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Tax Relief (Film Expenditure)

Mr. Salmond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much tax relief has been granted to UK films under the provisions of section 48 of the Finance (No. 2) Act 1997; how many films have been accepted by the Inland Revenue as qualifying films; and if he will make a statement. [3574]

Ruth Kelly: Between 1 July 1997 and 30 June 2001 the Department for Culture, Media and Sport certified 1,119 "British qualifying" films under the Film Act 1985. The estimated tax cost of relief provided to British qualifying films under section 48 Finance (No. 2) Act 1997 is £200 million in the period 1997–98 to 2000–01, over double the amount that would have been available under the previous arrangements.

Biofuels

Mr. Beith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will bring into force fiscal measures to encourage the use of biofuels equivalent to those available for gas fuels. [3757]

Mr. Boateng: Under the Government's Green Fuel Challenge launched in November last year, we will, subject to EU agreement, introduce a new duty rate for biodiesel in Budget 2002, at 20p per litre below the then rate for ultra-low sulphur diesel. Furthermore, we have already legislated to provide for duty reductions or exemptions for pilot projects covering the more environmentally friendly fuels, including biofuels such as bioethanol and biogas. We expect to invite applications for these pilots during the summer and evaluate applications during the autumn.

18 Jul 2001 : Column: 215W

Sports Clubs (Taxation)

Miss McIntosh: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received on the taxation of voluntary sports clubs; and if he will make a statement. [4043]

Mr. Boateng: The Chancellor has received a number of representations concerning the current tax treatment of voluntary sports clubs, as he does with all aspects of the tax system. Following the announcement in Budget 2001 of the Government's intention to consult on possible support through the tax system for community amateur sport's clubs, the Treasury is working closely with colleagues in other Government Departments and sports organisations, including Sport England, the Central Council for Physical Recreation and the National Playing Fields Association on the shape of possible relief. A consultation paper will be published later this year, which will invite comments on the proposed relief.

In drawing up the proposals, the Government will take into full consideration which specific measures will benefit these sports clubs.

VAT Relief (Places of Worship)

Ms Walley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his proposed timetable is for the introduction of VAT relief on listed places of worship; and if he will make a statement. [4397]

Mr. Boateng: The European Commission has indicated that a reduced VAT rate for repairs to listed places of worship will be considered in the Commission's general review of reduced rates that will take place in 2003. In the meantime, the Government are working on the introduction of a UK-wide grant scheme to help congregations with the cost of repairs and maintenance of listed buildings that are used as places of worship. The effect will be equivalent to a reduction in VAT to 5 per cent. on repairs commenced on or after 1 April 2001.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

London Underground

Bob Russell: To ask the President of the Council when he last travelled on the London underground in the course of his official duties. [3674]

Mr. Robin Cook: As Leader of the House of Commons, the majority of my duties are in the Palace of Westminster and as such do not require a tube journey between my residence/offices at Carlton Gardens and the House of Commons.

My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary has travelled on the tube on at least five occasions since his appointment.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Democratic Institutions

5. Mr. Wilkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the future of democratic institutions in the Province. [2876]

18 Jul 2001 : Column: 216W

Dr. John Reid: The stability of the institutions was one of the key areas addressed at the Weston Park talks. The Government are working closely with the Irish Government to secure the full and stable operation of the institutions, alongside the full implementation of all aspects of the Agreement.

Police Recruitment

6. Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the current police recruitment campaign in Northern Ireland. [2877]

Jane Kennedy: The response to the recruitment campaign to the police service was very positive—with almost 8,000 applicants.

Peace Process

7. Mr. Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the role of community groups in the peace process. [2878]

Dr. John Reid: The peace process was born out of the desire of ordinary decent people in Northern Ireland for a normal, law-abiding and peaceful society, free from the sectarianism and bitterness of the past. While the negotiations have largely been taken forward by Northern Ireland's political representatives, the significant progress we have made thus far in agreeing and implementing the Belfast Agreement has been underpinned and strengthened by the support and commitment to peace demonstrated by the numerous and wide variety of individuals and groups active in all sections of the community across Northern Ireland, particularly in their efforts to combat division and sectarianism. Their work will be a significant factor in encouraging further progress.

15. Mr. Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the peace process since 7 June. [2886]

29. Mr. Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on developments in the peace process. [2900]

Dr. John Reid: I refer the hon. Members to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Crosby (Mrs. Curtis-Thomas), on 18 July 2001, Official Report, column 277.

16. Jean Corston: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about developments in the peace process. [2887]

23. Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the peace process. [2894]

Dr. John Reid: I refer my hon. Friends to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Crosby (Mrs. Curtis-Thomas), on 18 July 2001, Official Report, column 277.

First Minister

8. Mr. Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on steps being taken to fill the position of First Minister in Northern Ireland. [2879]

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Dr. John Reid: The filling of these positions is a matter for the devolved administration, not the British Government. The Northern Ireland Assembly and its members must elect a First Minister and Deputy First Minister jointly in accordance with the procedures set out in the constitutional arrangements of Strand One of the Belfast Agreement and section 16 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. These require the positions to be filled within 6 weeks of a vacancy occurring and the Assembly to devise the procedures under which such elections takes place.

Road Improvements

9. Mr. Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he last met the Secretary of State for Scotland to discuss co-operation on applications for EC support for inter-regional road improvements. [2880]

Dr. John Reid: I have had no discussions with the Secretary of State for Scotland on co-operation on applications for EC support for inter-regional road improvements since this is a devolved matter.

Decommissioning

10. Mr. Jack: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the progress towards paramilitary weapons decommissioning. [2881]

Dr. John Reid: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for New Forest, East (Dr. Lewis), on 18 July 2001, Official Report, columns 271-72.

12. Mr. Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about decommissioning of arms in Northern Ireland. [2883]

13. Mr. Salter: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the efforts that have been made to secure the decommissioning of illegally held weapons in Northern Ireland. [2884]

20. David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made with decommissioning. [2891]

28. Mike Gapes: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures have been taken to encourage paramilitary decommissioning in Northern Ireland. [2899]

Dr. John Reid: I refer my hon. Friends to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for New Forest, East (Dr. Lewis), on 18 July 2001, Official Report, columns 271-272.

14. Mr. Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on decommissioning of terrorist weapons. [2885]

Dr. John Reid: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for New Forest, East (Dr. Lewis), on 18 July 2001, Official Report, columns 271-72.

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