| Oral Questions to Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer |
| *1 |
Mr Derek Twigg (Halton): How many people he estimates will be eligible for the Working Families Tax Credit in the North West in the next 12 months. |
| (101765) |
| *2 |
Mr Michael Foster (Worcester): What assessment he has made of the impact of his macro-economic policies on levels of employment and unemployment in the West Midlands. |
| (101766) |
| *3 |
Mr Peter L. Pike (Burnley): What recent discussions he has had with the Building Societies Association regarding mutuality. |
| (101767) |
| *4 |
Mr Patrick Nicholls (Teignbridge): What estimate he has made of the additional tax that will be paid between 1997 and 2001 in consequence of measures in his three Budgets since July 1997. |
| (101768) |
| *5 |
Mr Andrew Reed (Loughborough): What discussions he has had since the Cologne summit with the IMF on debt relief for the world's poorest countries. |
| (101769) |
| *6 |
Mr James Clappison (Hertsmere): What was the proportion of gross domestic product represented by net taxes and social security contributions on (a) 1st May 1997 and (b) the latest date for which information is available. |
| (101770) |
| *7 |
Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury): What plans he has to meet the Chairman of the Inland Revenue and honourable Members to discuss tax issues relating to compensation given to former land settlement tenants. |
| (101771) |
| *8 |
Dr Nick Palmer (Broxtowe): How many people have contacted the Working Families Tax Credit Response Line in the East Midlands. |
| (101772) |
| *9 |
Mrs Louise Ellman (Liverpool, Riverside): What assessment he has made of the number of people benefiting from Working Families Tax Credit in Liverpool Riverside. |
| (101773) |
| *10 |
Mr Philip Hammond (Runnymede and Weybridge): In which quarters since May 1997 the percentage of GDP taken by the Government in tax over the previous 12 months has risen. |
| (101774) |
| *11 |
Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham): What his definition is of a competitive sterling exchange rate; and if the United Kingdom currently meets that definition. |
| (101775) |
| *12 |
Mr Graham Brady (Altrincham and Sale West): In which quarters the percentage of gross domestic product taken by the Government in tax over the preceding 12 months has fallen since May 1997. |
| (101776) |
| *13 |
Mr Eric Illsley (Barnsley Central): What proposals he has to combat the smuggling of alcohol into the United Kingdom. |
| (101777) |
| *14 |
Mr David Kidney (Stafford): What assessment he has made of his Department's accuracy in forecasting United Kingdom growth since 1997. |
| (101778) |
| *15 |
Mr Ben Chapman (Wirral South): If he will make a statement on progress on implementation of the National Changeover Plan. |
| (101779) |
| *16 |
Mr Denis MacShane (Rotherham): What steps he is taking to address regional economic imbalances in the United Kingdom. |
| (101780) |
| *17 |
Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold): What estimate he has made of the additional tax that will be paid between 1997 and 2001 as a result of his Budget measures since 1997. |
| (101781) |
| *18 |
Mr Jim Cousins (Newcastle upon Tyne Central): What plans he has to introduce public service agreements with regional performance targets. |
| (101782) |
| *19 |
Dr Doug Naysmith (Bristol North West): What effect the recently announced reduced rate of tax on savings will have on pensioner incomes in the South West; and if he will make a statement. |
| (101783) |
| *20 |
Mr Peter Luff (Mid Worcestershire): What the net addition is to the amount of tax that will be paid in the next financial year as a result of his Budget measures since 1997. |
| (101784) |
| *21 |
Mr Lawrie Quinn (Scarborough and Whitby): If he will make a statement on the effect of the reduced rate of tax on savings announced in the Pre-Budget Report on pensioner incomes in Yorkshire and the Humber. |
| (101785) |
| *22 |
Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry): What recent appraisals he has commissioned into changes in the system of taxation. |
| (101786) |
| *23 |
Mr Bill Rammell (Harlow): What estimate he has made of the number of people in Harlow that will be eligible for the Working Families Tax Credit. |
| (101787) |
| *24 |
Dr Norman A. Godman (Greenock and Inverclyde): What proposals he has to modify the regulations governing the Give As You Earn scheme. |
| (101788) |
| *25 |
Mr Ben Bradshaw (Exeter): What progress has been made towards meeting his economic tests for UK membership of the euro. |
| (101789) |
| *26 |
Mr Ian Stewart (Eccles): What assessment he has made of the impact of his macro-economic policies on levels of employment and unemployment in the North West region. |
| (101791) |
| *27 |
Mr Bill O'Brien (Normanton): What his policy is on personal allowances; and if he will make a statement. |
| (101792) |
| *28 |
Mr Andrew Miller (Ellesmere Port and Neston): How many people in the North West have used the Working Families Tax Credit Response line to establish that they are eligible for the working families tax credit. |
| (101793) |
| *29 |
Mr Michael Fallon (Sevenoaks): If he will list (a) the number of new regulations on business made by his Department since May 1997 and (b) the number repealed. |
| (101794) |
| *30 |
Mr Andrew Love (Edmonton): What estimate he has made of the impact of the reduction in tax on savings on pensioner incomes in London. |
| (101795) |
| *31 |
Mr Harry Barnes (North East Derbyshire): What representations he has received recently concerning the taxation of international currency speculation; and if he will make a statement. |
