§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the employer-provided
Thousands Total War disablement pension War widow's pension Other 1986 275 210 61 4 1987 266 203 59 3 1988 258 198 58 3 1989 252 194 56 2 1990 248 192 54 2 1991 250 195 53 2 1992 260 207 52 1 1993 293 241 51 1 1994 309 259 49 1 1995 315 264 50 1 1996 328 267 60 1 All figures as at the 31 December of each year. 364W
War pensions expenditure £ million Year Cash terms Real terms 1986–87 589 933 1987–88 599 900 1988–89 610 860 1989–90 641 844 1990–91 708 863 1991–92 967 1,108 1992–93 1,158 1,273 1993–94 1,286 1,375 1994–95 1,147 1,204 1995–96 1,258 1,289 1996–971 1,420 1,420 1997–981 1,461 1,433 1 Figures are estimated. benefits in kind which would be affected if employers' national insurance contributions were extended to all taxable benefits in kind. [13331]
§ Mr. HealdThe most recent information about taxable benefits in kind was published in "Inland Revenue Statistics 1996", a copy of which is in the Library.
§ Mr. BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what action he intends to take to prevent the avoidance of employer national insurance contributions on employee remuneration by payment of benefits in kind with particular reference to(a) property, (b) luncheon vouchers, (c) private medical insurance, (d) school fees, (e) supermarket vouchers, (f) cars, (g) yachts and (h) low-interest loans; and if he will make a statement. [13334]
§ Mr. HealdWe remain committed to curbing schemes aimed solely or largely at unfairly avoiding national insurance contributions. Not all payment practices using benefits in kind are aimed solely or largely at unfair avoidance. With the Inland Revenue, we continue to monitor schemes. It is not the Government's policy to give advance warning of specific action against avoidance that we may be planning to take.