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Average Earnings Index
Mr. Derek Twigg: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to announce the outcome of the review of the revisions to the average earnings index. [74433]
Ms Hewitt: The report of the external review of the revisions to the average earnings index, announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 23 October 1998, is being published today. The review has been conducted under the direction of Sir Andrew Turnbull and Mervyn King. Copies of the report are available in the Vote Office.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has today separately published the report of the work on the average earnings index by Professor Ray Chambers of Southampton University, which was commissioned by Dr. Tim Holt, the Director of the ONS. Copies of this report have been deposited in the Library of the House.
At the same time, following the implementation of the immediate technical recommendations made in the Turnbull-King report, the average earnings index which was suspended on 2 November 1998 has been reinstated by the ONS. Details of the reinstated index are set out in Chapter 9 of the Turnbull-King report and also in a separate ONS First Release.
The Government have accepted the recommendations of the Turnbull-King report and are firmly committed to their implementation. Dr. Holt has already agreed to my request to draw up a programme of action designed to implement the remaining recommendations, including further work to ensure a process of continuous improvement to the index. I have asked Dr. Holt to report to me regularly on the progress that is being made in implementing the recommendations.
2 Mar 1999 : Column: 646
Mr. Mitchell:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the levels of duty and VAT on diesel in (a) the United Kingdom, (b) France, (c) Germany and (d) Belgium. [74304]
Ms Hewitt:
I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Wrexham (Dr. Marek) on 23 February 1999, Official Report, columns 241-42.
Ms Lawrence:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the capital gains treatment of fish quota; and if he will make a statement. [74616]
Dawn Primarolo:
The fishing industry will benefit from our decision to give capital gains roll-over relief for fish quota. It will enable fishermen to reinvest in the fishing industry without loss of capital and plan more effectively for the future. Regulations will shortly be laid adding fish quota to the list of chargeable assets qualifying for roll-over relief. The Inland Revenue are also today issuing a statement by way of a Press Release which clarifies the circumstances in which roll-over relief will be available for fish quota and other qualifying assets used in the fishing industry.
Mr. Redwood:
To ask the Prime Minister on how many occasions since 1 May 1997 he has received representations from companies with an interest in genetically modified foods and crops. [74223]
The Prime Minister:
I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (Mr. Yeo) on 23 February 1999, Official Report, column 232.
Mr. Moss:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much money was spent in each of the past five years to treat NHS patients in Northern Ireland for illnesses relating to cigarette smoking. [71538]
Mr. McFall:
The information is not available in the form requested.
Information relating to the amount spent in each of the past five years to treat NHS patients in Northern Ireland for illnesses relating to cigarette smoking is not available centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Donaldson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment she has made of the conclusion of the first report from the Health Committee of Session 1998-99 on the relationship between health and social services (HC74) in respect of the model of integrated
2 Mar 1999 : Column: 647
health and social services operated by the Down Lisburn Trust; and what plans she has to encourage other trusts in Northern Ireland to adopt that model. [71324]
Mr. McFall
[holding answer 16 February 1999]: In Northern Ireland health and social services have been provided within an integrated structure since 1972. Eleven of the existing 19 HSS Trusts provide health and social services on an integrated basis, some on a model similar to the Down Lisburn Trust. As part of the modernisation of the service, the Government are examining responses to their recent consultation paper on the structure of health and social services entitled "Fit for the Future". Decisions on future arrangements will be taken by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Sir Alastair Goodlad:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many community psychiatric nurses there were in Northern Ireland in each of the last three years. [73230]
Mr. McFall:
The numbers of Community Psychiatric Nurses employed in the Northern Ireland Health and personal Social Services, at 30 September in each of the last three years are as follows:
Sir Alastair Goodlad:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people discharged from hospital in Northern Ireland following a main diagnosis of schizophrenia psychoses and subsequently taken to hospital by the police under the Mental Health Acts were refused admission in the last year for which figures are available. [73237]
Mr. McFall:
This information is not available centrally.
Mr. Moss:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans she has to encourage non-fossil fuel energy production in Northern Ireland. [72915]
Mr. Ingram:
Northern Ireland is participating in the current national policy review of new and renewable technologies, which includes an examination of what would be necessary and practicable to achieve 10 per cent. of the UK's electricity needs from renewables by the year 2010 and what contribution renewables could make to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Department of Trade and Industry plans to issue a consultation paper on the review shortly. Northern Ireland Orders have already been made for 32mw of contracted renewable capacity and consideration will be given to a further Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation competition in Northern Ireland on completion of the review. In addition, the EU supported Energy Demonstration Scheme and INTERREG Programme, continue to offer financial assistance to the developers of new and renewable energy projects.
2 Mar 1999 : Column: 648
Mr. Moss:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many (a) 16 to 17 year olds and (b) 18 to 24 year olds in Northern Ireland are unemployed according to the International Labour Organisation definition. [72914]
Mr. Ingram:
The latest figures available relate to Autumn 1998 (September-November) when, according to the International Labour Organisation definition, the number of 16 to 17 year olds unemployed was 2,400 and the number of 18 to 24 year olds unemployed was 16,000.
Mr. Moss:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the annual revenue from tourism in Northern Ireland in each of the past five years. [72923]
Mr. Ingram:
Overall revenue from visitor tourism has grown over the past 5 years. Whilst the record visitor performance recorded in 1995 has not yet been realised, the industry continues to perform above pre-ceasefire levels.
1996: 183
1997: 180
1998: 194.
| £ million | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | (6)1998 | |
| Visitor | 183 | 214 | 206 | 208 | (6)212 |
| Domestic | 59 | 57 | 60 | 60 | n/a |
| Total | 242 | 571 | 266 | 268 | n/a |
(6) Forecast
Mr. Moss: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate she has made of the projected annual revenue from tourism in Northern Ireland in each of the next three years. [72922]
Mr. Ingram: The Northern Ireland Tourist board has set challenging targets for tourism revenue for 2001, as highlighted in its Corporate Plan 1998-2001. Their realisation will be predicated on a peaceful environment. These targets aim for increases in discretionary visitors with a higher spend per capita to be realised through more targeted marketing and effective industry partnerships.
| 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visitor | 239 | 269 | 315 |
| Domestic | 63 | 65 | 67 |
| Total | 302 | 334 | 382 |
Mr. Moss: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans she has for grant aid to promote the tourism industry in Northern Ireland. [72944]
Mr. Ingram:
In 1999-2000 the Government have made available £3.8 million for the promotion and marketing of Northern Ireland and a further £4.7 million to assist the development of tourism infrastructure. In May 1988, the Chancellor launched a £4 million Tourism Capital Challenge Fund competition specifically aimed at improving competitiveness in the tourism industry.
2 Mar 1999 : Column: 649
Mr. Moss:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans she has to assist local authorities in Northern Ireland to establish and maintain tourism offices. [72921]
Mr. Ingram:
The Northern Ireland Tourist Board co-ordinates a network of local authority Tourist Information Centres (TICs) throughout Northern Ireland. It is also currently working with the local authorities to establish a second tier of local information office. Many of the TICs received capital grant, and any additional centres may also be eligible for assistance.
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