| (101796) |
| *32 |
Bob Russell (Colchester): If he will introduce a tax redistribution arrangement based on turnover for professional football clubs. |
| (101797) |
| *33 |
Dr Brian Iddon (Bolton South East): What progress he has made with his discussions with the EU on lowering VAT on all energy-saving materials. |
| (101798) |
| *34 |
Mrs Helen Brinton (Peterborough): What assessment he has made of the impact of his economic policies on pensioner poverty. |
| (101799) |
| *35 |
Mrs Ann Winterton (Congleton): What measures he has taken to assist the implementation of the Government's anti-drugs misuse strategy. |
| (101800) |
| *36 |
Mr Patrick Hall (Bedford): What assessment he has made of the impact of the Government's economic policies on relieving pensioner poverty. |
| (101801) |
| *37 |
Mr John Wilkinson (Ruislip-Northwood): What estimate he has made of the damage to the British economy of unfair tax competition within the European Union. |
| (101802) |
| *38 |
Mr David Borrow (South Ribble): What assessment he has made of the impact of the new monetary policy framework he introduced in May 1997. |
| (101803) |
| *39 |
Mr Michael Clapham (Barnsley West and Penistone): What his assessment is of the impact of his macro-economic policies on levels of employment and unemployment in Yorkshire and the Humber region. |
| (101804) |
|
| | Mr Stephen Timms |
| | That a sum, not exceeding £5,810,419,000, be granted to Her Majesty out of the Consolidated Fund, on account, for or towards defraying the charge for the year ending on 31st March 2001 for expenditure by the Scotland Office on administrative costs and operational costs; electoral publicity; the Parliamentary Boundary Commission for Scotland; other devolution costs, including the panel to oversee the cross-party electoral expenditure agreement and on a grant to the Scottish Consolidated Fund.
This Vote on Account is to be considered in so far as it relates to inward and outward investment in Scotland (Resolution of 29th November).
First Report from the Scottish Affairs Committee, Session 1998-99, Inward/Outward Investment in Scotland, HC 84, as it relates to the Estimate, and the response of the Government and the Scottish Executive thereto, HC 119 of Session 1999-2000.
Departments of the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Forestry Commission Departmental Report 1999, Cm. 4215. |
Debate may continue until 7.00 p.m.
Questions necessary to dispose of proceedings on the above Motions will be deferred until 7.00 p.m. (Standing Order No. 54(4) and (5)). |
| + 2 |
ESTIMATES, 1999-2000 (ARMY) VOTE A [No debate after 7.00 p.m.] |
| | Mr Secretary Hoon
That during the year ending on 31st March 2000 an additional number not exceeding 10,620 all ranks be maintained for Service in the Reserve Land Forces. |
| To be decided at 7.00 p.m. (Standing Order No. 55(1) and (2)). |
| + 3 |
SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES, 1999-2000 [No debate after 7.00 p.m.] |
| | Mr Stephen Timms
That a supplementary sum, not exceeding £3,773,575,000, be granted to Her Majesty out of the Consolidated Fund to defray the charges for civil services which will come in course of payment during the year ending on 31st March 2000, as set out in HC 4 of Session 1999-2000. |
| To be decided at 7.00 p.m. (Standing Order No. 55(1) and (2)). |
| + 4 |
ESTIMATES, 2000-01 (VOTE ON ACCOUNT) [No debate after 7.00 p.m.] |
| | Mr Stephen Timms
That a sum, not exceeding £101,653,019,000, be granted to Her Majesty out of the Consolidated Fund, on account, for or towards defraying the charges for civil and defence services in Classes I and II; Class III Votes 1 to 5 and Votes 7 to 12; Classes IV to XII; Classes XIV to XVIII; and Classes XVIII, A and XVIII, B for the year ending on 31st March 2001, as set out in HC 5, 6 and 7 of Session 1999-2000. |
| To be decided at 7.00 p.m. (Standing Order No. 55(1) and (2)). |
| | A Bill is to be brought in upon the four Resolutions in the name of Mr Stephen Timms relating to Supplementary Estimates, 1999-2000 and Estimates, 2000-01 (Vote on Account), if they are agreed to by the House. |
| + 5 |
CONSOLIDATED FUND BILL: Second Reading. [No debate] |
| | The Questions on Second and Third Reading of the Consolidated Fund Bill will be put without debate (Standing Order No. 56 as applied by the Order of 14th December). |
| + 6 |
LEGAL AID AND ADVICE [No debate] |
| | Mr David Lock
That the draft Legal Advice and Assistance (Scope) (Amendment) Regulations 1999, which were laid before this House on 1st December, be approved. |
| To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)). |
| Written Questions tabled on Wednesday 15th December for answer today++ |
1
| Angela Smith (Basildon): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what guidance he intends to give local housing authorities on preparing business plans for their housing stock as part of the Government's new financial framework for local authority housing. |
| (103347) |
2
| Mr Peter L. Pike (Burnley): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, when he proposes to announce the outcome of the consultation on proposals to tackle overhanging debt arising from a housing transfer. |
| (103348) |
3
| David Taylor (North West Leicestershire): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will announce the allocation of capital resources for expenditure on local transport infrastructure in 2000-01. |
| (103349) |
4
| Mr Jim Dobbin (Heywood and Middleton): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, when he will bring further areas into the badger culling trial recommended by Professor Krebs to address questions about the incidence of tuberculosis in cattle. |
