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30 Oct 2002 : Column 861W—continued
TREASURY
Census 2001
Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the accuracy of the 2001 census; and if he will make a statement. [77401]
Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Gordon Prentice, dated 30 October 2002:
- As National Statistician and Registrar General for England and Wales I have been asked to reply to your recent question to the Chancellor of the Exchequer asking what assessment has been made of the accuracy of the 2001 Census. (77401)
- Census 2001 results are the first to represent the entire population. This was achieved through a new strategy known as the 'One Number Census'. One of the key elements was an independent follow-up survey. The Census Coverage Survey (CCS), as it is known, involved an intensive face-to-face survey of a sample of over 16,000 postcodes containing 320,000 households covering every local authority in England and Wales. By combining the results of the Census and the CCS, it was possible in 2001 to estimate the total resident population-the 'one number'-to a high level of precision, plus or minus 0.2 per cent., and to provide information on the characteristics of those persons missed by the Census.
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- Thus in 2001, the Census results represent 100 per cent. of the population. Census response, that is the proportion of people returning a form in England and Wales, was 94 per cent. The 6% of people estimated to have been missed by the Census have been added to the counts using a statistical process that was subject to extensive consultation, and based on the results of the CCS.
- I am confident that the approach we have taken to the 2001 Census provides the most accurate estimates of the population both nationally and for each of the 376 local authorities in England and Wales. No census ever gets responses from 100 per cent. of the population. The 2001 Census was designed from the outset to take full account of this to provide what users of statistics really want—figures representing everyone.
- In addition, the 2001 Census has undergone rigorous testing and quality checking throughout both the fieldwork and processing. Census tests were carried out in 1997 and 1999 and a survey designed to measure the accuracy of response to each question has been completed. Furthermore, a comprehensive set of verification and validation checks were built in to the processing of the data, and data quality played a key role in all aspects of processing the forms. All information on accuracy will be contained in a Census Quality report to be published in 2003.
- Information published so far about the accuracy of the Census is available on the National Statistics website at www.statistics.gov.uk.
Church Restoration and Repairs
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with his EU counterparts regarding (a) fiscal and (b) other support for church restoration and repairs. [77833]
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what representations are being made by the UK Government to the European Parliament on the issue of VAT on church repairs; [78317]
- (2) what representations he has received in connection with the possible extension of the listed places of worship grant scheme beyond March 2003. [78316]
John Healey: The Government's long-term objective is to secure a reduced rate of VAT for the repair and maintenance of listed buildings which are used as places of worship. At present the formal European agreements in place on VAT prevent us from doing so. As the Chancellor said in Budget 2001, the European Commission has indicated that it will review its reduced rates for VAT in 2003. The Government have introduced a grant scheme to run in the interim period, until the review has been completed.
Firefighters' Strike
Mr. Evans: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what preparations he has made to ensure the safety and continuity of service to the public in the event of a firefighters' strike. [77669]
Ruth Kelly: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given by the Minister for Local Government and the Regions on 28 October 2002, Official Report, column 527W.
Money Laundering
Harry Cohen: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what the Government's policy is on action relating to countries named on the OECD's latest money laundering blacklist; and if he will make a statement; [78455]
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- (2) what action he has recently taken to encourage (a) Grenada, (b) Nauru, (c) St.Vincent and the Grenadines and (d) the Cook Islands to comply with the OECD anti-money-laundering system; and if he will make a statement. [78454]
Ruth Kelly: The Government are working actively with other members of the Financial Action Task Force to help jurisdictions on the FATF list of non-cooperative countries and territories to strengthen their anti-money laundering systems. An FATF delegation will visit Grenada in December to review progress, and an IMF mission in 2003 will provide technical assistance to the Cook Islands.
Most countries are taking measures to improve their systems, and the Government welcome the decision of the FATF last month to remove Russia, Dominica, Niue and the Marshall Islands from the NCCT list in view of the progress they had made. However, in December 2001, the FATF decided to implement counter-measures against Nauru in view of its lack of progress. These counter-measures involve enhanced surveillance and reporting of financial transactions with Nauru.
Taxation
Dr. Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what estimate he has made of the taxation and national insurance to be raised as a result of the measures covered by IR35 in (a) 2002–03 and (b) 2003–04; and when that estimate was made; [78106]
- (2) what taxation and national insurance revenues have been raised as a result of the measures covered by IR35 in (a) 2000–01 and (b) 2001–02; [78105]
(3) how many individuals pay tax and national insurance following PAYE/NIC rules as a result of the measures covered by IR35 [78107]
Dawn Primarolo: Estimates of the yield from the introduction of service company legislation to counter avoidance in the provision of personal services were published in Appendix A2 of the March 2000 Financial Statement and Budget Report.It was estimated that 90,000 companies were potentially affected at the time of the introduction of the new rules to tackle avoidance, and that around half would continue to operate subject to additional income tax and National Insurance contributions on deemed payments when required. The Inland Revenue continues to monitor the situation and to ensure that everyone pays the right tax and NICs.
WALES
Manufacturing
7. Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with the First Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales regarding manufacturing in Wales. [760
Peter Hain: Working with the First Minister, the Government are developing policies for a strong manufacturing sector in Wales, despite the slowdown in the world economy and the weakness of the euro.
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Barnett Formula
10. David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he last discussed the impact of the Barnett formula with the Chancellor of the Exchequer. [76067]
Peter Hain: I have not yet had a chance to discuss the impact of the Barnett formula with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, but it has served Wales well.
Illegal Drugs
11. Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he will take to help combat misuse of illegal drugs in Wrexham. [76068]
Mr. Touhig: I am concerned by the use of illegal drugs throughout Wales and have regular meetings with the police, National Assembly for Wales and the Home Office to discuss the situation and solutions to this blight on our communities.
Economic Development
12. Mr. Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has held with Ministers in the National Assembly for Wales about economic development issues in south-west Wales. [76069]
Peter Hain: My predecessor had regular discussions with Assembly Ministers about economic development across the whole of Wales, and I intend to continue with these meetings.
Cockle Beds
13. Mr. Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the First Secretary on cockling on the Dee. [76070]
Mr. Touhig: My right hon. Friend, the former Secretary of State for Wales, raised this issue with the First Minister last year. He also visited the hon. Member's constituency to discuss this and other issues.
I have also raised this issue with the Assembly Rural Development Minister and Transport, Planning and Environment Minister.
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