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The Government welcome these developments. I believe that the AEA has the potential to improve the performance of a wide range of British industry. The Government also support its drives for increased exports and for greater efficiency.The AEA has recently submitted a revised corporate plan on the basis of the new business structure. My Department will be discussing this with the AEA in the coming months. It will also be consulting the authority about any changes which may be needed in the working relationship between the Department and the authority to reflect these developments and to secure the best value for money from the authority's operations.
TRADE AND INDUSTRY
Post Office Counter Services
Mr. Stevens : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made by the Post Office in the implementation of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission's report on Post Office Counter Services at Crown offices.
Mr. Ridley : The Monopolies and Mergers Commission's report (Cmnd. 398) was published on 23 June 1988. In September 1988 the Post Office produced an initial progress report detailing its response to the 80 recommendations made by the MMC on various aspects of the operation of Crown offices and wider issues. Of these, 35 were identified as of priority. As indicated by the then Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in a written answer on 31 December, Official Report, column 271, the Post Office accepted 68 of the Commission's recommendations, rejected one and had reservations or qualifications about the remaining 11. The reply also indicated that my Department had agreed a detailed timetable for implementation of the accepted recommendations, many of which needed an extended period for implementation, and would be monitoring the Post Office's progress on the basis of reports in June 1989 and June 1991.
I have now received the Post Office's report on progress to May 1989 and I am placing copies in the Library of the House. Good progress has been made in a number of areas. The report indicates that 18 of the recommendations which were wholly or partly accepted, including eight of the priority recommendations, have been implemented. They include improvements to budgetary arrangements, management information and working procedures ; and the inclusion in this year's corporate plan, which we are currently considering, of the analysis of options for the business recommended by the MMC. Most of the remaining recommendations, including 24 of the priority recommendations, are on course for implementation within the agreed timetable. There has, however, been slippage on 14 of the recommendations. My Department will continue to monitor implementation of the outstanding recommendations and will pay particular attention to progress on those which are behind schedule. A further formal report will be made in June 1991.
Lloyd's
Mr. Jack : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on implementation of the recommendations of the Neill committee on regulatory matters at Lloyd's.
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Mr. Redwood : Lloyd's was asked to implement the substance of the Neill report within two years. The Neill report contained 70 recommendations, of which 69 were addressed to Lloyd's, with the purpose of ensuring that regulatory arrangements at Lloyd's give protection for names comparable to that provided for investors under the Financial Services Act. The chairman of Lloyd's has sent me a memorandum which shows that, of the 70 recommendations, 65 have now been implemented. I will place copies of this memorandum in the Library.
The one recommendation which was for Government to implement called for Lloyd's to be put in the same position as the Securities and Investments Board and the self-regulatory organisations in relation to exceptions to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary intends to lay a draft order before Parliament in the autumn.
Of the four other recommendations not yet implemented, Lloyd's has issued consulation papers relating to its proposals for a Lloyd's members' compensation scheme, and for financial standards applicable to underwriting agents. Lloyd's will implement these two recommendations as soon as possible after the process of consultation has been completed. Another Neill recommendation related to inception date accounting under which greater precision would be given to allocating risks to years of account. This is still being considered by Lloyd's and I have asked the chairman to keep in touch with me on the resolution of the difficulties. The remaining recommendation requires Lloyd's to consider at the end of 1991, if there is no marked shift in the distribution of auditing work, limiting the number of syndicates which may be audited by any one firm. Lloyd's is keeping this under continuing review and will take action as necessary.
The implementation of the substances of the Neill report has been a massive task for Lloyd's, and I commend the council of Lloyd's for the vigour with which it has tackled it. The objective of the Neill report in providing increased protection for names has been achieved.
As the council of Lloyd's recognises, regulation requires constant vigilance and review and regulatory arrangements cannot be set for all time. I will continue to keep in close touch with the chairman of Lloyd's on these matters.
Commodity Futures
Mr. Tim Smith : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he proposes to take following the United States Commodity Futures Trading commission's assertion of extraterritorial jurisdiction implicit in the terms of the exemption order issued on 15 May 1989.
