3.500
Bristol |10 December 1992 |2.000
Richmond upon Thames |23 December 1992 |0.800
Derbyshire |5 January 1993 |6.000
Gloucestershire |8 January 1993 |3.000
Salford |11 January 1993 |3.000
Shropshire |4 February 1993 |1.500
Hounslow |5 February 1993 |1.000
Leicestershire |5 February 1993 |2.500
Lambeth |16 February 1993 |10.000
Leicester |23 February 1993 |0.650
Hammersmith and Fulham |23 February 1993 |1.000
Directions relating to late rating adjustments
Islington |5 March 1992 |3.809
Enfield |18 March 1992
Direction issued in respect of 1990-91, 1991-92 and 1992-93
North Tyneside |5 March 1992 |2.750
Directions issued in respect of 1991-92
Barnsley |5 March 1992 |0.235
Bury |5 March 1992 |0.280
Wakefield |5 March 1992 |0.450
Newham |11 March 1992 |3.225
Camden |11 March 1992 |1.391
Newcastle upon Tyne |11 March 1992 |1.955
Gateshead |11 March 1992 |0.941
Enfield |11 March 1992 |0.787
Northumbria PA |11 March 1992 |0.413
Sunderland |11 March 1992 |9.399
Middlesbrough |11 March 1992 |0.152
Tyne and Wear FCDA |11 March 1992 |0.079
Vale Royal |11 March 1992 |0.060
Ryedale |11 March 1992 |0.035
Chorley |11 March 1992 |0.016
Darlington |11 March 1992 |0.008
Newham |18 March 1992 |2.410
Sunderland |12 May 1992 |2.401
Tyne and Wear FCDA |12 May 1992 |0.321
Directions issued in respect of 1991-92 and 1992-93
Haringey 5 March 1992 |4.300
Salford |5 March 1992 |1.800
Newcastle upon Tyne |18 March 1992 |6.045
Directions issued in respect of 1992-93
Lambeth |28 February 1992 |2.945
Greenwich |3 March 1992 |2.420
Southwark |3 March 1992 |2.629
Wandsworth |3 March 1992 |2.916
Lewisham |3 March 1992 |2.594
Islington |6 March 1992 |1.940
Hammersmith and Fulham |17 March 1992 |1.854
Hackney |2 April 1992 |1.200
Bedfordshire |27 April 1992 |4.000
Camden |27 August 1992 |2.100
Directions relating to bank losses
Direction issued in respect of 1990-91
Rugby |2 April 1992 |0.100
Directions issued in respect of 1991-92
Rother |19 February 1992 |0.510
Stockport |6 March 1992 |0.690
Southwark |6 March 1992 |2.100
Mansfield |6 March 1992 |1.665
Bury |6 March 1992 |3.900
Bristol |6 March 1992 |0.400
Greater Manchester FCDA |18 March 1992 |1.370
Wigan |18 March 1992 |1.590
Alnwick |19 March 1992 |0.630
Welwyn Hatfield |31 March 1992 |0.574
Hertsmere |28 May 1992 |0.671
Direction issued in respect of 1992-93
South Bedfordshire |20 February 1992 |1.080
Direction relating to the tenants choice scheme
Direction issued in respect of 1992-93
Westminster |8 April 1992 |1.923
Climate Change
Mr. Llew Smith : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the outcome of the working group II session of the intergovernmental panel on climate change held in Geneva on 8 to 12 February.
Mr. Maclean [holding answer 4 March 1993] : Good progress was made towards agreeing a work plan for the reconstituted working group II, which will feed into the IPCC's second assessment report to be published in late 1995.
Supplementary Credit Approval
Mr. Straw : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much supplementary credit approval has been granted to each local authority for each year since 1 April 1990, showing separately the name of the authority, the amount and the purpose for which it was given.
Mr. Howard [holding answer 4 March 1993] : Supplementary credit approvals are issued by a number of Government Departments and comprehensive information at this level of detail is not held centrally. In their regular returns to my Department local authorities report the total amount of supplementary credit approvals they have received, or expect to receive, and I have arranged for a summary of the most recent information from each authority to be placed in the Library of the House.
