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39. Ms Hoey : To ask the President of the Board of Trade what measures he has taken to help the British telecommunications industry.
Mr. McLoughlin : The Government's policies on telecommunications remain as set out in the 1991 White Paper "Competition and Choice : Telecommunications Policy for the 1990s" Cm 1461. These policies have already brought great benefits to domestic and business subscribers, and are already developing a healthy and competitive telecoms industry in Britain able to take on the best in the world.
Latin America
36. Mr. Jacques Arnold : To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on Government support for exports to Latin America.
Mr. Needham : Latin America offers major trading opportunities for the United Kingdom, as the performance
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of United Kingdom companies with the support of DTI export services has shown. United Kingdom exports to Latin America have increased by 26 per cent. during the past 12 months. Ministers are reinforcing these efforts by visiting Latin American countries with teams of business men. The President of the Board of Trade, for example, visited Mexico and Argentina in June 1993 with senior businessmen. In addition, export promoters are being appointed to cover each of the key Latin American markets and additional resources have been put into the DTI market branch.Gas Pipelines
37. Mr. Salmond : To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on the proliferation of offshore gas pipelines.
Mr. Eggar : The Government's policy on proliferation of offshore oil and gas pipelines is summarised in paragraph 3.2. of "Guidance Notes on Procedures for Regulating Oil and Gas Field Developments" published last December. I have arranged for a copy of the document to be placed in the Library of the House.
Gas Industry
40. Mr. Gallie : To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he will make an announcement on the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report on the gas industry.
Mr. Neil Hamilton : Decisions on the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report on gas were announced on 21 December. The two main decisions taken are that :
(i) British Gas should separate fully the operation of its trading and transportation businesses, but will not be required to divest trading ;
(ii) British Gas's tariff monopoly will end in April 1996, and competition will be phased in over the two years to April 1998. A copy of the full text of the announcement has been placed in the Library.
Mr. Wigley : To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his estimate of the number and proportion of homes connected to gas mains supply for all standard regions of the United Kingdom.
Mr. Eggar : British Gas has estimated that the number and proportion of households using gas for each British Gas region in 1992 was as follows :
Households using Gas in 1992
Region |Number |Percentage of all
|(thousands) |households
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scotland |1,270 |67
Northern |960 |81
North Western |2,330 |91
North Eastern |1,130 |87
East Midlands |1,820 |83
West Midlands |1,720 |83
Wales |820 |74
East Anglia |1,440 |74
North Thames |2,020 |92
South Eastern |2,090 |86
South |1,300 |81
South Western |1,080 |67
Great Britain |17,980 |81
Northern Ireland |<1>- |<1>-
United Kingdom |17,980 |79
<1> No public gas mains supply.
Source: Monopolies and Mergers Commission report: "Gas and British
Gas plc", volume 2. Table 2.10 (British Gas Estimates).
Deregulation Task Forces
Mr. Fatchett : To ask the President of the Board of Trade who were the members of his Department's deregulation task forces ; and what criteria determined their selection to participate in the deregulation review.
Mr. Neil Hamilton : A complete list of deregulation task force members has been placed in the Library of the House. There were no formal selection criteria. The chairmen were invited to participate as people of standing within their sector and they chose members who represented various groups within those sectors.
Mr. Fatchett : To ask the President of the Board of Trade when the report and the recommendations of the deregulation task forces will be published.
Mr. Neil Hamilton : The recommendations of the deregulation task forces will be published shortly. The task forces will not be publishing a formal report.
Mr. Fatchett : To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the total cost of his Department's deregulation task forces investigation.
Mr. Neil Hamilton : The salaries of the civil servants in the task force support unit and related administrative costs amounted to £165, 000.
Mr. Fatchett : To ask the President of the Board of Trade who advised the deregulation task forces on matters relating to health and safety at work during the course of their investigation.
Mr. Neil Hamilton [holding answer 11 January 1994] : Matters relating to health and safety at work were considered by a cross-sectoral group of task force members which invited and received submissions from a wide range of interested parties including individual companies, trade associations, consultants, voluntary organisations and schools. The group also had extensive discussions with the Health and Safety Executive.
Objective 2 Status
Mr. Vaz : To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the areas included in the Government's application to the EC for objective 2 status.
Mr. Sainsbury : I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for South Dorset (Mr. Bruce) on 28 October, Official Report, columns 723-24.
Export Credit Guarantees (Iraq)
Mr. Llew Smith : To ask the President of the Board of Trade what export credit guarantees were made available to Iraq for each year since 1979 ; and if there were changes of policy covering the export credit guarantees to Iraq over this time period.
