House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 27 Feb 2006 (pt 87)

27 Feb 2006 : Column 335W—continued

Gold Reserves

Mr. Hayes: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much and what proportion of UK gold reserves has been sold off since May 1997; at what rate each such sale was conducted; and on what date. [53276]

Mr. Ivan Lewis: I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to the hon. Member for Reigate (Mr. Blunt) on 3 November 2003, Official Report, column 465W, the right hon. Member for Wokingham (Mr. Redwood) on 27 October 2003, Official Report, column 38W, and the then Member for Rochford and Southend, East (Sir Teddy Taylor) on 20 May 2002, Official Report, column 87W; and to the table in the Treasury document Review of the sale of part of the UK Gold Reserves", a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.

The proceeds in dollars, and further details, can also be found on page 27 of Review of the sale of part of the UK gold reserves" published by the Treasury in October 2002 http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/media//9EFEF/Gold Reserves.PDF.

Income Tax (Beverley and Holderness)

Mr. Graham Stuart: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people in Beverley and Holderness paid (a) income tax and (b) the top rate of income tax in each of the last eight years. [52337]

Dawn Primarolo: The number of income tax payers in the constituency of Beverley and Holderness can be found in table 3.15 Total income by Parliamentary Constituency" on the HM Revenue and Customs website at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/income_distribution/menu-by-year.htm#315. The latest available year is 2003–04 and information prior to 2002–03 is available only at a disproportionate cost.

A breakdown by tax bands is not available because the sample sizes for marginal rates at constituency level are very small and demonstrate a large variability year on year.

Insurance Premium Tax

Gregory Barker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 9 February 2006, Official Report, column 1395W, on insurance premium tax, how many insurance intermediary companies are being investigated for alleged insurance premium tax fraud. [53741]

27 Feb 2006 : Column 336W

Mr. Ivan Lewis: No insurance intermediary companies are being investigated for insurance premium tax fraud.

Gregory Barker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 9 February 2006, Official Report, column 1395W, on insurance premium tax, what percentage of insurance companies issued policies at premiums below that which premiums were demanded as a result of insurance premium recharges in the last 12 months. [53742]

Mr. Ivan Lewis: Neither HM Revenue and Customs nor HM Treasury possesses this information.

Insurance Regulation

Lorely Burt: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the proposed time scale and scope is of the forthcoming review of general insurance regulation. [54334]

Mr. Ivan Lewis: The Financial Services Authority will begin a review of the effectiveness of the general insurance regime in April 2006 and expects initial findings to be available towards the end of 2006. This will focus on the insurance conduct of business requirements. The review will include seeking feedback from firms and consumer research.

Separately, the Treasury will review whether travel insurance sold as part of a package should be subject to Financial Services Authority regulation early in 2007.

Israel

Richard Ottaway: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to ensure that architects who boycott Israel's construction industry for political reasons are not employed by the Government. [52652]

Mr. Des Browne: Government Departments are responsible for their own purchasing decisions—including on the procurement of architects' services—within the framework of the Government's procurement policy, based on value for money, and the Regulations which implement the EU procurement rules based on fair and open competition.

Marketable Wealth

Dr. Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of (a) marketable wealth and (b) marketable wealth less value of dwellings was owned by the most wealthy (i) one percent., (ii) five percent., (iii) 10 percent., (iv) 25 percent. and (v) 50 percent in each year since 1979; and if he will make a statement. [51871]

John Healey: Estimates of the statistics requested on the distribution among the adult population of marketable wealth for each year since 1976 are published as National Statistics on the HMRC website:

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personal_wealth/table_13_5.xls

Equivalent figures for marketable wealth less the value of dwellings have been published in respect of certain years by the Office of National Statistics (ONS)

27 Feb 2006 : Column 337W

in their annual report Social Trends". The figures appear in chapter 5 of the reports which may be found on the ONS website at:

http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=5748

Migration

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people migrated from outside the UK to (a) Romford and (b) Havering in each of the last seven years. [53784]

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

Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 27 February 2006:

As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many people migrated from outside the UK to (a) Romford and (b) Havering in each of the last seven years. (53784)

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) produces estimates of Total International Migration. These are based mainly on data from the International Passenger Survey (IPS), which is supplemented with data on flows to and from the Republic of Ireland. Other data sources allow for adjustments for asylum seekers and their dependants not counted by the IPS, and for switchers (people who change their intentions and, therefore, their migratory status).

As a sample survey, the IPS is unable to produce direct estimates of international migration below the level of Government Office Region in England. Therefore, no National Statistics estimates of international migration flows exist for local authorities or Parliamentary constituencies.

However, in order to calculate the population estimates it is necessary to estimate the component of population change due to international migration for each local authority. These components are estimated in as robust a manner as possible given available data sources. They are not National Statistics and are fit only for certain purposes, such as to enable understanding of population estimates and population modelling.

27 Feb 2006 : Column 338W

For both the year to mid-2003 and the year to mid-2004, the estimate of total international migration into the London Borough of Havering is marginally over 1,000 people.

Data for earlier years have been subject to revision. We are in the process of compiling similar data for earlier years and will be publishing these, in due course, on the web at:

http://www.statistics.gov.uk/STATBASE/Product.asp?Vlnk=14060 consequently, I am not able to provide comparable data for earlier years.

Data are not available for Parliamentary constituencies and I am therefore not able to supply information for the constituency of Romford.

