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12 Jul 2005 : Column 890W—continued

Inland Revenue

Mr. Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff have been employed in the Inland Revenue Contact Centre Network in each quarter from Q2 2001 to Q2 2005; and if he will make a statement. [9295]

Dawn Primarolo: The following table shows the staff numbers in full time equivalents (FTE) in all of the Inland Revenue Contact Centre network by quarter from Q2 2001 to May 2005.
Inland Revenue contact centre network

Quarter	Staff Numbers (FTE) rounded
2001
Q2	1,600
Q3	1,700
Q4	1,900
2002
Q1	2,300
Q2	2,700
Q3	3,500
Q4	3,700
2003
Q1	4,300
Q2	5,200
Q3	5,200
Q4	5,500
2004
Q1	6,100
Q2	7,200
Q3	7,600
Q4	7,600
2005
Q1	8,300
Q2(11)	8,300

⁽¹¹⁾ Two months only.

The increased number of staff from 2001 Q2 to 2005 Q2 is a result of increased levels of business, including tax credits, transfers of calls from other parts of the business (regions) and the setting up of more helplines.
 
12 Jul 2005 : Column 891W
 

Oil Prices

Chris Huhne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will estimate the impact on (a) the harmonised index of consumer prices and (b) the rate of increase of the harmonised index of consumer prices of a sustained $10 rise in the world price of a barrel of crude oil after (i) one year and (ii) two years; [11030]

(2) if he will estimate the direct revenue effect of a sustained $10 rise in the world price of a barrel of crude oil on the revenue accruing to the Exchequer in the (a) first and (b) second financial years following the rise. [11035]

John Healey: The impact of higher oil prices on the public finances is discussed in Box 2.5 in the 2004 pre-Budget report.

The Government will publish an update of the effect of oil prices on the UK's public finances and updated forecasts for the UK and world economies in pre-Budget report 2005 as usual, taking into account all relevant factors and developments, including oil prices.

Chris Huhne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average (a) dollar and (b) sterling price for a barrel of crude oil extracted in the United Kingdom was in each of the last 10 years; and how much revenue accrued to the Exchequer from oil production in each year. [11034]

John Healey: The following table gives DTI estimates for each of the last 10 years of the average sterling price received by UK Continental Shelf producers for a barrel of crude. These have been converted into US dollar prices using the average annual exchange rate for each year. All prices are nominal.

	Estimated price of crude oil extracted in the UK (£ per barrel)	Estimated price price of crude oil in extracted in the UK ($ per barrel)
1995	10.6	16.7
1996	12.7	19.8
1997	11.2	18.4
1998	7.9	13.0
1999	10.4	16.9
2000	18.1	27.3
2001	16.5	23.7
2002	16.6	24.9
2003	17.9	29.1
2004	20.1	36.7

Information on United Kingdom tax revenues from North Sea oil and gas production can be found at:

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/corporate_tax/table11–11.pdf"

Petrol Prices

Mr. Amess: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what research he is (a) conducting and (b) planning to conduct into the effects of higher fuel prices on domestic food prices; [10887]
 
12 Jul 2005 : Column 892W
 

(2) what research he is (a) conducting and (b) planning to conduct into the effects of higher fuel prices on air travel. [10888]

John Healey: The Chancellor considers relevant social, economic and environmental factors in making taxation policy.

All taxation policy is kept under review and any changes are announced by the Chancellor in the context of his Budget statement.

PFI Projects

Mr. Hayes: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the total value is of off-balance sheet private finance initiative contracts. [8975]

John Healey: The Treasury publication PFI: Meeting the Investment Challenge" showed that £15.3 billion of PFI projects by capital value are accounted for off-balance sheet. Data on projects to have reached financial close since this publication can be established from departmental accounts (available on Department's websites) and the HM Treasury PFI Signed Projects List" (available online at www.hm-treasury.gov.uk). The balance sheet treatment of PFI projects is determined by an independent auditor following United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice, including Financial Reporting Standards issued by the independent Accounting Standards Board (ASB).

Population Statistics

Mr. Paterson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the population of (a) Oswestry borough and (b) North Shropshire district has been in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [10929]

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. Owen Paterson, dated 12 July 2005:

The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your question concerning the population of (a) Oswestry Borough and (b) North Shropshire District in each of the last five years for which figures are available. I am replying in his absence. (10929)

The most recent population estimates published are for mid-2003. (Estimates for mid-2004 will be published on 25 August 2005.) Therefore, the table below provides population estimates for Oswestry Borough and North Shropshire District for mid-1999 to mid-2003.

