| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
17 Oct 2005 : Column 729W—continued
Tax Credits
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people are in receipt of child tax credit. [17166]
Dawn Primarolo: Estimates of the number of in-work families with tax credits for 2003–04 awards, based on final family circumstances and incomes for 2003–04, appear in the HMRC statistical publication Child and Working Tax Credit Statistics: 2003–04". More recent provisional estimates for in-work families, as at selected dates in 2004–05 appear in the publication Child and Working Tax Credit Statistics: Provisional Awards at Snapshot Dates". The estimates are based on samples and are subject to significant sampling uncertainty. These publications can be found on the HMRC website at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/cwtc-quarterly-stats.htm.
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the cost to the Treasury of administering child tax credit was in each year since itwas established. [17168]
Dawn Primarolo: The cost of managing and paying the child and working tax credits in the financial year 2003–04 appear in note 3 to the Trust Statement in the Inland Revenue Annual Report and Accounts for 2003–04. The same costs for the financial year 2004–05 appear in note 3 to the Trust Statement in the Inland Revenue Annual Report and Accounts for 2004–05. Figures for 2005–06 will not be available until the Trust Statement for that year is released.
John Barrett: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the extent of in-year tax credit overpayment in Scotland, broken down by (a) parliamentary constituency and (b) local authority. [16880]
Dawn Primarolo: Estimates for 2003–04 of the numbers of in-work families with tax credits awards, including information on overpayments and underpayments by constituency and local authority, based on final family circumstances and incomes for 2003–04 are published in Child and Working Tax Credits. Finalised Awards. 2003–04 Geographical Analysis." This publication is available on the HMRC website at: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/cwtc-geog-stats.htm.
Information on the number of in-year adjustments to tax credit awards is not available.
Mr. Burns: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many tax credit claimants there have been in the parliamentary constituency of West Chelmsford since the current scheme began, broken down by those (a) underpaid, (b) overpaid and (c) paid the correct amount. [17298]
Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given to the hon. Member for Mid-Bedfordshire (Mrs. Dorries) on 10 October 2005, Official Report, column 321W.
Mr. Frank Field:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in how many cases the automatic recovery of tax credit overpayment has been suspended while a dispute between the claimant and HM Revenue and
17 Oct 2005 : Column 730W
Customs is being investigated; and when the new IT procedure that allowed this suspension came into effect. [17205]
Dawn Primarolo: As HMRC officials said to the Treasury Sub-Committee of the House on 12 October 2005, the intention is to introduce a new fully automated computer function designed to suspend recovery of disputed overpayments. This will, however, require quite significant reform to the existing IT system. Effective interim procedures that will enable the suspension of recovery in all disputed cases are taking time to develop and will be introduced as soon as possible.
INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Access to Treatment
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what intermediate goals his Department has set to judge its progress in contributing to the G8's commitment to achieving as close as possible to universal access to treatment for all those who need it by 2010; and if he will make a statement. [16564]
Mr. Thomas: In line with the commitments made both at G8 summit at Gleneagles and the Millennium Review summit, the UK acting as G8 Presidency has taken active steps to progress work with the international community, in particular the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS),
to develop and implement a package for HIV prevention, treatment and care, with the aim of as close as possible to universal access to treatment for all those who need it by 2010".
On September 2, the UK (acting as G8 president) called an informal meeting attended by members of the G8, developing countries, civil society, UNAIDS, the WHO, the World Bank, and UNICEF to address next steps. This resulted in a strong and shared commitment to joint action and to move this forward, recognising that efforts to meet these must:
develop a package which balances treatment, prevention and care—a comprehensive response is essential to achieve this ambitious goal;
situate actions to achieve Universal Access in wider efforts to eradicate poverty, including strengthening health services;
UNAIDS has been asked to develop a process and set intermediate targets to mobilise action at country level and to address any blockages at global level (for example on questions of drug pricing and procurement). They expect to establish a taskforce, building on the work of the Global Task Team on AIDS Co-ordination among Multilateral Institutions and International Donors (GTT). The taskforce is expected to comprise of high-level representatives of UN member states (donors and developing countries), multilateral institutions, research institutions, the private sector and civil society groups, including people with HIV. UNAIDS will be asked to report on steps taken and action required to meet on these commitments at the UN General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS in 2006.
17 Oct 2005 : Column 731W
European Development Fund
Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on his policy towards linking good governance with the distribution of financing available under the 9th European Development Fund. [16071]
Mr. Thomas: Commitments to good governance underpin the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP)—European Union (EU) Partnership Agreement (known as the 'Cotonou Agreement').
Resources under the 9th European Development Fund (EDF) were allocated on the basis of country needs and performance. The latter includes Government actions in institutional reform and accountability, democratic freedoms, and macro-economic and sectoral policy. The mid-term and end-of-term reviews of country strategies provide the opportunity to adjust these allocations, taking account of new needs and performance.
Respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, democratic principles, the rule of law and measures to fight corruption are essential" or fundamental" elements of the Cotonou Agreement, and are the subject of regular dialogue between the EU and partner countries. Where concerns arise, measures are identified to resolve the issue.
The Government believe the quality of institutions of governance is crucial to reducing poverty, safeguarding basic rights and ensuring the appropriate use of development funds. We fully support a regular and comprehensive dialogue on these issues.
Hurricane Katrina
Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance his Department has given the United States following Hurricane Katrina; and if he will make a statement. [16897]
Mr. Thomas: The Department for International Development (DFID) responded by sending 2,900 blankets, specifically requested by the US Government, which were transported free of charge by an aircraft donated by Airbus International that also carried French supplies.
The value of this support is about £10,000. DFID also seconded an expert to help coordinate donations by other EU countries. Separately, the Ministry of Defence delivered around 482,000 ration packs.
St. Helena
Mr. Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will list consultancy companies which the Department has used in drawing up tourism strategies for the Island ofSt. Helena. [17020]
Hilary Benn: DFID has used the consultancy company listed as follows in drawing up tourism strategies for the Island of St. Helena:
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |