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Bank of Credit and Commerce International
Mr. Vaz : To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is considering an application made under section 172 of the Insolvency Act for the removal of the liquidators of BCCI.
Mr. Neil Hamilton : Representations have been made which ask that the liquidators be removed under the powers contained in section 172 of the Insolvency Act 1986 and these are being considered.
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Computer Programmes Regulations
Mr. Peter Griffiths : To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what representations he has received from the EC Commission regarding the wording of the draft Copyright (Computer Programmes) Regulations 1992 ; and if it is his intention to reconsider the wording of the regulations ;
(2) if the draft Copyright (Computer Programmes) Regulations 1992 meets all the requirements of the relevant EC directive.
Mr. Leigh [holding answer 25 January 1993] : No representations have been received from the European Commission on the draft regulations laid before Parliament, but the wording of those regulations took account of representations from the Commission and from interests in the United Kingdom on an earlier, consultative draft. Following approval of the draft regulations by both Houses, they have been published as the Copyright (Computer Programs) Regulations 1992 (SI 1992 No.3233). The Government consider that the regulations meet all the requirements of the relevant Council directive and have no plans to reconsider their wording.
Oilseed
Mrs. Ewing : To ask the President of the Board of Trade what current research projects are being undertaken by his Department to study the viability of producing oilseed for non-food uses, with particular reference to the development of bio-diesel.
Mr. Eggar [holding answer 25 January 1993] : My Department has commissioned work at the energy technology support unit which assesses the economics of the production of oilseed rape and its conversion to bio- diesel. This review of the potential of bio-diesel as a transport fuel will be published shortly by HMSO.
Mrs. Ewing : To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions he has held with his European counterparts about the development of bio-diesel through the growth of oilseed ; and if he will list the number of hectares devoted to oilseed growth specifically for the development of bio-diesel in each EC member state.
Mr. Eggar [holding answer 25 January 1993] : I chaired the Council of Energy Ministers on 30 November 1992 which discussed a proposal for a decision concerning the promotion of renewable energy sources in the Community (ALTENER programme). The United Kingdom presidency secured political agreement to this programme which, inter alia, aims to secure for bio-fuels, such as bio-diesel, a market share of 5 per cent. of total consumption by motor vehicles by 2005. Bio-diesel can be derived from any oil-seed rape, thus areas grown specifically for bio-diesel cannot be separately indentified.
Logic Control Systems
Mr. Barnes : To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he has received a report from the disqualification unit of the insolvency service following the move into receivership of Logic Control Systems of Clowne, Derbyshire, in July 1991 ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Neil Hamilton [holding answer 25 January 1993] : The Insolvency Service, acting on behalf of the Secretary
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of State for Trade and Industry, has responsibility for considering reports made by insolvency practitioners on the conduct of directors of failed companies to determine, with advice from lawyers as appropriate, whether it is expedient to bring disqualification proceedings. This process, with regard to Logic Control Systems Ltd, is continuing.Managing into the '90s"
Mr. Wigley : To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many workshops have been held in Wales as part of his Department's "Managing into the '90s" campaign to date ; and how many are planned for 1993.
Mr. Leigh [holding answer 25 January 1993] : Since the launch of the "Managing into the '90s" programme in 1989 there have been 12 events held in Wales under the programme variously described as conferences, seminars and workshops. A further four are so far planned for 1993.
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In addition, workshop-type activities occur in visits to demonstration companies--63 in the period 1989-92, with a further 43 planned for 1993--and at the presentations at the touring Strategy Roadshow--12 in the period 1989-92, with a further 16 so far planned for 1993.Iraq
Mr. Cousins : To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Amber Valley (Mr. Oppenheim) on 11 January, Official Report , column 555 , if he will supply the corresponding information about the export of machine tools to Iraq in (a) 1985, (b) 1986 and (c) 1990.