I have arranged for more detailed information regarding supplementary credit approvals issued by my Department to be collated and this will be placed in the Library as soon as possible.
Recycling Exhibition
Mr. Llew Smith : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how his Department will be represented at the international exhibition of recycling in Paris on 17 to 19 March.
Column 330
Mr. Maclean [holding answer 4 March 1993] : My Department is not being represented at the international exhibition in Paris.
HOUSE OF COMMONS
Prime Minister's Questions
Mr. Winnick : To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will list the names of hon. Members who have in this Parliament had a question for oral answer to the Prime Minister listed on the Order Paper among the top six more than four times.
Mr. Newton : I am informed by the Table Office that, in this Parliament, up to and including questions tabled on Tuesday 2 March for answer on Tuesday 16 March, two hon. Members have had five questions to the Prime Minister for oral answer draw among the top six as a result of the random computer shuffle : they are my hon. Friend the Member for Basildon (Mr. Amess) and the hon. Member for Newham, North-West (Mr. Tony Banks). No hon. Member has had more than five such questions.
NATIONAL FINANCE
Cohesion Fund
Mr. Austin Mitchell : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 26 October 1992, Official Report, columns 460-61, on the cohesion fund, if he will provide the calculations on relative wealth and fund eligibility on the basis of (a) real exchange rates and (b) normal rates.
Sir John Cope : The normal rate for calculations of relative wealth in respect of the structural funds is purchasing power parities ; and the Edinburgh European Council confirmed that this would be the basis used for calculations of relative wealth and eligibility for the cohesion fund.
The Edinburgh European Council also agreed that the four member states with a per capita GNP of less than 90 per cent. of the EC average in purchasing power parities
Column 331
would be eligible for the cohesion fund. These member states are Greece, Ireland, Portugal and Spain. The United Kingdom's per capita GNP on a purchasing power parities basis is around the EC average.Tax Offices, Southampton
Mr. Denham : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reason market-testing of clerical work in the Southampton tax offices was abandoned.
Mr. Dorrell : Last year the Inland Revenue started pilot market tests of certain services at four separate local sites including Southampton. It became clear that these initial tests would not be properly representative of market testing on a wider scale, and they were replaced early this year by a larger market test of the Revenue's secretarial and typing services across the whole of the South West region.
Income Tax
Ms Harman : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will estimate the effect on Treasury revenues in 1993-94 of introducing an allowance against income tax of (a) £1,000 and (b) £2,000 for all working mothers ; giving both full and first-year costs ; (2) if he will estimate the effect on Treasury revenues in 1993-94 of introducing an allowance against income tax of (a) £1,000 and (b) £2,000 for all working mothers with at least one child under five years, giving both full and first-year costs.
Mr. Dorrell [holding answer 25 February 1993] : Estimate of the cost of introducing allowances against taxable incomes for working mothers and lone parents at 1993-94 levels are set out in the table. The first year cost would depend on how the measure was implemented.
Cost (£ billion)
|Allowance of (a)|Allowance of (b)
|£1,000 per year |£2,000 per year
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All working mothers<1> |0.6 |1.1
All working mothers with a child under five<1> |0.2 |0.4
<1> Including lone parents who are working.
Ms Harman : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will update, to take account of the 1992 Budget, the information on tax changes contained in his answer of 3 March 1992 to the hon. Member for Oldham, West (Mr. Meacher), 0fficial Report, column 122.
Mr. Dorrell [holding answer 25 February 1993] : Latest estimates of the reduction in tax liability resulting from the changes in tax rates, allowances and thresholds are in the table. The 1978-79 income tax regime has been indexed to 1992-93 levels by reference to the statutory formula, and allowing for independent taxation. A reliable analysis of taxpayers with incomes over £80,000 is not available. For the purposes of these calculations the indexed regime of 1978-79 is applied directly to the income base of 1992-93. In practice, retention of the regime, indexed as appropriate, for the intervening years would have led to changes in the income base.
