HC Deb 09 February 1989 vol 146 cc773-4W
Mr. Galbraith

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those international organisations on which his Department is represented and the total cost of these commitments.

Mr. Nicholas Ridley

My Department shares in the work of representing the Government on a number of international bodies, in particular the European Community, the United Nations, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the Commonwealth, and the Council of Europe. Among its other international commitments, my Department also subscribes to or is represented on the following international organisations:

  • International Association on Water Pollution and Control;
  • International New Towns Association;
  • International Solar Energy Society;
  • International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources;
  • Paris Commission on Prevention of Marine Pollution from Land Based Sources.

In addition, it is represented on a number of other international organisations in the field of building research.

National insurance contribution rates(secondary class 1) Number of employees (in millions) Estimated yield £ billion
Male Female All
9 per cent
Contracted in 1.0 1.2 2.2 1.6
Contracted out 0.5 0.9 1.4 0.6
Total 1.5 2.1 3.6 2.2
10.45 per cent
Contracted in 3.0 0.7 3.7 4.9
Contracted out 5.9 1.9 7.8 9.6
Total 8.9 2.6 11.5 14.5

The figures include employers' contributions in respect of married women and widows who pay contributions at the reduced rate, whether contracted in or contracted out.

Mr. Yeo

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish in theOfficial Report a table showing for 1989–90 his estimate of the numbers of male and female employees expected to pay national insurance

Vote X, 2 of the Department's Supply Estimates 1988–89 gives details of subscriptions paid by the Department to international organisations. Figures on the total cost of participation in these bodies, which would include staff time and travelling expenses, are not held separately and are not available other than at disproportionate cost.