To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many emergency interim payments have been issued in respect of tax credit assessment errors in each week since 6 April. [115807]

The information requested is not available. An interim payment of tax credits may be made where we believe a family is due to tax credits but has not yet received payment, if the family would otherwise experience hardship.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment has been made of the impact on other Inland Revenue functions of the transfer of local Inland Revenue staff to assist with problems associated with the implementation of the new tax credits system; and if he will make a statement. [117734]

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Hamilton, South (Mr. Tynan) on 3 June 2003, Official Report, column 201W.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the reception to and uptake of the new research and development tax credit amongst the business community. [118166]

Rand D tax credits for companies that are small or medium enterprises (SMEs) were introduced in Budget 2000 and extended to larger companies in Budget 2002 to promote commercial R and D in the UK. The credits have been welcomed by business, and take up continues to increase, with 3,000 claims anticipated by SMEs in 2001–02, the latest year for which we have data.