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Mr. Needham : United Kingdom credit facilities for Iraq prior to 1983 were limited to basic credit insurance for cash or short-term credit transactions. From 1983 to 1988, under a series of inter-governmental financial protocols, the Export Credits Guarantee Department also supported the financing of United Kingdom contracts on medium-term credit involving the sale of capital goods, services, pharmaceuticals and humanitarian products. From 1985 onwards, of the overall protocol amounts, a limit of 20 per cent. was applied to medium-term credit for defence-related goods. ECGD came off cover for all types of transaction with Iraq in 1990.
The value of business with Iraq conducted on cash or short credit terms supported by ECGD since 1979 was :
|£ million
------------------------------
1979 |113
1980 |170
1981 |292
1982 |589
1983 |461
1984 |140
1985 |161
1986 |208
1987 |55
1988 |48
1989 |97
1990 |156
The amount of medium-term finance available under the protocol arrangements was :
|£ million
------------------------------
1983 |<1>250
1984 |<1>250
|<2>25
1985 |<2>50
1986 |<2>50
1987 |<3>100
|<2>75
1988 |<3>280
|<2>60
<1>Capital Goods and Projects
<2>Pharmaceuticals and
Humanitarian Products
<3>Capital Goods, Services
and Projects
The finance available under these protocols was not fully taken up by Iraq. ECGD's actual exposure was therefore less than the figures given above.
Departmental Inspectors
Mr. Austin Mitchell : To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will provide a list of the individuals who since 1985 have acted as inspectors for his Department but whose conduct has been criticised by their professional bodies.
Mr. Neil Hamilton : As far as I am aware disciplinary proceedings by a professional body have only been brought against two former inspectors, Mr. B. R. Addison, FCA and Mr. B. Worth, FCA. The proceedings, brought by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, were commenced after the inspectors were appointed. Those against Mr. Worth have not yet been concluded.
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Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant
Mr. Martyn Jones : To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will give the earliest date that the thermal oxide reprocessing plant at Sellafield can begin stage 5 commissioning.
Mr. Eggar : The authorisations granted pursuant to the decision of my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for the Environment and the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food will come into force on 17 January. Progress in commissioning the thermal oxide reprocessing plant beyond that date is a commercial matter for British Nuclear Fuels plc, subject to meeting the requirements of the Health and Safety Executive's nuclear installations inspectorate.
Coal Privatisation
Mr. Wigley : To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps he will take to ensure that the successor body to the Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation will receive sufficient funding to continue the protection of the social welfare of miners and ex-miners and their families after privatisation of the industry.
Mr. Eggar : My Department is consulting British Coal and the Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation about the future provision of miners' social welfare services.
Mr. Tipping : To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of the number of collieries that will be privatised on the restructuring date specified in the Coal Industry Bill.
Mr. Eggar [holding answer 11 January 1994] : It is intended to offer to the private sector all British Coal collieries which are currently operational.
Life Funds
Mr. Denham : To ask the President of the Board of Trade what monitoring his Department undertakes of the life funds of any insurance companies beyond the annual returns made by such companies ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Neil Hamilton : The Department has powers, under the Insurance Companies Act 1982, to require insurance companies to furnish it, at specified times and intervals, with information about specified matters. These powers are used, as appropriate, in the light of the circumstances in individual cases. In addition, the Department maintains contact with companies through a programme of visits.
Newspaper Distribution
Mr. Gordon Prentice : To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the effect on newsagents of proposals to allow non-traditional outlets to supply and sell national newspapers.
Mr. Neil Hamilton : In deciding on the appropriate action to take following pubication of the Monopolies and Mergers
Commission--MMC--report on the supply of national newspapers and the Director General of Fair Trading's advice on the report, I considered carefully the potential impact of my proposed action on existing retailers. I concluded that it was in the overall public
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interest to increase the level of competition and availability of newspapers, whether from traditional or non -traditional outlets. I therefore announced on 9 December my intention to lay an order before the House to prohibit certain restrictions on the supply of newspapers which the MMC found to be against the public interest. A notice of my intention to lay this order was published on 21 December. It indicated the nature of the provisions the order is to contain and invited written representations from interested parties likely to be affected by the order. These will include existing newsagents and their representative organisations.Company Directors
Mr. Loyden : To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many unfit company directors were disqualified in 1992-93.
Mr. Neil Hamilton : During 1992-93 651 unfit directors were disqualified under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986.
Ministerial Powers
Mr. Allen : To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the powers he has under public legislation to give directions to local authorities or otherwise require them to act in a way which he prescribes, giving in each case the legislative authority under which he may exercise these powers.