Column 332
Reduction in income tax compared with 1978-79 indexed regime
Range of |Number of |Total reduction in |Average gain per
individual's income |individuals<1> |tax |individual
in 1992-93 |1992-93
(£) |(million) |(£ million) |(£)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Under 5,000 |3.5 |520 |150
5,000-10,000 |8.1 |3,100 |390
10,000-15,000 |6.2 |4,500 |730
15,000-20,000 |3.8 |4,100 |1,080
20,000-30,000 |3.2 |5,300 |1,700
30,000-50,000 |1.2 |4,000 |3,400
50,000-80,000 |0.3 |2,700 |9,700
over 80,000 |0.1 |6,800 |48,200
|----- |----- |----- |Total |26.4 |31,100 |1,200
<1> Individuals who would be liable to tax under the indexed 1978-79 regime.
Income Tax
Ms Harman : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will update his answer of 21 January 1992, to the hon. Member for Leeds, West (Mr. Battle), Official Report, column 128, on the introduction of an upper limit for income tax allowances and reliefs for the years 1992-93 and 1993-94.
Mr. Dorrell [holding answer 25 February 1993] : Estimates of the direct revenue yield in a full year at 1992-93 levels of income from imposition of the specified limits for allowances and reliefs within the current income tax system are given below. These are based on information compiled from a number of statistical surveys and are subject to more than the usual margin of uncertainty.
Limit £ |Yield £ million ------------------------------------------------ 10,000 |690 15,000 |380 20,000 |280
After restriction of the relevant allowances and reliefs to the basic rate the estimated further yield from imposing the specified limits would be as follows :
Full year yield at 1992-93 income levels, £ million
Limit for total allowances and reliefs
After restriction
to the basic rate
of
|£10,000|£15,000|£20,000
------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) all personal allowances
except the basic personal
allowances |610 |360 |270
(b) relief for personal pension
contributions |560 |310 |230
(c) relief for employees'
contributions to
occupational pension
schemes |630 |370 |270
(d) allowances and reliefs in (a)
and (b) |510 |300 |230
(e) allowances and reliefs in (a)
and (c) |580 |350 |270
(f) reliefs in (b) and (c) |500 |300 |230
(g) allowances and reliefs in
(a), (b) and (c) |480 |290 |220
The number of people with total allowances and reliefs in excess of £10,000 is just under 600,000. The corresponding figures for £15,000 and £20,000 are about 85,000 and 45,000 respectively. The estimates of revenue yield do not take account of any behavioural effects which might result from the introduction of the changes. It is not possible to provide detailed information for 1993-94.
Ms Harman : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the average individual cumulative gain (a) in cash prices and (b) in 1991-92 prices to those earning (i) £5,000, (ii) £10,000, (iii) £15, 000, (iv) £20,000, (v) £25,000,(vi) £30,000, (vii) £40,000, (viii) £50,000, (ix) £60,000,(x) £70,000 and (xi) £100,000 as a result of changes in(1) income tax and (2) income tax and national insurance since 1979 and 1987.
Mr. Dorrell [holding answer 25 February 1993] : Latest estimates of the reduction in liability resulting from changes in national insurance and income tax rates, allowances and thresholds are in the table. The 1978-79 and 1987-88 income tax regimes have been indexed to 1992-93 levels by reference to the statutory formula and allowing for independent taxation.
Column 334
Average change in 1992-93 (£)
Compared with Compared with
1978-79 indexed 1987-88 indexed
regime regime
Range of individuals |Income tax |Income tax and |Income tax |Income tax and
income in 1992-93 |National Insurance |National Insurance
(£)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Under 5,000 |150 |180 |80 |90
5,000-10,000 |390 |360 |190 |250
10,000-15,000 |730 |610 |260 |400
15,000-20,000 |1,080 |830 |340 |490
20,000-25,000 |1,490 |1,040 |430 |570
25,000-30,000 |2,030 |1,550 |510 |630
30,000-40,000 |2,870 |2,380 |370 |480
40,000-50,000 |4,750 |4,260 |730 |840
50,000-60,000 |7,340 |6,850 |1,660 |1,760
60,000-70,000 |11,000 |10,500 |3,060 |3,150
70,000-80,000 |14,800 |14,300 |4,840 |4,920
Over 80,000 |48,200 |47,500 |18,900 |18,900
|------- |------- |------- |-------
Average |1,200 |1,000 |400 |480
I regret that a reliable analysis of taxpayers with incomes over £100,000 is not available.
