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Obscenity (Sentences)
Mr. Hood : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the sentences available to courts in dealing with obscene, violent and pornographic material ; and if he will make a statement.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton (holding answer 2 March 1993] : The table summarises the main statutory offences and maximum penalties in relation to obscene, violent and pornographic material. Additionally, common law offences such as shameless indecency may be relevant. The maximum sentence for a common law offence on conviction on indictment in the sheriff court is an unlimited fine and three years' imprisonment, or in the High Court an unlimited fine and life imprisonment.
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Statutory provision |Offence |Maximum sentence --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1. Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (a) section 51(1) |Displaying obscene material in a public place. |On summary conviction, a fine not exceeding the prescribed sum (currently £5,000) and 3 months' imprisonment. On conviction on indictment, a fine and 2 years' imprisonment. (b) section 51(2) |Publishing, selling or distributing or, with a view to its eventual sale or distribution, making, printing, having or keeping obscene material. |As above. (c) section 51(2A) |Including obscene material in a programme included in a programme service or, with a view to its eventual inclusion in such a programme, making, printing, having or keeping obscene material. |As above. (d) section 52 |Taking, or permitting to be taken, an indecent photograph of a child; or distributing or showing such a photograph; or possessing such a photograph with a view to distributing or showing it; or publishing or causing to be published any advertisement likely to be understood as conveying that the advertiser distributes or shows such a photograph.|As above. (e) section 52A |Possessing any indecent photograph of a child. |On summary conviction, a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale (£5,000). 2. Indecent Displays (Control) Act 1981 (a) section 1 |Publicly displaying, or causing or permitting the public display of, indecent matter. |On summary conviction, in the district court a fine of £200 and in the sheriff court a fine of the prescribed sum (£5,000). On conviction on indictment, a fine and 2 years' imprisonment. 3. Video Recordings Act 1984 (a) section 9 |Supplying, or offering to supply, an unclassified video recording. |On summary conviction, a fine not exceeding £20,000. (b) section 10 |Possessing an unclassified video recording for the purpose of supply. |As above. (c) section 11 |Supplying a classified video recording in breach of its classification. |On summary conviction, a fine not exceeding level 5 (£5,000) (d) section 12(1) |Supplying or offering to supply, at a place other than a licensed sex shop, any classified video recording whose supply is restricted to licensed sex shops. |As above. (e) section 12(3) |Possessing a classified video recording, the supply of which is restricted to sex shops, for the purpose of supplying it at any place other than a sex shop. |As above. (f) section 13 |Supplying, or offering to supply, a video recording in breach of labelling requirements. |As above. (g) section 14(1) |Supplying, or offering to supply, an unclassified video recording that contains a false indication as to its classification. |As above. (h) section 14(3) |Supplying, or offering to supply, a classified video recording that contains a false indication as to its classification. |As above. 4. Post Office Act 1953 (a) section 11 |Sending indecent or obscene material in a postal packet. |On summary conviction, a fine not exceeding the prescribed sum (£5,000). On conviction on indictment, 12 months' imprisonment.
HM Prison, Greenock
Dr. Godman : To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to improve the visitor facilities for disabled visitors to Her Majesty's prison, Greenock.
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton [holding answer 22 March 1993] : A general refurbishment of the reception area for those visiting prisoners was completed at the end of 1992. A ramp provides access for the disabled. Plans have been drawn up for the provision of a toilet for disabled visitors. The installation will be completed by the end of June 1993.
SOCIAL SECURITY
Income Support
Mr. Knox : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the results of the Income Support Statistics Annual Inquiry May 1992 will become available.
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Mr. Burt : An announcement will be made shortly on the publication date via the Central Statistical Office's monthly press notice on the release dates of statistical series.
Education Courses
Ms Short : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether unemployed income support claimants can undertake courses of higher education under the 21-hour rule ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Burt : People in higher education who are not students following a full-time course of study may receive benefit under the income support 21 -hour rule provided they fulfil the normal conditions laid down.
Fuel Bills
Mr. Bradley : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make it his policy to raise the level of invalid care allowance and the carer premium in light of the introduction of value added tax charge on domestic fuel.