Mr. Neil Hamilton : The information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Post Offices
Mr. Harry Greenway : To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many post offices in built-up areas (a) do and (b) do not have collection points for undelivered mail ; how many such points have been closed in the past year ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. McLoughlin : I understand from the Post Office that post offices in built up areas do not have collection points for undelivered mail. Such collection points are, however, provided in built-up areas at Royal Mail delivery offices which all have either a morning or an all-day facility for collecting mail which it has not been possible to deliver.
Trade (South-East Asia)
Mr. Nicholas Winterton : To ask the President of the Board of Trade what specific steps he is taking to encourage the growth of trade between the United Kingdom and the countries of south-east Asia and the Pacific area.
Mr. Needham : As part of my export initiative, we are recruiting 20 export promoters from industry to spearhead our drive to identify business opportunities in the Asia Pacific region and to work with United Kingdom businesses to follow them up. I expect all to be in place by the end of this financial year ; those who have been working with us for several months are already producing business for Britain.
We are developing strategic country market plans for 14 of our main markets in the region. These will help us to
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focus all of our resources--including the export promoters, additional desk officers in DTI, staff in our posts in the region, and our business advisers--towards those areas where we have identified the most promising opportunities for British firms. We are undertaking a vigorous, proactive programme of ministerial visits--usually with accompanying businessmen--inward and outward missions, seminars and meetings with individual firms in order to develop our links with Governments and commercial organisations in the Asia Pacific region ; identify market opportunities for trade and investment ; and bring these to the notice of British industry and commerce.We have also increased the export credit cover available for exports to the region, and we are providing financial support under the aid and trade provision to help firms bidding for major projects in eligible countries in the region.
The result of this programme of activities in what is probably the most rapidly developing area of the world has been an increase in British exports in the period January to September 1993 of 26 per cent. over the corresponding period in 1992. Nevertheless, much remains to be done to build on this encouraging performance and I am confident that the measures I have introduced will lead to British firms winning still more business in the Asia Pacific region in the future.
United Kingdom exports to Japan, China, Hong Kong, Korea, Taiwan, South- East Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
Konver Grants
Mr. Hutton : To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his estimate of the number of jobs which will be created by projects supported with Konver grants.
Mr. Sainsbury [holding answer 17 December 1993] : Konver grants fund feasibility studies to help firms diversify, encourage the development of SMEs, provided for some rehabilitation of military sites and grants for training for people directly affected by changes in defence activity.
It is not possible to give an estimate of the number of jobs which will be created by Konver grants.
Honduras (Armaments Trade)
Mr. Corbyn : To ask the President of the Board of Trade what restrictions are planned on trade in armaments with Honduras ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Needham [holding answer 17 December 1993] : The export of armaments to Honduras is prohibited without a licence issued under the Export of Goods (Order) 1992. I have no plans to alter this restriction. Each application for an export licence is considered on its merits, with particular regard being paid to the criteria for arms exports agreed at the Luxembourg and Lisbon European Councils in June 1991 and June 1992.
Landmines
Mr. Chisholm : To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the Government's policy on the export of landmines.
Mr. Needham [holding answer 17 December 1993] : The Government supported the resolution of the United
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Nations General Assembly urging a moratorium on the export of anti-personnel mines that pose grave dangers to civilian populations. Licences for the export of such mines will not be issued. We do not, however, consider that self-destructing or self-neutralising mines and mines used in accordance with protocol II of the 1981 weaponry convention pose such dangers. Applications for licences to export these forms of mine are subject to close scrutiny.EC Structural Funds
Mr. Fatchett : To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will place in the Library a copy of the Government's responses to European Commission green paper "The Future of Community Initiatives under the Structural Funds".
Mr. Sainsbury [holding answer 17 December 1993] : Yes.
Health and Safety
Mr. Fatchett : To ask the President of the Board of Trade what evidence there is for the assertion that health and safety consultants are promoting bogus goods and services, in paragraph 44 of the efficiency scrutiny report commissioned by the President of the Board of Trade, "Review of the Implementation and Enforcement of EC Law in the UK : Health and Safety" ; and what action he proposes to take to prevent this practice in future.
Mr. Neil Hamilton [holding answer 11 January 1994] : Consultants may have a role to play where companies are unable to cope from within their existing resources. I have received, however, a number of letters from individuals and organisations indicating that some consultants, for their own commercial reasons, may have misled companies about the complexity of regulations or their requirements. In many such cases, companies could have carried out the work themselves or sought free advice from the HSE or other enforcement agents. Where HSE becomes aware of consultants making misleading claims, it has been raising the matter directly with those concerned.
