Written Answers
Tuesday, 2nd April 1996.
Global Environment Facility: Annual Report
asked Her Majesty's Government:If copies of the first annual report of the Global Environment Facility have been received and, if so, whether the report will be placed in the Library of the House.
Copies of the first annual report of the Global Environment Facility have recently been received. A copy has been placed in both Libraries of the House.
Zanzibar: Aid
asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the current position on aid to Zanzibar.
We have decided that, in present circumstances, we should not continue with our programme of development assistance to Zanzibar. This reflects our concern about the way in which the outcome of the Zanzibar Government elections in October 1995 was handled, and disturbing reports of post-election political polarisation and harassment of some sections of the community. We do not believe that the current environment is conducive to the effective implementation of a development programme. This decision does not preclude the resumption of further assistance to Zanzibar when circumstances have improved.
Central And Eastern European States: Policing And Law Enforcement Training
asked Her Majesty's Government:What steps they are taking to ensure that policing and law enforcement methods which are being taught to central and eastern European states and members of the Commonwealth of Independent States include methods other than those practised in the United States.
The Know How Fund provides advice and training in British policing and law enforcement methods to police forces in several countries in central and eastern Europe.
Cyprus: Missing Persons
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether, following the admission by Mr. Rauf Denktash in an interview with Sigma TV on 1st March that Greek Cypriot civilians captured by the Turkish army during the invasion of 1974 were handed over to irregular forces and executed, they will urge Mr. Denktash to explain why he concealed his knowledge of these war crimes for 22 years and to provide full details to the UN tripartite committee on missing persons in Cyprus.
The UN Committee on missing persons is best placed to investigate the fate of all the missing in Cyprus. We have noted Mr. Denktash's recent statement on this subject and deplore the atrocities that have been committed in Cyprus. We would expect Mr. Denktash to pass on any relevant information to the UN Committee.
Saudi Arabia: Arrests Of British Nationals
asked Her Majesty's Government:How many British citizens were arrested and detained in Saudi Arabia in 1995; in respect of how many were the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations not fully complied with; how many of them have since been charged and how many have been the subject of unsupported allegations but released as "a gesture of goodwill" without the allegations being rescinded.
We know of 18 British nationals who were arrested and detained in Saudi Arabia in 1995. Out of the 18, seven were formally charged and the rest released.The Saudis recognise their obligation under the Vienna Convention to inform us of arrests and to grant access to detainees. However, news of arrests can often reach us more quickly through friends or relatives of the detainees than through official channels.The Saudi authorities take their own decisions on whether to proceed with a prosecution. It is not for us to weigh the evidence.
Passenger Railway Service Provision
asked Her Majesty's Government:What is their policy on the provision of subsidy for socially necessary passenger railway services.
We remain firmly committed to providing the subsidy needed to support socially necessary passenger railway services at broadly the present level of service provision. In the instructions of my right honourable Friend the Secretary of State for Transport to the Franchising Director, he made clear that, when setting passenger service requirements for services being franchised for the first time, he should take as his starting point the service being provided at the time. The passenger service requirements which will be incorporated in franchise agreements will set out the services which franchisees will be contractually committed to operate. We are committed to providing support for at least those levels of service.
Crossrail
asked Her Majesty's Government:What is their latest view on the CrossRail project.
We believe that CrossRail has the potential to bring worthwhile benefits to London's transport system. As my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Transport indicated in his recent statement in another place on Thameslink 2000, we expect CrossRail to come after the Jubilee Line Extension, Thameslink 2000, and the Channel Tunnel Rail Link. That is a sensible sequence of major new rail projects for London.My right honourable friend has therefore asked the Chairmen of London Transport, Railtrack and British Rail not to proceed for the time being with an application under the Transport and Works Act for powers to build CrossRail. He has also invited the Chairman of Railtrack to consider the project further with his board once Railtrack is in the private sector, in the light of the Government's continued firm policy that CrossRail should proceed only as a joint venture with a substantial private sector contribution.
Light Dues
asked Her Majesty's Government:What the level of light dues will be in the coming financial year.
We are pleased to announce that light dues for 1995–96 will remain at the level set in April 1993 for the third year in succession. Accordingly no changes to the Light Dues Regulations are needed.Once again we commend the General Lighthouse Authorities for their continuing commitment to the achievement of greater efficiency in their work.
Thameslink 2000
asked Her Majesty's Government:How Thameslink 2000 will enhance access to airports.