Mr. Scott : We have no plans to do so.
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VAT on domestic fuel will be introduced in April 1994 and extra help will be given to people on low incomes. An announcement giving details of this extra help will be make this autumn.Mr. Bradley : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make it his policy to extend entitlement to the carer premium to carers over the age of 65 years, following the introduction of a value added tax charge on domestic fuel.
Mr. Burt : I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire (Mr. Kirkwood) on 25 January at col. 583.
Council Tax
Mr. Llew Smith : To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many copies of his information folder, "Introduction to Council Tax Benefit," have been published ; at what cost ; and to whom it has been distributed.
Mr. Burt : The information pack, "Introduction to Council Tax Benefit," was produced primarily for advisory bodies. It has been sent to all Members of Parliament, Citizens Advice Bureaux area offices, War Pensioners Welfare Services offices, DSS information officers, and other interested parties. 1,200 copies have so far been produced at a total cost of £5,835.
TRADE AND INDUSTRY
Nuclear Energy
Mr. Llew Smith : To ask the President of the Board of Trade what consultancy contracts his Department has placed with BDO Binder Hamlyn to evaluate nuclear costs over the past year.
Mr. Eggar : None. BDO Binder Hamlyn's report, which verified information provided by Nuclear Electric on the costs of the company's Magnox stations and was used by Ernst and Young in its study for the coal review, was carried out by BDO as external auditors to Nuclear Electric.
Mr. Hood : To ask the President of the Board of Trade what material is used in the Sizewell B vessel head penetrations.
Mr. Eggar [holding answer 14 April 1993] : This is a matter for Nuclear Electric plc.
Mr. Hood : To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the lessons to be drawn from vessel head penetration cracking in VHPs made of Inconel 600 in French PWR reactors ; and what is their application to Sizewell B.
Mr. Eggar [holding answer 14 April 1993] : I understand that the Health and Safety Executive's nuclear installations inspectorate will consider any implications for Sizewell B arising from the discovery of cracking in vessel head penetrations in French PWRs during the pre- operational assessment of the power station which it is currently undertaking. The NII will not allow Sizewell B to start up until it is assured that it is safe to do so.
Mr. Llew Smith : To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his oral statement of 25 March, Official
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Report, column 1227, what changes have been made in the planned scope of the nuclear review originally announced by his predecessor in November 1989 following his decision to bring it forward.Mr. Eggar : As stated in the White Paper, "The Prospects for Coal", a further announcement about the review of the future prospects for nuclear power will be made later this year.
Mr. Llew Smith : To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will set out the definitions of avoidable and unavoidable costs as used in his Department's assessment of the economics of nuclear energy.
Mr. Eggar : The avoidable costs associated with Nuclear Electric's Magnox power stations were defined in Ernst and Young's study to be the difference between the entire future cash outflows of total closure and each of the other scenarios. The unavoidable costs were those costs which were not avoidable.
Mr. Llew Smith : To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he received from Nuclear Electric to exclude details of financial costing of its magnox programme from the version of the review of magnox avoidable and unavoidable costs by Ernst and Young prepared for his coal review.
Mr. Eggar : I made clear in my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Broxtowe (Mr. Lester) on 26 October last year that my intention is to publish all evidence and the findings of the coal review to the fullest extent possible except where information had been provided in confidence and was commercially sensitive. On this basis, my Department agreed with Nuclear Electric to remove such commercially confidential material from Ernst and Young's report. The full report was, however, provided on a confidential basis to the Trade and Industry Committee.
Mr. Llew Smith : To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many tonnes of spent Magnox nuclear fuel have been contracted to British Nuclear Fuels and its predecessor company by Nuclear Electric and its predecessor since the first Magnox reprocessing contracts were agreed.
Mr. Eggar : This is a commercial matter for the companies concerned.
Mr. Llew Smith : To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether the studies he commissioned by Ernst and Young and BDO Binder Hamlyn on magnox costs took into account the liabilities that would be incurred in an accident at a magnox nuclear plant involving a breach of containment of the reactor core.
