| Previous Section | Back to Table of Contents | Lords Hansard Home Page |
Sudan: Darfur
Lord Alton of Liverpool asked Her Majesty's Government:
What factors underlay the finding of the Home Office position paper, published in May 2006, that “ordinary non-Arab ethnic Darfuris are not at risk of persecution outside the Darfur States and ... it is not unduly harsh to expect them to relocate to an area within Sudan in which they will be safe”. [HL1621]
The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal): The country information element of the Sudan operational guidance note (OGN) is drawn from a wide range of publicly available governmental and non-governmental sources cited in the Home Office Sudan country of origin information (COI) report.
The information in the Sudan COI report, as well as the leading tribunal case law, indicates that tribal leaders, prominent activists and intellectuals of
14 Mar 2007 : Column WA141
The Sudan OGN was reviewed in November 2006 to reflect the updated Sudan COI report issued in October 2006. The overall guidance for the non-Arab ethnic Darfuri category of claim remains unchanged.
Taxation: Immigrants
Lord Barnett asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether immigrants to the United Kingdom pay income tax and national insurance on earned income in their first full year; and, if not, under which Act they qualify for this exemption. [HL2529]
Lord Davies of Oldham: If an immigrant comes to the UK to work, tax and national insurance contributions (NICs) should be deducted from their pay from when they start work.
Taxation: VAT Carousel Fraud
Lord Steinberg asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are aware of any missing trader and carousel fraud outside the mobile phone industry; and [HL2569]
Whether HM Revenue and Customs have withheld VAT repayments to the majority of mobile phone traders since March 2006; and [HL2570]
How many mobile phone traders have sought judicial review of the withholding of VAT payments; how many cases have been initiated; and how many are pending; and [HL2571]
Whether they have taken action in respect of missing trader and carousel fraud against any mobile phone traders; and, if so, in respect of how many traders. [HL2573]
Lord Davies of Oldham: Although the majority of all MTIC fraud seen so far has been perpetrated using mobile phones and computer chips, a wide range of other goods have been, and continue to be, used. HMRC has also seen evidence of traders historically linked with the mobile phone sector diversifying their trading into goods as disparate as cosmetics and soft drinks.
HMRC has a duty to protect tax revenues, and does so through a multi-faceted strategy using a range of interventions, including taking steps to counter inaccurate, fraudulent or abusive repayment claims. HMRC is entitled to verify VAT repayment claims to
14 Mar 2007 : Column WA142
Last year, the level of VAT repayment claims from those suspected of trading in supply chains associated with MTIC fraud rose very rapidly, without known economic or commercial reason. As a result, HMRC is verifying a greater proportion of VAT repayment claims from such traders, regardless of the nature of their trading activity. In order to ensure that its action is proportionate, HMRC has deployed an additional 700 staff to enable these verification checks to be carried out efficiently and effectively. However, HMRC does not collate information by specific products, and to do so would incur disproportionate costs.
HMRC has received a number of challenges to its in-depth verification of repayment claims from those suspected of trading in transaction chains affected by MTIC fraud. HMRC has received over 170 letters before claim, the first stage in the judicial review process. Subsequently, HMRC has been served with 42 judicial review claim forms. Of these, 19 cases are awaiting a decision from the administrative court as to permission, and two substantive and two permission renewal hearings are pending. The courts, to date, have supported HMRC's policy and practice.
Terrorism
Lord Dykes asked Her Majesty's Government:
What plans they have to ensure that the rule of law will be applied in all terrorist suspect cases and that detainees will not be held indefinitely without charge. [HL2275]
The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal): There are no terrorist suspects detained indefinitely without charge in the UK. Prosecution is the Government's preferred way of dealing with terrorist suspects. Individuals detained under immigration powers for reasons of national security are subject to deportation proceedings and the timeframes that this entails. The individuals subject to control orders under the Prevention of Terrorism Act 2005 are not in detention.
Wales Office: Translation Costs
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
Lord Evans of Temple Guiting: The Wales Office pays for translation from English into Welsh at a rate of £80 plus VAT for each 1,000 words or part thereof, with a minimum charge of £35 plus VAT for shorter documents.
14 Mar 2007 : Column WA143
Waterways: Royal Canal
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
How much the repairs to the Royal Canal Longford and Begnagh bridges have cost; who carried out the work; and after what selection process. [HL2446]
Lord Rooker: I understand from Waterways Ireland that both bridges were publicly advertised for tenders. In each case, the tenders were assessed from a suitability questionnaire first and, having been judged suitable, contracts were then awarded on price. Jons Civil Engineering Co Ltd won both contracts. The tender price, including VAT, for Longford Bridge is €2,754,186.85. The scheme is now substantially complete, but the final cost is not yet available. The tender price, including VAT, for Begnagh Bridge is €2,197,533.00. The scheme is expected to be completed in April 2007 and the final cost will not be available until after that date.
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
How much the work on the Royal Canal bridges at Lyneen and Mosstown and Lock 45 and associated culverts has cost; who carried out the work; and after what selection process. [HL2447]
14 Mar 2007 : Column WA144
Lord Rooker: I understand from Waterways Ireland that works have not yet commenced on the three projects. Therefore, the cost is not yet available. Proposals for both Lyneen and Mosstown bridges have been submitted to Longford County Council for planning permission. Detailed design is ongoing and, on receipt of planning permission, Waterways Ireland's intention is to publicly advertise the tenders as separate schemes. Lock 45 was publicly advertised and tenders were received on Wednesday 28 February 2007. They are currently being assessed, and it would not be appropriate to comment further until this process has been completed and the contract awarded.
Young Offender Institutions: Personal Officers
The Earl of Listowel asked Her Majesty's Government:
What steps they are taking to ensure the role of personal officer in young offender institutions is effectively implemented. [HL2458]
The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal): All young offender institutions operate a personal officer scheme. A key audit baseline requires that prisoners have support from a specified member of staff for advice and guidance, and help with personal problems.
| Back to Table of Contents | Lords Hansard Home Page |