My right honourable friend's statement on 27th February (Official Report, col. 723) indicated that Thameslink 2000 would enhance access to Stansted and Gatwick airports. Thameslink 2000 is a project to enhance existing infrastructure and expand the current Thameslink network. The benefits include a significant increase in capacity, a substantial reduction in journey times, the provision of direct access to the City of London from a greater number of destinations north and south of London, an interchange with Channel Tunnel Rail Link services and with the services of seven train operators and eight London Underground lines (including the Jubilee Line Extension).Gatwick Airport and Luton Airport are both on the Thameslink route and thus are well placed to benefit from the increased opportunities Thameslink 2000 provides. However, access to Stansted Airport will not, as the statement suggested, be enhanced by the project. Direct links to Stansted, and to Heathrow, would require additional infrastructure, electrification and junction changes. These are not part of the current Thameslink 2000 plans. It would be a matter for Railtrack, its customers and the Franchising Director to examine the case for such enhancement and to take worthwhile proposals forward.
Transport Research Laboratory: Sale
asked Her Majesty's Government:When they expect to complete the privatisation of the Transport Research Laboratory.
The sale of the Transport Research Laboratory to the Transport Research Foundation for some £6 million was completed on 31st March.
Railways Act 1993: S139 Grants
asked Her Majesty's Government:What information they require in support of applications for grants under Section 139 of the Railways Act 1993 in respect of:
The information required is as follows:
asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the basis for the calculation of environmental benefit for freight transferred from road to rail in assessing applications for support under Section 139 of the Railways Act 1993 for lorries on:
The environmental benefit of grant applications is calculated by applying the following rates per lorry mile of road journeys avoided over qualifying routes:
| £ | |
| motorways, rural dual carriageways and urban grade separated dual carriageways | 0.05 |
| rural single carriageways | 1.00 |
| urban single carriageways and urban non-grade separated dual carriageways | 1.50 |
Civil Enforcement Agents
asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the progress of the review of civil enforcement agents.
The discussions referred to in my Written Answer of 29th June 1995 (ficial Report, WA 63) have now concluded. Following careful consideration of the proposals which emerged from these discussions, I believe that the best way of achieving a proper and professional service for creditors and debtors lies in a package of initiatives, specifically focused on the areas of concern identified in the course of the review.I therefore intend to implement a range of measures which will increase creditors' access to enforcement by the sheriffs, while increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of the county court bailiff service for those who continue to use it. At the same time, my department will be working with other government departments and relevant bodies to modify and strengthen the certification procedure for other bailiffs and to ensure that redress is both available and accessible for those aggrieved by the actions of private bailiffs.
Marriage: Interdepartmental Working Party
asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the composition of the interdepartmental working party on marriage; by whom was it chosen; what are its terms of reference; what has it published; and how much has it cost to date.
The interdepartmental working party on marriage is made up of officials from the Lord Chancellor's Department, the Home Office, the Department of the Environment, the Department of Social Security, the Department of Health, the Department for Education and Employment, the Northern Ireland Office and the Welsh Office. The composition of the working party was agreed by the Government.The working party's terms of reference are to seek to identify:
- the needs of couples in relation to preparing for marriage and for guidance and support during marriage;
- the range of services currently available in this area, the extent to which their existence is known and how this knowledge might be increased; and
- how existing resources might best be used to meet the needs of couples who are considering marriage or whose marriage is in difficulty.
The working party has not published any report, but has given a preliminary indication of the types of initiatives at which it believes resources may need to be targeted. This information was given in response to parliamentary Questions in both Houses on 11th January (House of Lords, I I th January, col. WA 35: House of Commons, 11th January, col. 292).
I will write to the noble Baroness about the costs of the working party.
The Ombudsman: Advisory Booklet
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will take steps to publicise their publication
The Ombudsman in Your Files of December 1995.
The Ombudsman In Your Files is a guidance document for civil servants, and it would not be appropriate to spend time and money publicising the booklet to the general public. However, the booklet has been circulated widely within those departments and bodies that come within the jurisdiction of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration. It is also available to members of the public on request from the Office of Public Service.
Remploy: Annual Performance Agreement
asked Her Majesty's Government:What targets Remploy has been set in its 1996–97 Annual Performance Agreement.
I have written to the chairman of Remploy approving the 1996–97 annual performance agreement between the department and the company. This agreement covers the year from 1st April 1996. It has been negotiated by the Chief Executive of the Employment Service, on behalf of my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment. The targets are:
- the average number of disabled people employed by Remploy Ltd. will be at least 9,400;
- the average number of disabled people employed under the Interwork scheme will be at least 2,400;
- at least 175 disabled employees will move from Remploy factories to Interwork having been employed there for at least one year, or from Interwork or factories to open employment;
- Remploy Ltd. will keep within a total unit cost target (operating deficit per disabled worker) of £10,170;
- the unit cost of Interwork should be no more than £4,540;
- Remploy Ltd. will keep within an operating deficit of £99 million (including reorganisation costs).