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people migrated to the UK from each of the (a) British overseas territories and (b) Commonwealth nations in each of the last seven years. [53789]

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

Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 27 February 2006:

As National Statistician I have been As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about how many people migrated to the UK from each of the (a) British Overseas Territories and (b) Commonwealth nations in each of the last seven years. (53789)

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) produces estimates of Total International Migration (TIM). These are based mainly on data from the International Passenger Survey (IPS), which is supplemented with data on flows to and from the Republic of Ireland. Other data sources used to calculate TIM allow for adjustments of asylum seekers and their dependants not counted by the IPS and for switchers (people who change their intentions and, therefore, their migratory status). However, a detailed analysis on individual countries is only possible on IPS data alone, because of the characteristics of the other data sources.

The latest available IPS estimates of migration are for the annual period 2004. Where reliable data are available, estimates of inflows of residents from British Overseas Territories and Commonwealth countries for each year from 1998 to 2004 are provided in attached table 1. Where reliable estimates are unavailable due to small sample sizes, British Overseas Territories and Commonwealth countries have been grouped.

International migration, estimates from the international passenger survey annual data and seven years grouped, 1998–2004 inflow (immigration to the UK) country of last or next residence United Kingdom (thousands)

Estimate⁽⁸²⁾

1998–2004 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

British Overseas Territories (BOTs)⁽⁸³⁾ 10.2 ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾—

All Commonwealth⁽⁸⁴⁾ 1188.5 132.3 151.1 156.7 169.8 156.5 181.7 240.4

Australia 280.3 38.8 40.4 36.0 51.9 37.2 37.3 38.8

Canada 58.0 9.5 6.1 8.8 5.7 7.3 12.8 7.8

New Zealand 107.5 16.7 17.3 19.4 16.7 11.9 12.8 12.7

South Africa 173.4 19.8 28.4 21.2 18.2 24.6 25.5 35.7

Other African Commonwealth of which:- 176.4 14.3 17.8 20.0 23.4 27.1 30.9 42.9

Kenya 22.8 ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾—

Uganda 6.7 ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾—

Zimbabwe 38.1 ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾—

Ghana 20.4 ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾—

Nigeria 27.4 ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾—

Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka of which:- 200.0 11.7 17.4 22.8 23.4 28.5 39.1 57.1

Bangladesh 31.7 ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾—

India 145.1 ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾—

Sri Lanka 23.3 ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾—

Pakistan 82.2 6.7 8.2 10.8 13.3 6.7 10.2 26.4

Caribbean Commonwealth of which:- 25.6 4.1 4.2 1.6 2.7 3.9 3.7 5.3

Jamaica 5.6 ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾—

Trinidad and Tobago 4.8 ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾—

Caribbean Commonwealth (excl BOTs) 18.2 ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾—

Caribbean Commonwealth (BOTs) 7.4 ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾—

Other Commonwealth of which:- 85.1 10.7 11.3 16.2 14.6 9.4 9.4 13.6

Brunei 3.1 ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾—

Malaysia 39.2 ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾—

Singapore 24.4 ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾—

Cyprus 10.8 ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾—

Other Commonwealth (excl BOTs) 82.3 ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾—

Other Commonwealth (BOTs) 2.7 ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾— ⁽⁸⁵⁾—

⁽⁸²⁾ Estimate is based on migrant inflows captured from the International Passenger Survey (IPS). All estimates are subject to margins or error since they are derived from a sample survey.
⁽⁸³⁾ BOTs are included in All Commonwealth.
⁽⁸⁴⁾ Figures for all years include Malta and Cyprus in the Commonwealth.
⁽⁸⁵⁾ Reliable estimate is unavailable for individual year; data have been grouped to produce more reliable estimates for 1998–2004.
Notes:
1. A small weighting adjustment has been applied to IPS data for 1998. This reflects the estimated effect of applying the weighting improvements made to IPS data from 1999 onwards.
2. As a result of a change in our processing system there may be slight differences in our historical tables for 1999–2003.
Source:
Office for National Statistics

27 Feb 2006 : Column 339W

	Estimate⁽⁸²⁾
	1998–2004	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004
British Overseas Territories (BOTs)⁽⁸³⁾	10.2	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—

All Commonwealth⁽⁸⁴⁾	1188.5	132.3	151.1	156.7	169.8	156.5	181.7	240.4
Australia	280.3	38.8	40.4	36.0	51.9	37.2	37.3	38.8
Canada	58.0	9.5	6.1	8.8	5.7	7.3	12.8	7.8
New Zealand	107.5	16.7	17.3	19.4	16.7	11.9	12.8	12.7
South Africa	173.4	19.8	28.4	21.2	18.2	24.6	25.5	35.7

Other African Commonwealth of which:-	176.4	14.3	17.8	20.0	23.4	27.1	30.9	42.9
Kenya	22.8	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—
Uganda	6.7	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—
Zimbabwe	38.1	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—
Ghana	20.4	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—
Nigeria	27.4	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—

Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka of which:-	200.0	11.7	17.4	22.8	23.4	28.5	39.1	57.1
Bangladesh	31.7	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—
India	145.1	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—
Sri Lanka	23.3	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—
Pakistan	82.2	6.7	8.2	10.8	13.3	6.7	10.2	26.4

Caribbean Commonwealth of which:-	25.6	4.1	4.2	1.6	2.7	3.9	3.7	5.3
Jamaica	5.6	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—
Trinidad and Tobago	4.8	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—
Caribbean Commonwealth (excl BOTs)	18.2	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—
Caribbean Commonwealth (BOTs)	7.4	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—

Other Commonwealth of which:-	85.1	10.7	11.3	16.2	14.6	9.4	9.4	13.6
Brunei	3.1	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—
Malaysia	39.2	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—
Singapore	24.4	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—
Cyprus	10.8	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—
Other Commonwealth (excl BOTs)	82.3	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—
Other Commonwealth (BOTs)	2.7	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—	⁽⁸⁵⁾—

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