HC Deb 07 May 2002 vol 385 c49W
Mr. Peter Ainsworth

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the impact on(a) employers in rural areas and (b) agricultural and related industries of the increase in national insurance contributions announced in the Budget. [51984]

Margaret Beckett

[holding answer 23 April 2002]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. Andrew Smith) on 29 April 2002, Official Report, columns 544–45W.

Mr. Andrew Turner

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her estimate is of the cost in the next 12 months of the budget changes to employers' national insurance contributions to (1)(a) her Department, (b) agencies of her Department and (c) local government carrying out functions within the responsibility of her Department; [52071]

(2) the (a) agriculture, (b) food processing businesses, (c) retail food outlets and (d) horticulture. [52072]

Mr. Morley

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. Andrew Smith) on 29 April 2002,Official Report, column 544W.