Bilingual Teaching Projects
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they believe that bilingual teaching projects are of value in promoting the acquisition of fluency in a foreign language.
The limited evidence, from the handful of bilingual projects of which we have heard, suggests that they can lead to increased motivation and success in modern foreign language learning. It is not clear however whether they necessarily promote high standards in the other curricular subjects involved.
Modern Language Teaching In Secondary Schools
asked Her Majesty's Government:What initiatives they have taken to promote the successful teaching of modern languages in secondary schools.
We have made a modern foreign language a compulsory part of the curriculum for all children aged 11 to 16 in maintained secondary schools. Support for modern foreign language teaching is available to schools through the Grants for Education Support and Training (GEST) scheme, totalling over £900 million for all national curriculum subjects since 1989. In 1991–92 we made a special grant of £1.49 million to 60 local education authorities for first foreign language diversification. In addition we provide core funding for the Centre for Information on Language Teaching and Research, which provides a wide range of advice and support for language teachers.In November 1994 we extended the specialist schools initiative to include modern foreign languages. It is open to all maintained secondary schools to apply to join the initiative, which aims to raise the standard of teaching and learning in modern foreign languages through participating schools putting special emphasis on this area of the curriculum while still teaching the full national curriculum. So far, 16 schools have successfully applied and many more are expressing strong interest.
Modern Language Skills
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the inclusion of a modern language in the national curriculum reflects a view that the acquisition of fluency in a foreign language is central to the future success of both individual pupils and of the country.
That is indeed our view. Young people need to be prepared for a world in which language skills will be very much in demand and where trading advantage will go to those who can communicate with trading partners in their own languages. Language learning also provides enjoyment and intellectual stimulation, and encourages positive attitudes to other cultures and civilisations.
Grant-Maintained Schools
asked Her Majesty's Government:How many (a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools have obtained grant-maintained status in each of the years 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1995.
The information requested is contained in the table below.
| Type of School | ||
| Primary | Secondary | |
| 1988 | 0 | 0 |
| 1989 | 0 | 18 |
| 1990 | 0 | 26 |
| 1991 | 5 | 53 |
| 1992 | 48 | 127 |
| 1993 | 129 | 291 |
| 1994 | 212 | 100 |
| 1995 | 49 | 20 |
Downe Hall
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they authorised the repairs to Downe Hall, near Bridport in Dorset; and, if so, whether they did so before West Dorset District Council agreed to the principle of enabling development
An application for the external alteration and conversion of Downe Hall into five flats, including certain repair work, was submitted to West Dorset District Council on 10 May 1995. On 11th January 1996 the Secretary of State was notified that the application was one which the council proposed to approve, and on 29th January he informed the council that he did not intend to direct that the application be referred to him for determination. The council therefore granted listed building consent on 16th February. An application seeking outline planning permission for eight dwellings in the grounds of Downe Hall was also submitted to the council, for which, I understand, planning permission was granted on 1st April.
Rough Sleepers, Gloucestershire
asked Her Majesty's Government:What are the estimates of the likely increase in the number of people sleeping rough in Gloucestershire as a result of the proposals to cut housing benefit to people under 25.
The Government do not expect changes to the housing benefit system for single people under 25 years of age to increase the number of people sleeping rough. Young single people will still be entitled to housing benefit on a reasonable level of rent for accommodation which is appropriate to their needs.
Common Agricultural Policy: Costs
asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the net cost to the United Kingdom of the common agricultural policy; andHow much the United Kingdom taxpayer pays towards the common agricultural policy.
I shall answer these questions together.Expenditure on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in the United Kingdom is forecast at £3.0 billion for the 1996–97 financial year. In addition, we contribute to expenditure in other member states through our net contribution to the EC budget. Our theoretical share of the cost of the CAP budget for 1996 would be around £3.5 billion after the Fontainebleau abatement is taken into account. Our receipts are estimated at £2.7 billion.
In addition, the CAP imposes costs on consumers estimated for 1993 at some £3 per week per person. A note setting out the calculations of the costs to UK taxpayers and consumers has been placed in the Library of the House.
Child Support Agency
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the Child Support Agency is able to resolve disputes about whether it has or has not received maintenance payments by examination of its own bank records.
The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Miss Ann Chant, She will write to the noble Lord.
Letter to Earl Russell from the Chief Executive of the Child Support Agency, Miss Ann Chant, dated 1st April 1996.
