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18 May 2009 : Column 1183W—continued
Bob Spink: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many HM Revenue and Customs offices are planned for closure in the next 12 months. [275485]
Mr. Timms: HM Revenue and Customs plans to vacate 58 properties during 2009-10, and of these 47 are offices. It will reduce the size of a further 70 offices by relinquishing space that is no longer needed.
Royal Bank of Scotland: Finance
Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much money the Government has provided to the Royal Bank of Scotland in the last 12 months. [267761]
Ian Pearson: Following the conversion of the Treasury’s £5 billion preference shares to ordinary shares, announced on 19 January 2009 and completed on 14 April 2009, the Government have now invested £20.3 billion in the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) (including additional amounts to cover the accrued dividend on the repurchased preference shares, and the underwriting fee on the new ordinary shares).
With RBS’ participation in the asset protection scheme, the Government will make a further investment of £19.5 billion, and will make available a further £6 billion at RBS’s option.
Tax Avoidance
Mr. Meacher: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will bring forward legislative proposals to (a) make illegal the design and promotion of schemes intended solely or mainly as a vehicle for tax avoidance and (b) establish penalties for all those involved in the design and promotion of such schemes. [275881]
Mr. Timms: Tax avoidance has the potential to damage the public finances and the provision of public services in the UK. For this reason, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) monitors tax avoidance closely at all times.
Since 1997, the Government have been taking steps to tackle avoidance, by reforming the tax system, closing loopholes and introducing the disclosure regime. Anti-avoidance measures brought in as a result of the disclosure rules have closed over £11 billion in avoidance opportunities. The disclosure regime ensures that should further avoidance schemes emerge, the Government can quickly take action to protect tax revenues.
The Government agree that more action is still needed to mitigate the effects of tax avoidance. Budget 2009 sets out measures to close down avoidance schemes, including principles-based legislation on financial product avoidance, the successful introduction of which could facilitate this approach being applied to other areas, and work to further extend and improve the disclosure regime. These measures raise over £1 billion during the period 2009-10 to 2011-12, and protect a further £3 billion per year of tax receipts by 2010-11. The Government keep the need for further measures under review.
Mr. Meacher: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will bring forward legislative proposals for a general anti-tax avoidance provision on the Australian equitable model or a similar model. [275882]
Mr. Timms: The Government consulted extensively on the possibility of a general anti-avoidance rule in 1998. Based on the outcome of that consultation, we made the decision not to introduce such a rule at that time, although the situation would be kept under review. That position is unchanged.
Tax Collection
Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on how many occasions HM Revenue and Customs has accepted money from taxpayers other than in response to a demand for payment of tax in the last 12 months. [276101]
Mr. Timms: The information requested is not available, as HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) systems do not separately identify those payments received before and after formal demands have been issued.
Much of the operation of the tax system depends on payments being made to HMRC other than in response to a demand for payment. This would include, for example, payments where the taxpayer makes a self-assessment, payments that employers make throughout the year of the amounts due under PAYE, payments on account or in advance of future liabilities and payments in respect of VAT due from traders.
Tax Havens
Mr. Sanders: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects the tax information exchange agreements sought by the G20 to be in operation. [274411]
Mr. Timms: In keeping with the G20 London summit communiqué, we expect swift implementation of the international standard of exchange of information by all countries. The G20 summit stated its readiness to apply sanctions against countries that fail to implement the international standard. G20 Leaders and Finance Ministers will meet again this year to review progress on commitments.
Taxation
Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with reference to the ruling on the capping of input tax claims by HM Revenue and Customs, what refund payments have now been made to each local authority; and what the total estimated Exchequer liability is for such payments. [275758]
Mr. Timms: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) does not disclose the details of individual taxpayers, so I am unable to provide details of refunds paid to each local authority in light of legal rulings on the capping of input tax. No specific estimate of the total liability to the Exchequer for such payments to local authorities is available.
Valuation Office: ICT
Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what date the Valuation Office Agency's automated valuation model was last calibrated. [275757]
Mr. Timms: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr. Pickles) on 6 May 2008, Official Report, column 828W.
Valuation Office: Rightmove
Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much the Valuation Office Agency (a) paid Rightmove.co.uk in 2008-09 and (b) plans to pay to that company in 2009-10. [275767]
Mr. Timms: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 12 March 2009, Official Report, columns 723-24W.
Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Peterborough (Mr. Jackson) of 10 March 2009, Official Report, column 262W, on the Valuation Office: Rightmove, for what reasons the contract with Rightmove.co.uk and HM Revenue and Customs, on behalf of the Valuation Office Agency, was extended; and whether the contract will be extended into 2010. [275851]
Mr. Timms:
The contract between HM Revenue and Customs and Rightmove was extended because it provides good value for money by reducing the need for Valuation
Office Agency (VOA) staff to visit properties in order to undertake their functions. It also allows the VOA to source the information it needs at minimal inconvenience to taxpayers. There is no provision in the contract for extension into 2010.
VAT: Bingo
John Hemming: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the annual revenue which would be forgone by the Exchequer from the removal of value added tax on mainstage bingo. [258691]
Mr. Timms: It is estimated that the removal of value added tax on mainstage bingo would forego around £20 million in revenue in 2009-10. This includes the impact of value added tax removal on excise duty revenues from bingo and other gambling sectors.
International Development
Developing Countries: Climate Change
Mr. Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department is taking to assist developing countries tackle the adverse effects of climate change. [274715]
Mr. Thomas: Information on the Department for International Development's (DFID) climate change policy and the steps being taken are available on the DFID website:
Developing Countries: HIV Infection
Mr. Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his Department's policy is on measures to tackle HIV/AIDS in the developing world; and if he will make a statement. [275001]
Mr. Thomas: In June 2008 the UK Government launched “Achieving Universal Access”—the UK’s strategy for halting and reversing the spread of HIV in the developing world. This is available in the Library of the House and on the DFID web-site:
Pakistan: Armed Conflict
John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what reports he has received on the humanitarian situation in the Swat Valley region of Pakistan following the recent conflict between Pakistani security forces and the Taliban; and what assistance the Government plan to provide to displaced civilians in that conflict zone. [275536]
Mr. Michael Foster:
The UK Government are deeply concerned by the growing humanitarian crisis in the Swat Valley and neighbouring districts. We are in close discussion with the Government of Pakistan, humanitarian agencies and other donors to monitor the situation. The number of registered people displaced by the conflict
now stands at over 1 million and this figure is sill growing. The United Nations (UN) is currently revising its appeal to meet the needs of up to 1.5 million people. The Department for International Development (DFID) has so far provided £12 million for humanitarian assistance to help those who have been displaced from their homes. This includes £10 million that was released at the end of April. Our funds are being used to provide shelter, water, sanitation, food and medical services. We will take a decision about the provision of further support once the revised humanitarian appeal is launched next week and funding gaps are clear.
Palestinians: Politics and Government
Mr. Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his most recent assessment is of the humanitarian situation in Gaza. [275062]
Mr. Michael Foster: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Ealing, Southall (Mr. Sharma) on 13 May 2009, Official Report, column 855W.
Sri Lanka: Armed Conflict
Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what reports he has received of the nature of the screening process for Tamil people displaced by the conflict in the north of the country upon entering the camps established by the government of Sri Lanka; and if he will make a statement. [275315]
Mr. Michael Foster: Security screening for civilians escaping the conflict zone initially takes place in an area of the Vanni to which no international humanitarian agencies have access. Secondary screening takes place at Omantai checkpoint where the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has only limited access to observe the screening process. There is no established security screening process in the IDP camps and there are reports of people being removed for questioning and detention. This lack of international observation continues to cause concern and the UK Government have repeatedly called for full access for international humanitarian agencies to assist and protect all displaced people on their journey to the camps.
Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many UN High Commission for Refugees (a) emergency and (b) field monitoring experts have been granted access to former battle areas in the conflict in the northern region of Sri Lanka. [275324]
Mr. Michael Foster:
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has not had a permanent presence in the Vanni since September 2008 when the Government of Sri Lanka required all UN agencies and NGOs to leave. Until January 2009 there were occasional visits of UNHCR personnel aboard humanitarian convoys into the Vanni. But since January there has been no UNHCR access to the Vanni except restricted access to the IDP security screening centre at Omantai checkpoint. The UK Government have repeatedly
called for full UN access to the conflict zone, and for a UN team to be allowed to make a full humanitarian assessment of the needs there. The UN Secretary General's Chief of Staff, Vijay Nambiar, went to Sri Lanka on 15 May to press for full humanitarian access and respect for international humanitarian standards.
