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Sinn Fein

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, in respect of their duties in the Northern Ireland Assembly, any Sinn Fein Members or Ministers

18 Nov 2008 : Column WA188

receive grants or allowances, directly or indirectly, from the Northern Ireland Office. [HL6214]

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: Sinn Fein Members or Ministers do not receive any such grants or allowances, directly or indirectly, from the Northern Ireland Office.

St Andrews Agreement

Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President (Baroness Royall of Blaisdon) on 5 November (WA 75—76) concerning the St Andrews agreement, whether the date suggested for the devolution of criminal justice and policing to the Northern Ireland Executive was an aspiration or an undertaking. [HL6380]

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: There is nothing further I can add to the Answer given on 29 October (Official Report, col. WA 177).

Taxation: Residential Property

Lord Campbell-Savours asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many unincorporated taxpayers declared aggregated details of rental income and associated expenses for residential property on self-assessment tax returns in the last year for which figures are available; and [HL6280]

How many taxpayers declared details of rental income on residential property in the last year for which figures are available; and [HL6281]

What estimate they have made of the loss of income to Her Majesty's Treasury from non-declaration of rental income from residential property within the United Kingdom in the last year for which figures are available. [HL6282]

The Financial Services Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Myners): This information is not available, as declarations of rental income on tax returns are not split between residential and other types of property; additionally, tax gap estimates are not available specifically relating to residential property.

Lord Campbell-Savours asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the registration of residential housing tenancies by local authorities will provide information to Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs on rental income liability. [HL6283]

Lord Myners: HMRC uses information from a variety of sources to assess tax liability. HMRC would be eligible to obtain the local authority data under its information powers set out in Section 18A(2) of the Tax Management Act 1970.

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