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Mr. Douglas Hogg : DTI supports industrially relevant collaborative research in IT. Academic partners in projects are eligible for DTI support on the same basis as industrial partners under the terms and conditions of the research and technology initiative. However, funding for academic IT research is usually provided through the science and engineering research council and the United Kingdom funding contribution of EC programmes. DTI has no plans to change these arrangements.
38. Mr. Bradley : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps to provide a more detailed analysis of the balance of trade in information technology.
118. Mr. Allen Adams : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps to provide a more detailed analysis of the balance of trade in information technology.
Mr. Douglas Hogg : The Government already provide a considerable amount of detailed information on trade in information technology. The Central Statistical Office (CSO) publishes details of United Kingdom exports and imports of electronics and information technology manufactured goods in the Business Monitor PQ series as well as in Business Monitors MQ10 "Overseas Trade analysed in terms of industries" and MQ12 "Import penetration and export sales ratios for manufacturing industry". More detailed information is published in Business Monitor MM20 "Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom". HM Customs and Excise has appointed a number of marketing agents who can provide further detailed analyses. Export statistics for computing services, including software, are published by the CSO in Business Monitor SDQ9 "Computing Services". Information on imports of computing services is not readily available because of the inherent nature of the trade.
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Manufactured Goods
18. Mr. Worthington : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the current balance of trade in manufactured goods with West Germany.
Mr. Redwood : In the first 11 months of 1989 imports of manufactures from the Federal Republic of Germany exceeded United Kingdom exports to that country by £9.0 billion.
82. Mr. Randall : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the increase in import penetration of manufactured goods from 1979 until the most recent date for which figures are available.
73. Mr. Alan Williams : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the increase in import penetration of manufactured goods from 1979 until the most recent date for which figures are available.
116. Mr. Murphy : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the increase in import penetration of manufactured goods from 1979 until the most recent date for which figures are available.
Mr. Redwood : Import penetration in manufacturing industry rose from 27 per cent. in 1979 to 36 per cent. in the year ending March 1989.
22. Mr. Win Griffiths : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what has been the growth in imports of manufactured goods from the European Community since 1979.
77. Mr. Gareth Wardell : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what has been the growth in imports of manufactured goods from the EEC since 1979.
78. Mr. Boateng : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what has been the growth in imports of manufactured goods from the European Economic Community since 1979.
80. Mr. Cummings : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what has been the growth in imports of manufactured goods from the EEC since 1979.
Mr. Redwood : Imports of manufactured goods from the European Community have risen from £16.0 billion in 1979 to £45.7 billion in 1988, an increase of £29.7 billion.
Footwear
19. Mr. Ron Davies : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will estimate the percentage of the home market of footwear supplied by imports.
86. Mr. Leadbitter : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will estimate the percentage of the home market of footwear supplied by imports.
121. Mr. McAllion : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will estimate the percentage of the home market of footwear supplied by imports.
Mr. Douglas Hogg : A total of 56 per cent. by value, in the first half of 1989.
West Midlands
21. Mrs. Maureen Hicks : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what interest is being shown by foreign businesses in becoming established in the west midlands.
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Mr. Forth : Foreign businesses are showing great interest in the west midlands. In 1988, 66 investment decisions were recorded involving projects by foreign companies in the region. These were forecast to create 3,656 new jobs. This made the west midlands the most popular area in the country in terms of the number of new projects. Interest remains high and while statistics are not yet available for 1989 it is expected that the 1988 figure will be exceeded.
Industry and Services (North-West)
23. Mr. Campbell-Savours : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proposals he has for industry and service trade development in the north-west of England.
Mr. Douglas Hogg : Through regional selective assistance and the consultancy and export initiatives, my Department will continue to support the development of industry and service trade in the north-west of England and throughout the United Kingdom.
Export Credits Guarantee Department
24. Mr. Faulds : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to visit Cardiff to inspect the work of the Export Credits Guarantee Department.
68. Mrs. Fyfe : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to visit Cardiff and inspect the work of the Export Credits Guarantee Department.
Mr. Ridley : My right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for Trade has already visited Cardiff. I intend to do so shortly.
52. Mr. Michael : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consideration he gave to EC requirements in reaching his decision to privatise the Export Credits Guarantee Department ; if he will list them ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Ridley : In arriving at its decision on ECGD's future status and organisation, referred to in the written answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Eastwood (Mr. Stewart) on 18 December 1989, the Government were particularly concerned by the need (a) for ECGD to be able to respond effectively to the business opportunities created by the single European market ; and (b) to ensure that ECGD would be able to maintain its intra-EC business in the event that the future development of Community law made the continued provision of Government support for short-term trade credit within Europe impossible.
If ECGD's insurance services group is to maintain and continue the improvements in performance and service for customers made over the past three years, the Government believe that it must be free to compete with all other insurers in Europe and that this can best be done by converting it into a private sector company.