Mid-year population estimates: 1999 to 2003

Thousand
	North Shropshire district	Oswestry borough
1999	55.9	36.1
2000	56.5	36.8
2001	57.2	37.3
2002	58.2	37.7
2003	58.4	38.2

Note:
Population estimates are shown in thousands and rounded to the nearest 100 people. Source:
Office for National Statistics





 
12 Jul 2005 : Column 893W
 

Mr. Paterson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the age structure of the population of (a) Oswestry borough and (b) North Shropshire district has been in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [10930]

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

Letter from Colin Mowl to Mr. Owen Paterson, dated 12 July 2005:
 
12 Jul 2005 : Column 894W
 

The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your question concerning the age structure of the population of (a) Oswestry borough and (b) North Shropshire district in each of the last five years for which figures are available. I am replying in his absence. (10930)

The most recent population estimates published are for mid-2003. (Estimates for mid-2004 will be published on 25 August 2005.) Therefore, the attached Table 1 provides data for Oswestry borough and Table 2 for North Shropshire district for mid-1999 to mid-2003. I have provided population estimates by sex and quinary age band for both of these areas.

Tables showing these data and data for an alternative age grouping (0–15, 16–59/64, and 60/65+) can be found on the National Statistics website under Current Releases" at www.statistics.gov.uk/popest.

Table 1: Mid-year population estimates for Oswestry borough Thousand

	Mid-1999			Mid-2000			Mid-2001
Age bands	Males	Females	Total	Males	Females	Total	Males	Females	Total
All ages	17.3	18.8	36.1	17.7	19.0	36.8	18.1	19.3	37.3
0	0.2	0.2	0.4	0.2	0.2	0.4	0.2	0.2	0.4
1–4	0.9	0.8	1.7	0.8	0.8	1.6	0.8	0.8	1.6
5–9	1.1	1.1	2.3	1.2	1.1	2.3	1.2	1.1	2.3
10–14	1.2	1.2	2.4	1.4	1.3	2.6	1.3	1.3	2.6
15–19	1.1	1.2	2.2	1.1	1.2	2.3	1.2	1.2	2.4
20–24	0.7	0.8	1.5	0.8	0.8	1.6	0.8	0.8	1.7
25–29	1.2	1.2	2.4	1.1	1.1	2.2	1.1	1.1	2.1
30–34	1.4	1.4	2.7	1.4	1.4	2.7	1.3	1.4	2.7
35–39	1.3	1.3	2.7	1.4	1.4	2.8	1.4	1.4	2.8
40–44	1.2	1.2	2.4	1.2	1.2	2.4	1.3	1.2	2.5
45–49	1.2	1.2	2.4	1.2	1.2	2.4	1.2	1.2	2.4
50–54	1.3	1.3	2.6	1.3	1.3	2.7	1.3	1.3	2.7
55–59	1.0	1.1	2.2	1.1	1.2	2.3	1.1	1.2	2.4
60–64	0.9	1.0	1.9	0.9	1.0	2.0	0.9	1.1	2.0
65–69	0.8	0.9	1.8	0.8	0.9	1.8	0.9	0.9	1.8
70–74	0.8	0.9	1.6	0.8	0.9	1.6	0.8	0.9	1.6
75–79	0.6	0.9	1.5	0.6	0.9	1.5	0.6	0.9	1.4
80–84	0.3	0.6	0.9	0.3	0.6	0.9	0.4	0.6	1.0
85+	0.2	0.6	0.7	0.2	0.6	0.8	0.2	0.6	0.8

Thousand

	Mid-2002			Mid-2003
	Males	Females	Total	Males	Females	Total
All ages	18.3	19.5	37.7	18.5	19.7	38.2
0	0.2	0.2	0.3	0.2	0.2	0.4
1–4	0.8	0.8	1.6	0.8	0.8	1.6
5–9	1.2	1.1	2.3	1.2	1.1	2.3
10–14	1.4	1.4	2.7	1.4	1.4	2.8
15–19	1.3	1.2	2.4	1.3	1.2	2.5
20–24	0.9	0.9	1.8	0.9	0.9	1.8
25–29	1.0	1.0	1.9	0.9	0.9	1.9
30–34	1.3	1.4	2.7	1.3	1.4	2.7
35–39	1.4	1.4	2.9	1.4	1.5	2.9
40–44	1.3	1.3	2.7	1.4	1.3	2.7
45–49	1.2	1.2	2.4	1.2	1.3	2.5
50–54	1.3	1.3	2.6	1.3	1.3	2.6
55–59	1.2	1.3	2.5	1.3	1.3	2.6
60–64	1.0	1.1	2.1	1.0	1.2	2.2
65–69	0.9	1.0	1.8	0.9	1.0	1.9
70–74	0.8	0.9	1.7	0.8	0.9	1.7
75–79	0.6	0.8	1.4	0.6	0.8	1.4
80–84	0.4	0.6	1.0	0.4	0.7	1.1
85+	0.2	0.6	0.8	0.2	0.6	0.8

