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Taxpayers

Mr. Flight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many UK taxpayers were subject to an income tax rate of 40 per cent. or more on the first day of tax years (a) 1979–80, (b) 1997–98 and (c) 2001–02. [9763]

Ruth Kelly: I refer the hon. Member to "The Survey of Personal Incomes 1979–80", table 16 and "Inland Revenue Statistics", table 2.1. Both of these publications are available in the Library of the House. The latest data on Inland Revenue Statistics can also be accessed on the Inland Revenue website www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/stats.

Tax Returns (Penalties)

Mr. Flight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many incorrect penalties were issued to taxable persons >who had completed and sent off tax returns on time for the tax years (a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98, (c) 1998–99, (d) 1999–2000 and (e) 2000–01 by (i) the Inland Revenue and (ii) HM Customs and Excise. [9758]

Ruth Kelly: The information is not available.

Foot and Mouth

Mr. Collins: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the continuation of deferred tax collection from businesses affected by the foot and mouth outbreak in Cumbria. [7521]

Mr. Andrew Smith [holding answer 22 October 2001]: The Government keep all taxes under review and decisions will be made as part of the normal Budget process. Throughout the outbreak the Inland Revenue and Customs have been working constructively with businesses and their representatives to reschedule payments where possible. Deferment of payments is just one of the ways in which this can be achieved. Their approach has been to develop solutions that match the needs of individual businesses, rather than adopt a blanket approach.

The Inland Revenue and Customs will continue to take a sympathetic approach to businesses which have been affected by FMD, and are aware that some businesses will continue to suffer problems throughout the autumn and winter.

VAT (Small Firms)

Mr. Lidington: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which organisations have responded to HM Customs and Excise's consultation on a flat-rate VAT scheme for small firms. [9774]

Mr. Boateng: Responses have been received from:



Replies were also received from 25 individuals, firms or companies.

Mr. Lidington: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library the responses to HM Customs and Excise's consultations on a flat-rate VAT scheme for small firms. [9775]

Mr. Boateng: Apart from those which consultees have asked should not be made public, responses will be placed in the Library when Ministers announce the outcome of the consultation. At that time Customs will also publish a summary of the responses received.

Mr. Lidington: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to change Government policy following HM Customs and Excise's consultation on a flat-rate VAT scheme for small firms. [9777]

Mr. Boateng: Customs are currently analysing responses to the recent consultation exercise and will be making recommendations to Treasury Ministers in due course.

Scottish Bus Group

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had since June relating to Scottish Bus Group pensioners. [9215]

Mr. Andrew Smith: The Scottish Executive is taking forward matters regarding the Scottish Bus Group pension funds, following its announcement in December 2000 on the pension fund surplus.

Excise Duties

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to increase excise duties. [9217]

Mr. Boateng: Decisions on taxation are considered on an annual basis as part of the Chancellor's overall Budget judgment.

Equitable Life

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Baird report on Equitable Life was made available by the Treasury to Lord Penrose. [R] [9216]

Ruth Kelly: A letter was sent to Lord Penrose on 16 October which enclosed a copy of the report as evidence for his inquiry.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Mrs. Sally Clark

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he intends to refer the case of Sally Clark to the Court of Appeal. [8337]

Mr. Keith Bradley: The Home Secretary's powers to consider alleged miscarriages of justice came to an end on 31 March 1997, and were replaced by new powers vested in an independent body called the Criminal Cases Review Commission. I understand that, to date, Mrs. Clark has not >submitted an application to the Commission. It remains open to her, or anyone acting on her behalf, to apply to the Commission for a review of her case.

Absence

David Maclean: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many days on average were lost per employee in his Department because of sickness; and how many officials retired early from his Department in each of the past 10 years. [R] [5050]

Mr. Blunkett: Available comparable information on working days lost due to sickness is given in table 1. Available information on the number of staff having retired early from the Department is given in Tables 2 and 3.

Information on sickness absence data for the Civil Service between 1995 and 1998 was published in a British Medical Institute (BMI) Health Services Report, "Analysis of Sickness Absence in the Civil Service", produced on behalf of the Cabinet Office. These figures were based on staff years and are not therefore comparable with later figures based on the approved method using working days.

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The Home Office and its agencies have introduced new guidelines, policies and procedures with a view to reducing sickness absence. The Department's service delivery targets for April 2001 to March 2004, which include a target for sickness absence, were published on Friday 3 November 2000 and are available on the Home Office website. The targets are to reduce sickness absence, and sustain this improvement thereafter in the:



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