Mr. Needham [holding answer 18 January 1993] : For ease of reference the information requested for the major countries supplying machine tools to Iraq from 1985 to 1990 is set out in the table :
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G6 and Swiss exports of machine tools to Iraq 1985-1990
US$ 000s
|USA |Japan |France |Germany |Italy |Switzerland |United Kingdom
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1990
728.1 |0 |0 |0 |2,124 |1,270 |578 |570
731 |537 |645 |1,279 |22,209 |2,783 |7,666 |8,278
733 |5,891 |911 |499 |6,992 |1,070 |2,762 |246
735 |2,377 |39 |1,331 |6,286 |10,824 |1,743 |2,955
Total |8,805 |1,595 |3,109 |37,611 |15,947 |12,749 |12,049
1989
728.1 |43 |N/A |61 |1,530 |1,601 |69 |991
731 |2,272 |2,816 |609 |57,486 |1,545 |20,505 |18,990
733 |1,857 |2,268 |1,385 |18,948 |6,890 |3,375 |1,208
735 |7,080 |451 |2,637 |20,007 |4,391 |13,203 |3,138
Total |11,252 |5,535 |4,692 |97,971 |14,427 |37,152 |24,327
1988
728.1 |168 |504 |111 |832 |1,287 |550 |529
731 |N/A |77 |239 |59,372 |10,920 |21,772 |53,951
733 |N/A |1,627 |5,922 |34,316 |7,306 |594 |2,160
735 |N/A |263 |4,711 |21,166 |2,754 |20,497 |6,436
Total |168 |2,471 |10,983 |115,686 |22,267 |43,413 |63,076
1987
728.1 |116 |39 |63 |135 |208 |55 |359
736<1> |33 |1,991 |1,161 |16,740 |5,244 |13,871 |5,130
Total |149 |2,030 |1,224 |16,875 |5,432 |13,926 |5,489
1986
728.1 |294 |15 |117 |674 |1,040 |10 |334
736<1> |267 |3,054 |812 |7,886 |1,358 |3,176 |2,078
Total |561 |3,069 |929 |8,560 |2,398 |3,186 |2,412
1985
728.1 |510 |56 |483 |464 |1,323 |18 |137
736<1> |50 |2,903 |3,915 |10,578 |3,090 |3,902 |5,249
Total |560 |2,959 |4,398 |11,042 |4,413 |3,920 |5,386
Code Description
728.1 Machine tools specialised for particular industries.
731 Machine tools operated by laser or other light beam process.
733 Forgoing or die-stamping machines (inc. presses) and hammers.
735 Tool holders and self-opening dieheads.
736 Metal working machine tools.
<1>SITC Rev 2-Replaced by codes 731, 733 and 735 from 1988 onwards.
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Airline Bookings
Mrs. Ewing : To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will bring forward proposals to require that bookings made and confirmed with airlines can be changed only on the personal instructions of the passenger.
Mr. Norris : I have been asked to reply.
There are circumstances in which airlines have to change confirmed reservations for reasons beyond their control. The Government do not wish to introduce undue rigidities, but we are aware of cases in which passengers with confirmed reservations have been transferred to alternative flights before they have presented themselves for boarding, even though the flight on which they were booked had not been cancelled. Unlike passengers who are transferred at the check-in desk, such passengers are at present not entitled to compensation under EC law (Council Regulation (EEC) No. 295/91 on Denied Boarding Compensation).
My Department is looking into this matter to see whether a change to the EC regulation might be desirable and practicable.
PRIME MINISTER
Engagements
Sir Peter Tapsell : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 26 January.
Mr. Newton : I have been asked to reply.
My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister is making official visits to India and Oman.
Population Conference
Mr. Worthington : To ask the Prime Minister which Minister will be heading the British delegation to the European population conference to be held in Geneva in March ; and which Government officials and experts will make up the British delegation to the conference.
Mr. Newton : I have been asked to reply.
These matters have not yet been finally decided. An announcement will be made shortly.
Mr. Worthington : To ask the Prime Minister if the country statement for Britain for the European population conference will be made available to hon. Members before the conference.
Mr. Newton : I have been asked to reply.
The United Kingdom country statement will be placed in the Library before the conference begins.
Agencies
Mr. Kaufman : To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish the latest up-to-date list of next steps agencies, together with a list of further agencies that it is intended to set up.
Mr. Newton : I have been asked to reply.