I am replying to your parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about maintenance payments received by the Child Support Agency.
The agency is indeed able to resolve disputes about maintenance payments received by reference to its own records.
The agency's Client Funds Group has responsibility for recording the Client Funds Bank Account to the Agency's Child Support Computer System on a daily basis. Consequently Client Funds Group know exactly what funds have, or have not, been lodged in the account, should a dispute arise.
I hope this is helpful.
asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the third report of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration (
Investigation of Complaints against the Child Support Agency) Appendix 1(a), whether they will publish a breakdown, distinguishing the actual from the optative, of Miss Ann Chant's statement that "during its first three years the Agency expects that it will have … saved the taxpayer £1.4 billion in reduced social security expenditure", making clear whether the figure is gross or net of administrative costs incurred by the Child Support Agency and the Department of Social Security, the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration, and other public bodies.
The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Miss Ann Chant. She will write to the noble Lord.
Letter to Earl Russell from the Chief Executive of the Child Support Agency, Miss Ann Chant, dated 1st April 1996.
I am replying to your parliamentary Question to Her Majesty's Government about savings in social security expenditure resulting from the actions of the Child Support Agency.
The £1.4 billion in reduced social security expenditure to which I have referred is taken from the sum of the benefit savings achieved in the first two years of the agency's operations, together with the forecast to be achieved in the current year. The exact outturn for 1995/96 will not be known until after the end of the financial year.
Year
| Benefit savings/Forecast
| Savings achieved
| Agency administrative costs
|
£ million
| £ million
| £ million
| |
| 1993/94 | 530 | 418 | 139 |
| 1994/95 | 460 | 479 | 192 |
| 1995/961 | 510 | 510 | 195 |
| Total | 1,500 | 1,407 | 526 |
1Information provided is a projection to year end. It assumes that the benefit savings forecast set is achieved and that there is no variance in the administrative budget. | |||
asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to Section 7 of the third report of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration,
Investigation of Complaints against the Child Support Agency, why cases of the type reported where the Child Support Agency unduly delayed payment received from the absent parent to the parent with care are not routinely discovered by the audit of the Child Support Agency's accounts, and what happens to the interest received on the money pending such delay.
The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Miss Ann Chant. She will write to the noble Lord.
Letter to Earl Russell from the Chief Executive of the Child Support Agency, Miss Ann Chant, dated 1st April 1996.
I am replying to your parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about payments of maintenance made to the Child Support Agency.
The Secretary of State has set the agency a target of 90 per cent. of all payments to be made to the parent with care within 10 working days of receipt from the absent parent. The agency is currently achieving 97 per cent. Within the outstanding 3 per cent. are all the instruments of payment which have not been honoured.
In the few cases where undue delay arises between transferring a maintenance payment from the Absent Parent (AP) to the Parent With Care (PWC), it is indeed the agency's policy to identify such cases from its records and make an interest payment to the PWC subject to fulfilling certain criteria.
These are where it has taken longer than 28 days to pass on the payment to the PWC, where the amount of maintenance exceeds £33.33 and where the interest due to the PWC exceeds £5.00. This policy relates to such situations from 1.4.95 when the agency's bank commenced paying interst for funds on deposit. Prior to 1.4.95 the agency did not receive interest from the bank for funds deposited. Instead it had been agreed that the agency would not be charged for its transactions.
The savings in benefit referred to are without any deductions for administrative costs; these do not come out of the social security benefit budget.
Savings in benefit expenditure for the first two years of the agency and the forecast for 1995/96, together with the agency's total administrative costs for each of the three years of its operations are shown on the attached sheet.
I hope this is helpful.
The first payments under these new arrangements were processed on 19th March 1996.
I hope this is helpful.
asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the third report of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration (
Investigation of Complaints against the Child Support Agency) Appendix 1(c), how Miss Ann Chant's estimate that the agency "has impacted on the lives of over six million adults since its formation" was arrived at.'
The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Miss Ann Chant. She will write to the noble Lord.
Letter to Earl Russell from the Chief Executive of the Child Support Agency, Miss Ann Chant, dated 1st April 1996.
I am replying to your parliamentary Question to Her Majesty's Government about the impact of the Child Support Agency on people's lives.
The Child Support Agency has been involved with 1.6 million cases. Each of these involves a parent with care and at least one absent parent. In addition, new partners of either or both clients are involved.
My estimate that the Child Support Agency has had an effect on the lives of 6 million adults is therefore quite reasonable.