| (103366) |
5
| Mr David Winnick (Walsall North): To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, when he will publish the report of the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland for 1998-99. |
| (103367) |
6
| Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will make a statement on the support that will be available to students in England and Wales in the academic year 2000-01. |
| (103368) |
7
| Mr Colin Burgon (Elmet): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, when he will publish the Government's response to the report on the Railways Bill by the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee. |
| (103369) |
8
| Mr Gareth R. Thomas (Harrow West): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what plans he has for publishing the White Paper on the instrument adopted at the 86th session of the International Labour Conference concerning general conditions to stimulate job creation in small and medium-sized enterprises. |
| (103370) |
9
| Dr Doug Naysmith (Bristol North West): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what is the result of the review of Government policy on supporting pleas for clemency by British nationals imprisoned abroad. |
| (103371) |
10
| Angela Smith (Basildon): To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when she will publish Public Bodies 1999; and if she will make a statement. |
| (103463) |
11
| Mr Eric Martlew (Carlisle): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, when he will announce his decision on Scottish and Southern Energy's proposal to build a new gas-fired power station at Britannia Zinc Ltd, Avonmouth. |
| (103464) |
12
| Mr David Stewart (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if he will make a statement on the instruction he gave earlier this year to the Export Credits Guarantee Department to establish a bond guarantee scheme for cashmere exports to the US. |
| (103465) |
13
| Mr Gareth Thomas (Clwyd West): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when the Criminal Records Bureau will come into operation; and if he will make a statement. |
| (103466) |
14
| Mr Gareth Thomas (Clwyd West): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement about the transfer of responsibility for the confirmation of coastal byelaws. |
| (103467) |
15
| Mr Gareth Thomas (Clwyd West): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he intends to publish responses to the consultation paper, Interceptions of Communications in the United Kingdom. |
| (103468) |
16
| Rachel Squire (Dunfermline West): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what information he has obtained regarding the number of veterans of the 1990-1991 Gulf conflict that have died, and the underlying causes of death; and if he will make a statement. |
| (103469) |
17
| Mr Christopher Leslie (Shipley): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when the Government will publish its response to the Science and Technology Committee's Report on the Scientific Advisory System: Mobile Phones and Health, HC (1998-99) 489. |
| (103537) |
18
| Ms Margaret Moran (Luton South): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, when he will announce the first Beacon Councils; and if he will make a statement. |
| (103538) |
19
| Mr Martin O'Neill (Ochil): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if the Government is in a position to respond to the recommendation by the Trade and Industry Committee in its Second Report of Session 1998-99 on Strategic Export Controls (HC 65) that, prior to the passage of new legislation, consideration be given to laying any new orders made under the Import, Export and Customs Powers (Defence) Act 1939 before the House. |
| (103547) |
20
| Mr Derek Twigg (Halton): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on troop levels in Bosnia. |
| (103548) |
21
| Mr Lawrie Quinn (Scarborough and Whitby): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how he proposes to carry out the review of offences relating to the entry into the sea of noxious, poisonous or polluting matter following marine casualties, which he announced in response to Lord Donaldson's report on salvage and intervention and their command and control. |
| (103550) |
22
| Mr Gareth R. Thomas (Harrow West): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what action he is taking to make more effective use of roadside speed cameras; and if he will make a statement. |
| (103549) |
23
| Ms Sally Keeble (Northampton North): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if the retail ban on beef-on-the-bone will be lifted on 17th December; and if he will make a statement. |
| (103558) |
24
| Mr Patrick Hall (Bedford): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will give details of the projects on the risks to agriculture from the release of GMOs funded by his Department and completed in the last six months. |
| (103559) |
25
| Mr Patrick Hall (Bedford): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if Agriculture and Health Ministers have determined the fees to be paid by merchants and saddlers for registration in 2000-01 with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain under the Medicines (Exemptions for Merchants in Veterinary Drugs) Order 1998. |
| (103560) |
26
| Dr Alan Whitehead (Southampton, Test): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, when he will announce his decision on the proposal by Scottish Power Plc to build a combined heat and power station at Hythe, Hampshire. |
| (103561) |
|
