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Written Answers to Questions

Thursday 27 May 2004

TREASURY

Analogue Wave Band

Mr. David Stewart: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what (a) estimate he has made and (b) research he has (i) commissioned and (ii) evaluated on the value of the sale of the analogue wave band to public funds. [174047]

Ruth Kelly: The terms and method of reallocation of radio spectrum released by digital switchover are a matter for Ofcom. Additionally, the scope of future uses will be dependent on the result of international negotiations commencing in 2006. Hence, the Government are not currently in a position to make an estimate of the likely value of spectrum.

However, the Government have produced an economic cost-benefit analysis of digital switchover. The positive result of this study informed the Government's decision to confirm their support for switchover in September 2003 as it will bring significant benefits to consumers and to broadcasters. A summary of the results can be found at: www.digitaltelevision.gov.uk

Inland Revenue

Mr. Prisk: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) when the Inland Revenue Avoidance Intelligence Unit will commence work; and how many staff it will employ; [176258]

(2) what the total costs, including employment, are for the Inland Revenue Avoidance Intelligence Unit for this financial year. [176259]

Dawn Primarolo: The Inland Revenue's Avoidance Intelligence Unit will be operational by the time the tax avoidance disclosure rules come into effect on 1 August 2004. The anticipated initial funding for the Unit is £1.5 million for the first full year. The precise number of staff who will be employed within the Unit is not fixed but will be under constant review and will vary according to the level of work the Unit has to handle.

Civil Registration (Consultation)

Dr. Iddon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the origins of the responses to the document Civil Registration: Delivering Vital Change; and how many were received from (a) registration officers, (b) genealogists and (c) the general public. [176583]

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the General Registrar for England and Wales, who has been asked to reply.
 
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Letter from Len Cook to Dr. Iddon, dated 27 May 2004:

Correspondence

Mr. Salmond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to reply to the letter of 24 March 2004 from Stewart Stevenson MSP regarding World Vision. [176133]

Mr. Boateng: There is no record of the letter being received. A copy has been requested and will be replied to as soon as possible.

Mr. Salmond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to reply to the letter dated 9 March from the hon. Member for Banff and Buchan regarding whisky strip stamps. [176201]

John Healey: I have done so.

Employment (Blackpool, North and Fleetwood)

Mrs. Humble: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people were employed in tourism-related jobs in Blackpool, North and Fleetwood on the latest date for which figures are available. [176398]

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been has to reply.

Letter from Len Cook to Mrs. Joan Humble, dated 27 May 2004:


 
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Mrs. Humble: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many new jobs have been created in Blackpool, North and Fleetwood since 1997. [176399]

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.

Letter from Len Cook to Mrs. Joan Humble, dated 27 May 2004:


Total number of employees(1) in Blackpool, North and Fleetwood Parliamentary Constituency: 1997 and 2002

Number, per cent.
Total
Number of employees
199732,000
200231,500
Change from 1997 to 2002
Absolute-500


(1)   Employee jobs only, not self-employed jobs.
Source:
1997; Annual Employment Survey, rescaled 2002; Annual Business Inquiry (ABI).



Employment Statistics

Chris Ruane: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people were employed in each year since 1979, broken down by constituency within each region. [175126]

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.

Letter from Colin Mowl to Chris Ruane, dated 27 May 2004:


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