I hope this is helpful.
asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the third report of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration (
Investigation of Complaints against the Child Support Agency) Section 1(i), whether they accept the Commissioner's findings on deduction from earnings orders, that "it is a common experience that it is difficult to persuade the CSA that such an order is not needed once it has been imposed".
The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Miss Ann Chant. She will write to the noble Lord.
Letter to Earl Russell from the Chief Executive of the Child Support Agency, Miss Ann Chant, dated 1st April 1996:
I am replying to your parliamentary Question to Her Majesty's Government concerning deductions from earnings orders.
The Child Support Agency accepts the commissioner's comments on the discharge of deductions from earnings orders: these findings reflect the current and correct application of the Child Support Regulations by the agency.
The circumstances in which a properly imposed deductions from earnings order may be discharged are governed by the Child Support (Collection and Enforcement) Regulations. Where an effective order satisfies the procedures, jurisdiction and information requirements of these regulations, the agency must consider the question of whether another form of payment would be more effective.
Deductions from earnings orders are a particularly effective means of ensuring that parental responsibilities are met and the parent with care receives regular maintenance without disruption. However, they are only imposed as a last resort when all other voluntary means of securing payment of legally-due child maintenance have failed. Before an order is imposed, the absent parent is notified of the agency's ability to pursue this course of action. At this stage, the absent parent may approach the agency and propose an alternative method of paying maintenance.
It is only when the agency is satisfied that another, more effective method of securing maintenance is not readily available that a deductions from earnings order will be imposed. The commissioner's findings on the experience of absent parents are a consequence of this.
I hope this is helpful.
asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the third report of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration (
Investigation of Complaints against the Child Support Agency), whether, as a matter of routine, they can arrange for the Benefits Agency to be notified of the sums of maintenance actually received by parents with care, rather than of sums assessed but not necessarily paid.
The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Miss Ann Chant. She will write to the noble Lord.
Letter to Earl Russell from the Chief Executive of the Child Support Agency, Miss Ann Chant, dated 1st April 1996.
I am replying to your parliamentary Question to Her Majesty's Government concerning the possibility of notifying the Benefits Agency of the amount of maintenance actually paid.
Where maintenance does not extinguish income support entitlement, the agency normally arranges to collect child support maintenance unless full and regular payments are made directly to the parent with care (PWC). This ensures that the PWC will receive full income support entitlement and a consistent income each week, even where maintenance is not paid.
Where these arrangements do not apply, for example where maintenance extinguishes entitlement to income support, routinely notifying the Benefits Agency of the amount of maintenance actually paid would not improve the PWC's position. Income Support rules mean that, regardless of any notification, the PWC would still need to make a repeat claim whenever their maintenance fell below a certain level. Extra Child Support Agency intervention would therefore involve costly extra administrative work for few tangible benefits. For this reason, the agency has no plans to introduce this measure once payments of maintenance have started.
However, notification of the amount of maintenance due when a case is first assessed can lead to income support ceasing before the first payment of maintenance is even received. At present the Benefits Agency are alerted to the sum due as soon as the assessment is completed so there is a real risk that if payment is not subsequently received the PWC is inconvenienced and has to reclaim income support. The agency is currently piloting a new arrangement to avoid this problem. This is intended to ensure that initial income support entitlement is not affected until payment has actually commenced.
I hope this is helpful.
asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the third report of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration (
Investigation of Complaints against the Child Support Agency), whether the Child Support Agency can improve its procedures for logging the receipt of correspondence and telephone messages; and
Further to the third report of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration ( Investigation of Complaints against the Child Support Agency), whether they agree that the errors listed in that report reveal an excessive reliance by the Child Support Agency on the word processor and the standard letter, rather than on individual correspondence.
The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Miss Ann Chant. She will write to the noble Lord.
Letter to Earl Russell from the Chief Executive of the Child Support Agency, Miss Ann Chant, dated 1st April 1996.
I am replying to your parliamentary Question to Her Majesty's Government about Child Support Agency procedures for logging incoming telephone calls and mail, and the use of standard letters and word processors.
The agency has already made considerable improvements in the handling and logging of incoming mail and telephone calls.
The current procedures and guidance on incoming mail include a manual which provides Child Support Agency Centre (CSAC) staff with written instructions on the handling of written correspondence received via the Royal Mail or the DSS internal courier service. It contains specific instructions on the logging of recorded delivery mail, including items of value and monetary payments of child support maintenance. Child Support Agency area staff (in field offices), refer to the Child Support Manual for instructions on handling written correspondence referred to them by the Benefits Agency post opening team.
