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Inter-agency Co-operation

Mr. Pearson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made on co-operation between the Inland Revenue, the Contributions Agency, and Customs and Excise since 19 September 1995. [12540]

Mr. Jack [holding answer 1 February 1996]: Excellent progress continues to be made on co-operation between the Inland Revenue, the Contributions Agency and Customs and Excise. A number of measures have been implemented since 19 September 1995, including the successful launch of a telephone helpline pilot in Scotland for employers and VAT traders; a joint leaflet to help those setting up in business on their own; and new arrangements being piloted in the North of England to give new businesses a single form to register with all three departments. Peter Wyman--head of tax at Coopers and Lybrand and a member of the deregulation task force--has accepted an invitation to oversee work on joint working between the Inland Revenue and the Contributions Agency to bring in an external perspective. All three departments are continuing to work closely to identify other areas which will streamline their relationship with business.

Unemployment

Mr. Byers: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the percentage of people unemployed for (a) up three months, (b) three to six months, (c) six to nine months, (d) nine to 12 months, (e) one to two years, (f) two to three years, (g) three to four years, (h) four to five years and (i) five years and over who get a job in the following month. [13084]

5 Feb 1996 : Column: 13

Mrs. Angela Knight [holding answer 1 February 1996]: The following table shows the percentage of claimants unemployed on 9 November 1995, in the UK, who left claimant unemployment in the following month for each unemployment duration band. No information is available on the destination of claimants who cease to claim unemployment-related benefit.

Percentage of UK Claimants Unemployed on 9 November 1995 who left the claimant count in the following month

Duration on 9 November 1995	Percentage in the following month (ie. before 14 December 1995)
Up to 3 months	17.8
Over 3 and up to 6 months	12.4
Over 6 and up to 9 months	11.8
Over 9 and up to 12 months	8.7
Over 1 and up to 2 years	9,5
Over 2 and up to 3 years	7.4
Over 3 and up to 4 years	4.7
Over 4 and up to 5 years	4.3
Over 5 years	2.7

Labour Statistics

Mr. Meacher: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many persons, according to the latest available information, are employed under contract for (a) zero hours per week, (b) one to eight hours, (c) nine to 15 hours, (d) 16 to 24 hours, (e) 25 to 30 hours, (f) 31 to 40 hours, (g) 41 to 50 hours, (h) 51 to 60 hours, (i) 61 to 70 hours, (j) 71 to 80 hours and (k) more than 80 hours per week; and what percentage of the total work force each group represents. [13169]

Mrs. Angela Knight [holding answer 31 January 1996]: The available information from the labour force survey is as follows:

Basic usual hours(5) worked by employees in Great Britain (summer 1995, not seasonally adjusted)

Basic usual hours worked per week(5)	Number of employees (thousands)	As a percentage of all employees
0	n/a	n/a
1 to 8	968	4.4
9 to 15	1,394	6.3
16 to 24	2,095	9.5
25 to 30	1,355	6.1
31 to 40	13,154	59.7
41 to 50	2,069	9.4
51 to 60	571	2.6
61 to 70	159	0.7
71 to 80	69	0.3
more than 80	83	0.4

(5) Hours usually worked in their main job, excluding meal breaks and overtime.

n/a not available, estimate below 10,000.

Cyclical Social Security

Sir Ralph Howell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what definition his Department has of cyclical social security; and if he will indicate each category of person included with spending on each category in 1994-95, and a forecast of 1995-96, 1996-97 and 1997-98. [13616]

5 Feb 1996 : Column: 14

Mr. Roger Evans: I have been asked to reply.

Cyclical social security is defined as unemployment benefit and income support paid to people of working age. From October 1996 it will cover jobseeker's allowance and income support to people of working age.

The client group definition for cyclical social security is as follows:

"Unemployed" includes Unemployment Benefit (JSA from October 1996) plus IS to the unemployed.
"Short term sick" is IS to people who are sick for up to six months and who do not receive a disability pension.
"Long term sick and disabled" is IS paid to disabled people and people who are sick for more than six months.
"Families" is IS to lone parents.
"Widows and others" is IS paid to people who do not fall into the other client groups.
The expenditure details are shown in the attached table.
Cyclical Social Security client group expenditure£ millions

	1994-95	1995-96	1996-97	1997-98
Unemployed	6,583	6,522	6,473	6,468
Short term sick	429	457	478	503
Long term sick and disabled	2,218	2,290	2,364	2,460
Family	3,992	3,770	3,623	3,836
Widows and others	379	420	468	531
Total	13,602	13,459	13,400	13,800




Notes:

1. Totals may not sum due to rounding.

2. 1994-95 estimated outturn; 1995-96 to 1997-98 planned expenditure.

