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Millennium Compliance
Mr. Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what is his latest estimate of the total cost of tackling the millennium computer problem including the embedded chip problem in (a) his Department, (b) his agencies and (c) other public bodies for which his Department is responsible, separately identifying expenditure to date and future expenditure; and if he will make a statement; [60064]
- (2) what assessment he has made of the extent to which the computer systems in (a) his Department, (b) his agencies and (c) other public bodies to which his Department is responsible will be modified and tested in relation to the millennium computer problem by January 1999; and if he will make a statement. [60066]
Ms Hewitt: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Council to my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, Garston (Maria Eagle) on 21 October 1998, Official Report, column 1109, in which she announced the results of the latest quarterly review of Government departments' and agencies' progress in tackling the bug. This also covered key organisations within the wider public sector. This included the Bank of England. The information requested can be found in the copies of Departments' plans which are available in the Library of the House. The results of the next quarterly review will be announced shortly to the House and the updates to quarterly plans will be placed in the Library and on the Internet.
Mr. Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the contingency plans drawn up by (a) his Department, (b) his agencies and (c) other public bodies in relation to problems arising from millennium compliance including the embedded chip problem after 31 December 1999. [60067]
Ms Hewitt:
Business contingency work is under way in all the Chancellor's Departments and agencies. Existing contingency plans are being reviewed to ensure they cover all the risks the Millennium may bring. This includes embedded chip systems.
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Plans include:
The Chancellor's Departments comprise:
Mr. Whittingdale:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what (1) estimate he has made of the effect of the millennium bug on the rate of economic growth; [60168]
Ms Hewitt:
The effect of the Millennium bug on the rate of economic growth is considered in the Pre-Budget Report, paragraph A56 and box A2 ("Impact of the 'Year 2000' problem").
Mr. Malcolm Bruce:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate what the growth of United Kingdom GDP would be in 1999, on the basis of the rates of growth of exports and imports assumed in the March 1998 Budget. [59625]
Ms Hewitt
[holding answer 16 November 1998]: Analysis of all the effects on the UK economy of the deterioration in the world economic outlook was given in the Pre-Budget Report.
Mr. Field:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will list the current value of the age allowances for pensioners (a) aged 65 years and over and (b) aged 75 years and over in respect of those on a single income of (a) £4,045 to £5,220, (b) £5,221 to £9,320, (c) £9,321 to £15,600 and (d) £15,601 to £17,950 and on joint incomes of (i) £7,545 to £10,075, (ii) £10,076 to £14,175, (iii) £14,176 to £15,895 and (iv) £15,895 to £32,555; [60034]
Ms Hewitt:
In 1998-99, for a single pensioner aged 65 to 74 years, the personal allowance is as shown in the table:
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manual workarounds;
ensuring key staff are available in the changeover period;
identifying the affect of possible increased demands on business in the period prior to 1 January 2000;
reducing the pressure on normal business processes;
backing up key data;
HM Treasury (and Debt Management Office)
Inland Revenue (and Valuation Office)
HM Customs and Excise
Office for National Statistics
Royal Mint
National Savings
National Investment and Loans Office
Government Actuary's Department
Registry of Friendly Societies.
(2) if the growth forecasts contained in his Pre-Budget Report take account of the effects of the millennium bug; and if he will make a statement. [60169]
(2) if he will list the value of the age allowance for single pensioners with joint incomes at five yearly intervals for the last 30 years. [60032]
| £ | |
|---|---|
| Range of income | Personal allowance |
| For incomes up to the aged income limit (16,200) | 5,410 |
| For incomes between 16,201 and 18,630 | 5,410 less half of the difference between total income and 16,200 |
| For incomes above 18,630 | 4,195 |
In 1998-99, for a single pensioner aged 75 years and over, the personal allowance is:
| £ | |
|---|---|
| Range of income | Personal allowance |
| For incomes up to the aged income limit (16,200) | 5,600 |
| For incomes between 16,201 and 19,010 | 5,600 less half of the difference between total income and 16,200 |
| For incomes above 19,010 | 4,195 |
For a married pensioner, the value of the allowances available will depend on the ages of the husband and wife and the distribution of income between them.
The historical series are available in the 1997-98 edition of the Tax Benefit Reference Manual which is available in the Library.
Mr. Gibb:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the pay bands for each tier of employees at the Financial Services Authority. [60049]
Ms Hewitt:
This is a matter for the FSA.
Mr. Nigel Jones:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the advantages and disadvantages of a worldwide tax treaty on electronic commerce. [60259]
Ms Hewitt:
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is the key forum in which discussions are taking place. A framework for the taxation of electronic commerce was presented to Ministers at the OECD conference on electronic commerce in Ottawa last month, and a future work programme endorsed.
Mr. Cash:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out the amount of the excessive deficit for the United Kingdom decided by the Council of the European Union under Article 104C(6) of the Maastricht Treaty and the Treaty of the European Union; what plans Her Majesty's Government have, pursuant to Council Declaration 11393/97 to comply with the Council recommendation to bring that situation to an end; within which time scale; and what assessment he has made of the impact on UK (a) taxation and (b) public expenditure. [60008]
Ms Hewitt:
As a result of the Government's prudent approach to fiscal policy, the public finances have improved markedly. The Council Recommendation
17 Nov 1998 : Column: 556
11393/97 is concerned with the Council Decision of 26 September 1994 on the existence of an excessive deficit in the UK. This Decision was abrogated on 1 May 1998.
Mr. Mitchell:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what statutory force attaches to the EU Council's recommendation of 28 October 1997 that the UK Government achieve a Government deficit that is close to balance when an allowance is made for the economy's cyclical position as projected in the convergence programme; and what extra measures will be required to fulfil this. [60109]
Ms Hewitt:
The EU Council's recommendation of 28 October 1997 was non-binding.
Mr. Mitchell:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he took to implement the EU Council recommendation of 28 October 1997 on an excessive Government deficit in the UK; and if he will publish the new convergence programme he submitted in September 1997. [60105]
Ms Hewitt:
As a result of the Government's prudent approach to fiscal policy, the public finances have improved markedly. The decision that the UK had an excessive deficit was abrogated by the Council on 1 May 1998. The September 1997 Convergence Programme was sent to the European Legislation Committee of the House of Commons and the Select Committee on the European Communities of the House of Lords on 4 September 1997.
Mr. Mitchell:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the EU Council's conclusions of 13 October 1997 on the UK Government deficit. [60108]
Ms Hewitt:
The conclusions of the ECOFIN of 13 October 1997 on the UK deficit were concerned with the Council Decision of 26 September 1994 on the existence of an excessive deficit in the UK. This Decision was abrogated on 1 May 1998.
Mr. Mitchell:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the council decision of 26 September 1974 on Britain's excess in deficit was abrogated; when he applied for this to be abrogated; and if he will make a statement on its impact. [60113]
Ms Hewitt:
The Council's decision of 26 September 1994 that the UK had an excessive deficit was abrogated on 1 May 1998.
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