Mr. Redwood : My hon. Friend the Member for Warwickshire, North (Mr. Maude) wrote on 12 May to the chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to express the Government's concerns about the need for moderation and restraint in the exercise of powers by one authority in respect of problems arising in the jurisdiction of another. In particular, he made clear our view that the CFTC should rely exclusively on the United Kindom regulatory system for the protection of United States investors who place unsolicited futures business with United Kingdom firms. We are continuing to pursue this issue with CFTC representatives, keeping in close contact with the AFBD and other interested parties in the
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United Kingdom, with the aim of securing satisfactory arrangements which safeguard the public interest in the United Kingdom.Mr. Tim Smith : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information he has on the terms and conditions attached to the exemption order issued by the Commodity Futures Trading Commissionon 15 May 1989 under rule 30.10 of its rules, setting out the terms on which United Kingdom firms are permitted to transact business on United Kingdom markets for United States customers ; and what assessment he has made of the problems which the exemption order will cause United Kingdom commodity trading companies.
Mr. Redwood : The terms and conditions attached to the exemption order issued by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission on 15 May were published in the United States Federal Register on 19 May. I am placing a copy of the relevant extract in the Library of the House. The order will enable those United Kingdom Commodity trading companies which seek exemption under it to market United Kingdom futures products in the United States without being subject to the full range of United States regulatory controls. As a condition of exemption, the CFTC has insisted on one main departure from United Kingdom regulatory requirements. Under SIB's Financial Services (Clients' Money) Regulations, experienced and professional United Kingdom clients are allowed to release firms from the obligation to hold their funds on trust in separate client accounts. This option would not be available to American investors whose funds must be segregated in all cases, in line with current domestic United States practice. The Government consider that on balance the exemption order will benefit British firms trading in the United States. We have however made clear to the American authorities our objection to the jurisdictional reach of the order, in particular its implied application to unsolicited business placed by United States clients with United Kingdom firms in the United Kingdom. We are seeking a satisfactory resolution to this problem in discussions with the CFTC.
Financial Reporting Council
Mr. Tim Smith : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to make an announcement about the appointment of a chairman of the financial reporting council.
Mr. Redwood : I shall make an announcement as soon as the appointment has been made. It is too early to say when that will be.
Statutory Instruments
Dr. David Clark : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for each of the last five parliamentary Sessions including the 1988-89 Session, if he will list the number of statutory instruments that were issued by his Department ; how many were negative and how many affirmative ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Forth : The answer to the question is contained in the following table :
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Parliamentary Total number of SIs
procedure of the
statutory instrument
Session |negative |affirmative|non layers
------------------------------------------------------------------------
<1>1988-89 |82 |5 |11 |98
1987-88 |123 |30 |5 |158
1986-87 |34 |11 |16 |61
1985-86 |54 |16 |13 |83
1984-85 |71 |14 |14 |99
<1> The number of Statutory Instruments for the 1988-89 session is up
to and including 25 July 1989.
European Single Market
Mr. Butterfill : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many firms have approached his Department for information on 1992 to date ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Forth : The DTI has recorded over 246,000 requests for published information and other advice on the single market since the Europe open for business' campaign was launched in March 1988. The large majority of these requests have been from firms and business organisations. In addition, DTI Ministers and officials have spoken at more than 1,150 single market conferences and seminars since the campagin began ; again mainly to business audiences.
Cans
Mr. Squire : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has made representations to the canning industry or the large retail groups against the use of cans combining aluminium and steel.
Recycling
Mr. Squire : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps has he taken this year to encourage recycling in industry ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Douglas Hogg : This year, my Department has continued to encourage recycling wherever economically viable. In addition, my right hon. Friend announced on 10 May details of the Department's new environment programme, which is aimed at raising industry's awareness of environmental issues, encouraging companies to take advantage of the growing market opportunities, at home and abroad, for environmentally benign products and pollution abatement and clean technology, and promoting waste minimisation, recovery and recycling. We are already among the leading nations in reclaiming such metals as copper, lead and zinc from scrap, and industry, local authorities, voluntary organisations and the general public are collaborating more and more to boost recovery of post-consumer wastes, such as glass, paper, aluminium and steel cans, and plastic bottles.
