Written Answers
Income Growth
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will present the annual compound rate of growth of—
for each year since 1970.
The Question has been interpreted as relating to the United Kingdom economy as a whole. Gross money income is represented by column (a), gross real income by column (b) and net real income by column (c). National disposable income at constant market prices is assumed to be the best measure of real income as it takes account of the effects on the purchasing power of incomes of changes in the terms of trade.Estimates for 1977 are not yet available.
| Annual compound rate of growth between | Gross national product at current factor | National disposable income at 1970 market price(2) | |
| 1970 | cost(1) | Gross | Net(3) |
| and | (a) | (b) | (c) |
| 1971 | 11·5 | 2·2 | 2·0 |
| 1972 | 12·3 | 2·6 | 2·4 |
| 1973 | 13·5 | 3·2 | 3·1 |
| 1974 | 13·8 | 1·2 | 1·0 |
| 1975 | 16·1 | 1·0 | 0·7 |
| 1976 | 16·3 | 1·1 | 0·8 |
| (1) Income based. | |||
| (2) National product at 1970 market prices adjusted for the effect of changes in the terms of trade and for net current transfers abroad. | |||
| (3)After deducting capital consumption. | |||
Heathrow Airport: Customs And Immigration
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they are willing to provide Customs and Immigration facilities the new General Aviation Terminal at Heathrow if so requested by the British Airports Authority.
Customs have agreed in principle to approve a General Aviation Terminal at Heathrow for domestic and international flights and to provide the necessary staff for customs control purposes from the cargo terminal. To provide Immigration Service coverage, however, would mean diverting immigration officers full-time from the main passenger terminals. It is not considered that, at a time of restrictions in manpower, a new commitment of this kind would be a justifiable use of the limited resources available to the Immigration Service.
Corporation Tax In The Eec
asked Her Majesty's Government:What rates of corporation tax apply to each Member State of the EEC.
The information requested is as follows:
| Belgium(1) | |
| Taxable profits exceeding 15m B francs | 48 per cent. |
| 3–15m B francs | 1·2m B francs plus 50 per cent. of the excess over 3m B francs |
| 1·7–3m B francs | 40 per cent. |
| 1–1·7m B francs | 330,000 B francs plus 50 per cent. of the excess over 1m B francs |
| less than 1m B francs | 33 per cent. |
| Denmark | |
| 37 per cent. | |
| France | |
| 50 per cent. | |
| Germany | |
| (i) Federal corporation tax(2) | 56 per cent. on retained profits |
| 36 per cent. on distributed profits | |
| (ii) Local trade tax(3) | 11–20 per cent. (varies) |
Ireland
| |
| Taxable profits exceeding £15,000 | 45 per cent. |
| £10,000–£l5,000 | £3,500 plus 65 per cent. of excess over £5,000 |
| Less than £10,000 | 35 per cent. |
Italy(4) | |
| (i) National income tax | 25 per cent. |
| (ii) Local income tax | 15 per cent. |
Luxembourg
| |
| (i) National income tax(5) | |
| Taxable profits exceeding 1,212,400 francs | 40 per cent. |
| 1m-1,312,400 francs | 300,000 francs plus 72 per cent. of excess over lm francs |
| 600,000–1m francs | 30 per cent. |
| 400,000–600,000 francs | 80,000 francs plus 50 per cent. of excess over 400,000 francs |
| Less than 400,000 francs | 20 per cent. |
| (ii) Local trade tax(6) | 5·6–12 per cent. (varies) |
Netherlands
| |
| Taxable profits exceeding 50,000 florins | 48 per cent. |
| 40,000–50,000 florins | 18,000 florins plus 60 per cent. of excess over 40,000 florins |
| Less than 40,000 florins | 45 per cent. |
United Kingdom
| |
| Taxable profits over£65,000 | 52 per cent. |
| £40,000–£65,000 | 42 per cent.‱52 per cent. |
| Less than £40,000 | 42 per cent. |
NOTES—
| (1)Belgium also imposes an excess profits tax. |
| (2)For German companies whose taxable profits are less than 10,000 DM, the first 5,000 DM is exempt. Between 10,000 DM and 20,000 DM there is a marginal exemption. |
| (3)German local trade tax is deductible for federal corporation tax purposes. |
| (4)The Italian corporation tax has recently been changed: the figures relate to the earlier system. |
| (5)Luxembourg imposes a 1 per cent. surcharge on national income tax for the Unemployment Fund. |
| (6)Luxembourg local trade tax is deductible for national income tax purposes. |
Prices And Eec Membership
asked Her Majesty's Government:
What effect the final transitional step to full membership of the EEC has had on the Retail Price Index.
As was said in another place by my right honourable friend the Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on 11th November last in reply to a question, the effect of the final transitional step on United Kingdom retail food prices could not be accurately predicted because it depended on a number of factors including the extent to which market prices were influenced by institutional prices and the costs of processing and distribution. Assuming, however, that the remaining transitional price increases were eventually fully reflected at retail level, they might lead to an increase of up to a ¼per cent. on the Retail Price Index. No further information on this matter has become available since my right honourable friend gave this answer.
Nationalised Industries: Correspondence
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether it is a common practice in nationalised industries for instructions to be given that normal correspondence arising from previous commercial negotiations shall not be acknowledged or replied to; whether they appreciate that such practices can lead to dereliction of industrial and residential property; and whether they will give instructions to prevent results of this sort.
The way in which the nationalised industries handle their correspondence is a matter of day-to-day management for which the industries themselves are responsible. But if the noble Lord has a particular case in mind he should send the details to the Secretary of State responsible, who will draw it to the attention of the chairman of the industry concerned.
Meat Sales And Slaughterhouse Restrictions
asked Her Majesty's Government:
Under what conditions the meat of animals slaughtered under the provisions of Section 36(3) of the Slaughterhouses Act 1974 may lawfully be exhibited for sale to attract general customers outside the community for which the exceptions are granted under the Act.
I am advised that no special conditions are laid down for the sale of meat from animals slaughtered under Section 36(3) of the Slaughterhouses Act 1974. Noble Lords will, however, be aware that only the courts are able authoritatively to interpret the law.
Horse Sales: Inspections
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether conditions have been inspected recently at horse sales held at the following locations and, if so, with what result: Kirkham, near Blackpool; Haswell, near Newcastle; Greenfield, near Oldham; Pannal, near Harrogate; Holmes Chapel, Cheshire; Southall, Middlesex; Mansfield; Lepton, near Huddersfield.
I understand that local authority inspectors have recently attended all those sales which take place regularly and in most cases have found welfare conditions satisfactory. Six of the eight sales concerned were also visited by veterinary staff of the Ministry of Agriculture within the last few months.
At none of these was there evidence of any cruelty to animals but two minor infringements of the Transit of Animals (Road and Rail) Order 1975 were noted. Action on one of these infringements has already been taken; the other is under consideration.
"Directory Of Paid Public Appointments"
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will issue an updated edition of the Directory of Paid Posts to which Ministers make appointments last compiled by the Civil Service Department in February 1976; and whether they will publish a list of the current holders of such appointments with similar details to those contained in Cmnd. 6803 relating to Public Boards.
It is our intention to produce a new issue of the Directory of Paid Public Appointments during the course of this year. I regret that it would be too costly to assemble and publish the list requested by my noble friend since the Directory of Paid Public Appointments lists approximately 10,000 posts. As my noble friend will be aware, however, when new bodies are set up the names of the people appointed to them are published in the Official Report of another place.House adjourned at two minutes past six o'clock.