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Credit Suisse First Boston
Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the circumstances surrounding the dismissal of James Archer, David Crisanti and Adrian Ezra by Credit Suisse First Boston are being investigated by the Financial Services regulator. [77076]
Ms Hewitt: As a matter of policy the UK Financial Regulators do not comment on the existence of any investigation that may be taking place until it is appropriate to make public details of an investigation that has been carried out.
VAT (Domestic Fuel)
Mr. Gummer:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the effect on emission levels of the reduction of VAT on domestic fuel. [76381]
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Ms Hewitt:
The Government estimate that the reduction in VAT on domestic fuel and power from 8 per cent. to 5 per cent. announced in the July 1997 Budget, will increase annual carbon dioxide emissions in 2010 by 240,000 tonnes of carbon, all other things being equal.
Mr. Vaz:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list those people he has appointed to public bodies since 1 November 1998, indicating the positions to which they have been appointed and if they receive remuneration. [76465]
| Public body | Name | Position | Whether remunerated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Services Authority | Moira Black CBE | Member | Yes |
| Gillian Nott | Member | Yes | |
| Shamit Saggar | Member | Yes | |
| Policy Holders Protection Board | Andrew Young | Member | Yes |
Departmental Expenditure
Mr. Maude: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list for each Department the level of funds that are, according to paragraph 4.22 of the Comprehensive Spending Review, (i) allocated for the delivery of services and (ii) non-allocated, for each of the years from 1997-98 to 2001-02. [68390]
Mr. Milburn: All funds allocated in the Comprehensive Spending Review are for the delivery of modern, efficient and effective public services. Challenging objectives and targets for the delivery of these services were set out in individual departments' service agreements and published in "Public Service for the Future" (Cm 4181), along with their allocations for 1997-98 to 2001-02.
Environmental Tax Reform
Mrs. Brinton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into public attitudes to environmental tax reform. [74818]
Ms Hewitt: The Government are committed to exploring the scope for using economic instruments to secure environmental objectives, as set out in the Statement of Intent on Environmental Taxation published in July 1997. This commitment has been taken forward in an open and consultative way with the publication of a number of consultation documents on environmental tax issues.
The 1999 Budget included the largest ever package of environmental tax reforms. These reforms followed detailed research and full consultation with all interested parties. This package will make a substantial contribution to the Government's aim of protecting the environment, now and for future generations.
Euro Banknotes
Mr. Love:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what action he is taking to ensure that the Bank of England is not disadvantaged in competition for future
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printing of euro banknotes by the United Kingdom's position outside the euro zone; and if he will make a statement; [75460]
Ms Hewitt:
The Bank's competitive position is already excellent and their involvement in preparatory work will ensure they are not competitively disadvantaged.
Dr. Lynne Jones:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the level of net public sector debt per capita in each of the last 25 years for which figures are available. [74876]
(2) what plans he has to improve the competitive position of the Bank of England in the printing of banknotes; and if he will make a statement. [75461]
| Year | Net debt (£ billion) (11) | Population (thousands) (12) | Net debt per capita (£) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 38.7 | 55,928 | 692 |
| 1972 | 40.3 | 56,097 | 719 |
| 1973 | 41.8 | 56,223 | 744 |
| 1974 | 46.6 | 56,236 | 828 |
| 1975 | 54.5 | 56,226 | 969 |
| 1976 | 67.5 | 56,216 | 1,200 |
| 1977 | 77.2 | 56,190 | 1,375 |
| 1978 | 83.9 | 56,178 | 1,493 |
| 1979 | 91.2 | 56,240 | 1,622 |
| 1980 | 99.8 | 56,330 | 1,772 |
| 1981 | 115.3 | 56,352 | 2,045 |
| 1982 | 126.8 | 56,318 | 2,251 |
| 1983 | 133.9 | 56,377 | 2,375 |
| 1984 | 145.7 | 56,506 | 2,578 |
| 1985 | 159.4 | 56,685 | 2,811 |
| 1986 | 165.2 | 56,852 | 2,905 |
| 1987 | 170.2 | 57,009 | 2,985 |
| 1988 | 169.9 | 57,158 | 2,972 |
| 1989 | 156.0 | 57,358 | 2,720 |
| 1990 | 153.6 | 57,561 | 2,668 |
| 1991 | 153.4 | 57,808 | 2,653 |
| 1992 | 167.5 | 58,006 | 2,888 |
| 1993 | 204.8 | 58,191 | 3,519 |
| 1994 | 251.7 | 58,395 | 4,310 |
| 1995 | 289.9 | 58,606 | 4,946 |
| 1996 | 322.1 | 58,801 | 5,478 |
| 1997 | 349.8 | 59,009 | 5,928 |
(11) end-March
(12) end-June
Source:
Public Sector Net Debt--Bank of England:Statistical Abstract.
Population--ONS Annual Abstract of Statistics.
Money Transfers (Jersey)
Mr. Cohen: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with the administration of Jersey about the use of companies based in Jersey for the money transfers by the Russian Central Bank; and if he will make a statement. [76631]
Ms Hewitt:
Treasury officials have been briefed by the Jersey authorities about press allegations concerning a Jersey based company FIMACO used by the Central Bank of the Russian Federation to manage assets. Regulation of
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the financial services industry and company registration in Jersey is the responsibility of the Jersey Financial Services Commission.
Mr. Tyrie:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many civil servants in his Department have been invited to waive the Working Time Directive requirement to work less than 48 hours a week on 17 consecutive weeks; how many civil servants in his Department have refused to waive the requirement; and what is the total cost of compliance with the Directive. [76798]
Ms Hewitt:
58 staff in HM Treasury have been invited to waive the Working Time Directive requirement to work less than 48 hours a week. To date, 31 staff have signed an agreement to disapply this limit and nine staff have refused. Compliance costs are not kept centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Maclean:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 2 March 1999, Official Report, columns 643-44, on euro coins, what sanctions against those who damage or destroy the image of the euro are provided for by the reproduction regime; and if he will make a statement. [75637]
Ms Hewitt:
Enforcement of the copyright in the common face design of euro coins will be ensured by participating member states or, in the case of non- participating member states, by the Commission, according to national legislation and in compliance with an agreed reproduction regime.
Mr. Maclean:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the economic advantages of remaining outside the single currency; and what account he has taken of these in formulating policy on economic and monetary union. [73599]
Ms Hewitt:
In his statement to the House of Commons on 27 October 1997, Official Report, columns 583-85, the Chancellor of the Exchequer set out the Government's policy on Economic and Monetary Union. He said that the potential benefits for Britain of a successful single currency are obvious in terms of trade, transparency of costs and currency stability. The determining factor as to whether Britain joins a single currency is the national economic interest and whether the economic case for doing so is clear and unambiguous.
Mr. Maclean:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will name the Ministers in his Department who are regular users of electronic Red Boxes. [76178]
Ms Hewitt:
I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given to him by the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 16 March 1999, Official Report, columns 651-52.
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Mr. Leigh:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer to the right hon. Member for Penrith and The Border (Mr. Maclean) and the hon. Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Mr. Duncan Smith) of 16 March 1999, Official Report, columns 641-42, from whom the PPS to the Chancellor received the draft Social Security Committee report. [78157]
Mr. Gordon Brown:
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Mr. Duncan Smith) on 16 March 1999, Official Report, columns 641-42.
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