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15 Jun 2005 : Column 399W—continued

Tax Investigations (Northern Ireland)

Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people in Northern Ireland have been subject to two or more tax investigations in the past five years. [3663]

Dawn Primarolo: This information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Taxation

Dr. Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of gross income was paid by (a) all households, (b) the bottom quintile group and (c) the top quintile group in (i) direct taxation, (ii) indirect taxation and (iii) all taxes in the latest year for whichfigures are available; and if he will make a statement. [4059]

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

Letter from Colin Mowl to Dr. Vincent Cable, dated 15 June 2005:

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Taxpayer Numbers

Dr. Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many (a) starting rate, (b) basic rate and (c) higher rate taxpayers there have been in each year since 1979; and if he will make a statement. [4531]

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Member to National Statistics table 2.1 on HM Revenue and Customs website:

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/income_tax/table2–1.xls

Figures prior to 1990–91 can be found in Table 1.5 of Inland Revenue Statistics 1992, a copy of which is in the Library.

Tobin Tax

Mr. Kidney: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with Finance Ministers of other Governments about the viability of a Tobin tax. [3707]

Dawn Primarolo: At the June G8 meeting, Ministers agreed on a work programme on the IFF and its pilot (the IFF for Immunisation), some of the revenue proposals from the Landau Report brought forward by France and Germany, the Millennium Challenge Account and other financing measures. We believe the International Finance Facility remains the most developed proposal for providing additional resources in the region of the required $50 billion estimated for meeting the Millennium Development Goals. The Government are prepared to consider all proposals for raising international finance for development, but there would be significant technical problems with a tax of this sort and it is not being actively considered at the present time.

Tuition Fees

Peter Law: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide the resources necessary to avoid the introduction of variable tuition fees in Wales to the Welsh Assembly Government. [4693]

Mr. Des Browne: In devolved areas of policy it is for the Welsh Assembly Government to decide their policies and priorities within their overall budget.

VAT

Keith Vaz: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make representations in the European Union for reduced VAT for contraceptives. [4731]

Dawn Primarolo: Under European VAT agreements, member states may apply a reduced VAT rate for products used for contraception.
 
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Keith Vaz: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make representations in the European Union for reduced VAT for energy efficient buildings. [4730]

Dawn Primarolo: The Government are negotiating with their EU partners to achieve a reduced rate for energy-saving materials for DIY installation. Any changes to the list of permitted reduced rates require the agreement of all member states.

To encourage investment in domestic energy efficiency, the Government have introduced a broad range of measures, including reduced rates for the installation of micro-renewable energy, energy saving materials, micro-combined heat and power and air source heat pumps.

Keith Vaz: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make representations in the European Union for reduced VAT for places of worship. [4729]

Mr. Ivan Lewis: The Government are negotiating with their EU partners to achieve a reduced rate of VAT for repairs to listed places of worship. Any changes to the list of permitted reduced rates require the agreement of all member states.

The Chancellor announced in March 2001 that a grant scheme would be put in place to refund the difference between the standard rate of VAT and a reduced rate. This was extended to cover the full amount of VAT from 1 April 2004. The scheme is due to continue until March 2008, unless a reduced rate is achieved earlier.

LEADER OF THE HOUSE

Consultation

Mr. Allen: To ask the Leader of the House what stepshe will take to increase consultation with Parliament. [3341]

Mr. Hoon: It is a function of the Leader of the House to ensure that the views of the House are communicated to Government. In addition to passing on matters raised at Business Questions, I am willing to meet with hon. Members from all parts of the House to discuss matters which concern them.

Standing Orders

Mr. Allen: To ask the Leader of the House if he will make it Government policy to support a change in the operation of Standing Order No. 13 in order to extend the ability of hon. Members to make representations to the Speaker for the earlier meeting of the House in certain circumstances. [3411]

Mr. Hoon: The Government see no need for a change in the operation of Standing Order No. 13. The Government have recalled Parliament whenever major developments have required it: six times since 1997. The Government would be resistant to any change which increased the pressure on the Speaker or politicised his role, or which led to recalls in circumstances which did not merit it.
 
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SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Security Incident Trial

Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Solicitor-General what the cost was of the trial of the individuals who broke into the House of Commons Chamber in September 2004. [2720]

The Solicitor-General: I am advised that the Prosecution costs were approximately £2,800. Costs orders were made against each of the defendants in the sum of £350 each.

Witness expenses were in the sum of £83. No claim was made to the court for witness expenses because the prosecutor had not been told of the figure at the time of sentencing.

I will write to my right hon. Friend with a more detailed breakdown on costs.

Violence (Sport)

Lady Hermon: To ask the Solicitor-General whether future guidelines issued by the Crown Prosecution Service to police forces in relation to violence carried out on the sporting field will extend to Northern Ireland. [3471]

The Solicitor-General: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is responsible for the review and, where appropriate, the prosecution of criminal offences in England and Wales.

In the past, the CPS has issued general guidance on various topics (such as prosecuting racist crime, offences against the person), which can apply to violence, disorder and antisocial behaviour both on and off the sports field. The CPS is currently considering whether further guidance should be issued which specifically relates to criminal conduct on the playing field. However, as the CPS has no jurisdiction over criminal prosecutions in Northern Ireland, any further guidance would not directly extend to them, unless it is specifically adopted by their Director of Public Prosecutions.

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