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18 Jan 2005 : Column 832W—continued
European Constitution
John Cryer: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues regarding their expenditure on matters relating to the constitutional treaty for the European Union. [208760]
John Healey: Departmental expenditure on matters relating to the constitutional treaty for the European Union would be agreed as normal through Treasury approval of departmental estimates. Rules on the conduct of referendums, including on referendum expenses, are laid out in the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.
Fairshare Scheme
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to identify alternative funding for the Fairshare scheme; and if he will make a statement. [208636]
Estelle Morris: I have been asked to reply.
This is a lottery initiative and any further funding will be a matter for the Big Lottery Fund. The Big Lottery Fund is consulting widely about the new programmes it will launch later this year. These programmes will include an emphasis on tackling disadvantage and ensuring all parts of the country receive a fair share of Big Lottery Fund grants. We are encouraging everyone with an interest in Fairshare to join in the consultation and help the Big Lottery Fund design the new arrangements.
Hospitals (Performance Targets)
Mr. Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Health about allowing health service managers to set hospital performance targets. [209085]
Mr. Boateng: During Spending Review 2004 the Chancellor and the Secretary of State for Health agreed there should be fewer national targets and greater devolution to local NHS organisations, giving them more scope to set local targets within a framework of clear national standards.
Ministry of Defence Sites (Excess Profits)
Mr. Hancock:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many times since 1997 the clawback
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clause to recover excess profits on former Ministry of Defence sites has been invoked; which sites were involved; what the sum involved was in each case; and if he will make a statement. [208687]
Mr. Boateng: Payments under the Profit Share Agreement with Annington Homes Ltd. (referred to in the question as 'clawback') are triggered when £1 million is due. A comprehensive list of all the sites to which the payments refer and what sums are involved for each sale is not kept in the form requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, to date, the payments total over £110 million with about 100 sites having been released wholly to Annington and about 125 sites partially released.
National Insurance Fund
Adam Price: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how much money is contained in the National Insurance Fund; [208404]
(2) how much money has been allocated to the NHS from the National Insurance Fund in each of the last five years. [208405]
Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Member to the 'Report by the Government Actuary's on the drafts of the Social Security Benefits Up-rating order and Social Security' published each year on the Government Actuary's Department website at www.gad.gov.uk/Publications/SociaMnsurance.htm.
Parliamentary Questions
Mr. Frank Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will reply to the questions tabled by the right hon. Member for Birkenhead, on (a) 13 December 2004, reference 205303 and (b) 16 December 2004, reference 206610. [209466]
Dawn Primarolo: I have already done so.
Schools (Performance Targets)
Mr. Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Education and Skills about allowing headteachers to set performance targets in schools. [209053]
Mr. Boateng: The Chancellor has regular discussions with the Secretary of State for Education and Skills about a range of matters, including the use of performance targets.
Special Advisers
Mr. Tyrie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the contracts signed by his special advisers differ from the Model Contract for Special Advisers. [207234]
Mr. Timms: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Prime Minister on 17 January 2005, Official Report, column 753W.
State Banqueting
Lynne Jones:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the cost to public funds was of the state banquet on
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18 November 2004; and what the cost to public funds has been of state banqueting in each of the last five years. [208233]
Mr. Rammell: I have been asked to reply.
The cost to public funds of food, drink and printing for the banquet on 18 November 2004 and for state banqueting in each of the last five years was as follows:
No inward State or Special Visits took place in 2002 due to Her Majesty The Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations.
In addition to the costs specified in the table, each banquet will have attracted a staff cost. However, staff costs are recorded for each visit in its entirety and to attempt to identify the amounts applicable to each banquet would incur disproportionate cost.
Tax Credits
Mr. Frank Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much has been paid in compensation by the Inland Revenue to tax credit claimants in each month in (a) 2003–04 and (b) the current tax year. [205303]
Dawn Primarolo [holding answer 16 December 2004]: The circumstances in which Inland Revenue will make compensation payments to tax credits claimants are explained in Code of Practice 1 "Putting things right when we make mistakes".
A copy of this leaflet is sent with all replies to complaints and is readily available on the Inland Revenue website. The amounts paid in compensation to tax credit claimants, up to the end of December 2004 are detailed:
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Mr. Frank Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in how many (a) working tax credit and (b) child tax credit cases it has not been possible to amend the circumstances affecting their tax credit award despite notification having been given to the Inland Revenue because of IT failures; and if he will make a statement. [206610]
Dawn Primarolo: There are, from time to time, small numbers of tax credits awards where there are difficulties in completing some of the award calculations on the tax credits IT. system. Where a claimant notifies a change in circumstances, in such circumstances, any alteration to the amount of the tax credit payments is calculated clerically.
Mr. Frank Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the take-up rate for (a) working tax credit and (b) child tax credit was for (i) 2003–04 and (ii) the current tax year in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement. [209468]
Dawn Primarolo: No estimates of take-up rates for tax credits will be available until household survey data for 2003–04 have been analysed. Subject to ensuring the data and methodology are sufficiently robust, we expect the analysis to be completed towards the end of 2005–06.
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