The information is as follows :
Next steps-activities announced by Ministers as candidates for agency status --------------------------------------------------------------------- Army Logistics Chessington Computer Centre Child Support Agency (NI) Defence Animal Centre Defence Central Services Directorate Information Technology Bureau Services Driver and Vehicle Licensing (NI) Equipment Test and Valuation Fisheries Research Services Fuel Suppliers Branch Her Majesty's Prison Service Human Factors Research Meat Hygiene Service MOD Police Naval Training and Recruitment Office of Population Censuses and Surveys Paymaster General's Office Pesticide Safety Directorate Property Division Property Holdings Portfolio Management RAF Training Royal Parks Scottish Office Superannuation Division Scottish Prison Service Social Security Child Support Agency Surveyor General's Organisation Transport and Security Services Division Valuation and Lands Office (NI) Youth Treatment Service
Next steps-activities announced by Ministers as candidates for agency status --------------------------------------------------------------------- Army Logistics Chessington Computer Centre Child Support Agency (NI) Defence Animal Centre Defence Central Services Directorate Information Technology Bureau Services Driver and Vehicle Licensing (NI) Equipment Test and Valuation Fisheries Research Services Fuel Suppliers Branch Her Majesty's Prison Service Human Factors Research Meat Hygiene Service MOD Police Naval Training and Recruitment Office of Population Censuses and Surveys Paymaster General's Office Pesticide Safety Directorate Property Division Property Holdings Portfolio Management RAF Training Royal Parks Scottish Office Superannuation Division Scottish Prison Service Social Security Child Support Agency Surveyor General's Organisation Transport and Security Services Division Valuation and Lands Office (NI) Youth Treatment Service
Next Steps--activities announced by Ministers as candidates for agency status Army Logistics
Chessington Computer Centre
Child Support Agency (NI)
Defence Animal Centre
Defence Central Services
Directorate Information Technology Bureau Services
Driver and Vehicle Licensing (NI)
Equipment Test and Valuation
Fisheries Research Services
Fuel Suppliers Branch
Her Majesty's Prison Service
Human Factors Research
Meat Hygiene Service
MOD Police
Naval Training and Recruitment
Office of Population Censuses and Surveys
Paymaster General's Office
Pesticide Safety Directorate
Property Division
Property Holdings Portfolio Management
RAF Training
Royal Parks
Scottish Office Superannuation Division
Scottish Prison Service
Social Security Child Support Agency
Surveyor General's Organisation
Transport and Security Services Division
Valuation and Lands Office (NI)
Youth Treatment Service
Treaty of Rome
Mr. Spearing : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list each of the provisions of the treaty of Rome which confer on the institutions of the Community a power (a) to pass legislation by regulation or by directive or (b) to incur expenditure, binding on member states, indicating in each case where applicable the principal United Kingdom Government Departments and areas of policy involved ; and if he will give the same information in respect of the treaty on European Union.
Mr. Newton : I have been asked to reply.
It is clear from the wording of the articles of the treaty of Rome which of them authorise the Council or the Commission to adopt legislative measures. The same is true of the additional articles inserted into the treaty by title II of the treaty on European union. The articles do not, however, determine whether or not measures adopted under them are capable of involving expenditure from the Community budget. This depends on the nature of the individual measure concerned. Indeed, any measure is capable of having implications for the Community budget, even if only in terms of administrative costs. Nor is it possible to detail in advance which Government Departments will have principal responsibility for areas of Community legislation. This information is supplied in the explanatory memorandum submitted to Parliament in respect of each specific proposal for EC legislation.
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SOCIAL SECURITY
Disability Allowances
Mr. Hinchliffe : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many case files for (a) attendance allowance, (b) mobility allowance and (c) disability living allowance were lost within the Benefits Agency handling system during 1992.
Mr. Scott : The administration of disability benefits is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member and a copy will be placed in the Library.
Letter from M. Bichard to Mr David Hinchliffe, dated 25 January 1993 :
As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to the points raised in your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking how many claim files for (a) Attendance Allowance (AA), (b) Mobility Allowance (MobA) and (c) Disability Working Allowance (DWA) were lost within the Agency during 1992.
For AA and MobA I should explain that there are no central records available on the number of case files which are mislaid. I am sure you will appreciate, however, that when vast numbers of cases are being handled it may sometimes be difficult to locate a particular file immediately.
When files have been mislaid a special search is instigated as soon as possible so that the enquiry can be answered. If the procedures for locating mislaid files are unsuccessful a duplicate file is created and replacement evidence gathered to determine the claim with the aim of minimising any further delay.
The measures we have introduced to clear the backlog of AA claims have already reduced the number of outstanding cases to manageable proportions and location of files should be more straightforward in future.
