The below Parliamentary question was asked by Charlie Elphicke on 2014-05-07.
To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, whether he has reviewed the efficacy of the guidance of the Electoral Commission on referendums; and if he will make a statement.
Greg Clark
The Government has not reviewed the efficacy of guidance produced by the independent Electoral Commission.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Charlie Elphicke on 2014-03-11.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department made before the 2012 Budget of the effect on stamp duty land tax and inheritance tax receipts of the introduction of a so-called mansion tax designed to raise a net sum of £2 billion per annum.
David Gauke
The number of residential properties in the UK valued at more than £2 million was estimated before Budget 2012 to be around 55,000.
Before Budget 2012, an assessment of the average annual payment required from each property above £2 million in order to raise a net sum of £2 billion per annum was not made.
On 1 July 2013, during Report stage of the Finance Bill, I referred to “a simple calculation arrived at by dividing £2 billion by 55,000 (an internal HMRC estimate of the number of properties valued at over £2 million) to give a ‘mean’ average of £36,000.”
A so-called mansion tax would depress stamp duty land tax and inheritance tax yields. The exact impact would be dependent on the rates and bands chosen.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Charlie Elphicke on 2014-06-09.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will assess the merits of introducing tax-rate floors to contracts involving Private Finance Initiative arrangements.
Danny Alexander
In December 2012, the Government launched Private Finance 2 (PF2). PF2 introduces significant reforms to the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) and gives a new approach to the delivery of public infrastructure. It is based on the outcomes of a wide call for evidence held across both the public and private sectors.
The Government seeks to ensure that the UK tax system is competitive for all companies and that the UK is an attractive place to do business, while retaining proportionate anti-avoidance protection.
A special purpose vehicle set up for the purposes of delivering a PFI project is no different from any other corporate entity and is therefore required to pay corporation tax in accordance with government rules.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Charlie Elphicke on 2014-04-03.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment HM Revenue and Customs has made of the economic viability of its Customs House landholding adjacent to Dover Priory railway station.
Mr David Gauke
HMRC has made no assessment of the economic viability of the Priory Court Dover landholding adjacent to Dover Priory railway station.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Charlie Elphicke on 2014-06-09.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will take steps to promote discussions between HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and Network Rail on the construction of new parking facilities for Dover Priory Railway Station on land currently owned by HMRC.
Mr David Gauke
Previous replies have explained that HMRC does not own the Priory Court Site but occupies it as part of the STEPS PFI agreement with Mapeley. However, HMRC have taken part in discussions between Mapeley and Network Rail at the Priory Court Dover site on proposals for the construction of a multi storey car park on land adjacent to Priory Court not owned by either Mapeley or HMRC. Further discussions of future proposals have been between Mapeley as the freehold owner of Priory Court and Network Rail.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Charlie Elphicke on 2014-04-03.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many meetings HM Revenue and Customs has conducted with Network Rail on the development of new parking facilities at Dover Priory railway station in the last six months.
Mr David Gauke
No meetings have taken place between HM Revenue and Customs and Network Rail regarding the development of new parking facilities at Dover Priory railway station in the last six months. However, Network Rail have been in contact with Mapeley as owner/managers of the site.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Charlie Elphicke on 2014-06-11.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he expects HM Revenue and Customs to respond to Mapeley Estates, agents for the Custom House site, on the development of the new parking facilities at Dover Priory Railway Station.
Mr David Gauke
HMRC have taken part in discussions between Mapeley and Network Rail at the Priory Court Dover site on proposals for the construction of a multi storey car park on land adjacent to Priory Court not owned by either Mapeley or HMRC. Further discussions of future proposals have been between Mapeley as the freehold owner of Priory Court and Network Rail. HMRC have no outstanding enquiries from Mapeley.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Charlie Elphicke on 2014-04-01.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to ensure that veterinarians are present at all live animal exports from the UK to provide an export certificate and ensure relevant standards of animal care are being adhered to.
George Eustice
The Government has no plans to propose changes to the legislative basis for pre-export inspections beyond those measures which are currently in place. These measures were reviewed and, where necessary, modified in 2012. Details of these operational changes were set out in the Written Ministerial Statement made by the then Minister of State for Defra, Mr David Heath on 4 March 2013 (Hansard, Column 53 WS).
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Charlie Elphicke on 2014-06-11.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the profitability and financial position of Mapeley Steps Contractor Limited in its role of managing the HM Revenue and Customs’ estate.
Mr David Gauke
HMRC monitors the financial position of its key suppliers under agreed transparency arrangements. HMRC is unable to provide confidential financial information relating to its suppliers.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Charlie Elphicke on 2014-04-03.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what veterinary and animal welfare qualifications and training are a criteria of becoming an inspector at the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency.
George Eustice
Animal Health Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) employs Veterinarians and Animal Health Officers who both are inspectors. Veterinarians employed by AHVLA must have a veterinary degree and be members of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (MRCVS). AHVLA supports these veterinarians to achieve the annual number of days continued development required to maintain their MRCVS.
Animal Health Officers are not qualified veterinarians and have no requirement for any veterinary qualifications. They are trained in a variety of aspects relevant to their function and that are essential to their duties, including animal welfare, animal health, enforcement and evidence gathering. Furthermore, and in order to fulfil this function, Animal Health Officers are appointed as Inspectors under the Animal Health Act 1981. A senior veterinarian in the organisation ensures that appointed Inspectors only use the powers to act as an Inspector when they are deemed competent to do so.
AHVLA has an annual programme of training for its veterinary staff and Animal Health Officers to ensure that they maintain and develop knowledge in their particular areas of expertise.