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2 Nov 2005 : Column 1056W—continued

Vehicle Excise Duty

Chris Huhne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many car owners paid (a) the full rate of vehicle excise duty and (b) the reduced rate for low carbon emission vehicles in each of the last 10 years. [23338]

John Healey: Before 1999 all cars paid a single flat rate of Vehicle Excise Duty. In 1999, the Government introduced a new VED scheme based on two classes of engine capacity. In 2001, the Government introduced a graduated carbon emission based VED scheme—applicable only to cars registered after that date—to reflect environmental impacts.
Total number of vehicles in the Private and Light Goodsvehicle class

	Number
2000	27,028,100
2001	26,240,404
2002	25,781,936
2003	25,126,172
2004	24,405,548

 
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Reduced rate VED⁽⁹⁾ (applicable to cars registered before 1 March 2001)

Number of vehicles paying the standard rate	Number of vehicles paying a reduced rate
10,848,852	6,733,635
11,711,478	7,482,636
12,744,272	8,399,582
19,242,552	3,816,177
20,559,122	3,846,426
22,212,057	1,762,879

⁽⁹⁾ The reduced rate was introduced in 1999 for cars with an engine capacity of 1100cc or less. This was extended to cars up to 1200cc in 2003 and further extended to cars below 1550 cc in 2002.



 
2 Nov 2005 : Column 1058W
 

Graduated VED (applicable to cars registered on or after 1 March 2001)

	Graduated VED CO2 based band
	Band A(10)	Band B(11)	Band C(12)	Band D(13)	Band E(14)	Band F(15)
2004	374	205,185	2,625,255	2,188,537	1,753,238	2,673,024
2003	358	129,117	1,873,400	1,645,896	1,328,499	2,069,020
2002	—	59,883	1,147,618	1,129,638	889,936	1,411,007
2001	—	—	492,133	483,888	441,597	649,825

⁽¹⁰⁾ Introduced in 2003 for cars registered since March 2001 with co ₂ emissions up to 100 g/km.
⁽¹¹⁾ Introduced in 2002 for cars registered since March 2001 with co ₂ emissions up to 120 g/km. From 2003 this band covered cars with co ₂ emissions between 101 and 120 g/km.
⁽¹²⁾ Introduced in 2001 for cars registered since March 2001 with co ₂ emissions up to 150 g/km. From 2002 this band covered cars with co ₂ emissions between 121 and 150 g/km.
⁽¹³⁾ Introduced in 2001 for cars registered since March 2001 with co ₂ emissions between 151 and 165 g/km.
⁽¹⁴⁾ Introduced in 2001 for cars registered since March 2001 with co ₂ emissions between 166 and 185 g/km.
⁽¹⁵⁾ Introduced in 2001 for cars registered since March 2001 with co ₂ emissions over 185 g/km.

Chris Huhne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact on the pattern of purchasing of new motor cars of the introduction of graduated vehicle excise duty in 2001; and whether a higher proportion of low emission cars has been sold. [23661]

John Healey: Since the introduction of the reformed VED system, graduated according to CO ₂ emissions, the percentage of new cars sold in VED band B has risen from 0.1 per cent. in 2000 to 3.2 per cent. in 2004. The percentage of cars in new car sales in VED band C has increased from just under 20 per cent. to just over 30 per cent. during the same period.

Alongside the EU-wide voluntary agreements on average new car fuel efficiency, and the new CO ₂ -based company car tax regime introduced in 2002, the introduction in 2001 of the graduated Vehicle Excise Duty scheme has had a part to play in the average fuel efficiency of new cars sold in the UK improving by some 10 per cent. since 1995.

Youth Unemployment

Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the level of youth unemployment has been in Coventry, South in each of the last five years. [23240]

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. Jim Cunningham, dated 2 November 2005:

As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about youth unemployment. (23240)

Table 1, attached, shows the total numbers of unemployed young people aged 16 to 24 who were resident in the Coventry, South parliamentary constituency. The table covers the 12 month periods ending in February each year from 1997 to 2004 and the 12 month period ending in March 2005. These estimates, as with any from sample surveys, are subject to sampling variability.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) also compiles statistics for local areas of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA). Table 2, attached, shows the annual average number of JSA claimants, aged 18 to 24, resident in the Coventry, South constituency for 1997 to 2004.

The data are published on the ONS Nomis(r) website: www.nomisweb.co.uk.

Table 1: Numbers of unemployed, aged 16 to 24, resident in the Coventry, South constituency

	Thousand
12 months ending	Coventry, South
February 1998	1
February 1999	1
February 2000	1
February 2001	1
February 2002	1
February 2003	1
February 2004	1
March 2005	1

Note:
The estimates for local areas are based on very small sample sizes and are subject to a very high degree of sampling variability. Changes from year-to-year, especially, should be treated with caution.
Source:
Annual local area Labour Force Survey; Annual Population Survey





Table 2: JSA claimants, aged 18 to 24, resident in the Coventry, South constituency

Annual averages	Coventry, South
1997	770
1998	670
1999	545
2000	470
2001	470
2002	470
2003	540
2004	475

Note:
Computerised claims only. Data rounded to nearest five for disclosure control.
Source:
Jobcentre Plus Administrative system





 
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PRIME MINISTER

Heads of State Meeting (Hampton Court)

Mr. Brady: To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Informal Meeting of Heads of State at Hampton Court Palace on 27 October. [18681]

Peter Law: To ask the Prime Minister what proposals he put to the informal EU Leadership Summit in Hampton Court on (a) securing European energy security, (b) enhancing innovation in science and technology in the European Union and (c) mitigation of climate change impacts. [23550]

The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Members to the written ministerial statement that I made to the House on 31 October 2005, Official Report, columns 29–32WS.

President of China (State Visit)

Mr. Hollobone: To ask the Prime Minister if he will use the forthcoming State Visit of China's President (a) to encourage the President to meet the Dalai Lama and (b) to express the UK's concern over the Chinese occupation of Tibet. [24192]

Mr. Hancock: To ask the Prime Minister (1) if he will raise the issue of human rights in Tibet during the forthcoming visit of the President of China; [24202]

(2) if he will offer to facilitate a meeting between the Dalai Lama and the President of China. [24203]

The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Members to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Carmichael) on 31 October 2005, Official Report, column 674W.

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

Carbon Management Programme

Norman Lamb: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission whether the Parliamentary Estate will sign up to the Carbon Trust's Carbon Management programme. [23725]

Nick Harvey: The Parliamentary Estate has been participating in the Carbon Trust's Carbon Management Energy Efficiency programme since 2004. The Parliamentary Estate have considered participating in the Carbon Trust's Carbon Management five-step process and intends to sign up to it in 2006.

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