Mr. Eggar : Nuclear Electric's liabilities under the Nuclear Installations Act for public compensation as a result of an incident at a Magnox station are covered by insurance. The related insurance premiums were included in the costs covered by the Ernst and Young and BDO studies and treated as avoidable.
Data Protection Act 1984
Mr. Cohen : To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many certificates have been signed under the terms of section 27 of the Data Protection Act 1984 for each year since 1987.
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Mr. Eggar : Inquiries completed within the time available indicate that no exemptions under the terms of section 27 of the Data Protection Act 1984 have been signed by the President of the Board of Trade or his predecessors in the period since 1987. Three exemptions were approved by the Secretary of State for Energy in 1987, one in 1988 and none after that up to the merger with the Department of Trade and Industry. If my further inquiries identify that any additional exemptions have been authorised I will respond further to the hon. Member.
Public Appointments
Dr. Wright : To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many of the appointments made by him as listed in "Public Bodies 1992" came within the categories set out in paragraphs 49 and 50 of "Questions of Procedure for Ministers" and required a submission to the Prime Minister.
Mr. Eggar : My right hon. Friend is responsible for a total of over 800 public appointments. Of these 17 require a submission to the Prime Minister.
BNFL
Mr. Martyn Jones : To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will list the offices British Nuclear Fuels plc has, or plans to, set up in eastern European countries ;
(2) what contracts BNFL has signed or been offered under the TACIS and PHARE programmes.
Mr. Eggar : This is a matter for British Nuclear Fuels plc.
Mr. Martyn Jones : To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the purpose of the BNFL-run information centre in Moscow.
Mr. Eggar : British Nuclear Fuels plc does not operate such an information centre.
Environmental Achievements
Mr. Chris Smith : To ask the President of the Board of Trade what have been the environmental achievements of the designated Green Minister in his Department during the past year.
Mr. Eggar : My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has designated me as the Green Minister for the Department. During the past year, we have as part of the departmental objective adopted a clear commitment to : take proper account of environmental issues in the development of its policies ; stimulate an effective business response to environmental developments ; and ensure that the Government's overall environmental policy takes proper account of the impact on business.
DTI's recently published annual expenditure plans report for 1993-94 to 1995-96 highlights a number of our specific environmental achievements. These include the technology partnership initiative, launched by the Prime Minister at a major conference in March, which aims to encourage the transfer of environmental technology and expertise to industrialising developing countries. The
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Department continues to undertake substantial awareness-raising activities ; for example, nearly 4,000 small and medium-sized enterprises attended DTI roadshows last year.Also, DTI operates a number of major grant schemes for supporting innovation in environmental technology, with grants of around £12.5 million committed to date. In relation to its estate, the Department has recently adopted a green housekeeping policy.
In formulating our policy in the environmental area in general, I attach importance to the advice of the Advisory Committee on Business and the Environment. The committee also provides a useful forum for business to influence the environmental debate and promote better environmental performance.
Civil Servants (Secondment)
Mr. Gordon Prentice : To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the number, grade and destination of civil servants in the Department of Trade and Industry who have been seconded to manufacturing industry for each year since 1979.
Mr. Eggar : The number of DTI staff on long-term secondments to business organisations, including manufacturing industry, in each of the calendar years from 1979 to 1992 were as follows :
|Number ---------------------1979 |30 1980 |33 1981 |25 1982 |35 1983 |41 1984 |43 1985 |44 1986 |37 1987 |34 1988 |31 1989 |40 1990 |52 1991 |55 1992 |53
Additional details on each of these secondments can be produced only at disproportionate cost.
Departmental Contracts
Mr. Ronnie Campbell : To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list, for each of the last five years, the duration, value and nature of contracts awarded by his Department to Arthur Andersen, Andersen Consulting, KPMG Peat Marwick McLintock, Touche Ross, Ernst and Young and Price Waterhouse.
Mr. Eggar : The consultancy contracts awarded by the DTI to KPMG Peat Marwick McLintock, Touche Ross, Ernst and Young and Price Waterhouse in the periods 23 March 1988 to 22 March 1989, 23 March 1989 to 22 March 1990, 23 March 1990 to 22 March 1991, 23 March 1991 to 22 March 1992 and 23 March 1992 to 22 March 1993, giving the duration and nature for each, are listed in the table. The values of individual contracts are commercially confidential. No contracts have been awarded to Arthur Andersen, or Andersen Consulting.
