107
wrullen Answers
19.0 81
1981-82
1982-83
1983-84
31 JANUARI 1984
Written Answers
108
At current prices
Revalued to 1983-84 prices
Average gross earnings
Income
Net earnings
Average gros5
tax+NIC less
earnings
Income tax+NIC less
Net earnings
child benefit
child benefit
133-65
28.19
105.46
167.51
35.34
132-17
148.40
33.77
114.63
166.83
37-97
128.86
160-10
36.99
123-11
168.10
38-84
129-26
171.30
38.51
132-79
171.30
38.51
132.79
Privatisation (Share Prices)
Dr. McDonald asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the price at which shares in all the public sector companies which have been privatised to date were issued to the public and the price at which they are currently traded.
Mr. Moore [pursuant to his reply, 30 January 1984, c. 46]: The information uested is given in the following table:
On
Table of share price*.
ma ▾ privatisations to date privaation (Date)
25 January 1984
15 February 1981)
Cable and Wireless
168 ctober 1981)
*305
Amersham International
142 (February 1982)
217
Britoil
Associated British Ports
215 (November 1982) 112 (February 1983),
233
258
British Aerospace
256
* The current quoted figure reflects in part that there has been a 1 for 2 scrip issue since privatisation.
Industrial Building Allowances
Mr. Hicks asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the additional costs of industrial building allowances to hotels and associated activities if the rate of allowance were raised to 50 and 75 per cent., respectively.
Mr. Moore [pursuant to his reply, 30 January 1984, c. 47]: I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the initial allowance. The costs would be £10 million and £20 million respectively in a full year, on the assumption that sufficient profits are available to absorb the allowances in full. Over a number of years, however, the total allowances available in respect of hotels would be unchanged.
Tax Relief (Overseas Absence)
Mr. Stern asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has any plans to increase the number of days abroad required for tax relief under section 31 and schedule 7 to the Finance Act 1977 and the equivalent provisions for ! trades and professions in section 27 of the Finance Act
1978.
Mr. Moore [pursuant to his reply, 30 January 1984, c. 47]: My right hon. Friend reviews all aspects of the tax system at this time of year.
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS
Hong Kong
Mr. Adley asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the functions of the
84
Government Information Services Department within the Hong Kong Government; and how they relate to the police and to the armed services where functions overlap,
Mr. Luce: The Information Services Department-- ISD is the Hong Kong Government's link with the media and through them the people of Hong Kong. Its news, public relations and publicity divisions provide direct 24-hour contact with the media, keep the Government informed of public opinion expressed in the media and carry out promotional, publicity and creative activities.
The Royal Hong Kong police carry out information and publicity work through their police public relations branch which is staffed by police and staff seconded from ISD. Publicity for the British forces in Hong Kong is handled by the joint services public relations service, which operates independently from the Hong Kong Government and entirely on behalf of the armed services.
Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was (a) the cost of air fares, (b) the cost of hotel accommodation and (c) the cost of official hospitality of hon. Members who were invited to Hong Kong by the Hong Kong Government since May 1979 to the latest date.
Mr. Luce: The costs incurred by the Hong Kong Government in respect of hon. Members whom they have invited to Hong Kong since May 1979 have been as follows:
a) Air fares Hong Kong dollars 445,000
b) Hotel accommodation: Hong Kong dollars 126,000 The cost of hospitality cannot be assessed accurately as this was met from a variety of sources.
Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if consideration will be given to the appointment of a Chinese Governor for Hong Kong.
Mr. Luce: It is too soon to consider possible successors to the present Governor.
Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if there are any plans to have an elected urban council in Hong Kong; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Luce: Of the 30 members of the urban council, 15 are directly elected on a constituency basis. Hong Kong's constitutional development is kept under constant review.
Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if there are any plans to have a directly elected legislative council in Hong Kong; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Luce: Hong Kong's constitutional development is kept under constant review. The development and extension of a system of district administration, which contains an elected element, is a demonstration of this.
DATE
Lex
3 FE
768
COL.