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Tibet

Mr. Baker: To ask the Prime Minister what discussions took place between British and Chinese representatives during his recent visit to Hong Kong on the subject of Tibet; and if he will make a statement. [6900]

The Prime Minister: At the Hong Kong handover, my right hon. Friend, the Foreign Secretary, and I met Chinese leaders for the first time since taking office. This was an historic occasion and provided a unique opportunity for general discussion of our future relations, including human rights. It also laid the foundations for more substantive discussions, including on Tibet.

7 Jul 1997 : Column: 317

Millennium

Mr. Baker: To ask the Prime Minister how many representations he has received (a) in favour and (b) against the proposals to construct the Millennium Dome. [6897]

The Prime Minister: I have received a number of representations expressing a wide range of opinion about the Millennium Dome.

Budget Leaks

Mr. Sayeed: To ask the Prime Minister if Ministers disclosed to journalists any information regarding the Budget proposals for ACT prior to the Budget statement; and if he will make a statement. [7068]

Mr. Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Prime Minister (1) if he will make a statement on contact between his Ministers and journalists on the Financial Times prior to the Budget statement; [7075]

The Prime Minister: I have nothing further to add to the replies that I gave to the right hon. Member, the Leader of the Opposition, on 2 July, Official Report, columns 288-89.

TREASURY

Overseas Accounts

Mr. Nigel Jones: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the use by the Treasury of bank accounts overseas, indicating (a) what funds are held overseas, (b) in which countries these funds are held and (c) how much interest has been raised in each of the past five years for which figures are available. [5019]

Mrs. Helen Liddell: The Government's gold and foreign currency reserves are managed by the Bank of England in the Exchange Equalisation Account. Some of the assets of the Account are held with overseas banks. For reasons of security and confidentiality, no further details are published. Under section 4 of the Exchange Equalisation Account Act 1979, the Comptroller and Auditor General is required to certify to the House of Commons that operations on, and transactions in connection with, the Account have been in accordance with the provisions of the legislation.

Housing Conditions

Mr. Kidney: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what studies he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated

7 Jul 1997 : Column: 318

regarding the relationship between the level of capital investment in social housing and the level of the housing benefit budget. [5295]

Dawn Primarolo: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Under-Secretary with responsibility for London and construction, my hon. Friend the Member for Greenwich and Woolwich (Mr. Raynsford), on 26 June 1997, column 593.

Beer (Illegal Imports)

Ms Jenny Jones: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures he proposes to take to reduce the volume of illegally imported beer. [6235]

Dawn Primarolo: A review aimed at reducing alcohol and tobacco smuggling and fraud was announced on Budget day. This will look at finding new ways to protect the revenue and reduce illegal activity and consider health issues. In the meantime Customs continues to take action to counter fraud and smuggling.

Landowners (Tax Exemptions)

Mrs. Ballard: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the cost to the Exchequer of landowners' tax exemption for allowing some public access to their land in each of the last three years. [5970]

Dawn Primarolo: The information requested is as follows:

YearEstimated cost (£ million)
1994-95negligible
1995-965
1996-975

(These estimate are particularly tentative).

Mrs. Ballard: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what regulations there are governing the advertisement of access to land owned by landowners who have negotiated conditional exemption from tax payment. [5969]

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Pendle (Mr. Prentice) on 6 June, column 278.

Building Society Conversions

Mr. Mitchell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the amount of money released in the current calendar year from building society conversions; and what assessment he has made of its effect on (a) consumer demand, (b) interest rates and (c) the balance of payments. [6240]

Mrs. Liddell: A full account of recent economic developments and prospects, including the effect of money released from building society conversions and takeovers, was published with the Budget on 2 July.

Sanitary Protection (VAT)

Mr. Flynn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received concerning the reduction or removal of VAT from sanitary protection; and if he will make a statement. [5821]

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Dawn Primarolo [holding answer 1 July 1997]: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Bury, South (Mr. Lewis) on 18 June, column 230.

Erb's Palsy

Dr. Brand: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what statistics his Department collates on the incidence of Erb's palsy; and what are the figures for its incidence in each of the last 10 years. [6364]

Mrs. Liddell: 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 Dr. Peter Brand, dated 7 July 1997:

The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply, as Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), to your recent parliamentary question on Erb's palsy.


Unemployment (Chipping Barnet)

Sir Sydney Chapman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the registered number of unemployed in (a) the former Chipping Barnet constituency area and (b) the new enlarged area for (i) April and (ii) May; and if he will make a statement. [6425]

Mrs. Liddell: 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 Mr. Tim Holt to Sir Sydney Chapman, dated 7 July 1997:



    The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply as the Director of the Office for National Statistics to your recent question on the numbers registered unemployed in the former Chipping Barnet constituency area and the new enlarged area.

7 Jul 1997 : Column: 320

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