There have been no instances of DWA case files being lost. I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report . A copy will also be placed in the Library.
Alzheimer's Disease
Mr. Alfred Morris : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations his Department has had from the Alzheimer's Disease Society in regard to the independent living fund ; what reply has been sent ; what action he will be taking ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Scott : The Department received a letter from Mr. Harry Cayton, the director of the Alzheimer's Disease Society, on 8 December 1992. We also received several letters from the Alzheimer's Disease Society (Scotland). Replies have been sent to all letters, explaining the new arrangements for independent living.
The principal concern raised in the letters is that of the restriction of the fund to new applicants aged between 16 and 65. This decision was taken in order that the fund could be targeted towards people whose usual pattern is to live and work in the community and who have therefore often lost the opportunity to earn and save.
NATIONAL HERITAGE
National Lottery
Mrs. Jane Kennedy : To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what advice he has received from registered pools promoters about the effects of the National Lottery Bill on their business if enacted unaltered.
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Mr. Brooke : Since the publication of the Bill, the pools companies have directed their concerns to the press.
Mrs. Jane Kennedy : To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what further research he has commissioned from the GAH Consulting Group since 7October 1992, into the effects of a national lottery.
Mrs. Jane Kennedy : To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what percentage of pools turnover is retained by the promoters as profit after payment of pool betting duty and contributions to the Football Trust and Foundation for Sport and the Arts.
Mr. Brooke : That is a matter for the individual companies.
Press Regulation
Mr. Dalyell : To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what representations he has had from the Guild of Newspaper Editors in relation to the Freedom and Responsibility of the Press Bill promoted by the hon. Member for Hammersmith (Mr. Soley).
Mr. Brooke [holding answer 15 January 1993] : We have received no representations from the Guild of British Newspaper Editors specifically relating to the Freedom and Responsibility of the Press Bill. But earlier this month the guild joined forces with the Newspaper Society to produce "Blindfolding the Watchdog" , a pamphlet on freedom of the press, copies of which were sent to the Department.
EMPLOYMENT
European Works Council
Ms. Quin : To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when she next expects to discuss with other EC member states and the European Commission the proposed Council directive on the establishment of a European Works Council in Community-scale undertakings or groups of undertakings for the purposes of informing the counselling employees ; and if she will make a statement.
Mr. Michael Forsyth : The proposed European works council directive has not been discussed by the Labour and Social Affairs Council of the European Community since December 1991. I am not aware of any plans for EC Ministers to discuss this proposal in the near future.
Equitable Wages
Ms. Quin : To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what discussions she has had with representatives of other EC member states and the European Commission on the proposed opinion on the introduction of an equitable wage by the member states ; and if she will make a statement.
Mr. Michael Forsyth : The draft opinion is mainly concerned with improving the transparency of the labour market, removing discrimination and encouraging high skill, high productivity jobs in member states. The UK Government endorse these principles. However, the
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opinion will represent only the views of the European Commission and will have no legal force whatsoever. Member states do not have to endorse it or take any action that is not appropriate in light of their own circumstances. The Commission has not discussed the draft opinion with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, or with other European Community Ministers.Greenbank Project
Mr. Alton : To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will visit the Greenbank project in Mossley Hill, Liverpool, to discuss the provisions of training places for disabled people on Merseyside.
Mr. Michael Forsyth : My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has no plans to visit Liverpool in the near future.
Labour Statistics
Mr. Nicholas Winterton : To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what information she has concerning the percentage of the work force, whole-time equivalent, which is currently employed in manufacturing industry in (a) each member country of the European Community, (b) the United States of America and (c) Japan ; (2) what information she has concerning the percentage of the work force, whole-time equivalent, which is currently employed in the banking, finance and insurance industry in (a) each member country of the European Community, (b) the United States of America and (c) Japan ;
(3) what information she has concerning the percentage of the work force, whole-time equivalent, which is currently employed in the construction industry in (a) each member country of the European Community, (b) the United States of America and (c) Japan.
Mr. McLoughlin : The Department does not provide estimates of whole- time equivalents.
The information required is available from the civilian employment tables in "Labour Force Statistics 1970-1990" (OECD), a copy of which is in the Library. For Great Britain, the latest estimates for 1990 of civilian employment as a percentage of total civilian employment are as follows :
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