For the purposes of the calculations in the first two columns of the table the indexed regime of 1978-79 has been applied directly to the income base of 1992-93. In practice retention of the 1978-79 regime, indexed as appropriate, for the intervening years would have led to changes in the income base.
Ms Harman : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total and average income and earned income in 1990-91, 1991-92 and 1992-93 of (a) the top 1 per cent., (b) the top 5 per cent., (c) the top 10 per cent., (d) the bottom 70 per cent., (e) the bottom 10 per cent. of taxpayers and (g) all taxpayers.
Mr. Dorrell [holding answer 25 February 1993] : Estimates are given in the table.
Column 333
Quantile group of |Total income (£ |Average income (£)|Total earned |Average earned
taxpayers |billion) |income<1> (£ |income (£)
|billion)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1990-91
Top 1 per cent. |28 |107,800 |21 |81,400
Top 5 per cent. |69 |52,200 |54 |41,700
Top 10 per cent. |103 |39,100 |84 |32,100
Bottom 70 per cent. |161 |8,800 |148 |8,100
Bottom 50 per cent |95 |7,300 |87 |6,700
Bottom 10 per cent. |12 |4,600 |11 |4,200
All taxpayers |358 |13,600 |316 |12,100
1991-92
Top 1 per cent. |29 |114,700 |23 |89,600
Top 5 per cent. |71 |56,000 |59 |46,300
Top 10 per cent. |106 |41,900 |90 |35,600
Bottom 70 per cent. |165 |9,300 |154 |8,700
Bottom 50 per cent. |97 |7,600 |90 |7,100
Bottom 10 per cent. |12 |4,800 |11 |4,500
All taxpayers |370 |14,500 |334 |13,200
1992-93
Top 1 per cent. |29 |115,400 |22 |91,400
Top 5 per cent. |70 |56,500 |59 |47,900
Top 10 per cent. |105 |42,400 |91 |37,000
Bottom 70 per cent. |164 |9,500 |154 |8,900
Bottom 50 per cent. |96 |7,800 |90 |7,300
Bottom 10 per cent. |12 |5,000 |11 |4,600
All taxpayers |367 |14,800 |338 |13,700
<1> Income from employment, self-employment and pensions.
Column 335
Ms Harman : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the effect on the Treasury revenues in 1993-94, and in a full year, of introducing a child care tax allowance of £50 a week for (a) working mothers and (b) either partner in a two-earner couple, assuming that relief is available at the basic rate only, giving figures separately for (i) all families with dependent children and (ii) families with at least one child under five years.
Mr. Dorrell [holding answer 25 February 1993] : Estimates of the full year cost of introducing such an allowance in 1993-94 are set out in the table. The first year cost would depend on how the measure was implemented.
Column 336
Cost (£ billion)
Allowance of £50
per week restricted
to basic or lower
rate relief and
given to
|(a) working mothers|(b) the higher
|and lone parents |earner in a
|two-earner couple
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All families with dependent
children<1> |1.4 |2.2
Family with at least one child
under the age of five |0.5 |0.9
<1> Includes dependent children aged 16 to 18
Column 337
Employee (Definition)
Mr. Sedgemore : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to clarify the definition of employee in relation to the payment of PAYE in connection with the payment of fees to private companies in lieu of salary.
Mr. Dorrell [holding answer 4 March 1993] : We have no plans to do so. Whether an individual is an employee for tax purposes is a question of fact and general law and will depend, therefore, on the circumstances of the particular case.
Tax Avoidance
Mr. Winnick : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to reduce opportunities for tax avoidance by payment of fees to private companies in lieu of salaries for full-time positions ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Dorrell [holding answer 4 March 1993] : Tax avoidance arrangements of all kinds are kept under review and appropriate action is taken where necessary.