Most recently, my Department has established a new business and environment unit to give even more focus to our initiatives in this important area.
Balance of Trade (Manufactures)
Mr. Austin Mitchell : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will publish a table in the Official Report showing in terms of sterling at specified
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rates of exchange the overall and per capita surplus/deficit on trade in manufactures in 1959, 1967, 1977 and 1988 in the case of the United Kingdom, United States of America, Germany, Japan, France and Italy.Mr. Redwood : The information is in the following tables :
x
Surplus/Deficit Per Capita
\£\
|United Kingdom|USA |FR Germany |Japan |France |Italy
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1959 |35.7 |6.2 |33.7 |8.7 |20.1 |5.9
1967 |60.3 |8.2 |65.5 |23.6 |10.5 |18.6
1977 |57.1 |0.5 |273.0 |197.8 |60.2 |108.3
1987 |-100.7 |-229.8 |612.0 |478.0 |-28.4 |172.8
1988 |-192.7 |-199.4 |656.9 |499.7 |-63.0 |155.1
Sources: OECD, UN and IMF.
x
Surplus/Deficit Per Capita
\£\
|United Kingdom|USA |FR Germany |Japan |France |Italy
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1959 |35.7 |6.2 |33.7 |8.7 |20.1 |5.9
1967 |60.3 |8.2 |65.5 |23.6 |10.5 |18.6
1977 |57.1 |0.5 |273.0 |197.8 |60.2 |108.3
1987 |-100.7 |-229.8 |612.0 |478.0 |-28.4 |172.8
1988 |-192.7 |-199.4 |656.9 |499.7 |-63.0 |155.1
Sources: OECD, UN and IMF.
b
National currencies/sterling exchange rates
|USA |FR Germany |Japan |France |Italy
[NL] |US dollar |Deutsche Mark|Yen |Franc
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1959 |2.80 |11.76 |1,008 |13.82 |1,739
1967 |2.77 |11.62 |996 |13.66 |1,729
1977 |1.75 |4.05 |468 |8.57 |1,540
1987 |1.64 |2.94 |236 |9.84 |2,123
1988 |1.78 |3.12 |228 |10.60 |2,315
Source: IMF, CSO.
Imports
Mr. Austin Mitchell : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will publish in the Official Report for the latest available date the figures for the share of the United Kingdom market taken by imports from the European Economic Community corresponding to ratio 1 in table 10 of the "Monthly Digest of Statistics" ; and if he will provide a forecast in both cases for December 1988 based on the trade returns.
Mr. Douglas Hogg : I assume the hon. Member is referring to table 15.10 of the "Monthly Digest of Statistics". It is estimated that, in 1987, 20 per cent. of the United Kingdom market for manufactured goods was taken by imports from the European Community. These estimates are readily available only on an annual basis, and there are no figures available yet for 1988.
Exports
Mr. Austin Mitchell : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is his estimate of the increase in imports and loss of exports as a result of access to the domestic and overseas markets of British companies acquired by foreign competitors.
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Mr. Redwood : There are no estimates of the trade effects of acquisitions of British companies by foreign competitors. Such acquisitions can provide important benefits to the economy and also have to be balanced against British company acquisitions of overseas companies.
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Mr. Sillars : To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the top 10 exports in each of the last 10 years ; and if he will show the total value of each in each year.
Mr. Redwood [holding answer 20 July 1989] : Information on the divisions of the standard international trade classification accounting for the greatest value of exports is given in the following table.
