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TREASURY

Employment Statistics

Ms Church: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what was the average tenure in a job for an employee, broken down by ethnic group, in (a) 1992 and (b) 1996; [6652]

Mrs. Angela Knight: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the chief executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

Letter from Tim Holt to Ms Judith Church, dated 10 December 1996:


10 Dec 1996 : Column: 123

10 Dec 1996 : Column: 123

10 Dec 1996 : Column: 123

Ms Church: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what was the breakdown, by ethnic group, of people who sought a permanent job but accepted a temporary job in (a) 1992 and (b) 1996; [6650]

    (2) what was the breakdown, by ethnic group, of people who sought a full-time job but accepted a part-time job in (a) 1992 and (b) 1996. [6647]

Mrs. Knight: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the chief executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked for him to arrange for a reply to be given.

Letter from Tim Holt to Ms Judith Church, dated 10 December 1996:

The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply as the Director of the Office for National Statistics to your recent questions (6647 and 6650) on part-time workers who could not find a full-time job and temporary employees who could not find a permanent job in 1992 and 1996, broken down by ethnic group.


10 Dec 1996 : Column: 124


    Labour Force Survey, Office for National Statistics.

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    Employees in temporary employment because they could not find a permanent job, by ethnic group (Great Britain)

    Number (thousands) As percentage of all working part-time(26)
    Ethnic groupsSpring 1992Spring 1996Spring 1992Spring 1996
    All ethnic groups4366493642
    White4086023641
    Non-white:28464449
    Black(27)--15(27)--52
    Indian11115041
    Pakistani/Bangladeshi--10(27)--67
    Mixed/other--10(27)--42

    Notes:

    (26) Percentage based on total responding to question about reasons for working temporarily.

    (27) Sample sizes too small for a reliable estimate.

    Source:

    Labour Force Survey, Office for National Statistics.


Private Landlords (Housing Benefit)

Mr. Robert McCartney: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the annual amount of social security paid to private landlords via housing benefit; and what is the estimated amount of income tax (a) payable on that benefit, (b) improperly withheld and (c) actually paid. [7201]

Mr. Jack: Precise figures are not available but it is estimated that, in 1995-96, some £1.9 billion of housing benefit was paid directly to private landlords--that is, individuals and companies-excluding housing associations. Information on the effect on income tax liabilities of this part of the income of private landlords is not available.

"Financial Statement and Budget Report"

Mr. Timms: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide the information set out in table 5.5 of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report" for projects where contracts have been signed. [7224]

Mr. Jack [holding answer 2 December 1996]: The information required is as follows:

Private finance initiative: estimated capital spending arising from signed deals

£ million
1997--981998-991999-2000Total
Defence30303090
FCO/ODA0000
Agriculture0000
Trade and Industry(28)0000
Transport9501,1301,1403,220
Education and Employment(29),(30)(34)--(34)--(34)--(34)--
Environment(31)602020100
Home Office11000110
Legal Departments(34)--(34)--(34)--(34)--
National Heritage(34)--(34)--(34)--10
Health604020120
Social Security(28)706020160
Scotland(32)10101030
Wales(34)--(34)--(34)--10
Northern Ireland0000
Chancellor's Department0000
Local Authorities (33)0000
Total1,3001,3001,2403,850

(28) Joint Benefits Agency/Post Office Counters project recorded against social security.

(29) Excludes private finance activity in education institutions classified to the private sector.

(30) PFI activity in local authority schools is included in the local authorities line.

(31) In addition, substantial private investment is levered in through housing, urban regeneration and other programmes.

(32) Includes Forestry Commission.

(33) PFI contracts in the local government sector which qualify for special credit approvals.

(34) Less than £10 million.


10 Dec 1996 : Column: 126

Single Currency Stability Pact

Sir George Gardiner: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reasons his letter sent to hon. Members relating to the proposed single currency stability pact, the contents of which were made public on 22 November, was posted to the hon. Member for Reigate on Monday 25 November, by second class post. [7025]

Mr. Kenneth Clarke [holding answer 2 December 1996]: I refer the hon. Gentleman to my reply of 4 December at column 652.

British Artists (Germany)

Mr. Fisher: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with German Treasury Ministers about the tax treatment of British artists appearing in Germany. [7672]

Mr. Jack: Discussions have not been held on the specific issue of UK resident artists appearing in Germany. Germany imposes tax at a rate of 25 per cent. from the gross payments made to non-resident entertainers. However, Germany has confirmed that artists performing in Germany may apply for an income tax assessment by submitting a tax return at the end of the tax year to take into account the actual expenses they have incurred.


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