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KPMG Management Consultancy Nature of |Start date |End date study/contract -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Higher Education and Industry Guide |24 March 1988 |3 November 1989 Project Management of the Commercial Computer Security Centre, Royal Signals and Radar Establishment, Malvern |13 April 1988 |4 May 1989 Management Best Practice: Awareness programme |22 August 1988 |30 September 1988 FINMIS Post Implementation Review |14 March 1989 |7 July 1989 Performance Measurement in Manufacturing Companies |12 January 1989 |31 March 1989 Information Systems in Small and Medium Sized Enterprises |13 February 1989 |12 May 1989 Market Assessment Study |24 February 1989 |22 March 1989 1989-90 Overseas Trade Information Systems Study |29 August 1990 |19 April 1991 1990-91 Perceptions of England |16 August 1990 |30 September 1990 Open Distributed Processing |14 January 1991 |12 April 1991 Open Systems Technology Transfer |1 January 1991 |30 June 1991 1991-92 New Product Introduction Activities |1 July 1991 |16 August 1991 Market Assessment Study: Longer Term Open System Needs |1 March 1991 |20 September 1991 Wirral Task Force; Enterprise Study |9 September 1991 |24 January 1992 Export Intelligence Review |23 September 1991|20 December 1991 Open Systems Technology Transfer Programme |1 November 1991 |31 March 1992 Technical Support to the Open Systems Technology Transfer Programme |1 January 1992 |31 December 1992 Education Training Committee Strategy |27 January 1992 |30 April 1992 European Futurewatch |14 February 1992 |15 March 1992 Survey of Electronic Sources of Information on EC Legislation |18 February 1992 |6 March 1992 Teaching Company Senior Academics Scheme |3 February 1992 |2 March 1992 Evaluation Review of British Screen Finance Limited |3 March 1992 |16 May 1992 1992-93 Open Systems Programme 2 |13 April 1992 |30 June 1993 Delivering Information Solutions to Customers through International Standards Management Efficiency Study |8 June 1992 |31 July 1992 Identification of Current and Long Term Issues in the Security Market and Policy Implications |3 August 1992 |9 April 1993 Assist the London East Training and Enterprise Council in the Development of a Common Standards programme |1 July 1992 |31 December 1992 Validation of Seven Information Technology Futures Sector Scenario Reports |17 July 1992 |30 November 1992 Teaching Company Scheme: Review of the contract between the Science and Engineering Research Council and Cranfield Institute of Technology |27 July 1992 |14 August 1992 Post Office |11 September 1992|31 March 1993 Production of a Guide to British Companies in the Environmental Field |23 November 1992 |17 February 1993 Literature Searches for Branch 7 of DTI Posts and Telecommunications Division |21 December 1992 |30 September 1993 Preparation of Seven Sector Reports on Key Applications for Information Technology |11 January 1993 |5 March 1993 Customer Care Training |29 January 1993 |22 March 1993 Market Testing: Export Market Information Centre |8 March 1993 |8 April 1993 ------- Total Value £2,228,790 The figures do not include contracts issued by those Executive Agencies which have delegated authority to engage consultants.