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United Kingdom top ten exports 1979 to 1988 Value in £ million Division |1979 |1980 |1981 |1982 |1983 |1984 |1985 |1986 |1987 |1988 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 33 |Petroleum, petroleum products and related materials |4,158 |6,133 |9,108 |10,686 |12,501 |14,852 |16,134 |8,208 |8,466 |5,576 75 |Office machines and automatic data processing machines |- |- |- |1,600 |2,049 |3,047 |3,747 |3,562 |4,483 |5,297 78 |Road vehicles (including air cushion vehicles) |3,148 |3,158 |3,170 |3,109 |3,092 |3,319 |3,911 |3.954 |4,877 |4,992 77 |Electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, n.e.s. and electrical parts thereof |1,457 |1,799 |1,759 |2,117 |2,292 |2,805 |3,380 |3,383 |3,786 |4,343 89 |Miscellaneous manufactured articles, n.e.s. |1,537 |1,730 |1,909 |2,023 |2,393 |2,921 |3,175 |3,539 |4,357 |4,326 79 |Other transport equipment |1,802 |2,380 |1,726 |2,034 |2,342 |2,766 |2,737 |3,081 |3,759 |3,965 71 |Power generating machinery and equipment |1,789 |2,231 |2,642 |2,809 |2,473 |2,709 |3,061 |3,251 |3,241 |3,885 74 |General industrial machinery and equipment, n.e.s. and machine parts, n.e.s. |1,960 |2,317 |2,306 |2,412 |2,334 |2,557 |2,937 |3,037 |3,098 |3,578 72 |Machinery specialised for particular industries |2,313 |2,574 |2,558 |2,601 |2,335 |2,677 |3,078 |3,101 |3,300 |3,288 51 |Organic chemicals |- |- |1,496 |- |- |2,382 |2,743 |2,571 |2,831 |3,138 66 |Non-metallic mineral manufactures, n.e.s. |3,396 |3,551 |1,538 |1,610 |1,996 |- |- |- |- |- 65 |Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up articles, n.e.s. and related products |1,339 |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- 68 |Non-ferrous metals |- |1,771 |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- Notes: 1. 1988 figures are provisional. 2. Divisions listed in descending order based on 1988 values. Source: Overseas Trade Statistics.
Manufacturing Output
Mr. Austin Mitchell : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the percentage increase in output between 1959 and 1973 and 1973 and 1988 in, respectively, electrical engineering and instrument engineering goods together with (i) the percentage increase for the group using, respectively, 1959, 1970, 1975 and 1985 weights and (ii) the increase in import penetration between 1968 and 1977 and 1968 and 1988.
Mr. Redwood : I regret that an answer could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Austin Mitchell : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the percentage increase in output between 1959 and 1973 and 1973 and 1988 in, respectively, food, drink and tobacco, paper, printing and publishing, coal and petroleum products, cement, bricks, pottery, glass etc., timber, furniture etc. and other miscellaneous manufacturing together with (i) the percentage increase for the group using, respectively, 1959, 1970, 1975 and 1985 weights and (ii) the increase in import penetration between 1968 and 1977 and 1968 and 1988.
Mr. Douglas Hogg : I regret that an answer could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.
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Mr. Austin Mitchell : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the percentage increase in United Kingdom output between 1959 and 1973 and 1973 and 1988 in, respectively, chemicals, manmade fibres, textiles clothing and footwear and leather, motor vehicles, trains, ships, aircraft etc. and mechanical engineering together with (i) the percentage increase for the whole group using, respectively 1959, 1970, 1975 and 1985 weights and (ii) the increase in import penetration between 1968 and 1977 and 1968 and 1988.
Mr. Douglas Hogg : I regret that an answer could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.
Competitiveness
Mr. Austin Mitchell : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will bring up to date the index on
competitiveness given in his answer of 22 October 1979, Official Report, columns 56-60.
Mr. Redwood : The current estimates for the indices provided in the previous answer are available in tables D3 and F3 of the "Annual Supplement to the Monthly Review of External Trade Statistics", a copy of which is in the Library.
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BAT Industries
Mr. Alton : To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will refer the bid by Hoylake for BAT Industries to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.
Mr. Redwood : The bid by Hoylake for BAT is currently under consideration by the Director General of Fair Trading, who will advise my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in the normal way on whether the proposed acquisition should be referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission. It would be inappropriate to comment on this case in advance of the director general's advice.
Professions (Competence)
Mr. Hanley : To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what criteria determine that examinations for competence are not considered a restriction to entry into a profession, with potentially undesirable consequences for competition, for dentists, doctors, solicitors, barristers, chartered accountants and stockbrokers, but are for members of FIMBRA who practice as independent financial advisers.