Notes:
1. Mid-2003 population estimates are the latest data available. Mid-2004 population estimates will be published on 25 August 2005.
2. Population estimates are shown in thousands and rounded to the nearest 100 people.
3. Figures may not add exactly due to rounding.
Source:
Office for National Statistics





 
12 Jul 2005 : Column 895W
 

Table 2: Mid-year population estimates for north Shropshire district Thousand

	Mid-1999			Mid-2000			Mid-2001
Age bands	Males	Females	Total	Males	Females	Total	Males	Females	Total
All ages	28.0	28.0	55.9	28.3	28.2	56.5	28.6	28.6	57.2
0	0.3	0.3	0.6	0.3	0.3	0.6	0.3	0.3	0.6
1–4	1.3	1.2	2.6	1.3	1.2	2.6	1.4	1.3	2.7
5–9	1.8	1.6	3.5	1.8	1.6	3.5	1.8	1.7	3.5
10–14	1.8	1.6	3.4	1.8	1.7	3.5	1.9	1.7	3.6
15–19	2.0	1.6	3.6	2.1	1.6	3.7	2.1	1.6	3.7
20–24	1.3	1.1	2.4	1.4	1.1	2.5	1.4	1.2	2.6
25–29	1.8	1.5	3.3	1.6	1.5	3.1	1.5	1.4	2.9
30–34	2.1	2.0	4.0	2.0	2.0	4.0	2.0	2.0	4.0
35–39	2.1	2.0	4.1	2.2	2.1	4.2	2.2	2.2	4.4
40–44	1.9	1.8	3.7	2.0	1.9	3.8	2.1	2.0	4.0
45–49	1.9	1.9	3.8	1.9	1.8	3.7	1.9	1.9	3.8
50–54	2.1	2.2	4.3	2.1	2.2	4.3	2.1	2.2	4.2
55–59	1.7	1.7	3.4	1.8	1.8	3.6	1.9	1.9	3.8
60–64	1.6	1.6	3.1	1.6	1.6	3.2	1.6	1.6	3.2
65–69	1.4	1.5	2.9	1.4	1.5	2.8	1.4	1.5	2.8
70–74	1.2	1.3	2.5	1.2	1.3	2.6	1.2	1.4	2.6
75–79	0.9	1.3	2.2	0.9	1.3	2.2	0.9	1.2	2.1
80–84	0.5	0.8	1.3	0.5	0.8	1.3	0.5	0.9	1.4
85+	0.3	0.9	1.2	0.3	1.0	1.3	0.3	0.9	1.3

Thousand

	Mid-2002			Mid-2003
Age bands	Males	Females	Total	Males	Females	Total
All ages	29.1	29.1	58.2	29.2	29.2	58.4
0	0.3	0.3	0.6	0.3	0.3	0.6
1–4	1.3	1.3	2.6	1.3	1.3	2.5
5–9	1.9	1.7	3.6	1.8	1.6	3.5
10–14	2.0	1.8	3.8	2.0	1.8	3.8
15–19	2.2	1.6	3.8	2.1	1.7	3.8
20–24	1.6	1.2	2.8	1.7	1.3	3.0
25–29	1.4	1.3	2.7	1.3	1.2	2.5
30–34	1.9	2.0	3.9	1.9	1.8	3.7
35–39	2.2	2.2	4.5	2.2	2.3	4.5
40–44	2.2	2.0	4.2	2.2	2.1	4.3
45–49	1.9	1.9	3.8	2.0	1.9	3.9
50–54	2.0	2.1	4.1	2.0	2.0	4.0
55–59	2.1	2.1	4.2	2.1	2.2	4.3
60–64	1.6	1.6	3.2	1.6	1.7	3.3
65–69	1.4	1.5	2.9	1.5	1.5	3.0
70–74	1.3	1.4	2.6	1.3	1.4	2.7
75–79	0.9	1.2	2.1	0.9	1.2	2.1
80–84	0.6	0.9	1.5	0.6	1.0	1.6
85+	0.3	1.0	1.3	0.3	0.9	1.2

Notes:
1. Mid-2003 population estimates are the latest data available. Mid-2004 population estimates will be published on 25 August 2005.
2. Population estimates are shown in thousands and rounded to the nearest 100 people.
3. Figures may not add exactly due to rounding
Source:
Office for National Statistics

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