Previous Section Index Home Page

21 Oct 2005 : Column 1299W—continued

Fires

Mr. Burstow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many fatalities were attributed to fires in each year since 1997. [20664]

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

Letter from Karen Dunnell to Mr. Paul Burstow, dated 21 October 2005:


Number of deaths due to exposure to smoke, fire or flames(22) persons, England and Wales, 1997 to 2003(23)

Number of deaths
1997539
1998470
1999421
2000453
2001442
2002432
2003449


(22) Cause of death was defined using the codes below from the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9)for the years 1997 and 2000, and Tenth Revision (ICD-10)from 2001 onwards. ICD-9—E890-E899, E958.1, E968.0, E988.1 ICD-10-XOO-X09, X76, X97, Y26. Includes deaths given a verdict of accident, assault, suicide or undetermined intent.
(23) Figures are for deaths occurring in each calendar year.



 
21 Oct 2005 : Column 1300W
 

Futurebuilders

Tim Loughton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how much has been paid out through Futurebuilders to date; [18835]

(2) which organisations have received funding from Futurebuilders; [18836]

(3) what proportion of Futurebuilders funding to date has been allocated to hospices. [18837]

Paul Goggins: I have been asked to reply.

The total sum disbursed to date is £4.25million. The following list details the organisations who have had Futurebuilders investments agreed. To date no hospices have received funding from Futurebuilders.

List of organisations that have successfully secured Futurebuilders investments: as of October 2005

Full investments

Development grants


 
21 Oct 2005 : Column 1301W
 

Gift Aid

Mr. Drew: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what the reasons are for the introduction of new arrangements for the operation of Gift Aid on admissions; [20600]

(2) if he will publish the research that provided the basis for the change in existing Gift Aid arrangements; and what abuses were exposed; [20601]

(3) what consultation his Department undertook with smaller charities before it entered into the changes proposed in detailed guidance for the new Gift Aid Rule, with specific reference to the impact on Friends organisations. [20602]

Mr. Ivan Lewis: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answers the former Economic Secretary (John Healey) gave to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, West (John Barrett) on 30 March 2004, Official Report, column 1352W, 23 April 2004, Official Report, column 686W, 8 June 2004, Official Report, column 371W, and 14 September 2004, Official Report, column 1507W.

The Inland Revenue held three periods of consultation on the changes. As part of this consultation the Inland Revenue wrote to 84 charitable organisations, both large and small, and 34 other interested organisations, including representative bodies, who had expressed an interest. It also held a number of meetings around the country to discuss the
 
21 Oct 2005 : Column 1302W
 
changes face-to-face. These meetings covered all organisations across the charitable sector likely to be affected by the changes.

The new rules come into effect on 6 April 2006 and detailed guidance has been drawn up in consultation with the sector and is available on the HM Revenue and Customs website at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/charities/chapter3-insert.htm.

HM Revenue and Customs is subject to a strict duty of confidentiality in relation to information it obtains in performance of its duties. This prevents the publication of abuses uncovered.

Grandparents

Mrs. Dorries: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to help support grandparents who act as foster parents, guardians or holders of a residence order for their grandchildren; and if he will make a statement. [19743]

Mr. Ivan Lewis: Child tax credit and child benefit can both be paid to grandparents where they are responsible for their grandchildren.

Gun Smuggling

David Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to tackle the smuggling of guns and gun components. [19492]

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Gentlemen to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Romford (Andrew Rosindell) on 4 July 2005, Official Report, column 87W.


Next Section Index Home Page