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7 Feb 2005 : Column 1246W—continued
Tax Returns
Dr. Murrison: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of persons filing tax returns late for 2003–04 were (a) pensioners and (b) self-employed. [213760]
Dawn Primarolo: Data in respect of 2003–04 returns (which were due back to the Inland Revenue by 31 January 2005) is not yet available.
Dr. Murrison: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what mitigating circumstances would prevent the application of financial penalties to people failing to file tax returns on time. [213761]
Dawn Primarolo: A person is deemed not to have failed to deliver his tax return on time if he had a reasonable excuse for being late and where the return is delivered without unreasonable delay once that excuse has ceased. There is, sensibly, no definitive or exhaustive list of the circumstances that can constitute a reasonable excuse as this is a matter that can be considered properly only on a case by case basis.
Unemployment
Simon Hughes: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the levels of long-term (a) adult and (b) youth unemployment were in North Southwark and Bermondsey in each of the last eight years. [214331]
Mr. Timms:
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
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Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Simon Hughes, dated 7 February 2005:
As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about unemployment. (214331)
Table 1 gives estimates of the numbers of long-term unemployed people, both youth and adult, who were resident in the North Southwark and Bermondsey Parliamentary Constituency, for each twelve month period ending February from 1999 to 2004, the most recent available period. Information on length of time unemployed is not available for earlier periods.
These estimates from Labour Force Survey are, as with any sample survey, subject to sampling variability.
The Office for National Statistics also compiles statistics of those claiming Jobseeker's Allowance for local areas. Table 2 gives the annual average number of young people aged 18 to 24 years old and adults (aged 25 and over) resident in the North Southwark and Bermondsey constituency claiming Jobseeker's Allowance benefits for over 12 months or more in each year from 1997 to 2004.
(9)People unemployed for 12 months or more.
(10)Estimates not shown as they are potentially disclosive.
Note:
These estimates are based on very small sample sizes and are subject to a high degree of sampling variability. Changes from year to year, especially should be treated with caution.
Source:
ONS Labour Force Survey
(11)Computerised claims only.
Source:
Jobcentre Plus Administrative system
Working Tax Credit
Mr. Todd: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will extend entitlement to the child care element of working tax credit to a couple where one person is engaged in qualifying remunerative work and the other is a student nurse. [213373]
Dawn Primarolo: The Government have no such plans.
The child care element of working tax credit is designed to help remove the child care barrier that often
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prevents people taking up or returning to work. It is only available if the claimant is:
a member of a couple in which one partner works 16 hours or more a week and the other partner is incapacitated/ in hospital or in prison.
Attendance on a course of study does not qualify as the work requirement for these purposes.
DEFENCE
Hercules Aircraft
Mr. Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Hercules C130J and C130K aircraft have a full defensive aids suite. [214085]
Mr. Hoon: All of the Hercules C130K fleet and about half of the 25 Hercules C130J fleet are equipped withinfra-red defensive countermeasures. Additionally, some of these aircraft have an enhanced defensive capability. Only Hercules with appropriate defensive countermeasures are deployed to operational theatres. Other Hercules are used on routine air transport tasks elsewhere.
Military Conduct (Detainees)
17. Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he plans to end all hooding of detainees by members of the armed forces; and if he will make a statement. [214098]
Mr. Hoon: In line with long standing policy, the United Kingdom's Armed Forces do not use hooding during interrogation. Hooding has been used while detaining suspects in Iraq, both for security of our own Forces and of the detainees, it is not being used currently. The Ministry Of Defence is reviewing its policy for the restricting of a detainee's vision during arrest and transit.
Afghanistan
20. Dr. Palmer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the security situation in Afghanistan. [214101]
Mr. Ingram: Security in Afghanistan continues to improve in the wake of last year's Presidential elections, and in the run up to this year's parliamentary elections, which will represent the culmination of the Bonn Process. The UK, with international partners, will continue to support the International Security Assistance Force, including through the deployment of HQ Allied Rapid Reaction Corps to command ISAF in 2006.
Future Infantry Structure
22. Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with serving and retired service men and women about the conduct of the future infantry structure exercise. [214103]
Mr. Hoon:
I have had a number of discussions with the Chief of the General Staff and other members of the Army Board. In addition, in the course of visits to units
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both here and overseas I have discussed these issues with other serving members of the Army. I have also met and received representations from a number of retired Service personnel on behalf of various regiments and Regimental Associations.
Iraq
23. Mr. Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the security situation in Iraq. [214104]
Mr. Hoon: Over the election period, insurgents and extremists continued in their efforts to destabilise the progress that is being made towards a stable and democratic Iraq. Despite this, elections took place successfully as planned, with initial indications of a high turn out and less violence than many anticipated. This reflects the thoroughness of the security arrangements put in place by the Iraqi Security Forces, the efforts of the Multi National Force-Iraq in support, and the determination of the Iraqi people to exercise their democratic rights.
Mr. Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what assessment he has made of possible damage caused to sites of archaeological and historical significance by the British Army in Iraq; [213543]
(2) what consultations he has had with (a) the Iraqi State Board of Antiquities and (b) British archaeologists and scholars regarding the impact of the activities of the British Army in Iraq; [213542]
(3) what plans he has to aid the (a) restoration and (b) preservation of sites of archaeological and historical significance in Iraq; [213541]
(4) what provisions he has made to ensure the protection of sites of archaeological and historical interest in areas where the British Army are serving in Iraq; and if he will make a statement. [213540]
Mr. Ingram:
The United Kingdom takes very seriously the need to respect Iraq's cultural heritage. We are not aware of any assessments identifying damage done to sites of archaeological and historical significance by the British Army in Iraq. We have, however, taken a number of steps to minimise the risk. This includes being a signatory to the 1977 Additional Protocol (AP1) of the 1949 Geneva Conventions. Under the terms of AP1, civilian objects are to be protected from attack unless that object is being used for military purposes, in which case it may lose its special protected status. An aide memoire is also issued to all UK service personnel deploying under Operation Telic, which reminds service personnel of their obligation under AP1. The leaflet contains a pictorial example of the protective emblem that can be used under the Hague Cultural Property Convention 1954, to which Iraq is a full signatory, to denote buildings used for religion, art, science, charity, historical monuments, or other important cultural sites. During the combat phase of Operation Telic, legal advisors briefed commanders deploying to theatre about the importance of protecting cultural property. Further guidance was, and continues to be available in the rules of engagement and the targeting directive.
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In addition to operating under AP1, we are signatories to UNSCR 1546, which stresses that all parties need to respect and protect Iraq's archaeological, historical, cultural, and religious heritage. HMG also recently announced its intention to take forward the ratification of the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict.
The Secretary of State for Defence has not had any direct consultations with the Iraqi State Board of Antiquities or British archaeologists and scholars regarding the impact of activities of the British Army in Iraq. We do, however, work in partnership with other Departments who take the lead on this issue. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Department of Culture, Media and Sport, have regular discussions with the Iraqi Ministry of Culture on these issues. The UK has provided support to the British Museum to enable them to help the Iraqi Ministry assess the damage caused to archaeological sites in Iraq and to ensure their future protection.
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