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Pension Funds (Tax Treatment)
Mr. Willetts: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the proposal in his consultation document on the tax treatment of pension funds for a £1.4 million limit on tax exempt pension in savings includes (a) funded public sector schemes and (b) unfunded public sector schemes. [100795]
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Ruth Kelly: The Government consultation paper, "Simplifying the Taxation of Pensions: Increasing Choice and Flexibility for All", proposes a framework of benefit rules that would apply, from the date of its introduction, to any pension scheme, whether in the public or private sector, that wished to utilise pension tax privileges. The consultation period allows people to put forward their views before final decisions are taken.
Waste Management
Norman Baker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is his policy that revenue from landfill tax be recycled to business to improve waste management performance. [102730]
John Healey: As announced in the 2002 pre-Budget report, the Government are consulting with stakeholders on a revenue-neutral proposal to increase the landfill tax escalator to £3 per tonne in 2005–06 and to increase the rate of the tax by at least £3 per tonne in future years, on the way to a medium to long term rate of £35 per tonne. It is the Government's intention that these increases will be introduced in a way that is revenue neutral to business as whole. Decisions on how to achieve this will announced as part of the Budget process, taking account of views from stakeholders.
DEFENCE
International Military Services
Mr. Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what evidence he has examined with regard to the claim by the Government of Iraq that International Military Services supplied (a) materials, (b) expertise and (c) other types of support for the development of (i) missiles and (ii) rocketry. [98869]
Mr. Hoon: International Military Services ceased trading on 31 July 1991. Any transactions prior to that date will have been governed by our arms export policy at the time.
A400M
Mr. Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the expected unit price is of each A400M aircraft; and what effect on that price the withdrawal of Portugal from the project involves. [102574]
Mr. Ingram: I am withholding the unit price information in accordance with Exemption 13 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, which relates to third party's commercial confidences. The withdrawal of Portugal had no effect on the unit price.
Al Yamamah Deal
Mrs. Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 12 February 2003, Official Report, column 737W, on the Al Yamamah deal, when he estimates that the Al Yamamah programme will cease to have a significant impact on British jobs and exports. [101924]
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Mr. Ingram: Al Yamamah is an on-going programme with no specific end point. Because of its importance for British jobs and exports, we look forward to providing continuing and long-term support for the equipment already delivered.
AWACS
Mr. Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the (a) establishment and (b) strength is of weapons controller personnel on the E3D AWACS fleet. [102575]
Mr. Ingram: The establishment for weapons controllers on the E3D AWACS fleet on 1 March 2003 was 33. The trained strength on the same date was 23. The shortfall of 10 being recently established posts that have still to be filled.
Biological/Chemical Warfare
Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what communications he has had with his United States counterparts since 5 February in respect of the United Kingdom opposition to (a) incapacitants and (b) irritant chemical agents in warfare. [102074]
Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has made to the United States administration about the British Government's policy on the use by British armed forces of incapacitant and calmative weapons, and irritant chemical agents during wartime. [102414]
Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the compatibility of disabling nerve agents with international obligations governing chemical weapons. [101941]
Mr. Hoon [holding answer 10 March 2003]: The Chemical Weapons Convention prohibits the development, production and use of all toxic chemicals (both lethal and incapacitating) and their precursors, except where they are intended for purposes not prohibited under the Convention, as long as the type and quantities are consistent with such purposes.
Council Tax Rebates
Mr. Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether members of the Armed Forces on deployment are entitled to council tax rebates; and if he will make a statement. [102516]
Dr. Moonie: All Service personnel who own a private property remain liable to pay council tax on their own property to the local authority concerned. Council tax rebates are a matter for local authorities and it is for them to interpret the regulations concerning "sole or main residence". In reaching their decision they consider case law arising from earlier council tax appeals, which takes various factors into account including the amount of time spent at a property, whether it is the family home, and security of tenure.
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Foreign Warships
Mr. Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what foreign warships have been involved in Royal Naval training exercises in UK domestic waters in the past two years. [102572]
Mr. Ingram: Royal Navy operational sea training, is recognised as a world leader. In the past two years, 129 warships from 15 nations undertook training with or were trained by the Royal Navy in UK domestic waters. Details are as follows.
(7) Operational Sea Training
(8) Joint Maritime Course
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