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Employment Statistics
Shona McIsaac: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people were (a) employed and (b) unemployed in the former area of South Humberside in each year since 1981. [113902]
Miss Melanie Johnson: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Director of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply.
Letter from John Pullinger to Shona McIsaac, dated March 2000:
The Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has been asked to reply to your recent question on employed and unemployed people in the former area of South Humberside since 1981. I am replying in Dr. Holt's absence.
The Labour Force Survey (LFS) is the government's main source of labour market data on individuals. Data on levels of employment and unemployment are available from the LFS Annual Local Area Database. These data are available back to 1994.
In addition, information on levels of employment can be obtained from the Annual Employment Survey (AES) for 1995 to 1997 and the Census of Employment from 1981, although this survey was not carried out every year. Information on levels of unemployment can be obtained from the claimant count (the number of people receiving unemployment-related benefits), from June 1983 onwards on a monthly basis.
Information on the sub-region requested, the former area of South Humberside, is no longer available as this area is based on pre-1974 geographies. Information for the AES and claimant count by geographical areas is available from the Nomis database in the House of Commons Library and an approximate South Humberside region can be constructed using appropriate sub-regional geographical areas, or combinations of them.
Exports
Mr. Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the fall in seasonally adjusted volume of goods exports excluding oil and erratics since August 1999; and if he will make a statement. [113890]
Miss Melanie Johnson
[holding answer 14 March 2000]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Director of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply.
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Letter from John Pullinger to Mr. Matthew Taylor, dated 15 March 2000:
Mrs. Fyfe:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to discuss proposals for a Tobin tax, at the forthcoming IMF spring meetings in Washington. [114355]
Miss Melanie Johnson
[holding answer 14 March 2000]: None. The Government believe the idea of a tax on currency speculation is, in principle, interesting, but has a number of practical drawbacks. In particular, it would be almost impossible to achieve a global coverage, and there would be huge scope for avoidance.
Over the past two years the Government have worked with our G7 partners on measures designed to strengthen the international financial system and establish better mechanisms for crisis prevention and resolution. Much of the groundwork was laid during the UK presidency of the G7 with my right hon. Friend the Chancellor in the chair.
Ms Drown:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the conclusion of the recent IMF report on the value of capital controls. [114714]
Miss Melanie Johnson:
The IMF report of 18 November 1999 helpfully advances interactional discussion on capital controls. The report makes clear that capital controls are no substitute for sound macroeconomic policies, and that strong prudential policies play an important role in orderly and successful capital account liberalisation.
The Government believe that open capital markets can bring huge economic benefits, and support efforts to encourage orderly, progressive capital account liberalisation. The Government recognise that large short- term capital movements can be destabilising, and believe that the benefits of liberalisation are best enjoyed in countries which have embarked upon properly sequenced economic reform. Sound macroeconomic policy, open and credible institutions and procedures and a healthy financial sector are essential pre-conditions for orderly capital account liberalisation.
At the Cologne Economic Summit, the UK Government and our G7 partners urged the IMF to continue its work on the appropriate pace and sequencing of capital market liberalisation, and to explore other issues related to the Fund's role in facilitating an orderly approach to liberalisation.
Ms Drown:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will commission a study into the feasibility of introducing a tax on currency transactions; [114712]
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Miss Melanie Johnson:
The Government have no plans to commission a study into the feasibility of introducing a tax on currency transactions, and will consider any proposals from others for a study on their individual merits.
The Government believe the idea of a tax on currency speculation is, in principle, interesting, but has a number of practical drawbacks. In particular, it would be almost impossible to achieve global coverage, and there would be huge scope for avoidance.
Mr. Matthew Taylor:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the yield, in each of years 2002-03 and 2003-04 as a result of the abolition from 6 April 2001 of the ability to carry forward entitlement to pension payment tax relief for up to six years. [114762]
Miss Melanie Johnson:
The proposal to remove the carry forward facility is intended to simplify pension administration not to raise revenue. It is part of a package of measures designed to increase pension take up. We do not expect the removal of carry forward to save tax relief.
Mr. Harvey:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what mechanism will replace tax credits in giving financial support to charities; and if he will make a statement. [114335]
Miss Melanie Johnson:
The reform of corporation tax announced in 1997 will generate greater prosperity for businesses and those who invest in them. The withdrawal of payable tax credits on charities' dividend income did not come into effect until April 1999 and charities will receive generous compensation on a tapering basis in order to adjust, at a cost to the Exchequer of around £1.1 billion, for a further five years. The "Getting Britain Giving" package of measures which is being introduced in April, is estimated by the charity sector to be worth some £350 million a year to charities.
Mr. Brady:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for the period 2 May 1997 to 29 February 2000 what was (a) the number of occasions on which couriers were used to distribute news releases from his Department and (b) the total cost of using couriers to distribute news releases. [113968]
Miss Melanie Johnson
[holding answer 10 March 2000]: The Treasury press office does not use couriers to distribute press releases. Press releases are distributed by the Central Office of Information (COI) through fax and electronic means. However, before the financial year 1999-2000, couriers were used to deliver releases to COI, who would then use their various delivery methods. The costs for the period from 2 May 1997, until the Treasury abandoned this practice in the financial year 1999-2000 and decided to rely on electronic means, are as follows:
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1997/98--229 press releases at £40 per distribution totalling £9,160 (from 2 May till the end of the financial year);
1998/99--269 press releases at £50 per distribution which totalled £13,450.
Couriers would now be used only in exceptional circumstances and do not form a regular press office cost.
Mr. Brady:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the (a) national, (b) regional and (c) local newspapers and media bodies to which his Department sent news releases during the period 2 May 1997 to 29 February 2000. [113994]
Miss Melanie Johnson
[holding answer 10 March 2000]: The Treasury distributes its new releases by fax and electronic means through the Central Office of Information (COI). The COI issues releases to organisations held on mailing lists that have developed over time. Distribution will vary according to the subject concerned. Since there are over 2,000 organisations on the lists, it is not possible to re-organise them into national, regional, local newspapers and media bodies without incurring disproportionately high costs.
The Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has been asked to reply to your recent question on export volumes. I am replying in Dr. Holt's absence.
The information may be found in table 3 of the monthly first release, UK Trade, published on 23 February 2000, copies of which are available in the House of Commons Library.
(2) if he will support the proposal to be put forward by Canada at the United Nations Special Session in Geneva for a further study into the feasibility of a currency transaction tax. [114713]
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