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LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT
Probate Offices, Bradford and Leeds
Mr. Madden: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many personal interviews took place at the Bradford probate office in each of the last five years to date; how many personal interviews took place at the Leeds district probate registry over the same period; what were the opening hours of both offices during this period; what representations have been received, to date, to the proposal to close the Bradford probate office; how many such representations have been (a) supportive of and (b) opposed to closure. [15347]
Mr. Jonathan Evans: The question concerns a specific operational matter on which the chief executive of the Court Service is best placed to provide an answer and I have accordingly asked the chief executive to reply direct.
Letter from M. D. Huebner to Mr. Max Madden, dated 15 February 1996:
15 Feb 1996 : Column: 670
The Parliamentary Secretary has asked me to reply to your Question about Bradford Probate Office and Leeds District Probate Registry.
The number of personal interviews at Bradford Probate Office for each of the last five years are as follows:
1991: 229
1992: 209
1993: 287
1994: 281
1995: 309.
The number of personal interviews at Leeds District Probate Registry for each of the last five years are as follows:
1991: 1,035
1992: 1,145
1993: 1,235
1994: 1,309
1995: 1,348
Bradford Probate Office is open to the public for interviews on the first and third Thursday of each month. Interviews can be arranged between 10.15am and 3.40pm. Leeds District Probate Registry opens Monday to Friday, except bank holidays, between 9.30am and 4pm.
The only representation received to date about the proposed closure of Bradford Probate Office has been from Mr. Gerry Sutcliffe, the Honourable Member for Bradford South, who is opposed to the proposal.
TREASURY
Incomes
Mr. Pearson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list (a) the total income before and after tax and national insurance and (b) the average earned and unearned income in 1995-96 and 1996-97 of (i) the top 1 per cent., (ii) the top 5 per cent., (iii) the top 10 per cent., (iv) the bottom 70 per cent., (v) the bottom 10 per cent. of taxpayers and (vi) all taxpayers. [14251]
Mr. Jack: Estimates are given in the table. Total income relates to income subject to tax and excludes non-taxable incomes such as certain social security benefits.
| Quantile group of taxpayers | Total income before income tax and national insurance | Total income after income tax and national insurance | Average total income before income tax and national insurance |
|---|---|---|---|
| £ million | £ million | £ million | |
| 1995-96 | |||
| Top 1 | 34,300 | 22,400 | 133,300 |
| Top 5 | 81,600 | 56,000 | 63,400 |
| Top 10 | 121,500 | 85,700 | 47,200 |
| Bottom 70 | 176,100 | 146,100 | 9,800 |
| Bottom 10 | 11,700 | 11,100 | 4,600 |
| All taxpayers | 407,700 | 315,500 | 15,900 |
| 1996-97 | |||
| Top 1 | 36,100 | 23,700 | 140,300 |
| Top 5 | 85,800 | 59,200 | 66,600 |
| Top 10 | 127,600 | 90,800 | 49,500 |
| Bottom 70 | 182,300 | 151,900 | 10,300 |
| Bottom 10 | 12,500 | 11,700 | 4,800 |
| All taxpayers | 428,100 | 334,300 | 16,600 |
Single European Currency
Mr. Jon Owen Jones: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment his Department has made of the impact of a single European currency on the United Kingdom economy. [14950]
Mrs. Angela Knight: I refer the hon. Member to the answer that my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer gave to the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent (Mr. Smith) on 8 February 1996, Official Report, column 363.
Taxation
Mr. David Shaw: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 7 February, Official Report, column 186, if he will set out the effects of the flat rate tax for income exempt from taxation in £1,000 increments from £3,000 to £10,000 on the basis of (a) a single tax exempt amount per household, (b) a shared tax exempt amount per couple and (c) both (a) and (b) with an additional £2,000 tax exempt amount for married couples only. [14947]
Mr. Jack:
Such an analysis of the effects of introducing a flat rate of income tax on a joint or household basis could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
15 Feb 1996 : Column: 671
Mr. Jim Cunningham:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many higher rate taxpayers are at present in (a) occupational pension schemes, (b) personal pension schemes and (c) executive pension schemes. [14665]
Mr. Jack
[holding answer 12 February 1996]: Latest available estimates are that about 1.3 million members of occupational pension schemes and some 0.5 million members of personal pension schemes are higher rate taxpayers. A separate figure for executive pension schemes is not available.
Ms Ruddock:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many environmental appraisals were produced by his Department using the guidance contained in the Department of the Environment's "Policy Appraisal and the Environment" in 1995; and if he will place copies in the Library. [15113]
Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
[holding answer 14 February 1996]: None.
Ms Hodge:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assumptions he has made of the effect the proposed increase in the child care disregard will have in 1996-97 (a) on the number of women who will take up the disregard and (b) on the flowback to the Exchequer from bringing more women into the work force. [15222]
Mr. Roger Evans:
I have been asked to reply.
We estimate that, on average, between 5,000 and 10,000 families will benefit from the increase in the child care disregard. The behavioural effects of the increase, and the pace at which they occur, are uncertain. No specific assumption has been made as to the flowback to the Exchequer.
Scott Inquiry
Mr. Llew Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what arrangements have been made for (a) distribution of the Scott report within the civil service and (b) access to legal support and representation for civil servants criticised by Lord Justice Scott. [14841]
Mr. Freeman: Copies of the Scott report will be obtained by Government Departments in sufficient quantities to meet the needs of civil servants. Legal support for civil servants criticised in the report will be given where their Department concludes that such support is appropriate
Fire Safety Review
Mr. Meale:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on each of the recommendations contained in the interdepartmental review of fire safety legislation and enforcement in the United Kingdom. [15398]
15 Feb 1996 : Column: 672
Mr. Freeman:
The Government have been considering the findings of the review and the views expressed by interested parties, including the deregulation task force. It has also been further considering the fire safety aspects of the EC framework and workplace directives. An announcement on both will be made soon.
Belarus
Mr. Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what resources have been committed to the Republic of Belarus to assist with the (a) medical, (b) agricultural and (c) other consequences of the Chernobyl incident; what resources will be committed in 1996-97; and when the Government propose next to review the level of assistance required. [15181]
Sir Nicholas Bonsor: In 1986, the UK was the first country to respond to the United Nations' resolution on the Chernobyl accident. We have since contributed to international study and assistance programmes to Belarus and Ukraine through the EU, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the World Health Organisation and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development's Nuclear Safety Account. The first priority of these programmes has been to ensure the safety of other nuclear installations in the region. Since 1991, 236 million ecu, around £180 million, has been committed via the EU's programme of technical assistance to the Commonwealth of Independent States, to which the UK contributes 16 per cent. We also provide financial and technical expertise to international projects in the region on radioactive contamination, feasibility studies for cleaning up contaminated areas, and radiological training. Bilateral assistance to Belarus in dealing with the environmental effects of the Chernobyl accident is through the environmental know-how fund, and during 1996 and 1997 we will continue to examine suitable projects directed at the rehabilitation of the area.
Chechnya
Mr. Elletson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what inquiries he has undertaken to establish whether Russian troops serving with British forces in Bosnia have been involved in atrocities in Chechnya. [15390]
Sir Nicholas Bonsor: We have made no inquiries about whether the Russian troops, who are deployed in the American sector, have served in Chechnya.
Mr. Elletson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when a member of Her Majesty's embassy in Moscow last visited Chechnya. [15385]
Sir Nicholas Bonsor: Two members of Her Majesty's embassy in Moscow last visited Chechnya from 25 to 26 May 1995.
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