In addition, each CSAC has a team whose job it is to check all correspondence, excluding letters to specific persons, for urgent items which, once identified, are recorded on the Child Support Computer System (CSCS) before being sent to the appropriate section to action. The team has a target to distribute incoming mail to the appropriate section within 24 hours of receipt. There are currently 127 pieces of unactioned and unlinked post in the Agency's six CSACs.
Parliamentary correspondence is passed to the Customer Service Section for action; tight controls are in place to monitor progress.
All CSACs have Client Helplines (previously known as Call Handling Teams) who record details of all case specific calls on CSCS. A telephone enquiry which requires action by another section is passed on with a written referral. During February 1996, the total number of calls made to the six CSAC Client Helplines was over 411,000; in addition, over 43,000 were made to the National Enquiry Line during this period.
The procedures that are currently in place for dealing with telephone calls and incoming mail have been developed since the launch of the agency in 1993. During their development, organisational changes have been made to deal with incoming mail more efficiently and staff have been made aware of the need to reply to all communications properly.
Finally, I turn to your point regarding the excessive reliance by the agency on the word processor and the standard letter. The agency does indeed use a number of standard letters. This ensures a consistent standard of correspondence in terms of both content and presentation when the agency is replying to the same standard questions. The debt management side of the agency's business is computerised and letters are, therefore, generated by the computer system.
We are currently reviewing our standard letters to see if there is scope for further improvements. There are circumstances, however, where the use of a standard letter would not be appropriate, and in such situations a more personal and individual letter is issued. All such letters are signed by the sending officer, and a telephone number is given for help and information.
I hope this is helpful.
National Debt
asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether for each year from 1950 to 1995 inclusive they will state the national debt as a percentage of GDP.
The information requested is shown in the table.
| National Debt as a percentage of GDP | |
| Year | |
| 1950 | 203.2 |
| 1951 | 180.7 |
| 1952 | 167.3 |
| 1953 | 156.9 |
| 1954 | 151.3 |
| 1955 | 143.6 |
| 1956 | 134.9 |
| 1957 | 127.2 |
| 1958 | 122.2 |
| 1959 | 117.5 |
| 1960 | 110.5 |
| 1961 | 106.2 |
| 1962 | 102.6 |
| 1963 | 101.6 |
| 1964 | 94.0 |
| 1965 | 87.4 |
| 1966 | 84.3 |
| 1967 | 81.6 |
| 1968 | 81.5 |
| 1969 | 74.7 |
| 1970 | 66.8 |
| 1971 | 60.6 |
| 1972 | 58.3 |
| 1973 | 52.0 |
| 1974 | 50.8 |
| 1975 | 46.6 |
| 1976 | 47.9 |
| 1977 | 48.5 |
| 1978 | 49.5 |
| 1979 | 46.8 |
| 1980 | 43.1 |
| 1981 | 46.2 |
| 1982 | 44.1 |
| 1983 | 43.7 |
| 1984 | 45.4 |
| 1985 | 46.1 |
| 1986 | 46.1 |
| 1987 | 45.9 |
| 1988 | 43.9 |
| 1989 | 38.8 |
| 1990 | 36.7 |
| 1991 | 37.9 |
| 1992 | 36.3 |
| 1993 | 40.1 |
| 1994 | 46.6 |
| 1995 | 501 |
Uk Current Revenue And Spending
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will state for each year from 1950 to 1995 inclusive.
The attached table shows spending and revenue as a percentage of GDP on a national accounts definition for central government and local government.The data necessary to calculate these proportions are only available back to 1955 and up to Q3 1995.
