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20 Apr 2007 : Column 866W—continued

Tax Credits

Mr. Mullin: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library the official advice provided to the then Chancellor of the Exchequer regarding his decision in 1993 to reduce from 25 to 20 per cent. the tax credits on dividends. [132446]

Ed Balls: I and my ministerial colleagues do not have access to the papers of the previous Conservative Administration.

Taxation: Alcoholic Drinks

Mr. Lansley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he made of the potential for fiscal incentives to contribute to the promotion of responsible drinking prior to the 2007 Budget; and what discussions he had with the Secretary of State for Health on this matter. [131938]

Mr. Timms: The Chancellor makes decisions about the appropriate level of excise duty on alcohol at Budget time, taking all relevant factors into consideration. Treasury Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide range of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government’s practice to provide details of all such meetings.

Wales

Departments: Official Hospitality

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what measures are in place to limit the amount of money spent on alcohol for hospitality purposes by his Department. [132190]

Mr. Hain: The Wales Office ensures that value for money is achieved on all hospitality expenditure, which is conducted in accordance with the principles of Government Accounting and the Treasury handbook on Regularity and Propriety.

Work and Pensions

Grandparents: Parental Responsibility

Mr. Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many grandparents claim income support allowances for grandchildren towards whom they act as parents. [133013]

Mr. Plaskitt: The information is not available.

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