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Environmental Taxation
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to introduce taxation measures designed to promote greater efficiency of resources and reductions in pollution levels. [83621]
Ms Hewitt: 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 such as regulation and voluntary action--to secure environmental objectives, and details the criteria used to assess environmental taxes.
The March 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 Report and Financial Statement and Budget Report.
Mr. Whittingdale:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he took to ensure that each export house was consulted about the proposal to withdraw export house VAT provision. [83831]
Dawn Primarolo:
The Consultation Paper was issued directly to all members of the Joint VAT Consultative Committee and to a number of other trade bodies and organisations with an interest in the subject. These included the British Exporters Association, which represents the main body of businesses which act as export houses. The review was also publicised by way of a Business Brief, distributed by the Central Office of Information to the media and to some 900 subscribers representing a variety of business interests.
Mr. Whittingdale:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which countries in the European Union currently allow an exemption from VAT for supplies to export houses; and if he will make a statement. [83836]
Dawn Primarolo:
The exemption from VAT on supplies to export houses is an optional measure in EC VAT law and we have very scant information about other countries' use of the measure. Customs and Excise is taking up with the European Commission claims made by a number of British businesses that some other countries operate export house provisions which do not fully comply with EC law.
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Mr. Whittingdale:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the organisations which replied to the consultation paper on the withdrawal of export house VAT provisions and indicate which were in favour and which were opposed. [83834]
Dawn Primarolo:
As contributors were not advised that their responses would be made public, individual comments must remain confidential. Overall, from all replies received, the balance of representations was weighted equally for and against withdrawal.
Mr. Whittingdale:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the organisations to which the consultation paper on the withdrawal of export house VAT provisions was issued. [83833]
Dawn Primarolo:
The organisations to which the consultation paper on the withdrawal of export house VAT provisions was initially issued were the Joint VAT Consultative Committee, the British Exporters Association, the Simpler Trade Procedures Boards (SITPRO) and the United Kingdom Oil Industry Taxation Committee. Subsequently copies were issued to more than one hundred and fifty enquirers, including Tax in Industry and the Institute of Export.
Mr. Whittingdale:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures he took to ensure that companies likely to be affected by the withdrawal of the export house VAT provisions were notified of the change in good time. [83837]
Dawn Primarolo:
The withdrawal of the export house VAT provisions on 1 April 1999 was publicised in June 1998 by means of a Business Brief and a VAT Information sheet. Each VAT registered trader was advised by means of VAT Notes 2/1998 (June 1998) and further reminded of the impending change in VAT Notes 4/1998 (December 1998).
Mr. Whittingdale:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost to UK export houses of the imposition of VAT on goods purchased for export. [83835]
Dawn Primarolo:
It was not possible to arrive at any accurate figures for possible costs to export houses as insufficient evidence was provided in response to the Consultation Paper. However, by opting to change to monthly VAT periods, some export houses may gain a cash flow benefit.
Mr. Martyn Jones:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the British Non-Governmental Organisations funded to carry out social marketing programmes in the area of reproductive health services, indicating the countries in which they operate. [83579]
Mr. Foulkes:
The following table lists UK non-governmental organisations currently receiving the Department for International Development's support for
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Reproductive Health social marketing projects, together with a list of the countries in which they are operating:
| British non-governmental organisations | Country |
|---|---|
| Futures Group, UK | Pakistan |
| Marie Stopes International | Nicaragua |
| International Family Health | India |
| Population Services International, Europe | Burma |
In addition, a number of developing country based social marketing groups affiliated to UK non- governmental organisations receive bilateral support to implement subsidised marketing projects, including, for example, Marie Stopes International Uganda.
Mr. Martyn Jones:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development from which budget lines under which EU directorates funding is available for population, sexual and reproductive health programmes in developing countries, and central and Eastern Europe. [83575]
Mr. Foulkes:
The following budget lines are relevant:
The Commission Directorates through which these funds are spent are DGVIII (Africa, Caribbean and the Pacific for EDF funds), DGIA (Central and Eastern Europe), DGIB (Asia and Latin America), the Common Service for External Relations which handles project implementation for the external assistance Directorates- General, and the European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO).
Mr. Martyn Jones:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what family planning and reproductive health assistance is being provided by the United Kingdom Government for refugees from Kosovo in Albania and Macedonia; and if such aid includes emergency contraception for rape victims. [83577]
Mr. Foulkes:
My Department is providing reproductive health assistance to Kosovar refugees through UNICEF and NGO programmes of mother and child healthcare. We are ready to consider assistance with specialist care for rape victims if requested to do so.
Mr. Martyn Jones:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development from which budget lines under which EU directorates funding is available for street children programmes in developing countries and Central and Eastern Europe. [83574]
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Mr. Foulkes:
A new over-arching budget line, B7-612 entitled "Preparatory actions undertaken through non- governmental organisations (NGOs) in the campaign against child discrimination" is included in the 1999 EU budget. This appropriation is intended to co-finance NGO activities in support of the Declaration on the Rights of the Child and aims at combating violence against children and the exploitation of child labour and at providing support for schooling, and the provision of food and protection for street children. It will also cover co-financing with NGOs which are members of the European Network on Street Children Worldwide.
B7 210 and B7 214--Humanitarian aid (which includes population, sexual and reproductive health programmes), in developing countries and in central and eastern Europe.
B7 543--Health programmes for the former Yugoslavia.
B7 6211--Programmes for HIV and AIDS related operations.
B7 631--Aid for population policies and programmes in developing countries.
B7 653--Campaign against sex tourism in developing countries.
B7 704--Grants to non-government organisations to promote and protect women's rights.
The non-budget European Development Fund for African, Caribbean and Pacific countries in the Lome Convention also includes provision for health sector funding.
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