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Written Answers
Wednesday, 27th November 1996.
Local Government and VAT
Lord Pearson of Rannoch asked Her Majesty's Government:
- (a) What European legislation governs the liability of local government to value added tax, and (b) what is the approximate cost to the Exchequer of the exemption of local government to VAT.
The Minister of State, Department of Social Security (Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish): The European Sixth VAT Directive governs the common system of Value Added Tax, and Article 4.5 of the Directive makes specific reference to local government authorities. Refunds to local authorities in respect of tax on inputs relating to non-business activities amounted to some £3 billion in 1995.
Equal Pay
Lord Stoddart of Swindon asked Her Majesty's Government:
- To confirm that equal pay between men and women is strictly applied in the Department of Social Security and to say whether pay rates for the range of duties performed are comparable with those in similar employment outside Government service.
Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish: Equal pay between men and women is strictly applied in the Department of Social Security. Pay rates are set at levels necessary to recruit and retain the right staff.
Water Abstraction Criteria
Lord Marlesford asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What criteria are taken into account by the Environment Agency in deciding whether an application to abstract water from bore holes can be granted with an acceptable impact on the environment.
The Minister of State, Department of the Environment (Earl Ferrers): The Environment Agency takes into account in this regard (i) the effect of the abstraction on local and regional water levels, (ii) the consequential impact on river flows and wetlands, (iii) the related effects on flora and fauna, and (iv) the effects on other water users.
Violent and Sexual Offences
Lord Ackner asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Of the 217 offenders convicted in 1994 of serious violent or sexual offences referred to by the Home Secretary on 4th November 1996 (HC Deb., col. 912), how many had their sentences referred to the Court of Appeal by the Attorney-General.
The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Blatch): I understand from the Attorney-General that the number was two.
Drug Trafficking Offences
Lord Ackner asked Her Majesty's Government:
- How many offenders have been convicted on a third occasion of a Class A drug trafficking offence in each of the last three years.
Baroness Blatch: The information requested is not collected routinely and data for each of the last three years are not available. On the basis of an analysis of all offenders convicted of drug trafficking offences during a three-month period in 1994, we estimate that around 120 of those convicted of Class A drug trafficking offences in 1994 had two or more previous convictions for similar offences.
Bosnia: UK Military Contribution
Lord Swinfen asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they will make a contribution to a successor to IFOR.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Earl Howe): The international community is still developing its political strategy for Bosnia in 1997 and it remains too early to make any final decisions, but it seems increasingly likely that a military presence will be required to support the continuing civilian effort.
The Government have therefore decided that, in principle, the UK is prepared to make a contribution of some 5,000 ground troops to such a force subject to the outcome of the London Conference, to a satisfactory military plan being developed by NATO, and to appropriate contributions from our major Allies.
Gulf War
Lord Molloy asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether the French force serving in the Gulf used organophosphates as a decontamination agent.
Earl Howe: The French authorities have advised that their troops did not use organophosphate pesticides during the Gulf War.
Students: Financial Support
Lord Lyell asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What support will be available to students in England and Wales through mandatory awards and student loans in the academic year 1997-98.
The Minister of State, Department for Education and Employment (Lord Henley): My right honourable Friend the Secretary of State announced on 26th November, (Official Report, cols. 174-179) that the total level of support available to students through the main rates of grant and loan together in 1997-98 will be 2.5 per cent. higher than for 1996-97 in line with forecast price increases. I am placing a Memorandum in the Library giving full details of the new grant and fee rates for 1997-98. These rates will be incorporated in the Education (Mandatory Awards) Regulations and the Education (Student Loans) Regulations to be laid before Parliament in due course.
Anti-personnel Landmines
Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:
- By what means the EU Common Position of 1st October requiring a moratorium on the export of all anti-personnel mines will be brought to the attention of states still permitting the export of such weapons.
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Chalker of Wallasey): We and our EU partners continue to take every opportunity to bring this important step to the attention of such states. We did so most recently in the EU Presidency address to the Ottawa Conference on anti-personnel landmines which took place from 3rd October to 5th October and in the Presidency statement to the United Nations General Assembly First Committee on 14th October.
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