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Dentistry
Mr. Lock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists in the Wyre Forest constituency area are taking new registrations of NHS patients. [81892]
Mr. Denham: Although there are dentists undertaking National Health Service work, their lists are full and therefore no dentists in the Wyre Forest constituency are currently accepting new NHS patients. The health authority is able to direct patients to dentists in neighbouring areas who are still accepting NHS patients. Emergency pain relief clinics are run in Kidderminster and Worcester. Worcestershire Health Authority has recently submitted a personal dental services pilot for consideration that is intended to tackle local problems of access to a dentist.
Food Standards Agency
Miss Widdecombe: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the cost to (a) hospitals and (b) other NHS bodies of implementing the charges for the proposed Food Standards Agency. [81795]
Mr. Hutton: No such estimate has been made. Under the Government's proposals, food retail and catering businesses in hospitals and other National Health Service bodies will be liable for the levy if they are required to register with their local authority under the Food Premises (Registration) Regulations 1991, as amended in 1997. We received a large response to public consultation on the draft legislation and proposals for a levy scheme. We will introduce a Bill this session if time is available.
TREASURY
Carbon Emissions
Mr. MacShane: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the basis of the Government's estimate that the climate change levy at the proposed indicative levels will reduce carbon emissions by 1.5 million tonnes per annum. [79350]
Ms Hewitt
[holding answer 30 March 1999]: As indicated in table 5.1 of 1999 Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report, the estimate of the reduction in carbon emissions resulting from the climate change levy was based on calculations made using the Department of Trade and Industry energy model.
23 Apr 1999 : Column: 726
Ms Roseanna Cunningham:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his policy on environmental taxation; and if he will make a statement. [78410]
Ms Hewitt
[holding answer 25 March 1999]: The Government's Statement of Intent on Environmental Taxation published in July 1997, sets out the Government's policy on environmental taxation. It commits the Government to exploring the scope for using the tax system--as one instrument, in combination with others like regulation and voluntary action--to secure environmental objectives, and details the criteria used to assess environmental taxes.
The 1999 Budget contained the biggest package of environmental tax reforms ever announced in this country. This will provide continuing incentives for environmental improvement and underlines the Government's commitment to protect and, where possible, enhance our environment.
Details of the Budget 99 environmental tax package are contained in the 1999 Economic and Financial Strategy Review and Financial Statement and Budget Report.
Mr. Gibb:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of employees charged income tax on any taxable benefit arising from the provision of computer equipment by an employer in (a) 1997-98 and (b) 1998-99. [81707]
Ms Hewitt:
I regret that the information requested is not available.
Mr. Menzies Campbell:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many staff who have worked as professional statisticians in his Department have left on early retirement in each of the past 10 years; [81182]
Ms Hewitt:
Statistical work is undertaken by a range of specialists such as Research Officers and Social Survey Officers, as well as Statisticians. The following number of professional Statisticians, all of whom have been recruited via the Civil Service Selection Board, are employed in the Departments and Agencies responsible to the Chancellor of the Exchequer:
23 Apr 1999 : Column: 727
In the last ten years, the following number of professional Statisticians have left on early retirement:
Mr. Bercow:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what staff have been tasked to monitor progress in passing the five economic tests for joining the euro. [81736]
Ms Hewitt:
As the Prime Minister explained to the hon. Member on 13 April 1999, Official Report, column 2, the Treasury is the Department responsible for economic and monetary union issues.
Mr. Mitchell:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list each of the new responsibilities which he will assume when the signed Treaty of Amsterdam takes effect and for each (a) the likely effect on departmental staffing, (b) the bodies or persons in the European Union principally concerned and (c) the relevant section of that treaty and the consolidated treaties of the European Union and European Community. [80407]
Ms Hewitt:
The Treaty of Amsterdam will have minimal impact on the responsibilities of the Department and its staffing.
Mr. Shepherd:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Public Interest Immunity Certificates he has signed since coming into office. [81446]
Mr. Robin Cook
[holding answer 20 April 1999]: Since 1 May 1997, I have signed two Public Interest Immunity Certificates. Both certificates were to protect the operations of the intelligence agencies for which I am responsible and were within the criteria agreed in the light of the recommendations of the Scott Inquiry.
In addition, one certificate was signed by another Foreign Office Minister, Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean.
23 Apr 1999 : Column: 728
Mr. Wigley:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions (a) Ministers and (b) officials from his Department have held with (i) the Scottish Office and (ii) the Welsh Office on the drawing up of a concordat governing arrangements by which the (1) Scottish Parliament, (2) National Assembly for Wales and (3) Northern Ireland Assembly may make representations to overseas Governments. [81893]
Mr. Robin Cook:
The UK Government will continue to be responsible for international relations after devolution. We recognise that there will be areas within their devolved responsibilities in which the devolved administrations will none the less have interests involving other countries. FCO officials have worked with officials of the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland Offices on draft Concordats on international relations which will be put to the devolved administration when they take office. Ministers have been kept fully informed of the progress of these discussions.
Mr. Denzil Davies:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he had made of the cost to date to public funds of the Euro Task Force for Wales. [80084]
Mr. Michael:
All members of the Task Force give their time free. Members are permitted to claim out of pocket expenses for attending meetings, but to date none has done so.
As at 31 March 1999, the Task Force's euro awareness activities incurred a direct cost of £9,256 to public funds.
Mr. Edwards:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what assessment he has made of the problem of noise to residents from the A449 trunk road near Llanishen in Monmouthshire; [81348]
Mr. Hain:
No noise assessment has been undertaken in Llanishen, Monmouthshire. A preliminary analysis of the noise levels from the A449 at Llandenny, immediately adjacent to the road, indicated that it would not meet the noise mitigation criteria announced recently for England. I announced on 23 March 1999, Official Report, columns 126-27, that we would be extending this analysis of noise levels adjacent to the trunk road network in Wales and considering the scope for adapting the criteria to meet specific Welsh circumstances. This review will take some six to nine months to complete.
Following the transfer of functions, this issue will be a matter for the National Assembly.
23 Apr 1999 : Column: 729
(2) how many staff by grade are employed as professional statisticians in his Department; how many of these staff have been accepted as fast stream by the Civil Service Selection Board; and how many have been granted chartered statistician status by the Royal Statistical Society. [81202]
In addition, the following number of Statistical Officers are employed:
Office for National Statistics: 8
It is not known how many professional Statisticians have been granted Chartered status by the Royal Statistical Society. This information is not recorded and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Customs and Excise: 8
Treasury: 1
Inland Revenue: 1
Office for National Statistics: 23
Customs and Excise: 2
Treasury: 2
Inland Revenue: 1
(2) when he proposes to publish revised criteria for noise mitigation measures on existing trunk roads. [81349]
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