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13 Jun 2005 : Column 51W—continued
Income Statistics (London)
Sarah Teather: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average annual income was perperson in each London borough in each year since 1997. [2493]
John Healey: Information on average annual income in each London borough for the years 1999–2000 to 2002–03 can be found in Total income by borough and district or unitary authority (Table 3.14)" at: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/income_distribution/menu-by-year.htm#314
Similar information for 1997–98 and 1998–99 is not available.
International Finance Facility
Mr. Drew: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with the incoming President of the World Bank on the international finance facility. [3062]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: The IFF now has the support of almost 80 countries, including all the European members of the G7. The IFF has been discussed widely with the World Bank, including at the recent G8 Finance Ministers' Summit. The World Bank and IMF have noted that the IFF is technically feasible and the most advanced proposal to frontload aid and the 2005 World Bank Development Committee Communique" noted that:
... the analysis of technical feasibility of the IFF has created the conditions for the necessary political decisions on participation. We encourage interested donors to proceed with these proposals."
Late Tax Payment
Mr. Redwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the Government's policy is on (a) refunds, (b) compensation and (c) cancellation of interest payments for late payment of tax when the tax authorities find they have been in error in the amount levied. [3746]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: The policy concerning financial redress in cases of error or delay by the former Inland Revenue is set out in their published Code of Practice 1 (COP1). The policy of the former HM Customs and Excise can be found in Notice 1000. Both leaflets can be viewed on the HM Revenue and Customs website. They will be replaced shortly with a new leaflet setting out the policy for the whole of HM Revenue and Customs.
Personal Wealth
Mr. Sanders: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the level of personal wealth per head of population in each (a) region and (b) nation of the United Kingdom. [2837]
John Healey:
The information requested falls with the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
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Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Adrian Sanders, dated 13 June 2005:
As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the current level of personal wealth per head of population in the regions and countries of the United Kingdom. (2837)
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compile total net worth for the household sector only for the United Kingdom as a whole and not for individual regions or countries. The latest estimates are for 2003, published as part of the 2004 edition of the UK National Accounts—The Blue Book. Estimates for 2004 will be published on 22 July 2005.
| United Kingdom household sector net worth 2003 | |
|---|---|
| Total household net worth (£ billion) | 5,477.8 |
| Household net worth per head of population (£) | 91,480 |
The total net worth is the sum of total non-financial assets and financial assets at the end of the reference period.
The household sector covers households, sole trader enterprises and non-profit institutions serving households (NPISHs), such as charities.
ONS do compile estimates of regional household income, the key series being gross disposable household income (GDHI). That is the amount of money that households have available for consumption expenditure or saving. The latest estimates are for 2003 and are consistent with the 2004 edition of the UK National Accounts. These are shown in table B.
(16)Excludes GDHI from the extra regio" category which covers the contribution to GDHI from UK embassy staff and forces personnel stationed overseas
Premium Bonds
Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on how many occasions since 1995 the odds have been lengthened for winning on a premium bond holding; and if he will make a statement. [3172]
Mr. Ivan Lewis:
The odds on winning a prize on a premium bond holding have lengthened on 18 occasions since 1995, primarily as a result of a fall in interest rates during that period, which affects the overall size of the prize rate fund. The odds have also shortened six times since 1995.
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CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT
Licensing Act
10. Mr. Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the likelihood of all licensed premises having applied for a new licence by 6 August. [3000]
James Purnell: There can be no guarantee that every business which needs to apply for grandfather rights under the Licensing Act 2003 will do so by 6 August. But I am monitoring the position closely with local authorities and the hospitality industry, and my Department is doing all that it reasonably can to ensure that all relevant businesses are aware of the deadline. I am confident that this will result in a high proportion of applications being made on time.
11. Mr. Rob Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent representations she has received from amateur sports and community clubs regarding the Licensing Act 2003. [3001]
James Purnell: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received many representations on this subject. The Government have actively supported Community Amateur Sports Clubs through Lottery funding and tax benefits over recent years, and is taking full account of their concerns in implementing the Act. My officials are working closely with sport's representative bodies, and last met the Central Council for Physical Recreation on 5 April 2005.
20. Mr. Heath: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the application of the Licensing Act 2003 to carnivals. [3010]
James Purnell: The Act affects street carnivals only to the extent that any licensable activities, such as the provision of regulated entertainment or sale of alcohol, takes place. Where no licensable activities, as defined in the Act, are involved no licence is required. Given that carnivals are not mentioned within the Act, and the varied nature of each individual carnival, it is not possible to give a definitive, single answer as to whether carnivals are licensable or not. The Licensing Act devolves determination of these matters to the licensing authorities.
Mr. Dunne: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent representations she has received from the Local Government Association regarding the implementation of the Licensing Act 2003. [2788]
James Purnell:
Representations have regularly been made by the Local Government Association at meetings of an advisory group, held by my officials, of which the Association is a member. The Advisory Group most recently met on 16 February, 15 March, 19 April and 16 May. I also chair a High Level Group to ensure the smooth running of the implementation of the 2003 Act on which the Association is also represented. That group met on 22 March, 4 May and 23 May 2005. My Department continues to work closely with the Association, and other local authority representatives, on the implementation of the 2003 Act.
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Mr. Dunne: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many applications have been made in (a) South Shropshire and (b) Bridgnorth district council areas for the new licences introduced by the Licensing Act 2003; what estimate she has made of the number of applications in each council area which remain to be made; and if she will make a statement. [2795]
James Purnell: Information on the number of applications for converting existing licences into premises licences and club premises certificates received to date by licensing authorities under the Licensing Act 2003 is not kept by my Department. Licensing authorities, which are in the main local authorities, are responsible for administering and enforcing the new regime, which will come into effect in November. Information on local licence application levels should be available from the respective district or borough council.
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