House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 15 Jul 2003 (pt 22)

15 Jul 2003 : Column 218W—continued

Tobacco/Alcohol Duty

Mr. Swire: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much money was generated through tax on (a) tobacco and (b) alcohol since 1997. [125143]

John Healey: Excise Duty and estimated VAT receipts for tobacco and alcohol products are:

Tobacco and alcohol receipts£ million

Tobacco Alcohol

Duty Estimated VAT Estimated total tobacco revenue Duty Estimated VAT Estimated total alcohol revenue

1997–98 8,356 1,750 10,105 5,742 4,430 10,170

1998–99 8,207 1,770 9,980 5,966 4,620 10,590

1999–2000 5,684 1,805 7,490 6,429 4,940 11,370

2000–01 7,648 1,765 9,415 6,663 5,060 11,720

2001–02 7,755 1,760 9,940 6,955 5,290 12,250

2002–03⁽¹⁰⁾ 8,055 ⁽¹¹⁾— ⁽¹¹⁾— 7,300 ⁽¹¹⁾— ⁽¹¹⁾—

	Tobacco	Alcohol
	Duty	Estimated VAT	Estimated total tobacco revenue	Duty	Estimated VAT	Estimated total alcohol revenue
1997–98	8,356	1,750	10,105	5,742	4,430	10,170
1998–99	8,207	1,770	9,980	5,966	4,620	10,590
1999–2000	5,684	1,805	7,490	6,429	4,940	11,370
2000–01	7,648	1,765	9,415	6,663	5,060	11,720
2001–02	7,755	1,760	9,940	6,955	5,290	12,250
2002–03⁽¹⁰⁾	8,055	⁽¹¹⁾—	⁽¹¹⁾—	7,300	⁽¹¹⁾—	⁽¹¹⁾—

⁽¹⁰⁾ Provisional

⁽¹¹⁾ Estimated VAT figures for 2002–03 are still being processed

Note:

Due to rounding there may be an apparent discrepancy between the total and the sum of its constituent parts.

15 Jul 2003 : Column 219W

This information can be found in the HM Customs and Excise July 2003 'Tobacco Factsheet' and 'Alcohol Factsheet' Pages 1, copies of which are available in the House of Commons Library.

Unemployment (Merseyside)

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many jobs have been created in Merseyside in the last five years. [124203]

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply

Letter from Len Cook to Mrs. Claire Curtis-Thomas, dated 15 July 2003:

As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question about the number of jobs that have been created in the last five years in Merseyside. (124203)

There are no figures for jobs created but an indication can be obtained by comparing the annual surveys of employee jobs. The Annual Business Inquiry (ABI) gives an estimate of the number of employee jobs in December of each year; the latest year for which figures are available is 2001.

The ABI was preceded, prior to 1998, by the Annual Employment Survey. This inquiry had a different structure to the AB1 and so direct comparisons cannot be made between the AES and ABI at a regional level.

Between 1998 and 2001 the AB1 data shows a net increase in the number of employee jobs in Merseyside of 21,000.

Water Charges (Household Income)

Norman Baker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the value is by income decile of the water charges element of the local taxes line of the average income tax tables contained within the document, The effects of taxes and benefits on household income 2001–02. [125193]

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Norman Baker, dated 15 July 2003

As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking what the value is by income decile of the water charges element of local taxes. (125193)

Estimates for local taxes, which includes water charges, are based on the analysis "The effects of taxes and benefits on household income 2001–02" produced by the ONS and published on the National Statistics website on April 11th 2003 and in Economic Trends in the May 2003 edition. The analysis can be obtained from the House of Commons library. This includes measures of income inequality for the United Kingdom as a whole based on data from the Expenditure and Food Survey (EPS).

The following table shows the estimated average water and sewerage charges paid in 2001–02 for all households in the United Kingdom and by each equivalised disposable income decile. Payments for water and sewerage charges are not collected separately within the EPS and only a combined estimate can be given.

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Water charges element of local taxes by equivalised disposable income decile, 2001–02United Kingdom

Decile	Boundary point between equivalised disposable income deciles (£ per year)	Water charges paid (£ per year)
Bottom	8,271	221
2nd	10,412	225
3rd	12,456	211
4th	14,751	226
5th	17,249	226
6th	20,085	229
7th	23,831	230
8th	28,640	238
9th	37,544	241
Top	—	249
	Average for all households—		230

Source:

Office for National Statistics, based on the analysis 'The effects of taxes and benefits on household income', published on the ONS website and in Economic Trends No. 594 May 2003.

Working Family Tax Credit

Bob Russell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average time taken to provide full responses to correspondence from Right honourable and honourable Members in respect of working family tax credit applications to the Inland Revenue has been; and if he will make a statement. [123370]

Dawn Primarolo: The Inland Revenue's Tax Credit Office does not keep information about the average time taken to answer right hon. and hon. Members' letters about the working families tax credit.

The TCO aims to answer 80 per cent. of all letters, including those from right hon. and hon. Members, within 15 working days of receipt. In the year to 31 March 2003 the TCO exceeded this target and answered 84 per cent. of all letters within 15 working days of receipt. They will measure their performance in the current financial year and report against their aim in due course.

World Bank

Mr. Cameron: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the UK policy was in respect of US attempts to block proposals to increase the influence of developing countries within the World Bank; and if he will make a statement. [123402]

John Healey: The UK Government are committed to making the voice of developing countries in the World Bank and the IMF more effective. In the 2000 Department for International Development (DfID) White Paper, HMG committed to

"work with others to build a stronger, more open and accountable international system, in which poor people and countries have a more effective voice."

DfID have lead responsibility for issues related to the World Bank, and the Treasury has been working closely with them on this issue.

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The Development Committee at the spring meetings of the World Bank and the IMF in April 2003 requested the boards of the bank and fund to

"consider and elaborate upon options with a potential for broad support, taking account of shareholder and institutional implications"

for discussion at the next meeting of the Development Committee.

An issues paper which sets out the various options in this area is now being discussed by the board of the World Bank. The US are one of 24 members of the board, and have made a statement outlining their view. The UK Government position remains that further action is required to enhance the voice of developing countries in the World Bank and IMF, and we will continue to support discussions in this area with the aim of reaching agreement on institutional and structural measures to enhance that voice.

HEALTH

Alcoholism

Mr. Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will publish the Government's strategic plan on combating alcoholism. [121260]

Ms Blears: I have been asked to reply.

The Prime Minister's Strategy Unit are undertaking a project to develop an alcohol harm reduction strategy for England. In my previous role as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Public Health I was the Sponsor Minister for the project and I am pleased to continue in this role.

The cross-governmental alcohol harm reduction strategy for England will be set out in a report planned for publication in autumn 2003.

Asylum Seekers

Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the costs of health screening for asylum seekers; and what tests health screening would include. [125958]

Dr. Ladyman: The Government's aim is for all asylum seekers to receive initial health assessments in induction centres prior to dispersal. This is to address public health concerns and to start treating any health problems. Each assessment takes the form of a general medical check and recording of health history, along with screening for tuberculosis. Referrals for other tests can be made if appropriate, including HIV.

When the induction centre network is at full capacity, annual costs for health assessments will be approximately £3 million, based on current intake. There will though be resultant savings in dispersal areas.

Blood Donor Records

Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to introduce a national database of blood donors which includes details of individuals' medical records. [124881]

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Miss Melanie Johnson: The National Blood Service has no plans to introduce a national database of blood donors which includes details of individuals' medical records.

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