| Central and Local Government Current Revenue and Expenditure (percentage of GDP) | ||||
| Central Government | Local Government | |||
| Expenditure | Revenue | Expenditure | Revenue | |
| 1955 | 28.5 | 26.0 | 6.5 | 5.8 |
| 1956 | 28.2 | 25.9 | 7.0 | 6.2 |
| 1957 | 27.9 | 25.4 | 7.3 | 6.4 |
| 1958 | 28.7 | 26.0 | 7.5 | 6.6 |
| 1959 | 27.2 | 25.8 | 7.6 | 6.6 |
| 1960 | 27.1 | 26.0 | 7.7 | 8.5 |
| 1961 | 28.8 | 26.8 | 7.9 | 7.2 |
| 1962 | 28.4 | 26.8 | 8.3 | 7.5 |
| 1963 | 27.2 | 26.5 | 8.6 | 7.6 |
| 1964 | 27.8 | 25.5 | 8.6 | 7.6 |
| 1965 | 29.5 | 26.4 | 9.0 | 8.2 |
| 1966 | 30.2 | 27.2 | 9.6 | 8.6 |
| 1967 | 31.7 | 28.9 | 10.0 | 9.1 |
| 1968 | 33.5 | 28.6 | 10.0 | 9.1 |
| 1969 | 35.2 | 28.1 | 10.5 | 9.4 |
| 1970 | 34.9 | 28.1 | 10.7 | 9.7 |
| 1971 | 33.3 | 29.1 | 10.9 | 9.7 |
| 1972 | 30.9 | 29.1 | 10.8 | 9.7 |
| 1973 | 31.9 | 30.8 | 11.4 | 10.5 |
| 1974 | 34.5 | 34.3 | 12.5 | 11.7 |
| 1975 | 35.0 | 36.5 | 13.8 | 12.1 |
| 1976 | 35.0 | 36.0 | 13.0 | 11.7 |
| 1977 | 33.9 | 34.8 | 12.0 | 10.9 |
| 1978 | 33.1 | 34.8 | 11.5 | 10.6 |
| 1979 | 34.2 | 34.6 | 11.2 | 10.6 |
| 1980 | 35.2 | 37.0 | 12.1 | 11.3 |
| 1981 | 37.7 | 38.6 | 12.3 | 11.2 |
| 1982 | 37.1 | 38.5 | 12.0 | 11.0 |
| 1983 | 36.8 | 38.9 | 12.2 | 11.2 |
| 1984 | 37.5 | 39.1 | 11.7 | 11.2 |
| 1985 | 37.0 | 37.6 | 11.2 | 10.7 |
| 1986 | 35.8 | 37.0 | 11.3 | 10.7 |
| 1987 | 35.8 | 35.4 | 10.9 | 10.4 |
| 1988 | 34.7 | 32.6 | 10.4 | 10.1 |
| 1989 | 34.4 | 32.2 | 10.2 | 9.8 |
| 1990 | 36.2 | 34.6 | 10.6 | 10.1 |
| 1991 | 36.7 | 37.3 | 11.1 | 10.8 |
| 1992 | 34.5 | 39.5 | 11.6 | 11.0 |
| 1993 | 34.0 | 39.7 | 11.0 | 10.3 |
| 1994 | 34.8 | 38.9 | 10.7 | 10.3 |
Uk Revenue And Spending
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will state for each year from 1950 to 1995 inclusive:
expressing each as a percentage of GDP.
The attached table shows spending and revenue as a percentage of GDP on a national accounts definition for Central Government and Local Government.The data necessary to calculate these proportions are only available back to 1963 and up to Q3 1995.
| Central and Local Government Current Revenue and Expenditure (percentage of GDP) | ||||
| Central Government | Local Government | |||
| Expenditure | Revenue | Expenditure | Revenue | |
| 1963 | 28.9 | 28.0 | 9.7 | 10.9 |
| 1964 | 31.0 | 27.0 | 9.7 | 11.1 |
| 1965 | 33.5 | 27.9 | 10.1 | 11.7 |
| 1966 | 34.1 | 28.8 | 10.8 | 12.4 |
| 1967 | 35.4 | 31.5 | 11.3 | 13.2 |
| 1968 | 39.7 | 31.5 | 11.2 | 13.1 |
| 1969 | 43.6 | 31.2 | 11.9 | 13.2 |
| 1970 | 42.9 | 31.2 | 12.0 | 13.4 |
| 1971 | 38.7 | 31.9 | 12.4 | 13.2 |
| 1972 | 33.7 | 31.6 | 22 | 13.3 |
| 1973 | 34.2 | 33.4 | 12.7 | 15.0 |
| 1974 | 35.7 | 36.9 | 13.6 | 15.8 |
| 1975 | 34.3 | 38.8 | 15.6 | 15.8 |
| 1976 | 34.6 | 38.3 | 14.4 | 14.9 |
| 1977 | 33.6 | 36.9 | 13.3 | 13.3 |
| 1978 | 31.9 | 36.7 | 11.6 | 12.8 |
| 1979 | 34.3 | 36.3 | 11.8 | 12.6 |
| 1980 | 33.8 | 38.8 | 13 I | 13.1 |
| 1981 | 37.5 | 40.3 | 13.6 | 12.3 |
| 1982 | 36.3 | 40.4 | 13.1 | 12.3 |
| 1983 | 35.3 | 40.7 | 13.3 | 12.8 |
| 1984 | 36.5 | 41.1 | 12.5 | 12.7 |
| 1985 | 37.0 | 39.5 | 11.9 | 12.0 |
| 1986 | 35.4 | 38.6 | 12.2 | 11.9 |
| 1987 | 37.0 | 37.0 | 11.7 | 11.5 |
| 1988 | 37.8 | 34.2 | 11.0 | 10.8 |
| 1989 | 37.5 | 34.9 | 11.1 | 11.2 |
| 1990 | 38.6 | 37.6 | 11.4 | 11.2 |
| 1991 | 36.6 | 40.1 | 12.0 | 12.0 |
| 1992 | 29.9 | 43.2 | 13.6 | 12.1 |
| 1993 | 28.5 | 42.3 | 12.2 | 11.3 |
| 1994 | 31.1 | 41.2 | 11.5 | 11.4 |
Eu Common Visa List
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they plan to implement the European Union Common Visa List.