Mr. Redwood : FIMBRA has not introduced such a requirement, and so far as I am aware no such proposal has been discussed with the Director General of Fair Trading or his staff. No determination of the possible competitive effect of such a requirement has therefore been made. If such a requirement is introduced, it will in the first instance be for the director general to consider its effects on competition.
Exhibitions
Miss Widdecombe : To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many exhibitions Ministers from his Department have visited in an official capacity in the last 12 months or other convenient period, both within the United Kingdom and overseas ; and if he will give comparable figures for the previous 12 months.
Mr. Ridley : Specific records are not kept, but I understand that previous Ministers in my Department visited at least 10 overseas exhibitions in the last 12 months compared with at least four in the previous 12 months. It would be too costly to identify figures of visits to United Kingdom exhibitions.
Trade Statistics
Mr. Haynes : To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) how he intends to maintain reliable intra-European Community trade statistics post-1992 without adding to the form-filling burdens on business establishments ;
(2) what assessment he has made of the ro le of reliable intra-European Community trade statistics for post-1992 business marketing and investment purposes.
Mr. Redwood : Following completion of the single market in 1992, the current source of intra-European Community trade
statistics--customs' documentation--will probably disappear. An EC Commission proposal for a revised collection system has been put forward to be considered by EC Ministers later this year. This system
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involves collecting trade statistics directly from industry. However, with the elimination of customs' documentation and formalities, importers and exporters within the Community will benefit from a major reduction in costs and overall form-filling burden.The Government's aim is to ensure that any new statistical system achieves a reasonable balance between the burdens imposed on those who have to provide statistics and the needs of Government and industry for reliable figures.
In order to assess these two aspects of any new system, a consultation exercise has recently been undertaken to obtain the views of industry. Individual businesses, trade associations and freight forwarders have all been included in the consultation. The results of this exercise are currently being assessed and will be used to help decide the United Kingdom's negotiating position in discussion on the new collective system.
More information about the proposed new statistical system and details of the consultation exercise were included in an article in British Business on 19 May 1989.
Multi-fibre Arrangement
Mr. Haynes : To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will ensure that any changes in multi-fibre arrangement quotas within the member states, consequent upon the fulfilment of the single European market, post 1992, will not add further to import penetration of textiles, knitted and clothing products in the United Kingdom.
Mr. Redwood : The present extension of the multi-fibre arrangement expires in 1991. Its future is a matter for negotiation in the current Uruguay round of multilateral trade negotiatons.
It is the Commission's general view that the maintenance of indiviudal member state quotas will be inconsistent with the completion of the single market after 1992. How far this might extend to the treatment of textiles and clothing and, in that event, the likely implications for trade flows have yet to be discussed. Current arrangements in the Community's bilateral textile agreements already provide however for automatic transfer or quotas between member states up to a certain percentage which increases annually.
Anti-dumping Rules
Mr. Haynes : To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make it his policy to seek immediately a change in the European Community's application of the anti-dumping rules so that given a prima facie case of dumping a provisional duty could be introduced, with the required onus of proof, thereafter, being placed on the supplying country.
Mr. Redwood : The GATT anti-dumping code to which the EC is a party permits provisional anti-dumping duties only when a preliminary finding of dumping has been made and there is sufficient evidence of injury. However, the provisions of the code are under review in the current Uruguay round negotiations.
Socks
Mr. Haynes : To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what information he has on the increase in the level of sock imports from Indonesia (a) between 1987
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and 1988 and (b) between 1 January and 30 April 1989 ; and if he intends to support the introduction of the multi- fibre arrangement quota on socks originating in Indonesia.Mr. Redwood : Imports from Indonesia of socks and certain other hosiery products covered by multi-fibre arrangement category 12 rose from 2,365,000 pairs in 1987 to 10,767,000 pairs in 1988, an increase of 355 per cent. In the first four months of 1989, 3,276,000 pairs of these products were imported, compared with 1,095,000 pairs in the same period in 1988, an increase of 199 per cent. These imports accounted for 4.4 per cent. of the United Kingdom market for category 12 products in the first quarter of 1989, compared with 1.5 per cent. in the same period in 1988.