3. These figures are currently being updated and will be available in the 1996 Departmental report which will be published at the end of March 1996.

Source:

1995 Social Security Departmental Report.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

British Coal Properties

Mr. Battle: To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much revenue he expects to be generated from the remaining sales of British Coal properties. [13258]

Mr. Page: The disposal of its property is a matter for British Coal. It would not be appropriate to speculate on what the eventual proceeds might be.

Domestic Electricity Consumers (Discount)

Mr. Foulkes: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what number and percentage of domestic electricity consumers will not receive the National Grid discount because they live in mobile homes; and if he will provide an age breakdown of the affected consumers. [13551]

Mr. Page: My Department does not keep this information.

The National Grid discount is being made by the regional electricity companies to their 21 million domestic customers.

5 Feb 1996 : Column: 15

Fireworks

Mr. Galbraith: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to restrict the use of category 3 fireworks to those operating under licence from the local authorities; and if he will make a statement. [13491]

Mr. John M. Taylor: I have no plans to restrict the use of category 3 fireworks to organisers of fireworks displays. Category 3 covers a wide range of firework types, some of which are not suitable for use in small spaces. For this reason, category 3 fireworks are required to be clearly marked as "display" fireworks, carry instructions for use and indicate the safe distance for spectators. This allows people to make choices and purchase fireworks to suit their own circumstances.

Electricity Prices

Mr. Harvey: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the average price for a kilowatt hour of electricity in each of the organisations for Economic Co-operation and Development countries; and if he will make a statement. [13738]

Mr. Page: The information requested is given in the table and relates to the annual average prices for 1994. Data for all countries include any duties or taxes payable which are non-recoverable.

pence per kWh

	Industrial electricity	Domestic electricity
Austria	4.68	10.79
Belgium	3.84	11.44
Canada	2.47	3.90
Denmark	4.10	11.70
Finland	3.38	5.72
France	3.45	9.75
Germany	5.98	11.57
Ireland	3.97	8.00
Italy	6.11	10.27
Japan	11.25	16.19
Luxembourg	n/a	8.32
Mexico	2.73	4.49
Netherlands	3.71	7.48
New Zealand	2.34	4.36
Norway	n/a	4.36
Portugal	7.54	10.60
Spain	5.20	11.31
Sweden	2.41	5.53
Switzerland	6.89	8.52
Turkey	5.01	4.94
United Kingdom	4.42	8.00
United States	3.06	5.46

Note:

Data for Australia and Greece are not available.

Source:

International Energy Agency.

Electricity prices for both industrial and domestic consumers in the UK have fallen, in real terms, by 10 and 7 per cent. respectively since privatisation of the electricity supply industry. The above table show that United Kingdom prices are among the lowest in the industrialised world and are generally lower than our main European competitors. Further reductions in UK prices during 1996 are likely to improve the UK's position even more.

5 Feb 1996 : Column: 16

Mr. Harvey: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the average price for a kilowatt hour of electricity charged to consumers in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [13739]

Mr. Page: In 1995, the average standard tariff charge for a kilowatt hour of electricity in the United Kingdom was 7.3p. Domestic customers also pay a quarterly standing charge. In 1995, the average standing charge in the UK was £10.39. The standard tariff and standing charge quoted do not include VAT.

In 1995, the average price paid by industrial electricity consumers per kilowatt hour was about 4.5p.

Domestic electricity prices in the UK have fallen, in real terms, since 1990. The average price of electricity is now 7 per cent. lower, in real terms excluding VAT, than it was before privatisation. Domestic consumers will benefit from further reductions during 1996. The National Grid rebate, tightened distribution price controls and a reduction in the fossil fuel levy, mean that average domestic electricity bills in 1996 should be around one fifth lower, in 1995 prices, than in 1995.

Since privatisation, industrial electricity prices have fallen by 10 per cent. in real terms. Industrial electricity prices are now at their lowest level, in real terms, than at any time since records began in 1970. Reduction in distribution charges and the fossil fuel levy will also benefit industrial customers during 1996.

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