DEFENCE
Redundancies
Sir Nicholas Bonsor : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what basis Royal Navy captains retire on a one-star pension after six years in the rank ; what compensation for the loss of this pension increment was allowed for in the current round of redundancies ; how many of those made compulsorily redundant at the rank of captain has completed six years in the rank ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : In accordance with the current (and long- standing) pay arrangements for Royal Navy officers, Royal Naval captains who attain six years seniority in that rank automatically receive the pay, and thus retire with the pension benefits, related to one star rank in the Army and RAF. Only those captains selected for redundancy who had attained six years seniority would receive redundancy benefits based on the higher pay rates as the redundancy compensation scheme, although it includes a payment to compensate for lost career, does not include specific provision for taking into account future pay or pension increases. In the first phase of the Royal Navy redundancy programme, which covers the period from 1 April 1992 to 31 March 1993, none of the captains selected for complusory redundancy will have completed more than six years in the rank by the end of this period. Six captains who applied to be considered and were selected for redundancy will have over six years seniority. In the second phase, which covers the period from 1 April 1993 to 30 November 1993, three of the captains selected for complusory redundancy have completed more than six years in the rank or will have done so by the final date. Five captains who had applied to be considered will also fall into this category.
Bands
Mr. Colvin : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 11 February, Official Report, column 778, if the band of the Cheshire Regiment has been
Column 338
deployed as part of the UNPROFOR in Bosnia ; if the band of the Prince of Wales's Own Regiment is to be deployed ; and if he will make a statement.Mr. Archie Hamilton : The band of the Cheshire Regiment has deployed to Bosnia but the band of the Prince of Wales's Own Regiment is not due to do so.
Mr. Colvin : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 11 February, Official Report , column 778 , if he will set out the number of fee-paying engagements by each service band in the latest full year for which figures are available ; what is the contribution to public funds made, and how it is calculated ; and what proportion of fees is retained by the unit concerned.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : Details of the number of fee-paying engagements undertaken by each service band are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The contribution to public funds is calculated on a percentage basis dependent on the net earnings each band makes. The remainder of the charge is apportioned between the performers and individual band funds. With regard to the total contribution made to public funds I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 11 February 1993, Official Report , column 778 .
Service Pensions
Mr. Bowden : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what entitlement widows of post-service marriages to armed forces personnel have to a widow's pension based on the service of their late husband ; and what the position was prior to 1978, and from 1978 to 1987.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : The current terms of the armed forces pension scheme include provision for a pension to be awarded to the eligible widow of a service man who marries after leaving the armed forces provided that some part of his service was given on or after 6 April 1978 and that he himself qualified for retired pay or pension. Before that date, widows of post-retirement marriages had no entitlement to a pension.
Mr. Bowden : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to extend entitlement to armed service widows' pensions to all widows of armed service personnel, irrespective of whether marriage was contracted before, during or after the period of service.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : The armed forces pension scheme already provides pensions for the eligible widows of service personnel leaving the armed forces on or after 6 April 1978 irrespective of whether marriage took place before or after service was completed. There are no plans to backdate these arrangements.
HMS Coventry
Mr. Redmond : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current role of HMS Coventry in the Gulf ; what arrangement he has made for HMS Coventry to deal with anti-submarine patrols ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : HMS Coventry is currently assigned to the Armilla patrol which is tasked to provide reassurance and protection if necessary to British entitled ships and to operate in support of United Nations sanctions on maritime trade with Iraq. It is not our practice to release more detailed operational information.
Column 339
2nd Gurkha Rifles
Mr. Trotter : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the distance being flown by 2nd Gurkha Rifles for training at Wainwright in Canada ; how many aircraft will be needed for the journey ; what consideration was given to sending units from the United Kingdom or Germany instead of part of the Hong Kong garrison ; and when a battalion from Hong Kong last went for training in Canada.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : It is proposed that the 2nd Gurkha Rifles will travel direct from Hong Kong to Edmonton in two chartered aircraft. The distance flown will be approximately 11,500 miles. Consideration was given to sending an infantry battalion from United Kingdom land forces or British Army of the Rhine, but neither command was able to release a battalion due to other commitments, drawdown and reorganisation. There is no record of a Hong Kong battalion previously training in Canada.
Armed Service Personnel
Mr. Martyn Jones : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many armed service personnel went absent without leave last year ; and what punishments they received.
| Next Section
| Home Page |