| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
Parliamentary Questions
Mr. Simon Thomas: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many oral questions he has transferred to other Departments in each of the last 18 months. [65514]
Mr. Alexander: I have been asked to reply.
My Department always makes sure that every question tabled receives an accurate answer by those best placed to provide it. Oral PQs are therefore transferred if it is more appropriate for other Departments to answer and they have agreed. Since June 2001 the figures are:
- July 2001: 1
October 2001: 7
November 2001: 8
January 2002: 4
February 2002: 7
March 2002: 7
April 2002: 0
May 2002: 7
11 Jul 2002 : Column 1103W
TREASURY
North Sea Oil and Gas
Mr. Salmond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what the expected revenues from the North Sea are likely to be for 2002–03 based on an oil price of (a) $10, (b) $15, (c) $25, (d) $30 and (e) $35 a barrel at current US/UK exchange rates; [59398]
- (2) what the expected revenues from the North Sea are likely to be for 2003–04 based on an oil price of (a) $10, (b) $15, (c) $25, (d) $30 and (e) $35 a barrel at exchange rates of £1/$1.40; [59392]
(3) what the expected revenues from the North Sea are likely to be for 2002–03 based on an oil price of (a) $10, (b) $15, (c) $25, (d) $30 and (e) $35 a barrel at exchange rates of £1/$1.50; [59400]
(4) what the expected revenues from the North Sea are likely to be for 2002–03 based on an oil price of (a) $10, (b) $15, (c) $25, (d) $30 and (e) $35 a barrel at exchange rates of £1/$1.40; [59399]
(5) what the expected revenues from the North Sea are likely to be for 2003–04 based on an oil price of (a) $10, (b) $15, (c) $25, (d) $30 and (e) $35 a barrel at current US/UK exchange rates; [59391]
(6) what the expected revenues from the North Sea are likely to be for 2003–04 based on an oil price of (a) $10, (b) $15, (c) $25, (d) $30 and (e) $35 a barrel at exchange rates of £1/$1.50. [59393]
Dawn Primarolo: Revenue is dependent on the price of oil, the exchange rate and the levels of production and expenditure. Decisions on levels of production and expenditure will be taken by companies on the basis of actual and expected prices. A significant and sustained change in oil prices would lead to different levels of production and expenditure. The yield will also be affected by differential movements in gas prices relative to oil. By way of an estimate, at current levels of planned production and expenditure, at an exchange rate of £1/$1.40, a movement in the oil price of $5 could be expected to affect revenue by about £2.2 billion in a full year. At an exchange rate of £1/$1.50, a similar movement would affect revenue by about £2.0 billion in a full year. These estimates assume that gas prices would move broadly in line with the price of oil.
Gamebirds
Norman Baker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what (a) assessment he has made and (b) representations he has received in relation to the valuation rating of gamebird (i) rearing and (ii) premises. [69026]
Dawn Primarolo: The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) is the executive agency of the Inland Revenue that is responsible for preparing and maintaining rating lists. It has received representations from a number of bodies including Wales Opponents of Pheasant Shooting and Animal Aid requesting confirmation that specified game farms are assessed for non-domestic rates (NNDR).
11 Jul 2002 : Column 1104W
The VOA has also been requested by the Game Farmers Association to ensure that their membership and others in the industry are all treated fairly in relation to non domestic rates.
Game farms have been assessed for NNDR in the 1990, 1995 and 2000 rating lists.
The Valuation Office Agency has undertaken various initiatives over recent years to identify this class of property and to enter them in the non-domestic rating lists. Where the valuation officer is aware of a property operating as a game farm and it is not assessed for non- domestic rates, then the circumstances are investigated.
Hearing Aids
Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to exempt deaf employees from paying tax on their hearing aids; and if he will make a statement. [68847]
Ruth Kelly: The Government are continuing to remove barriers to work and ensure that disabled people do not face discrimination in the work place. Regulations came into force on 9 July 2002, to ensure that benefits for disabled employees which may be used both in and out of the work place, such as a hearing aid, will not be liable to a tax charge.
Climate Change Levy
Mr. Brazier: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received from the manufacturing sector regarding the climate change levy. [66384]
John Healey: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Tewkesbury (Mr. Robertson) on 20 June 2002, Official Report, column 398.
Taxation
Mr. Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his estimate is of the number of households facing marginal deduction rates of over 70 per cent. in each year since 1997. [69090]
Dawn Primarolo: Historical estimates of the number of households facing marginal deduction rates in excess of 70 per cent. for 1997–98 through to 1999–2000 are contained in the Social Security Departmental Report—The Government's Expenditure Plans 2000–01 to 2001–02. Forward-looking estimates, which include the impact of the tax and benefit changes made in Budgets since 1997, are contained in the Budget 2002 report. Tax and benefit changes made since 1997 have reduced the number of households facing marginal deduction rates in excess of 70 per cent. by around half a million.
VAT
Norman Baker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what recent (a) assessment he has made and (b) representations he has received regarding the imposition of VAT on game birds reared for country sports; [69027]
11 Jul 2002 : Column 1105W
- (2) how much VAT has been raised by the sale of shooting rights to operators for each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [69028]
John Healey: Sales of game birds reared for country sport are zero-rated for VAT. There have been no representations on this subject since the hon. Gentleman tabled a question which was answered on 15 October 2001, Official Report, column 851W.
Estimates of VAT raised from the sale of shooting rights for the last 10 years are not available.
David Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of small businesses that have benefited from the simplification of VAT. [66397]
11 Jul 2002 : Column 1106W
John Healey: It is not possible to give a meaningful estimate for the number of small businesses that have benefited from the many VAT simplification initiatives that have taken place over the years. The table gives estimates for the small businesses VAT simplification measures that were announced in the last Budget.
Mr. Soames: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his definition of (a) domestic and (b) personal care in relation to VAT on home care services. [66148]
John Healey [holding answer 2 July 2002]: There is no definition of 'domestic' or 'personal' care in VAT law. In the absence of a definition in law, these terms are given their ordinary everyday meaning. Examples of personal care include bathing, feeding and toileting. Examples of domestic care include cleaning, cooking and shopping.
| Measure | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Registration threshold increased to £55,000. | Keeps another 4,000 small businesses out of the VAT net. |
| Optional flat rate scheme introduced on 25 April 2002. | Allows approximately 500,000 small firms to cut their compliance costs. 1,400 applications by the end of May and will be extended to a further 200,000 more small firms with turnovers up to £150,000 next April. |
| Changes to the annual accounting scheme allowing businesses with a turnover up to £100,000 to join the scheme as soon as they register for VAT. | About 10,000 businesses are already using the scheme and the changes extend eligibility to another 100,000 businesses. |
The take-up figures for the flat rate and annual accounting schemes are expected to increase later in the year as the changes bed in and the benefits are given wider publicity.
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |