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Inland Revenue: Corruption and Fraud Cases Involving Staff
Lord Christopher asked Her Majesty's Government:
How many Inland Revenue staff have been (a) prosecuted, and (b) otherwise disciplined for corruption, fraud or misconduct of a similar nature in each of the past 10 years, analysed by grade and division of revenue concerned. [HL3101]
Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The number of staff prosecuted for fraud, corruption and similar offences is set out in the table below:
| Business Stream | Corruption and Fraud Cases |
| Revenue Policy | 3 |
| IR Southern England | 5 |
| IR London | 8 |
| IR Central England | 5 |
| IR Northern England | 11 |
| IR Scotland | 8 |
| IR Northern Ireland | 1 |
| IR Learning | 3 |
| Valuation Office | 4 |
| Receivables (RMS) | 1 |
| 49 |
| Pay Band | Corruption and Fraud Cases |
| E2 | 11 |
| E1 | 24 |
| D | 9 |
| C2 | 3 |
| C1 | 1 |
| B1 | 1 |
| 49 |
The number of staff disciplined for fraud, corruption or similar offences is set out in the tables below:
| Business Stream | Corruption and Fraud Cases |
| Revenue Policy | 3 |
| IR Southern England | 1 |
| IR London | 4 |
| IR Central England | 2 |
| IR Northern England | 1 |
| IR Scotland | 2 |
| IR Northern Ireland | 1 |
| IR Wales | 2 |
| Tax Credit Office | 3 |
| Special Compliance Office | 1 |
| Valuation Office | 3 |
| Business Services | 1 |
| Receivables (RMS) | 1 |
| 25 |
| Pay Band | Corruption and Fraud Cases |
| E2 | 4 |
| E1 | 7 |
| D | 8 |
| C2 | 3 |
| C1 | 2 |
| B2 | 1 |
| 25 |
Pensions
Lord Lester of Herne Hill asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord McIntosh of Haringey on 27 May (WA 160), how the pension for survivors of marriage is taken into account in public service pension schemes, and upon what financial basis. [HL3142]
Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The actuary advising each scheme calculates the cost of the benefits accruing to current employees. These benefits include those payable in respect of prospective survivors following the employees' deaths.
Various assumptions are made by the actuary including the proportions of employees and former employees who at death will leave a survivor. The rates of contribution disclosed within resource accounts and FRS17 statements for 2003–04 for the public service pension schemes will be based on a rate of return net of prices of 3.5 per cent.
Gypsies and Travellers
Lord Ouseley asked Her Majesty's Government:
When they intend to propose legislation to provide security of tenure for Gypsies and Travellers living on local authority sites, following the ruling on 27 May of the European Court of Human Rights that the United Kingdom's existing legislation failed to protect Gypsies' rights in accordance with the right to respect for private and family life under the European Convention on Human Rights. [HL3114]
The Minister of State, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (Lord Rooker): The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is currently considering the implications of the judgment in the Connors v UK case. We are already looking at the tenure issues associated with Gypsy and Traveller sites as part of our wide-ranging review, which will report to Ministers in the summer.
If our review concludes that a change in the status of those residing on local authority residential sites is appropriate, then the Law Commission's current tenure review would be an appropriate vehicle to take this forward.
Health Impact Assessments
The Countess of Mar asked Her Majesty's Government:
Which Government departments have required, or currently require, health impact assessments, as advocated by the BSE inquiry report 2000; and in respect of which of their policies. [HL2970]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Warner): The Government response to the BSE inquiry report stated that departments were expected to apply health impact assessments to all new key policies and that the Government had begun developing an integrated tool for screening and rapid assessment. This has now been subsumed within regulatory impact assessment (RIA) which is mandatory. RIA includes analysis of economic, social (including health), environmental and distributional effects of policy proposals. The social and environmental impact assessment elements of the RIA have recently been strengthened and new guidance issued to departments.
Pre-Cancerous Skin Lesions
Lord Clement-Jones asked Her Majesty's Government:
What research they have commissioned into the incidence of pre-cancerous skin lesions in England. [HL3042]
Lord Warner: No research has been commissioned in the past three years into the incidence of pre-cancerous skin lesions in England. We have commissioned the National Institute of Clinical Excellence to produce improving outcomes guidance on skin tumours, including melanoma. This guidance is due for publication in April 2005 and is aimed at informing commissioners and providers how to configure their services to provide the best outcomes for patients.
As skin cancers are caused by exposure to ultra-violet radiation from the sun, a range of measures has been taken to ensure that the public are aware of the simple steps they can take to minimise the risks. The United Kingdom health departments are providing £400,000 funding to Cancer Research UK for the SunSmart Sun awareness campaign. In addition, the Department of Health continues to provide funding
17 Jun 2004 : Column WA94
for the Meteorological Office ultra-violet index and core funding for the National Radiological Protection Board.
Obesity: Food Labelling
Lord Morris of Manchester asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the reply by the Lord Warner on 5 May (Hansard, cols. 1204–10) on misleading food labelling, what decision the Department of Health has taken with regard to its funding of the Obesity Awareness and Solutions Trust in pursuit of ministerial commitments urgently to aid and educate the public about obesity. [HL3117]
Lord Warner: The Department of Health has supported the work of the Obesity Awareness and Solutions Trust (TOAST) for two years (2001–02 to 2002–03) through the department's Section 64 grant scheme. A large number of applications covering ministerial commitments were received for funding from April 2004 which resulted in intense competition for limited funds. This has resulted in many applications being rejected, including those from TOAST.
Chief Nursing Officer
Baroness Cox asked Her Majesty's Government:
Lord Warner: The post will be filled through fair and open competition by a selection panel chaired by a Civil Service Commissioner. The vacancy will be advertised in the national and professional press.
Orchards
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer asked Her Majesty's Government:
How many grants have been given for the establishment of traditional orchards over the past three years by (a) the Countryside Agency and (b) local authorities. [HL3148]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Whitty): We are not aware of any grants having been given for the establishment of traditional orchards over the last three years by these bodies.
Fallen Stock Disposal Scheme
Lord Willoughby de Broke asked Her Majesty's Government:
What percentage of farmers have now signed up to the new fallen stock disposal scheme to be run by the National Fallen Stock Company. [HL3176]
Lord Whitty: Farmers have not yet been asked to sign up to the scheme but will have a chance to do so when it is launched in the autumn.
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