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26 May 2005 : Column 194W—continued

Office for National Statistics

20. Mr. Heathcoat-Amory: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will review the status of the Office for National Statistics as a Government agency. [1011]

John Healey: The Government established the current Framework for National Statistics, which became operational in 2000. The Government's overriding aim in introducing the Framework has been to assure the quality of official statistics, and ensure freedom from political interference in their compilation and presentation. The Government committed to review the operation of the Framework after five years.

Direct Taxation

21. Mr. Djanogly: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effect of the level of direct taxation on the state of the economy. [1012]

Mr. Ivan Lewis: Since 1997 the Government have consistently delivered macro-economic stability with strong growth and low inflation, thus establishing a track record that has been internationally acknowledged. The Government's approach to taxation balances the need to finance better quality public services, promote sustainable development and economic activity and ensure a fair tax environment.

International Finance Facility for Immunisation

22. Chris McCafferty: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with EU and other governments on the International Finance Facility for Immunisation. [1013]

Mr. Ivan Lewis: The IFF for Immunisation (IFFIm) is a pilot for the UK's proposal for an IFF to raise an additional $50 billion a year in development aid to help
 
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developing countries achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The IFFIm will demonstrate the technical feasibility of the larger IFF and the significant benefits of frontloading aid, disbursing $4 billion to save an additional 5 million children's lives in the years to 2015.

The UK, France and Sweden have committed to participate in the IFFIm and Germany and Italy support the proposal. We will continue to engage with other countries within the G8, EU and UN in order to finalise and launch the IFFIm.

Full Employment

Angela Eagle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures he is making to achieve full employment in every region. [1006]

Mr. Ivan Lewis: The Government's measures to achieve full employment in every region are built on a platform of macro-economic stability, and include new deal, investment in skills and training, and policies to make work pay. These policies have seen over 2 million more people in work since 1997, a record employment level.

Alcoholic Beverages (Fruit Content)

Mr. Heath: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the minimum fruit content is, expressed in
 
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percentage by volume, required for an alcoholic beverage to be treated as a cider or perry for the purposes of duty. [1158]

Dawn Primarolo: For the purposes of excise duty, cider and perry are defined as being of a strength exceeding 1.2 per cent. but less than 8.5 per cent. alcohol by volume, and obtained from the fermentation of apple or pear juice. HMRC also allow the addition of certain approved ingredients to impart colour or flavouring to the cider or perry.

Autism

Mr. Laurence Robertson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the percentage of people suffering from autism who are in employment; and if he will make a statement. [676]

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

Letter from Colin Mowl to Mr. Laurence Robertson, dated 26 May 2005:


Persons of working age(3) in employment with long-term health problems affecting the work they do: United Kingdom
Three months ending February 2005
Not seasonally adjusted
MillionPercentage(4)
Total of working age36.4100.0
Condition quoted by LFS respondents:
All conditions15.6
Problems or disabilities (including arthritis or rheumatism) connected with arms or hands0.8
Problems or disabilities (including arthritis or rheumatism) connected with legs or feet1.5
Problems or disabilities (including arthritis or rheumatism) connected with back or neck2.2
Difficulty in seeing (while wearing spectacles or contact lenses)0.2
Difficulty in hearing0.4
A speech impediment0.0
Severe disfigurement, skin conditions, allergies0.5
Chest or breathing problems, asthma, bronchitis2.8
Heart, blood pressure blood circulation problems2.5
Stomach, liver, kidney or digestive problems1.0
Diabetes1.1
Depression, bad nerves or anxiety0.4
Epilepsy0.3
Severe or specific learning difficulties (mental handicap)0.2
Mental illness or suffer from phobia, panics or other nervous disorders0.1
Progressive illness not included elsewhere (e.g. cancer, multiple sclerosis, symptomatic HIV, Parkinson's disease, muscular dystrophy)0.4
Other health problems or disabilities1.4


(3) Men aged 16–64 and women aged 16–59.
(4) Persons in employment with long-term health problems (12 months or more) as a percentage of total population of working age.
Source:
ONS—Labour Force Survey



Correspondence

Mr. Salmond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will reply to the letter dated 9 March from the hon. Member for Banff and Buchan regarding Form VAT 1—Application for Registration. [1186]

Dawn Primarolo: I did so on 16 May.

Mr. Salmond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will reply to the letter, from the hon. Member for Banff and Buchan (a) dated 29 March regarding Inland Revenue penalties and (b) dated 5 April regarding small business tax burden. [1187]


 
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Dawn Primarolo: I have done so.

Drug Sniffer Dogs

Mr. Evans: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many drug sniffer dogs are being (a) used at ports of entry into the UK and (b) trained. [1137]

Dawn Primarolo: As at 1 May 2005, there were 24 drug dogs in operation in HM Revenue and Customs at major ports of entry into the UK. All operational dogs are fully trained however at this present time there are no drugs dogs undergoing training.

Drug-related Deaths

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many drug-related deaths there have been in (a) Wales and (b) England in each year since 2001. [1077]

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

Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Bill Wiggin, dated 26 May 2005:


Deaths related to drug poisoning,(5) for (a) Wales(6) and (b) England,(6) 2001–03(7)

Calendar year(a) Wales(b) England
20011752,699
20021522,507
20031472,288


(5) Defined using the following codes from the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10): F11-F16, F18-F19, X40-X44, X60-X64, Y10-Y14, X85.
(6) Usual residence of the deceased.
(7) Data are for deaths occurring in each calendar year.
Source:
Office for National Statistics.





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