Sri Lanka: Internally Displaced Persons
Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent estimate he has made of the number of Tamil people who have been able to return to their homes in former battle areas in the conflict in the northern region of Sri Lanka. [275320]
Mr. Michael Foster: Only a few hundred people have been able to return to their homes in Mannar district—formerly longer term residents of two small camps which pre-date the present exodus of civilians. The UK Government have consistently pressed the Government of Sri Lanka to abide by its commitment to return 80 per cent. of the new displaced population by the end of the year.
Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment he has made of the feasibility of delivering humanitarian aid by sea to Tamil people displaced by the conflict in the northern region of Sri Lanka; and what discussions he has had with the government of Sri Lanka on this matter. [275321]
Mr. Michael Foster: The only deliveries of aid to the conflict zone since February have been made by sea, all under the auspices of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Recently, only very small consignments of 25 tonnes at a time have been possible. The overwhelming constraint is the reluctance of both parties to allow humanitarian access and permit the ICRC ships to enter the zone and unload supplies safely. The UK Government have continually pressed the Government of Sri Lanka to allow full humanitarian access to the conflict zone, including guaranteeing safe passage for a 1,000 tonne vessel which has not been able to return since last unloading on 8 April.
Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent estimate he has made of the number of camps established by the Sri Lankan Government for Tamil people displaced by the conflict in northern Sri Lanka; and what recent estimate he has made of the number of people (a) in such camps and (b) whose deaths are attributable to conditions in such camps. [275325]
Mr. Michael Foster: As at 12 May 194,303 people have been registered in more than 40 camps for displaced persons. More than 173,000 of these are in Vavuniya, most of them in three very large camps at Menik Farm. The conditions are far from ideal but starting slowly to improve. There are no reliable data available for deaths in the camps or to what extent those could be attributable to the conditions there. By far the greatest concern is the terrible loss of life in the conflict zone and in hospitals overwhelmed with sick and wounded patients.
Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment he has made of the compatibility with international standards of the humanitarian conditions of the camps established by the Sri Lankan government for Tamil people displaced by the conflict in the north of Sri Lanka. [275329]
Mr. Michael Foster: In terms of international standards for assistance such as shelter, water and sanitation, food, health and education, the camps started from a very low standard but are gradually improving. Large influxes such as more than 113,000 people in one week made camp conditions very difficult to manage, particularly their sanitation. The UK Government have repeatedly pressed the Government of Sri Lanka to abide by international humanitarian standards and to work with humanitarian agencies to improve both protection and assistance, with a view to meeting their commitment of early return of at least 80 per cent. of the displaced population before the end of the year.
Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what mechanisms are in place to ensure that humanitarian aid from his Department to assist Tamil people displaced by the conflict in the north of Sri Lanka is not misappropriated; and if he will make a statement. [275330]
Mr. Michael Foster: Department for International Development (DFID) assistance is provided directly only to United Nations and independent humanitarian organisations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, International Organisation for Migration and reputable international and national NGOs. DFID follows rigorous grant management procedures. Its humanitarian staff in Sri Lanka and London monitor and evaluate its programmes. No DFID humanitarian funding is transferred to the Government of Sri Lanka or any other governmental organisation in Sri Lanka.
Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent estimate he has made of the number of international aid workers who have access to the camps established by the Sri Lankan government for Tamil people displaced by the conflict in the north of Sri Lanka; and if he will make a statement. [275331]
Mr. Michael Foster: We have no firm figure. Access to Government of Sri Lanka controlled camps was a serious concern earlier this year, especially with regard to non-governmental organisations (NGOs). United Nations (UN) agencies, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Organisation of Migration (IOM) generally had better access to the camps. The UK Government repeatedly pressed the Government of Sri Lanka for greatly increased access to the camps, especially for NGOs.
Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent estimate he has made of the number of people in the camps established by the Sri Lankan government for Tamil people displaced by the conflict in the (a) Wanni region and (b) Mullaitivu district who do not have access to humanitarian aid; and if he will make a statement. [275332]
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