29. Mr. Morgan : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make it his policy to ensure no loss or transfer of employment at the Insurance Service Group headquarters at Export Credits Guarantee Department ensues from the Export Credits Guarantee Department's privatisation announced on 18 December.
Mr. Ridley : I believe that the changes that I have announced offer the best prospects of securing jobs for the
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future. I do not expect any significant change in the numbers employed in ECGD Cardiff as a result of the change of status. Thereafter the number of people in the organisation will depend mainly on its success in expanding its business.27. Mr. John Hughes : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received on the future of the Export Credits Guarantee Department.
75. Mr. McWilliam : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received on the future of the Export Credits Guarantee Department.
111. Mr. Andrew Smith : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received on the future of the Export Credits Guarantee Department.
Mr. Ridley : In relation to the Kemp review of status options for ECGD, I have received representations from United Kingdom exporters, banks, trade associations, ECGD's staff and their representatives and other interested parties.
Petrol Retailing
25. Mr. Doran : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has considered the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report into the petrol retailing industry ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Ridley : I am at present considering the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report on the supply of petrol. I shall report to the House when it is published.
Trade Deficit (EC)
26. Mr. Galloway : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which EC countries have either a trade surplus or a smaller trade deficit as a proportion of gross domestic product than the United Kingdom.
33. Mr. Lambie : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which EC countries have either a trade surplus or a smaller trade deficit as a proportion of gross domestic product than the United Kingdom.
66. Mr. Rowlands : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which EEC countries have either a trade surplus or a smaller trade deficit as a proportion of gross domestic product than the United Kingdom.
90. Mr. Steinberg : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which EEC countries have either a trade surplus or a smaller trade deficit as a proportion of gross domestic product than the United Kingdom.
Mr. Redwood : All except Portugal, Greece and Spain were in one or other category in 1988, the latest year for which complete figures are available.
94. Mr. Wigley : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which five industrial sectors have the most adverse balance of trade in 1989 between the United Kingdom and the rest of the European Community on the latest available figures ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Redwood : Defining industrial sectors as divisions of the Standard International Trade Classification Revision 3, information for the first 11 months of 1989 is :
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Division |Deficit
|(£ million)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
78 Road Vehicles |5,567
05 Vegetables and Fruit |1,204
65 Textile Yarn, Fabrics, Made-up Articles and
Related Products |1,067
72 Machinery Specialised for Particular Industries |906
57 Plastics in Primary Forms |777
91. Mr. Watson : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the EEC countries with which the United Kingdom has a manufacturing trade deficit.
106. Mr. Allan Roberts : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the EC countries with which the United Kingdom has a manufacturing trade deficit.
108. Mr. Buchan : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the EEC countries with which the United Kingdom has a manufacturing trade deficit.
114. Mr. Clelland : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the EEC countries with which the United Kingdom has a manufacturing trade deficit.
Mr. Redwood : In the first 11 months of 1989 the United Kingdom had a manufacturing trade deficit with the following countries : France, Belgium/Luxembourg, Netherlands, Federal Republic of Germany, Italy, Denmark and Portugal.
Trade Deficit (OECD)
95. Mr. Tony Lloyd : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries have either a trade surplus or a smaller trade deficit as a proportion of gross domestic product than the United Kingdom.
101. Mr. Hoyle : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which OECD countries have either a trade surplus or a smaller trade deficit as a proportion of gross domestic product than the United Kingdom.
Mr. Redwood : All except Portugal, Greece and Spain were in one or other category in 1988, the latest year for which complete figures are available.
English Estates
28. Mr. Buckley : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the future of English Estates.
46. Mr. Corbett : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the future of English Estates.
Mr. Douglas Hogg : As already announced, a consultant's study is looking at a variety of aspects of English Estates' activities.
EC Ministers
30. Mr. Canavan : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he next plans to meet his EEC counterparts ; and what subjects will be discussed.
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49. Ms. Armstrong : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he next plans to meet his EC counterparts ; and what subjects will be discussed.122. Mrs. Dunwoody : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he next plans to meet his EEC counterparts ; and what subjects will be discussed.
Mr. Redwood : I continue to keep in close contact with my EC counterparts on a whole range of matters.
Single Market
31. Mr. Martyn Jones : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has any new initiatives to assist British industry to prepare for 1992.
48. Mr. Tom Clarke : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has any new initiatives to assist British industry to prepare for 1992.
59. Mr. Hood : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has any new initiatives to assist British industry to prepare for 1992.
71. Mr. Barron : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has any new initiatives to assist British industry to prepare for 1992.
Mr. Redwood : My Department's "Europe Open for Business" campaign provides the most comprehensive information service available to business anywhere in the Community, including a 24-hour telephone hotline, and extensive written and audio-visual material. This is constantly updated and expanded to take account of developments in Brussels. We also encourage business to take advantage of the growing range of specialist help and advice available from private sector sources.
125. Mr. Wray : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement regarding the deficit in the balance of payments and on the competitiveness of British industry for the single European market.