My Department is currently considering a request from the Knitting Industries Federation for restraint action against these imports under the terms of the EC-Indonesia bilateral textiles agreement. United Kingdom producers currently hold almost 70 per cent. of a domestic market which has been growing and I will need to take this and other factors into account when assessing their case. In particular, it will be necessary to demonstrate clearly that the imports from Indonesia are causing or threatening to cause disruption to the United Kingdom market before a decision could be taken to submit the case to the EC Commission for consideration by the Community.
Mr. Haynes : To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what information he has on the level of sock imports from Turkey (a) between 1987 and 1988 and (b) in the first four months of 1989 ; and if he intends to invoke the safeguard mechanism in the European Community-Turkey agreement in this respect.
Mr. Redwood : Imports from Turkey of socks and certain other hosiery products falling within multi-fibre arrangement category 12 rose from 6,775,000 pairs in 1987 to 13,692,000 pairs in 1988, an increase of 102 per cent. In the first four months of 1989, 3,542,000 pairs were imported, compared with 2,544,000 pairs in the same period in 1988 an increase of 39.2 per cent. These imports accounted for 4.8 per cent. of the United Kingdom market for category 12 products in the first quarter of 1989, compared with 3.4 per cent. in the same period in 1988.
In order to invoke the safeguard mechanism of the EC-Turkey association agreement, it is necessary to provide evidence to the EC Commission and Council which clearly demonstrates serious injury as a result of imports from Turkey. Such evidence is not available at present. However following representations from the Knitting Industries Federation, officials are monitoring the situation closely.
Certain categories of knitwear and clothing imports from Turkey are covered by informal voluntary restraint arrangements agreed between Turkish garment exporters associations and the EC Commission. The United Kingdom has already taken the opportunity of consultations within the framework of these arrangements to ensure that the EC Commission raised our concerns about sock imports with the Turks. Consultations will continue in September.
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Philippines
Mr. Sillars : To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will estimate the volume and value of trade in fruit between the Philippines and the United Kingdom ; and what tariff or other conditions apply to this trade.
Mr. Redwood [holding answer 20 July 1989] : The United Kingdom imported 15,300 metric tonnes (£6.6 million) of fruit from the Philippines in 1988. There were no exports.
Full details of specific customs duties are given in the integrated tariff of the United Kingdom, chapters 8 and 20, a copy of which is available in the Library. Imports of prepared or preserved pineapples comprise some two thirds of fruit imports from the Philippines ; these receive a general scheme of preferences concession on the normal full tariff rate.
There are plant health standards that have to be met by certain fresh fruit imports.
Mr. Sillars : To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what are the principal trading goods and commodities between the United Kingdom and the Philippines.
Mr. Redwood : [holding answer 20 July 1989] : The principal traded goods have been defined in terms of divisions of the standard international trade classification. The information is given in the following tables :
United Kingdom imports from the Philippines in 1988
Division |Value
|£ million
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
24 Cork and wood |45.3
77 Electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances
and electrical parts thereof |40.6
63 Cork and wood manufactures (excluding
furniture) |35.9
84 Articles of apparel and clothing accessories |32.9
05 Vegetables and fruit |10.7
89 Miscellaneous manufactured articles nes |7.7
82 Furniture and parts thereof (including bedding) |7.3
03 Fish (not marine mammals, crustaceans, molluscs
etc and preparations thereof |5.1
29 Crude animal and vegetable materials nes |4.7
26 Textile fibres and their wastes (not manufactured
into yarn or fabric) |4.7
Scottish Trade Missions
Mr. Sillars : To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the total amount spent by his Department in each year since 1979 on assisting Scottish trade missions ; and if he will provide comparable information in respect of each planning region of England.
Mr. Redwood [holding answer 20 July 1989] : The table is based on readily available information. Although the costs are shown by organising sponsors located in the areas specified, it is important to note that participation in a mission is on a United Kingdom-wide basis and that consequently all companies are eligible for consideration irrespective of their or a sponsor's location.
