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6 Apr 2005 : Column 1462W—continued
Published Article
Glenda Jackson: To ask the Prime Minister whether the article to which he referred in his reply to the hon. Member for Nottingham, South of 22 October 2003, Official Report, column 636, was that of Professor Christopher Greenwood, QC, published in The Times, on 22 October 2003. [224055]
SOLICITOR-GENERAL
Environmental Crime
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Solicitor-General pursuant to her answer of 8 March 2005, Official Report, columns 1638–39W, on environmental crime, for what reasons the Crown Prosecution Service does not generally prosecute in cases of environmental crime. [223518]
The Solicitor-General: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) does not generally prosecute in cases of environmental crime because, within England and Wales, the Environment Agency and local authorities generally do so instead.
The Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 requires the CPS to take on the prosecution of criminal proceedings instituted by a police force. Police forces do not generally investigate allegations of environmental crime, as successive governments have given powers to agencies other than the police and CPS to enforce environmental legislation.
TREASURY
Child Tax Credit
Mr. Willetts: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the value of the family element of the child tax credit would have been in 2005–06 if it had been uprated (a) with earnings, (b) with prices and (c) at the same rate as the child element since the introduction of the child tax credit. [224678]
John Healey [holding answer 4 April 2005]: The value of the family element in 2005–06, had it been uprated as described in the question since its introduction in 2003–04, would be as follows:
Correspondence
John Mann: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will provide a response to the hon. Member for Bassetlaw regarding the tax credits of Graeme Edward Aitkins of Sunnyside, Worksop. [224878]
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John Healey: There is no record of any correspondence received from the hon. Member about his constituent. The Inland Revenue wrote directly to the hon. Member's constituent on 30 March 2005.
Lyons Review
Mr. Donohoe: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the areas in Scotland which he expects to gain public sector jobs under the Lyons review, as indicated in his Budget statement. [224737]
Mr. Boateng: Of the workforce relocations referred to by the Chancellor in Budget 2005, 90 jobs are going to East Kilbride and 120 to Glasgow and Dundee. It will be for Departments to decide the destination of further relocations.
Sir Ronald Cohen
Mr. Bellingham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he last met Sir Ronald Cohen to discuss official Government business. [214025]
Mr. Gordon Brown: Treasury Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide range of individuals and organisations as part of the process of policy development and analysis. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's usual practice to provide details of all such meetings. Treasury meetings are conducted in accordance with the Ministerial Code and the Civil Service Code, as appropriate.
Stamp Duty
John Mann: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to review the percentage of shared ownership house purchase price that is eligible for stamp duty. [224877]
Mr. Timms: The Government keep all taxes under review.
WALES
Sports Broadcasting
9. Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport in the context of BBC -charter renewal on the role of the broadcasting of sport in promoting Wales. [224377]
Mr. Hain: The renewal of the charter presents an opportunity to preserve the BBC as a strong independent broadcaster.
It plays an important part in the national life of Wales—not least in its excellent coverage of sport.
Aerospace Industry
10. Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with Cabinet and National Assembly for Wales colleagues on future investment in the aerospace industry in Wales. [224378]
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Mr. Hain: I have regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues and the First Minister on a number of issues, including the very successful aerospace sector in Wales.
Railways
11. Mrs. Betty Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Transport on the possible future use of Meridian trains on the Holyhead to Euston rail route. [224379]
Mr. Touhig: My right hon. Friend and I have regular discussions with ministerial colleagues about matters affecting transport in Wales. I understand that the Strategic Rail Authority has written to stakeholders, including hon. Members representing north Wales constituencies, to consult them about future service levels, particularly beyond 2008, when the physical infrastructure works on the West Coast Main Line will be complete. Various options for improving the frequency of services, and types of rolling stock are being considered.
Inward Investment
12. Mr. Walter: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the First Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales Government regarding inward investment into Wales. [224381]
Mr. Hain: I have regular discussions with the First Minister on a variety of subjects, including the promotion of Wales as a business location. Wales is in a strong position to take advantage of increasing global trade, and benefit rapidly from new ideas, management techniques and production methods.
Antisocial Behaviour
13. Dr. Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will meet the First Secretary to discuss strategies to combat antisocial behaviour in (a) Wales and (b) Aberavon. [224382]
Mr. Touhig: My right hon. Friend and I have regular discussions with Assembly colleagues on matters affecting Wales.
Police forces and partner organisations in Wales are increasingly using the wide range of powers, which we have put in place, to tackle antisocial behaviour.
14. Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will meet the First Secretary to discuss strategies to combat antisocial behaviour in (a) Wales and (b) Ogmore. [224383]
Mr. Touhig: My right hon. Friend and I have regular discussions with Assembly colleagues on matters affecting Wales.
Police forces and partner organisations in Wales are increasingly using the wide range of powers, which we have put in place, to tackle antisocial behaviour.
Coal Health Claims Monitoring Group
Mr. Win Griffiths:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales pursuant to the oral answer of 2 March 2005, Official Report, column 1150, on Coal Health Claims Monitoring
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Group, if he will break down the payments made to ex-miners by (a) respiratory disease and (b) vibration white finger compensation schemes. [224202]
Mr. Touhig: Figures available at the time of my oral reply showed that a total of over £344 million had been paid out in Wales for respiratory claims and over £122 million for vibration white finger (VWF). This brought the total paid out in Wales since the start to over £467 million.
Since my reply, these figures have increased, with over £347 million paid out for respiratory disease and over £123 million for VWF.
This is an increase of £3 million, bringing us to a combined total of over £470 million paid out in Wales for both schemes so far.
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