Mr. Fatchett : To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) how many letters complaining about the burden of health and safety legislation he received between 1 June and 31 December 1992 ; (2) what evidence his Department had prior to setting up the deregulation task forces that health and safety legislation constituted an unnecessary burden on business.
Mr. Neil Hamilton [holding answer 11 January 1994] : Actual figures are not readily available. But I can confirm that my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade and I received a significant number of representations between July and December 1992, prior to the creation of the task forces. These were from various organisations and individuals complaining about the burdens of specific areas of health and safety legislation on business. Such complaints have increased considerably in recent months.
It is not the Government view that all health and safety legislation constitutes an unnecessary burden on business. The current review of legislation is concerned with examining whether scope exists for improving the efficiency of the existing regulatory regime without impairing necessary safety standards.
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EC Industry Council
Mr. Barnes : To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the outcome of the EC Industry Council of 17 December, indicating the voting record of each member state on each item and where no formal votes were taken.
Mr. Sainsbury [holding answer 11 January 1994] : The Industry Council on 17 December agreed a package of six steel state aid proposals in four member states--Germany, Italy, Spain and Portugal--under article 95 of the ECSC treaty. These involve capacity reductions of 4.6 million tonnes and state aid of some 7 becu, and at the United Kingdom's insistence incorporate significant improvements to the original proposals. These include a tightening up of the detailed requirements for four of the cases- -EKO Stahl, ILVA, CSI, Sidenor--more rigorous monitoring to ensure that conditions built into the individual cases are met--with a role for the Council as well as the Commission--and that the aid is used soley to facilitate restructuring and not to allow unfair pricing. There is explicit recognition that no further aid will be provided to these companies if viability is not achieved. A number of the proposals agreed involve privatisation of the companies concerned, which should help to ensure that future operations are carried out on a proper commercial basis.
This package of proposals was agreed unanimously as required under article 95 ECSC. This requirement for unanimity enabled us to secure significant improvements to the proposals discussed, but not agreed, at the 18 November Council.
EC Internal Market Council
Mr. Barnes : To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the outcome of the EC Internal Market Council of 16 December, indicating the voting record of each member state on each item and where no formal votes were taken.
Mr. Neil Hamilton [holding answer 11 January 1994] : I attended the third Internal Market Council of the Belgian presidency in Brussels on 16 December 1993.
The following were adopted as "A" points : regulations opening and providing for the administration of community tariff quotas ; regulations temporarily suspending totally or partially the autonomous duties of the common customs tariff for certain fishery products ; a resolution by the Council on young drivers ; and an aid to shipbuilding.
There was a debate on the Commission's strategic programme for the internal market. The United Kingdom, France and Germany stressed the importance of deregulation and subsidiarity. The Council agreed brief operational conclusions looking to the Commission to produce practical proposals to be considered by the Internal Market Council in 1994.
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No agreement was reached on the proposed pension fund or the insurance winding-up directives. There was a short inconclusive debate on the proposed European company statute.The Council heard progress reports on negotiations on a proposal for a European co-operative society statute and a proposed regulation on counterfeit goods.
Political agreement was reached on legal protection of biotechnological inventions by qualified majority with Spain, Denmark and Luxembourg voting against. The United Kingdom maintained its parliamentary scrutiny reserve.
A common position was agreed on a recreational craft directive. France voted against. The United Kingdom abstained because of the coverage of second-hand boats imported from third countries. A common position was agreed on the 14th amendment to the regulations relating to restrictions on the marketing and use of certain dangerous substance and preparations, dealing with nickel. Entry into force will be delayed until six months after agreement on test methods by the European standards organisation, CEN. Nickel spectacle frames and buttons were excluded. Italy voted against. Political agreement was reached by qualified majority on the food additives other than colours and sweeteners directive. Italy abstained.
There was agreement on a Council decision for the development and promotion of new systems for the interchange of commercial data. The budget for the programme was set at 20 mecu over two years. The legal base was amended to article 235 in accordance with United Kingdom wishes. The United Kingdom abstained considering that a lower budget was more appropriate.
The Commission presented a proposal for a directive on hallmarking, designed to remove barriers to trade and protect consumers. The Council agreed to work towards a common position as quickly as possible.
The next meeting of the Council is planned for 10 March 1994.
LORD CHANCELLOR
Bowbelle-Marchioness Collision
Mr. Spearing : To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the names of witnesses to the collision between the Bowbelle and Marchioness who gave evidence in court or at an inquest together with the nature of each hearing and dates ; whether the evidence was oral or in writing ; and whether any cross-examination was given together with the name and interest of those conducting the cross- examination.
Mr. John Taylor [holding answer 11 January 1994] : The information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
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