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KPMG Management Consultancy Nature of |Start date |End date study/contract -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Higher Education and Industry Guide |24 March 1988 |3 November 1989 Project Management of the Commercial Computer Security Centre, Royal Signals and Radar Establishment, Malvern |13 April 1988 |4 May 1989 Management Best Practice: Awareness programme |22 August 1988 |30 September 1988 FINMIS Post Implementation Review |14 March 1989 |7 July 1989 Performance Measurement in Manufacturing Companies |12 January 1989 |31 March 1989 Information Systems in Small and Medium Sized Enterprises |13 February 1989 |12 May 1989 Market Assessment Study |24 February 1989 |22 March 1989 1989-90 Overseas Trade Information Systems Study |29 August 1990 |19 April 1991 1990-91 Perceptions of England |16 August 1990 |30 September 1990 Open Distributed Processing |14 January 1991 |12 April 1991 Open Systems Technology Transfer |1 January 1991 |30 June 1991 1991-92 New Product Introduction Activities |1 July 1991 |16 August 1991 Market Assessment Study: Longer Term Open System Needs |1 March 1991 |20 September 1991 Wirral Task Force; Enterprise Study |9 September 1991 |24 January 1992 Export Intelligence Review |23 September 1991|20 December 1991 Open Systems Technology Transfer Programme |1 November 1991 |31 March 1992 Technical Support to the Open Systems Technology Transfer Programme |1 January 1992 |31 December 1992 Education Training Committee Strategy |27 January 1992 |30 April 1992 European Futurewatch |14 February 1992 |15 March 1992 Survey of Electronic Sources of Information on EC Legislation |18 February 1992 |6 March 1992 Teaching Company Senior Academics Scheme |3 February 1992 |2 March 1992 Evaluation Review of British Screen Finance Limited |3 March 1992 |16 May 1992 1992-93 Open Systems Programme 2 |13 April 1992 |30 June 1993 Delivering Information Solutions to Customers through International Standards Management Efficiency Study |8 June 1992 |31 July 1992 Identification of Current and Long Term Issues in the Security Market and Policy Implications |3 August 1992 |9 April 1993 Assist the London East Training and Enterprise Council in the Development of a Common Standards programme |1 July 1992 |31 December 1992 Validation of Seven Information Technology Futures Sector Scenario Reports |17 July 1992 |30 November 1992 Teaching Company Scheme: Review of the contract between the Science and Engineering Research Council and Cranfield Institute of Technology |27 July 1992 |14 August 1992 Post Office |11 September 1992|31 March 1993 Production of a Guide to British Companies in the Environmental Field |23 November 1992 |17 February 1993 Literature Searches for Branch 7 of DTI Posts and Telecommunications Division |21 December 1992 |30 September 1993 Preparation of Seven Sector Reports on Key Applications for Information Technology |11 January 1993 |5 March 1993 Customer Care Training |29 January 1993 |22 March 1993 Market Testing: Export Market Information Centre |8 March 1993 |8 April 1993 ------- Total Value £2,228,790 The figures do not include contracts issued by those Executive Agencies which have delegated authority to engage consultants.
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KPMG Management Consultancy Nature of |Start date |End date study/contract -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Higher Education and Industry Guide |24 March 1988 |3 November 1989 Project Management of the Commercial Computer Security Centre, Royal Signals and Radar Establishment, Malvern |13 April 1988 |4 May 1989 Management Best Practice: Awareness programme |22 August 1988 |30 September 1988 FINMIS Post Implementation Review |14 March 1989 |7 July 1989 Performance Measurement in Manufacturing Companies |12 January 1989 |31 March 1989 Information Systems in Small and Medium Sized Enterprises |13 February 1989 |12 May 1989 Market Assessment Study |24 February 1989 |22 March 1989 1989-90 Overseas Trade Information Systems Study |29 August 1990 |19 April 1991 1990-91 Perceptions of England |16 August 1990 |30 September 1990 Open Distributed Processing |14 January 1991 |12 April 1991 Open Systems Technology Transfer |1 January 1991 |30 June 1991 1991-92 New Product Introduction Activities |1 July 1991 |16 August 1991 Market Assessment Study: Longer Term Open System Needs |1 March 1991 |20 September 1991 Wirral Task Force; Enterprise Study |9 September 1991 |24 January 1992 Export Intelligence Review |23 September 1991|20 December 1991 Open Systems Technology Transfer Programme |1 November 1991 |31 March 1992 Technical Support to the Open Systems Technology Transfer Programme |1 January 1992 |31 December 1992 Education Training Committee Strategy |27 January 1992 |30 April 1992 European Futurewatch |14 February 1992 |15 March 1992 Survey of