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17 Nov 2005 : Column 1524W—continued
Network Rail
Mike Penning: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he had with his Cabinet colleagues on the classification of Network Rail's liabilities; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Des Browne: Treasury ministers meet regularly with Ministerial colleagues from other departments to discuss a range of issues. It has been the practice of successive governments not to disclose the details of such meetings. To do so could harm the frankness and candour of internal discussion. All such meetings are conducted in accordance with the Ministerial Code.
The ONS classified Network Rail as a Private Non-financial Corporation from 1 April 2003. ONS reached its decision on using internationally recognised standards for producing economic accounts. The ONS acts as an independent agency in compiling the public sector finances.
Public Service Pensions
Mr. Willetts: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the percentage of gross domestic product which would be accounted for by public service pensions before the proposed reforms to the scheme in (a) 2003–04, (b) 2013–14, (c) 2023–24, (d) 2033–34, (e) 2043–44 and (f) 2053–54. [27045]
John Healey: Figures for spending on public service pensions are being reconsidered in the light of updated assumptions and revised figures should be available at the time of the forthcoming pre-Budget report.
Solar Photovoltaics Programme
Dr. Iddon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what economic assessment he has made of the 2003 Energy White Paper's commitment to a 2002 to 2012 solar photovoltaics programme; and if he will make a statement. [29334]
Malcolm Wicks: I have been asked to reply.
The Department has supported Photo voltaics since 2002 through the £31 million major photovoltaics demonstration programme. We plan to continue support for photovoltaics and other building scale renewables through a low carbon buildings programme, which is currently under development. The new programme will have a budget of £30 million over three years and will start in April 2006 subject to EU state aids clearance.
Torbay/Plymouth Unitary Authorities
Mr. Sanders: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the letter of 14 November from the National Statistician to the hon. Member for Torbay, what the figures are for the unitary authorities of (a) Torbay and (b) Plymouth. [29586]
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. Adrian Sanders, dated 17 November 2005:
As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question, pursuant to my letter of 14th November,
- regarding what the figures are for the unitary authorities of (a) Torbay and (b) Plymouth. (29586)
The table below shows the number of people in Torbay and in Plymouth unitary authorities on Census day (29 April 2001) who were providing unpaid care, and of those how many were providing more than 50 hours of unpaid care per week. The data have been taken from table KS08 in Census 2001 Key Statistics for local authorities in England and Wales which is available in the House of Commons Library.
Source:
Table KS08 Census 2001 Key Statistics for local authorities in England and Wales.