We have today laid a Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules which implements the European Union Common Visa List. With effect from 4th April, nationals of Bahrain, Dominican Republic, Fiji, Guyana, Kuwait, the Maldives, Mauritius, Niger, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Qatar, Surinam, United Arab Emirates and Zambia will require visas to visit the United Kingdom in addition to those countries of whose nationals visas are currently required.
Foreign Nationals: Application Forms For Leave To Enter Or Remain
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they plan to make the use of application forms compulsory for foreign nationals wishing to apply for leave to remain in the Untied Kingdom.
My honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department has today laid an Immigration Rules change which will make compulsory from 3rd June the use of application forms for a variation of leave to enter or remain. He has placed copies of the forms he prescribed in the Library. The scheme will not cover applications under European Community Law or applications for asylum. The Immigration and Nationality Department has been operating a voluntary trial of application forms since June 1995. Experience of the trial has shown that the forms enable us to provide a more efficient service to genuine applicants at a cheaper cost to the public purse. A more efficient system will also improve the immigration control.
Fbi: Representation In Uk
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the US Federal Bureau of Investigation has offices in the United Kingdom, and, if so, what are the rules under which it operates and what are its relations with British police authorities.
The United States' Federal Bureau of Investigation has no offices in the United Kingdom. The bureau is represented here by legal attaches in the United States Embassy.All law enforcement offices representing foreign governments working in the United Kingdom must observe guidance issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. A copy of the guidance, known as the "Whitehall Guidelines", is in the Library.The Police Service and the National Criminal Intelligence Service have an excellent relationship with the legal attaches.
Asylum Seekers: Benefits Disentitlement
asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Answer given by Lord Mackay of Arbrecknish on 16th October 1995 (H.L., Deb., cols. 577ߝ8), in which he said that the Government
| Persons refused entry clearance or an extension of stay on primary purpose grounds in 1995 | ||||
| Number1of persons | ||||
| All nationalities | Of which | |||
| Spouses and fiancé(e)s | Bangladesh | India | Pakistan | |
| Refused entry clearance overseas on primary purpose grounds:2 | ||||
| Solely for this reason3 | n/a | 150 | 300 | 510 |
| Partly for this reason3 | n/a | 220 | 130 | 1,140 |
| Refused an extension of stay in the UK on primary purpose grounds: | ||||
| Solely for this reason | 50 | Nil | —* | 10 |
| Partly for this reason | 30 | —* | 10 | —* |
| n/a = not available | ||||
| —* 5 or fewer. | ||||
| 1 Rounded to nearest 10. | ||||
| 2 After taking account of successful appeals. Data relate to country of application not nationality. | ||||
| 3 Data on entry clearance applications refused on primary purpose grounds are available only for countries of the Indian sub-continent. | ||||
do not conduct research into the effects of disentitlement to social security benefits, on what grounds the Minister of State at the Home Office, Miss Ann Widdecombe MP, based her claim that withdrawal of benefit "does not have the effects that are being described" (HC Deb., 21st February 1996, col. 402).
Under the previous social security regulations, asylum seekers ceased to be eligible for benefit when their case had been finally determined. We have no evidence that loss of benefit entitlement under those regulations had any significant impact on the number of people sleeping rough in central London. The regulations were however an open invitation to people from abroad to evade benefit restrictions by making abusive claims.Under the amendments which came into effect on 5th February, asylum seekers will still be eligible for benefit during the initial consideration of their case, if they declare themselves on arrival or if their country has undergone an upheaval after their arrival. Those who gain entry on the basis that they will support themselves without recourse to public funds should be held to that requirement, whether or not they claim asylum.
Entry Clearance And Extension Applications: Primary Purpose Rule Refusals
asked Her Majesty's Government:What proportion of persons who have sought leave during the past 12 months to enter or remain in the United Kingdom as spouses or fiances/fiancees of persons settled in the United Kingdom, and who have been refused entry or leave to remain under the Primary Purpose Rule, originate from Bangladesh, India and Pakistan respectively.
The information available for 1995 is given in the table.