Mr. Redwood : The main reason for the balance of payments deficit has been the rapid growth in both investment and consumption in the United Kingdom. The strong growth in investment will in time produce additional capacity and enable industry to meet more of the demands placed on it. In the meantime it has been necessary to tighten monetary policy to encourage additional spending and to slow down the growth of spending. There are a number of indications that the tightening is having a significant impact.
The improved competitiveness of the United Kingdom since the 1970s can be seen in the fact that since 1980 manufacturing productivity growth in the United Kingdom has been faster than in all other major industrialised countries and since 1983 we have maintained our share of the value of world trade in manufactures after decades of decline. Further progress in liberalising financial services in Europe should help our internationally famous financial services sector gain further access to the EEC market.
97. Mr. Andrew MacKay : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on merger and monopoly policy in the light of the single European market in 1992.
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Mr. Redwood : The Government believe that improvement to the rules by which the European Commission examines mergers and the reduction or elimination of barriers to takeover throughout the Community are both essential aspects of the single European market programme. At the December Internal Market Council, major breakthroughs were achieved in both areas. The Council adopted the merger control regulation, which sets out Community powers to regulate large mergers with a Community dimension. The regulation will come into force in September 1990. In addition, the Commission proposed--and the Council accepted its proposal--to bring forward an action plan to tackle barriers to takeover by March 1990, which should help level the playing field for takeovers in the Community. Both developments are beneficial to United Kingdom industry and commerce, and an important step towards the completion of the single market.
British Steel (Golden Share)
32. Mr. Salmond : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received about his use of the golden share in British Steel.
72. Mr. Andrew Welsh : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received about his use of the golden share in British Steel.
Car Imports
34. Mr. Bill Michie : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will estimate the percentage of the home market of cars supplied by imports.
89. Mr. Ingram : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will estimate the percentage of the home market of cars supplied by imports.
112. Mr. Robert Hughes : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will estimate the percentage of the home market of cars supplied by imports.
Mr. Douglas Hogg : A total of 57 per cent. by number in 1989.
Trade Deficit (Japan)
35. Mr. McFall : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the current trade deficit with Japan ; and how much of the deficit is accounted for by manufactured goods.
44. Mr. Alan W. Williams : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the current trade deficit with Japan ; and how much of the deficit is accounted for by manufactured goods.
62. Mr. David Marshall : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the current trade deficit with Japan ; and how much of the deficit is accounted for by manufactured goods.
Mr. Redwood : In the first 11 months of 1989 the deficit in total visible trade was £4.6 billion. In the same period the deficit for manufactured goods was £4.7 billion.
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FIMBRA
36. Mr. Battle : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on FIMBRA.
110. Mr. Norman Hogg : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on FIMBRA.
Mr. Redwood : The Financial Intermediaries, Managers and Brokers Regulatory Association is one of five self-regulating organisations recognised by the Securities and Investments Board under the Financial Services Act 1986. It is responsible for authorising independent investment intermediaries to conduct investment business and monitoring their compliance with the rules and regulations made under the Financial Services Act. In common with other Financial Services Act regulators, FIMBRA is in the process of reviewing certain aspects of its own rulebook in the light of changes to the Financial Services Act contained in the Companies Act 1989. Questions regarding the recognition of FIMBRA are matters for the Securities and Investments Board.
Consumer Protection
37. Dr. Kim Howells : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has plans to strengthen legislation on consumer protection.
51. Mr. Frank Field : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has plans to strengthen legislation on consumer protection.
Mr. Forth : We intend to improve the protection given to consumers in a number of ways, including the introduction of an order under the Prices Act 1974, as amended, on price indications and unit pricing, and changes to other legislation affecting consumers' interests.
Rover Group
39. Mr. Nellist : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a further statement about the sale of Rover to British Aerospace.
Mr. Ridley : I have nothing to add to my statement of 30 November 1989.
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Waste Management
40. Mr. Squire : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to encourage industry to reduce the volume of its waste.
Mr. Forth : The promotion of waste minimisation is one of the objectives of my Department's environmental programme launched in May last year. This and certain other aspects of the programme are being developed by the Department's business and the environment unit (BEU), which was formed in June. A business guide to waste minimisation, entitled "Cutting Your Losses", was published by the BEU in November. To date there have been over 4,000 inquiries for the guide. A conference on waste minimisation, organised jointly by my Department, the CBI and the Department of the Environment, was also held in November and a series of regional seminars is planned for 1990. The programme of action is being developed further and I am confident that, together with the Department's work to promote the economic recycling of industrial and domestic waste materials, it will make a significant contribution to the reduction of waste in the United Kingdom.
Securities and Investments Board
41. Mr. Eadie : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he next plans to meet the chairman of the SIB ; and what will be discussed.
Mr. Redwood : My right hon. Friend and I meet the chairman of the Securities and Investments Board as frequently as is necessary. I expect to meet him shortly when a range of topics concerning the regulation of financial services will be discussed.
55. Mr. Foulkes : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received concerning the Securities and Investments Board and its associated bodies ; and if he will make a statement.
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