Electronic Sources of Information on EC Legislation |18 February 1992 |6 March 1992 Teaching Company Senior Academics Scheme |3 February 1992 |2 March 1992 Evaluation Review of British Screen Finance Limited |3 March 1992 |16 May 1992 1992-93 Open Systems Programme 2 |13 April 1992 |30 June 1993 Delivering Information Solutions to Customers through International Standards Management Efficiency Study |8 June 1992 |31 July 1992 Identification of Current and Long Term Issues in the Security Market and Policy Implications |3 August 1992 |9 April 1993 Assist the London East Training and Enterprise Council in the Development of a Common Standards programme |1 July 1992 |31 December 1992 Validation of Seven Information Technology Futures Sector Scenario Reports |17 July 1992 |30 November 1992 Teaching Company Scheme: Review of the contract between the Science and Engineering Research Council and Cranfield Institute of Technology |27 July 1992 |14 August 1992 Post Office |11 September 1992|31 March 1993 Production of a Guide to British Companies in the Environmental Field |23 November 1992 |17 February 1993 Literature Searches for Branch 7 of DTI Posts and Telecommunications Division |21 December 1992 |30 September 1993 Preparation of Seven Sector Reports on Key Applications for Information Technology |11 January 1993 |5 March 1993 Customer Care Training |29 January 1993 |22 March 1993 Market Testing: Export Market Information Centre |8 March 1993 |8 April 1993 ------- Total Value £2,228,790 The figures do not include contracts issued by those Executive Agencies which have delegated authority to engage consultants.
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KPMG Management Consultancy Nature of |Start date |End date study/contract -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Higher Education and Industry Guide |24 March 1988 |3 November 1989 Project Management of the Commercial Computer Security Centre, Royal Signals and Radar Establishment, Malvern |13 April 1988 |4 May 1989 Management Best Practice: Awareness programme |22 August 1988 |30 September 1988 FINMIS Post Implementation Review |14 March 1989 |7 July 1989 Performance Measurement in Manufacturing Companies |12 January 1989 |31 March 1989 Information Systems in Small and Medium Sized Enterprises |13 February 1989 |12 May 1989 Market Assessment Study |24 February 1989 |22 March 1989 1989-90 Overseas Trade Information Systems Study |29 August 1990 |19 April 1991 1990-91 Perceptions of England |16 August 1990 |30 September 1990 Open Distributed Processing |14 January 1991 |12 April 1991 Open Systems Technology Transfer |1 January 1991 |30 June 1991 1991-92 New Product Introduction Activities |1 July 1991 |16 August 1991 Market Assessment Study: Longer Term Open System Needs |1 March 1991 |20 September 1991 Wirral Task Force; Enterprise Study |9 September 1991 |24 January 1992 Export Intelligence Review |23 September 1991|20 December 1991 Open Systems Technology Transfer Programme |1 November 1991 |31 March 1992 Technical Support to the Open Systems Technology Transfer Programme |1 January 1992 |31 December 1992 Education Training Committee Strategy |27 January 1992 |30 April 1992 European Futurewatch |14 February 1992 |15 March 1992 Survey of Electronic Sources of Information on EC Legislation |18 February 1992 |6 March 1992 Teaching Company Senior Academics Scheme |3 February 1992 |2 March 1992 Evaluation Review of British Screen Finance Limited |3 March 1992 |16 May 1992 1992-93 Open Systems Programme 2 |13 April 1992 |30 June 1993 Delivering Information Solutions to Customers through International Standards Management Efficiency Study |8 June 1992 |31 July 1992 Identification of Current and Long Term Issues in the Security Market and Policy Implications |3 August 1992 |9 April 1993 Assist the London East Training and Enterprise Council in the Development of a Common Standards programme |1 July 1992 |31 December 1992 Validation of Seven Information Technology Futures Sector Scenario Reports |17 July 1992 |30 November 1992 Teaching Company Scheme: Review of the contract between the Science and Engineering Research Council and Cranfield Institute of Technology |27 July 1992 |14 August 1992 Post Office |11 September 1992|31 March 1993 Production of a Guide to British Companies in the Environmental Field |23 November 1992 |17 February 1993 Literature Searches for Branch 7 of DTI Posts and Telecommunications Division |21 December 1992 |30 September 1993 Preparation of Seven Sector Reports on Key Applications for Information Technology |11 January 1993 |5 March 1993 Customer Care Training |29 January 1993 |22 March 1993 Market Testing: Export Market Information Centre |8 March 1993 |8 April 1993 ------- Total Value £2,228,790 The figures do not include contracts issued by those Executive Agencies which have delegated authority to engage consultants.
