To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people have had payments delayed due to the delays experienced by applicants using the Tax Credit helpline; and if he will make a statement. [115911]

No reliable estimate can be made, as it is not possible to link the individuals who have attempted to call the helplines with claims subsequently received or payments made.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether efforts to resolve the problems with the processing of claims for childrens and working tax credits have had consequential implications for the handling of, and response times in respect of other inquiries to the Inland Revenue. [113754]

The Inland Revenue is a very large organisation that is structured so as to respond flexibly to the demands of different work areas.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he has taken to advise those with disabilities of the greater benefits available to them through the working tax credit than through the disabled persons tax credit, with regard to the changes in the capital rules. [113859]

All recipients of disabled persons tax credit (DPTC) were sent claim forms and guidance on the new tax credits. Messages about the changes have been targeted at recipients of DPTC and potential claimants of the relevant element of working tax credit as part of the mainstream tax credits publicity campaign. This has included the use of direct mail, advertising and the placing of editorial material in relevant publications, including those in alternative formats of video and audio (such as Open Eye) and on websites which may be seen by this group. The tax credits introductory leaflet is available in large print, and can be obtained in Braille or audio on request. Information has been provided to over 6,000 intermediaries including those who might represent disabled groups.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many applications have been (a) received, (b) processed and (c) completed for the (i) working tax credit and (ii) child tax credit, or equivalents, in each of the last three years from people resident in (A) Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East constituency, (B) each Government office region and (C) in the UK; and if he will make a statement. [115544]

There is a single claim form for child tax credit and working tax credit. Over 4 million claims have been received and around 3.6 million families are already in payment. No breakdown of these figures is available below the national level. Statistics on awards of these tax credits will be published from August.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what additional staff resources he has made available to deal with resolving outstanding tax credit queries. [115808]

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the statement I made to the House on 28 April 2003, Official Report, column 53, when I explained that the Inland Revenue had moved an additional 700 staff onto handling callers to the tax credit helpline. In addition to the helpline, extra staff have been deployed on processing claims and getting awards into payment and dealing with personal callers at Inland Revenue Enquiry Centres.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with the Scottish Executive on the effects on its social justice agenda of delays in making tax credit assessments. [115809]

None. All claims for tax credits received by 25 April are in payment other than where more information is needed from the claimant, or further checks are required. Claims received after that date are being processed as quickly as possible. Around 3.6 million tax credit awards are already in payment.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many individuals have benefited from (a) working tax credit and (b) child tax credit in the Blackpool North and Fleetwood constituency. [116453]

Statistics on awards of these tax credits will be published from August 2003.