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EU Customs Information Convention
Mr. Mitchell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 1 July, Official Report, columns 74-76, concerning the Customs Information convention of the European Community, by what means the convention was ratified by the United Kingdom; and what was the date of the relevant parliamentary proceedings. [15567]
Dawn Primarolo: The Convention on the use of Information Technology for Customs Purposes (the Customs Information System Convention) was ratified by the United Kingdom in accordance with the agreed practice and procedure for the ratification by the United Kingdom of international agreements, known as the Ponsonby Rule. The procedure provides Parliament with the opportunity to consider the text of any agreement which requires ratification, acceptance, approval or accession by the United Kingdom by laying before Parliament a text of the agreement at least 21 sitting days before ratification can be effected. Provided that Parliament does not seek a debate on the agreement, the Foreign Secretary signs the instrument of ratification which is subsequently deposited with the Secretary General of the Council.
In the case of the Convention on the use of Information Technology for Customs Purposes; the Command Paper was laid before Parliament on 13 November 1996, no Parliamentary debate was sought and the Convention was ratified on 18 June 1997--the date when the United Kingdom instrument of ratification was deposited with the Secretary General to the Council.
Official Hospitality
Mr. Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the expenditure by (a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) its non-departmental public bodies on official hospitality for (i) 1980-81, (ii) 1987-88, (iii) 1990-91, (iv) 1991-92, (iv) 1992-93, (vi) 1993-94, (vii) 1994-95, (viii) 1995-96, (ix) 1996-97 and (x) 1 May to 30 September 1997. [15238]
Mrs. Liddell
[holding answer 11 November 1997]: Expenditure on hospitality by Ministers and officials is shown in the following table:
18 Nov 1997 : Column: 111
(8) Figures unavailable.
(9) Figures for overseas hospitality are unavailable for these years.
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18 Nov 1997 : Column: 113
Mr. Malcolm Bruce:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the expenditure by (a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) its non-departmental public bodies on overseas travel for (i) 1980-81, (ii) 1987-88, (iii) 1990-91, (iv) 1991-92,
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(v) 1992-93, (vi) 1993-94, (vii) 1994-95, (viii) 1995-96, (ix) 1996-97 and (x) 1 May to 30 September 1997; and if he will provide a breakdown to show (1) air fares and (2) other expenditure relating to overseas travel. [15239]
Mrs. Liddell
[holding answer 11 November 1997]: Expenditure for all overseas travel (including subsistence) is shown in the table.
n/a: These figures are not available.
Figures for the Royal Mint are not available, except at disproportionate cost. Expenditure by National Savings on overseas travel is estimated to be less than £1,000 in each year, but more precise figures are not available, except at disproportionate cost.
Inland Revenue aside, expenditure for airfares is not separately identifiable.
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18 Nov 1997 : Column: 113
Mr. Malcolm Bruce:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the total expenditure on all forms of publicity and advertising by (a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies for (i) 1993-94, (ii) 1994-95, (iii) 1995-96,
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(iv) 1996-97, (v) the 1997-98, year to date, (vi) the 1997-98, full year estimate and (vii) the 1998-99 planned expenditure. [15241]
Mrs. Liddell
[holding answer 11 November 1997]: Expenditure on publicity and advertising for the years requested is shown in the table below:
(10) In 1993-94 and 1994-95, the Treasury included all recruitment expenditure (advertising and expenses) in the same account code. Form 1995-96 recruitment advertising was separated. The earlier figures have been adjusted to provide a series on a consistent basis.
(11) These figures include spending by the Valuation Office Agency. The recent increase reflects publicity for the move to self assessment.
(12) Figures for the Royal Mint for 1993-94 and 1994-95 are higher than those given in previous answers. This is due to a change of policy by the Mint regarding the treatment of commercial information held in confidence.
(13) The ONS was created on 1 April 1996 following the merger of the Central Statistical Office and the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys. Information for previous years is not readily available.
(14) The only figures currently available for 1997-98 are spend to date.
Detailed budgets for 1998-99 have yet to be agreed.
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18 Nov 1997 : Column: 115
Mr. Jack:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much the United Kingdom's Fontainebleau Rebate would increase if a community-funded agricultural support programme benefiting British farmers underspent its projected budget by £200 million. [16384]
Mrs. Liddell
[holding answer 17 November 1997]: It is not possible to be sure of the effect for the UK's abatement without making further hypothetical assumptions, since a range of other factors could influence the outcome. For example, if there were a transfer of provision to another programme within the Community Budget from which the UK were to gain equal benefit, there would be no consequences for the amount of out abatement. Any effect would however be reflected in the abatement only in respect of the following year.
Mr. Flynn:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the dates he has been in residence at Dorneywood since May; and if he will make a statement.[16158]
Mr. Gordon Brown:
I make visits to Dorneywood as and when my diary permits.
Mr. Flynn:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the running costs of Dorneywood in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [16157]
Mr. Gordon Brown:
As Dorneywood is financed by a private trust, my Department does not bear its running costs.
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