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Defence Industries (Conversion)
Mr. Llew Smith : To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the benefits that will accrue to the United Kingdom from the European Community's Konver programme for the conversion of defence industries to civilian activities.
Mr. Sainsbury : No decision has been taken on the financial allocation to member states under the Konver programme. We are currently considering the Commission's proposals for its implementation.
Coal Industry
Mr. Llew Smith : To ask the President of the Board of Trade what response he has made in the Energy Council to the Commission requests to the Council for assent on the Commission draft decision establishing community rules for state aid for the coal industry (SEC(92)2553 Final) of 27 January.
Mr. Eggar : The document has not yet been discussed by the Council.
Mr. Ingram : To ask the President of the Board of Trade what arrangements he has made to publish on a regular basis the subsidies given to British Coal in terms of the arrangements announced in his White Paper.
Mr. Eggar [holding answer 14 April 1993] : Details of financial assistance to British Coal will be published in my Department's annual expenditure plans report which is presented to Parliament.
Energy Production (Efficiency)
Mr. Llew Smith : To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish a table showing the comparative average efficiency of (a) all United Kingdom power plants, (b) gas-fired power plants and (c) combined heat and power schemes.
Mr. Eggar : In 1991-92, the average gross thermal efficiency of fossil fuel-burning power stations in the United Kingdom was 34.1 per cent.
[Source : Digest of UK Energy Statistics, Table 52]
The efficiency of combined cycle gas turbines is generally expected to be around 45 per cent.
The efficiency of combined heat and power schemes varies considerably depending on their particular circumstances. Most such schemes in the United Kingdom are thought to have efficiencies in the range 70 per cent to 80 per cent.
Coal Review
Mr. Llew Smith : To ask the President of the Board of Trade what remit was given to Ernst and Young in its preparation of the report on Magnox avoidable and unavoidable costs, undertaken for his coal review, dated 5 February.
Mr. Eggar : I gave a summary of the terms of reference for Ernst and Young's study in an answer to the hon. Member for Southwark and Bermondsey (Mr. Hughes) on 14 December last year, Official Report, column 25. The full terms of reference are included in appendix A of the Ernst and Young report, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.
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British Technology Group
Mr. Steen : To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the sale of the British Technology Group.
Mr. Leigh : It was announced last year, Official Report, 11 March 1992, columns 559-60, that the British Technology Group had been sold to a management-led consortium. I can now inform the House of the final outcome of discussions to settle the initial proceeds of the sale.
In accordance with clause 6 of the share purchase agreement, completion accounts were prepared by the purchasers for the purpose of determining the consideration to be paid for the purchase of the shares in BTG. It has not been possible for the Government and the purchasers to agree the completion accounts, but it has nevertheless been agreed that no payment should be made either way under the provisions of clause 6 of the agreement. The initial proceeds therefore remain at £27.75 million.
A copy of the letter expressing the agreement of the parties, and the completion accounts as originally submitted by the purchasers, has been placed in the Library of the House. Members will wish to note that the completion accounts were prepared for the sole purpose of determining the consideration to be paid for the purchase of the shares in BTG ; they should not be interpreted as describing the trading position of BTG during 1991-92. A report and accounts were published by the company in August 1992, a copy of which has also been placed in the Library of the House.
The House may also wish to be reminded that additional proceeds may arise if over the five years to 31 March 1997 the business performs at a level in excess of the net revenues forecast by BTG management in its 1991 business plan. Further proceeds may also arise from clawback on the proceeds of sale of real property.
One-stop Shops
Mr. David Shaw : To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the development of the one-stop shops for business support.
Mr. Heseltine : The six areas that will have the first pilot one- stop shops are Birmingham, Halton (North Cheshire), Hertfordshire, Manchester, South and East Cheshire and Tyneside.
