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Taxpayers' Incomes
Mr. Winnick: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many and what percentage of taxpayers, whether employed or self-employed, have a gross income (a) above £100,000 annually, (b) between £60,000 and £100,000, (c) between £30,000 and £60,000 and (d) £10,000 and below. [40988]
Mr. Jack: Latest estimates for 1996-97 are given in the table.
| Gross income(1) £ per year | Number of taxpayers (thousands) | Percentage of taxpayers |
|---|---|---|
| £10,000 and below | 9,200 | 36 |
| £30,000-£60,000 | 1,700 | 7 |
| £60,000-£100,000 | 260 | 1 |
| Over £100,000 | 140 | under 1 |
(1) Defined as total income for income tax purposes.
Economic and Monetary Union
Mr. Matthew Banks: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Council of Ministers of the European Community will carry out the assessment, required by article 109j of the treaty, of whether the third stage of economic and monetary union can begin in 1997; and if, in relation to that process, the United Kingdom is required to notify its intentions. [41214]
Mr. Kenneth Clarke: Article 109j of the EC treaty requires that a formal assessment by the Council of Ministers of which member states meet the necessary conditions for the adoption of the single currency in 1997 should take place by the end of 1996. The European Council agreed at its meeting in Florence in June that member states will not be ready to adopt the single currency in 1997 and confirmed its commitment to the third stage of economic and monetary union starting in 1999 in line with the EC treaty. However, in accordance with its obligation under the EC treaty, the Council will carry out the assessment procedure under article 109j before the end of 1996.
Paragraph 1 of protocol No. 11 to the treaty requires the United Kingdom to notify its intentions in relation to the third stage before this assessment under article 109j is carried out. Accordingly, the Council has been notified by the United Kingdom's permanent representative that the United Kingdom does not intend to move to the third stage in 1997. A copy of the notification has been placed in the Library of both Houses.
This notification does not prejudge or affect in any way the future decision on the United Kingdom's participation in the third stage. Under the treaty, the United Kingdom is not committed and cannot be obliged to move to the third stage without a separate decision to do so by the Government and Parliament. The Government's policy remains that no decision will be taken either way on participation in the third stage during the lifetime of the current Parliament because sufficient information to make a full assessment of the implications for the United Kingdom will not be available.
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Mr. Llew Smith:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will arrange for a report on the outcome of the negotiations in the Nuclear Test Ban Committee of the Untied Nationals Conference on Disarmament, which resumed on 29 July, to be put in the Library as soon as it becomes available. [39917]
Mr. David Davis:
The Conference on Disarmament issued a report on 12 September. A copy will be placed in the Libraries of the House.
Mr. Spearing:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the numbers of (a) regulation and (b) directives which have been (i) operative in United Kingdom law since 1 January 1973, (ii) introduced between 1973 and 1986 and (iii) introduced since 1986. [40411]
Mr. David Davis:
I shall write to the hon. Member shortly. Copies of the letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House.
Mr. Foulkes:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what facilities have been provided to Prince Michael of Kent for business visits by British embassies over the past five years; and what is the estimated cost of those facilities; [40455]
Mr. Rifkind:
The detailed information sought could be provided only after considerable research, which would involve disproportionate costs. The facilities offered by British embassies to Prince Michael of Kent and those accompanying him have been similar to those available for other British business visitors. These generally include advice on programmes and briefing on political background and commercial opportunities in the relevant market sectors. When appropriate, senior officers also accompany and sometimes lobby on behalf of senior British visitors during calls on local authorities. Hospitality is at times provided in order to effect introductions.
Mr. Foulkes:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what facilities were provided to Prince Michael of Kent on his business visit to Beijing in September; who approved the provision of such facilities; under what arrangements such facilities were provided; to what other citizens of the United Kingdom such facilities are made available; and if he will make a statement. [40457]
Mr. Rifkind:
Prince Michael of Kent was invited by the People's Institute of Foreign Affairs in Peking to lead a delegation of senior representatives of British companies active in China. PIFA was responsible for the
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arrangements, including travel and accommodation in China. The delegation met its own costs for travel to and from China.
The embassy provided briefing and assistance consistent with the seniority of the group and the reception accorded by the Chinese Government. The ambassador accompanied His Royal Highness on his call on the Premier, Li Peng, and the group was accompanied during the visit by a commercial officer on his staff.
Our embassy in Peking seeks to provide appropriate assistance to all British business delegations visiting China. The facilities the embassy provides to business visitors are tailored to their programme and their individual requirements.
Mr. Llew Smith:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many diplomats have been expelled from the Pakistani high commission in 1996 as a result of their procurement on nuclear technology. [40494]
Sir Nicholas Bonsor:
No diplomats of the Pakistan high commission have been expelled from the UK in 1996. However, a member of the high commission's local staff was deported in July of that year.
Mr. Dalyell:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what invitation he had for the International Bar Association to be represented at its conference in London on 9 September on Lockerbie; and why he declined. [40707]
Sir Nicholas Bonsor:
My right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary was not invited. A number of officials were invited, but did not attend. The Government's position on the trial of those accused of the Lockerbie bombing is well known: the two accused must stand trial in Scotland or in the United States.
Mr. Flynn:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many answers to (a) written and (b) oral parliamentary questions have required correction by his Department in each of the past two years. [40632]
Sir Nicholas Bonsor:
This is a matter of public record.
Mr. Byers:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Government of Sudan about the lack of religious tolerance in their country, with particular reference to the persecution of Christians; and if he will make a statement. [40763]
Dr. Lian Fox:
Freedom of worship is a fundamental human right. We are very concerned by disturbing reports of forced islaminisation in Sudan. We frequently make clear our concerns, and those of the British Parliament and people, about human rights and abuses in Sudan. The Minister of State Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my
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right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond and Barnes (Mr. Hanley), did so most recently to the Sudanese ambassador on 2 July.
Mr. Flynn:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department has spent on (a) publicity, (b) promotions, and (c) hospitality in each of the last six years. [40625]
Dr. Liam Fox:
(a) and (b): Total expenditure on publicity--that is, promotional material and recruitment advertising--in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, diplomatic wing and Overseas Development Administration, in each of the last six years was:
(2) if he will make a statement on the policy of Her Majesty's Government in the provision of facilities by British embassies to private individuals on business trips. [40456]
(c) I refer the hon. Member to the answer the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond and Barnes (Mr. Hanley) gave to the hon. Member for Gordon (Mr. Bruce) on 1 February, Official Report, column 857-58.
1990-91: £1,825,882
1991-92: £1,785,388
1992-93: £2,033,000
1993-94: £2,130,264
1994-95: £2,320,000
1995-96: £2,442,763.
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