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18 Jan 2006 : Column 1351W—continued
Employment Rates
Danny Alexander: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the percentage employment rate was for the working age population in (a) the 12 months to June 1997 or closest equivalent period and (b) the last 12 month period for which figures are available in each parliamentary constituency, listed in descending order according to the difference between the two rates. [41026]
John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 18 January 2006:
As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about employment rates by parliamentary constituency. (41026)
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles employment statistics for local areas from the annual local area Labour Force Survey and the Annual Population Survey following International Labour Organisation definitions. Table 1, attached, shows employment rates for persons of working age, resident in each parliamentary constituency in Great Britain, including the former
- Scottish constituencies superseded in May 2005, for the 12 months ending February 1997 and for the 12 months ending December 2004, listed in descending order of the difference between the two rates.
Estimates for the new Scottish constituencies introduced in May 2005 are not available for the 12 month period ending February 1997. Table two, attached, shows the employment rate for persons of working age, resident in these constituencies, for the 12 months ending December 2004.
These estimates, as with any from sample surveys, are subject to sampling variability. Changes in the estimates from year to year should be treated with particular caution.
Since the information is so extensive, copies of these tables have been placed in the House of Commons Library.
G7 Presidency
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made during the UK's presidency of the G7 on (a) the international finance facility, (b) proposals for debt relief, (c) access to medicine for women in developing countries and (d) increasing development aid; and if he will make a statement. [35651]
John Healey: Substantial progress was made in 2005 under the UK presidencies of the EU and the G7/8. The international community has committed to raise an additional $50 billion of aid by 2010, to cancel 100 per cent. of the multilateral debts of the world's poorest countries, and to launch the 'International Finance Facility for Immunisation'.
G8 leaders have also agreed to achieve, as close as possible, universal access to AIDS treatment for all those who need it by 2010, and work on advance purchase commitments for vaccines for malaria, HIV/AIDS and other diseases of poverty.
Government Expenditure
Mr. Hague: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what provision was made in the Government's spending plans contained in the pre-Budget report, in advance of the meeting of the European Council on 15 and 16 December 2005 for (a) an increase in UK contributions to the EU budget owing to changes to the rebate and (b) an increase in UK contributions to the EU budget due to an increase in the EU budget's share of EU gross national income; and if he will make a statement; [43157]
(2) what provision (a) has been and (b) will be made to meet the increase in UK contributions arising from (i) the reduction in the EU rebate and (ii) the increase in the EU budget's share of EU gross national income; and whether such provision (A) has been and (B) will be met from (1) a rise in tax revenue and (2) a reduction in expenditure. [43165]
John Healey: I refer the right hon. Gentleman to the reply the Chancellor of the Exchequer gave to my right hon. Friend the Member for West Dunbartonshire on 20 December 2005, Official Report, column 2796W.
Income Levels (Castle Point)
Bob Spink: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of Castle Point residents were in (a) the top 10 per cent. and (b) the bottom 10 per cent. of income earners in (i) 1991 and (ii) 2001. [42830]
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Dawn Primarolo: The information requested is not available at constituency level.
Marine Bill
Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions his Department has had with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the Marine Bill. [43180]
John Healey: The Treasury is in regular and frequent contact with other departments about legislation falling within their spheres of responsibility.
Middle East
Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the (a) Government's support for the Palestinian Authority's medium-term development plan and (b) the outcome of the conference on private sector investment in the West Bank and Gaza held in London on 13 December 2005. [42978]
John Healey:
The Quartet Special Envoy for Disengagement, Mr. James Wolfensohn, has identified several key issues for Israeli disengagement from Gaza to be judged a success. While these mostly concern improved movement and access for Palestinians, the development of a credible Palestinian medium-term development plan is one of the issues where a small amount of support could have a transformative impact. At the request of the Palestinian Authority, the Department for International Development, together with the World Bank, is providing technical assistance with the preparation of such a plan. It will be important that the plan is effectively implemented and that the international community lends its full support. A key outcome from the conference held in London to promote economic growth in the West Bank and Gaza through the private sector was the Joint Declaration from Israeli and Palestinian business leaders on the steps required for promoting Palestinian economic growth and their expectations from the Palestinian Authority,
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Government of Israel and the international community. The Declaration (available in PN109/05 on the HM Treasury's website) includes an action plan to overcome obstacles to private sector led investment and growth with the establishment of a Private Sector Working Group. The first meeting of the Private Sector Working Group is expected to take place this month, at which the parties will agree their forward work plan. The Government will work with the World Bank to support the Group.
Plastic Bags
Mr. Vaizey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had about introducing a tax on plastic bags. [43314]
John Healey: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Wimbledon on 7 November 2005, Official Report, column 93W.
Population Statistics
Mrs. Spelman: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate the (a) Government and (b) Office for National Statistics has made of the proportion of the population aged 45 years or older in (i) England, (ii) the United Kingdom, (iii) outer London, (iv) inner London and (v) each Government Office Region in (A) 1997 and (B) the most recent year for which figures are available. [42844]
John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 18 January 2006:
As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your question concerning the estimated proportion of the population aged 45 years or older in (a) England, (b) the United Kingdom, (c) outer London, (d) inner London and (e) each Government Office Region, in 1997 and for the most recent year for which figures are available. (42844)
The table below shows the total population, the population of those aged 45 years or older and the percentage of those aged 45 years or older for the above mentioned areas in 1997 and 2004.
Note:
Figures may not add exactly due to rounding.
Source:
Office for National Statistics
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Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the predicted net change in (a) population and (b) number of households, in (i) Merseyside, (ii) Newcastle-upon-Tyne, (iii) Stoke on Trent, (iv) Kingston upon Hull, (v) the North East government office region and (vi) the North West government office region, over the next 20 years. [42889]
John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 18 January 2005:
As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your question concerning the projected change in population and household numbers over the next 20 years. (42889)
The Office for National Statistics produces official subnational population projections for England. The most recent set of population projections are 2003-based and use local trends in births, deaths and migration over the reference period 1999 to 2003 to formulate assumptions on levels of fertility, mortality and migration for future years.
The attached table shows the projected population of the areas of Merseyside, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Stoke on Trent, Kingston upon Hull, the North East government office region and the North West government office region from the 2003-based subnational population projections.
Household projections are the responsibility of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. Interim 2002 based household projections for the Government Regions are published on the ODPM web site at: http://www.odpm.gov.uk/pub/104/Table405Excel30KbJdll56104.xls.
Source:
Office for National Statistics
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