Together, these areas provide a range of different models of the one-stop shop concept. Some offer single centres to serve a particular business community like Birmingham, and others offer hub and spoke networks to cover a larger geographical area like Hertfordshire. In total there will be 23 one-stop shops in these six areas. My Department has committed £5.57 million to funding these first pilots over three years.
There are several other areas whose plans have nearly reached the required standard but need some further development. My Department is in discussion with those areas and I look forward to receiving revised plans from them. I hope that this will lead to pilot one-stop shops being established in up to another nine areas in the course of this financial year.
My Department will also be providing support for the development of proposals for a London-wide approach to
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the establishment of one-stop shops in the capital. A partnership of key organisations in the provision of business support services has already come together to produce initial ideas for a London-wide approach and the development funding will enable detailed proposals to be worked up for a comprehensive network of services with local outlets across London.I am grateful to the one-stop shop national assessment panel for its help in assessing the shortlisted bids. The standard of bids was high. I hope that all areas will continue to build on the partnerships that have been established.
With this announcement of the first pilot one-stop shops, the plan to revolutionise the delivery of support services for business in England has taken an important step forward. I am confident that those areas selected will deliver a quality of service which will match or better that available to our industrial competitors in Europe and beyond. I am keen to see these first pilots operational as soon as possible and my Department will work closely with them to ensure they are a success.
Laboratory Work
Mr. Cousins : To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the value of work commissioned by his Department placed with (a) the Warren Springs Laboratory, (b) the Laboratory of the Government Chemist, (c) the National Engineering Laboratory and (d) the National Physical Laboratory in 1992-93 ; and what is the value of work planned to be placed in 1993-94.
Mr. Eggar : The following table shows the value of work DTI placed with these laboratories in 1992-93 and the value of work they are aiming to win from DTI in 1993-94.
Laboratory |1992-93 |1993-94 ----------------------------------------------------------------------Warren Spring Laboratory |3,190,000 |2,750,000 Laboratory of the Government Chemist |7,200,000 |5,509,000 National Engineering Laboratory |9,764,000 |8,840,000 National Physical Laboratory |43,230,000|41,057,000
Domestic Fuel Supplies
Mr. Corbyn : To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his Department's estimate of the number of wholly 65-plus-year-old households that have (a) gas and (b) electricity connected to their homes, for the latest available year.
Mr. Eggar [holding answer 14 April 1993] : My Department estimates that in 1991 the numbers of wholly 65-plus-year-old households connected to (a) gas and (b) electricity were 3.6 million and 5.1 million respectively.
Mr. Corbyn : To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his Department's estimate of the total income for (a) gas and (b) electricity undertakings from domestic and standing charges.
Mr. Eggar [holding answer 14 April 1993] : My Department estimates that the total amounts raised by gas and electricty undertakings in 1992 from standing charges on domestic customers in the United Kingdom were £0.6 billion and £1.1 billion respectively.
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Scott Inquiry
Mr. Llew Smith : To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his oral answer to the hon. Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell) of 17 March, Official Report, column 271, what documents his Department has been asked to provide to Lord Justice Scott ; what documents he has supplied ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Heseltine [holding answer 2 April 1993] : Lord Justice Scott has requested a wide range of documents from my Department and no document requested is being withheld. It would not be appropriate to list them in detail.
Undersea Electricity Link
Mr. Morgan : To ask the President of the Board of Trade what consultation he has had with the members of the European Commission responsible for energy policy and regional development, and with his opposite number in the Irish Republic in relation to the funding of the undersea electricity transmission link between the national grid and the Irish electricity system ; and what is his current estimate of a start date.
Mr. Eggar [holding answer 2 April 1993] : There have been no discussions with the European Commission or with my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade's opposite number in the Irish Republic on the question of funding of the United Kingdom-Ireland electricity link. Further studies need to be undertaken before a reliable estimate of a start date can be given.
Plutonium (Air Transport)
Mr. Salmond : To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the date and route of the next plutonium flight from Carlisle.
Mr. Eggar [holding answer 2 April 1993] : This is a matter for the operators concerned.
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