Outward Mission Payments: Financial Year
£'000
|1985-86|1986-87|1987-88|1988-89
---------------------------------------------------------
Total |1,446 |1,395 |1,301 |1,278
of which:
Scotland |175 |125 |129 |151
South East |600 |564 |585 |524
West Midlands |211 |239 |140 |183
East Midlands |57 |89 |62 |77
Northern |74 |81 |68 |70
North West |99 |84 |67 |70
Yorks and
Humberside |119 |126 |152 |120
South West |54 |34 |46 |53
Wales |47 |46 |36 |26
Northern Ireland |10 |7 |16 |4
Electrical Installations
Mr. Randall : To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list for the last 20 years how many deaths and serious accidents are attributable to faulty electrical installations.
Mr. Forth [ holding answer 24 July 1989 ] : The information is not available either in the form requested or for the whole of the last 20 years.
Fatal and non-fatal casualties from fires in dwellings due to faults in electical appliances :
Fatal Non-Fatal Year |Fault in mains circuit|Fault in appliance |Fault in mains circuit|Fault in appliance ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1978 |11 |37 |133 |379 1979 |13 |52 |143 |485 1980 |6 |38 |108 |407 1981 |11 |41 |109 |459 1982 |8 |33 |108 |443 1983 |26 |42 |148 |498 1984 |15 |33 |183 |502 1985 |9 |40 |175 |620 1986 |11 |38 |178 |600 1987 |10 |23 |180 |571 Source: Home Office Fire Statistics.
Electrocutions: Fatal home accidents involving electrical products in England and Wales Year |Fault in mains circuit|Fault in appliances -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1979 |4 |23 1980 |4 |17 1981 |4 |15 1982 |1 |32 1983 |8 |28 1984 |2 |14 1985 |3 |20 Source: HADD
HASS: Electric current accidents, Hospital admissions Year |Number --------------------- 1980 |11 1981 |15 1982 |19 1983 |12 1984 |12 1985 |14 1986 |12 1987 |9 Source: HASS
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Mergers
Mr. Hinchliffe : To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will refer the proposed merger between Hodgson Holdings undertakers and Kenyon Securities undertakers to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.
Mr. Redwood : [holding answer 24 July 1989] : The proposed merger between Hodgson Holdings and Kenyon Securities is currently under consideration by the Director General of Fair Trading who will advise my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in the normal way on whether the proposed merger should be referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission. It would be inappropriate to comment in detail on the case in advance of the director general's advice.
Exports
Mr. Austin Mitchell : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what is his estimate of the percentage United Kingdom content of United Kingdom exports in 1959, 1970, 1979 and 1988 or the latest available date of finished manufactures less erratics made in the United Kingdom, taking into account the increase in imports of basic materials, semi-manufactures and intermediate finished manufactures ;
(2) whether he will publish in the Official Report his estimate of the percentage United Kingdom content in 1959, 1970 and 1988 of United Kingdom exports of, respectively, motor cars, commercial vehicles, clothing, textiles, mechanical engineering products and electrical engineering products, taking into account the increase in imports of materials and components used in each of these industries and assuming that the import content of exports is the same as that for the sector as a whole.
Mr. Redwood : I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and place a copy in the Library.
North East Shipbuilders Ltd.
Mr. Clay : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether any meetings took place or written correspondence was exchanged between his Department and the European Commission relating to the sale of North East Shipbuilders Ltd. between 17 April and the date of the meeting between the right hon. Member for Braintree (Mr. Newton) and Sir Leon Brittan.
Mr. Douglas Hogg : A full account of exchanges between my Department and the European Commission is contained in the note that my right hon. Friend has recently placed in the Library.
Mr. Clay : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to the reply by the right hon. Member for Braintree (Mr. Newton), to the hon. Member for Dagenham (Mr. Gould), Official Report , 13 July, column 1151, whether it was his Department or British Shipbuilders who informed the bidders for NESL of the anticipated difficulties with the European Commission ; and whether this advice was provided in writing.
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