| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
Inflation
31. Mr. Amess: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest inflation forecast. [12679]
Mrs. Liddell:
The July Budget forecast, published in the "Financial Statement and Budget Report", showed underlying retail price--RPI ex MIPs--inflation at 2½ per cent. in the fourth quarter of 1997, before edging up temporarily to 2¾ per cent. in both the second and fourth quarters of 1998.
30 Oct 1997 : Column: 883
33. Gillian Merron:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his reduction in VAT on domestic fuel from 8 per cent. to 5 per cent. [12681]
Dawn Primarolo:
The change to a 5 per cent. rate came into effect on 1 September, benefiting all households well in time for winter fuel bills. I have received a few representations on the implementation of the measure.
34. Mrs. Anne Campbell:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received about the increase in capital allowances for SMEs which he announced in the Budget. [12682]
Dawn Primarolo:
I have received representations from a range of individuals and business organisations, mainly those with a particular interest in the small businesses sector who welcomed the useful cash flow advantage and boost to investment this measure provides.
38. Mr. Gunnell:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will assess the advantages of reducing or removing VAT on crime prevention devices when these are purchased by local crime prevention panels for fitting in the homes of pensioners at no cost to those pensioners.[12686]
Dawn Primarolo:
The Government are committed to reducing crime and creating safer communities through a wide range of strategies. EC law does not allow the introduction of new VAT zero rates, nor does the directive provide for a reduced rate to be introduced for purchases of crime prevention devices.
39. Mr. Brady:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the public expenditure implications of the withdrawal of tax relief for private health insurance for pensioners. [12687]
Dawn Primarolo:
No firm estimate is available of the public expenditure costs arising from the withdrawal of tax relief for private medical insurance for those aged over 60. This depends on the number of those affected who give up their policies. In the light of past experience, we believe that no more than a small proportion will give up their policies so that the public expenditure cost will be significantly lower than the full-year saving of £140 million. Details of the public expenditure element of that saving are given at paragraph 2A.6 of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report 1997".
Mr. Heathcoat-Amory:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he has taken to counter Jersey-based capital gains tax avoidance schemes. [12661]
Mr. Geoffrey Robinson:
The Chancellor said in his Budget Statement that he had asked the Inland Revenue to review all areas of tax avoidance. Specific measures arising from that review will be announced as necessary.
30 Oct 1997 : Column: 884
Mr. Baker:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to introduce tax (a) incentives and (b) disincentives to encourage good environmental practice. [12672]
Dawn Primarolo:
On Budget day in July we issued a statement of intent on the use of environmental taxes, which said that we will aim to reform the tax system to increase incentives to reduce environmental damage. We also outline, specific areas where we were taking this forward.
Mr. Bennett:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to tax aviation fuel. [12656]
Dawn Primarolo:
We have no plan to tax aviation fuel at present.
Mr. Timms:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will publish the consultative paper foreshadowed in paragraph 1.30 of the July 1997 "Financial Statement and Budget Report"; and if he will make a statement. [14156]
Mr. Gordon Brown:
It will be published on Tuesday 25 November.
Its purpose will be to begin a national debate on major economic issues in advance of the spring 1998 Budget and to report on the state of the economy including the forecast for the coming year.
The analysis in the paper will form the Background to the policy measures to be announced in the Spring Budget.
Mr. Timms:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which other reviews have been set up as part of the comprehensive spending review since the Chief Secretary's answer on 24 July; and if he will make the terms of reference available. [14157]
Mr. Darling:
Five further reviews have been set up. They are departmental spending reviews of the Crown Office (Scotland) and the Northern Ireland criminal justice system and cross-departmental reviews of the intelligence agencies, provision for young children and illegal drugs. The terms of reference have been placed in the Library today.