House of Commons Hansard Debates for 24 Mar 1994

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Column 420

Gloucester Road London

Battle

Heathfield

South Kensington

Sunbury

Leatherhead

Havant

Hassocks

(b In Progress None

South West Region

(a Completed Portishead

Victoria Road Swindon

Bude

Ilfracombe

Marlborough

Seaton

Street

Tewkesbury

(b In Progress None

Northern Ireland

(a Completed Strabane

(b In Progress None

Wales

(a Completed Machynlleth

Dolgellau

Penbroke Dock

Tredegar

Brecon

Colwyn Bay

(b In Progress None

Mail Interception

Mr. Hain : To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) if the Security Service has been consulted during the Post Office review about mail interception procedures ;

(2) what consideration is being given in his review of the future of the Post Office to changes to mail interception procedures ; (3) what consultations he has had in the course of his review of the future of the Post Office about mail interception procedures.

Mr. McLoughlin : The Government would not make any proposals which did not deal satisfactorily with all relevant issues.

Heavy Commercial Vehicles

Mr. Austin Mitchell : To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the number of commercial vehicles on British roads weighing more than 7.5 tonnes ; what was the proportion of imported vehicles in each year ; and what factors underlie the trend in this proportion.

Mr. Needham : The number of vehicles over 7.5 tonnes licensed in the United Kingdom in 1988 and 1992 were 305,000 and 266,000 respectively. Data for the earlier years are not available. Figures for the proportion of imported vehicles in the total stock are not available. Data showing the volume of United Kingdom imports of vehicles over 7.5 tonnes are published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders in "Motor Industry of Great Britain, World Automotive Statistics". This publication is in the Library of the House.

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Mechanical Engineering Products

Mr. Austin Mitchell : To ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the change in the volume of orders on hand for United Kingdom mechanical engineering products for supply to the United Kingdom market since 1989 ; what the corresponding figures are for Germany, France and Italy ; whether he will publish a table showing the value and volume of output, imports, exports and consumption of mechanical engineering products in the United Kingdom and each of these countries in 1970, 1979, 1989 and 1992 together with the numbers employed ; and when he expects United Kingdom orders for supply to the United Kingdom market to regain the 1989 level.

Mr. Needham : The United Kingdom information on the volume of orders on hand is regularly published in "Engineering Sales and Orders," published by CSO, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House. Corresponding figures for Germany, France and Italy are not readily available.

Some comparable information on the value of output and employment for 1979 and 1989 is available on the Eurostat Cronos database, which can be assessed via the Library of the House. Corresponding information for 1970 and 1992 is not readily available. The information requested on trade and the volume of output is not readily available. Information on consumption of mechanical engineering products is not collected. The Department does not make industrial forecasts.

Exports

Mr. Austin Mitchell : To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the reasons for the difference between the rate of change in the level of United Kingdom exports according to table 6.5 of "Eurostat Basic Statistics of the Community, 1993" in (a) 1978 to 1989 and (b) 1975 to 1979.

Mr. Needham : The Department has not undertaken such an assessment.

Overseas Trade

Mr. Austin Mitchell : To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what was the value of Austrian exports to the United Kingdom in 1992 of apparel in SITC 84 and of Austrian imports from the United Kingdom ; what was the corresponding figure based on the United Kingdom trade returns in 1992 and in 1993 to date ; what were the principal products in each case ; and which were the principal United Kingdom user industries ;

(2) what was the value of Austrian exports to the United Kingdom in 1992 of electrical machinery not elsewhere specified in SITC 77 and of Austrian imports from the United Kingdom ; what was the corresponding figure based on the United Kingdom trade returns in 1992 and in 1993 to date ; what were the principal products in each case ; and which were the principal United Kingdom user industries ; (3) what was the value of Austrian exports to the United Kingdom in 1992 of iron and steel and of Austrian imports from the United Kingdom ; what was the corresponding figure based on the United Kingdom trade returns in 1992 and in 1993 to date ; what were the principal products in each case ; and which were the principal United Kingdom user industries ;

(4) what was the value of Austrian exports to the United Kingdom in 1992 of manufacturers of metal in SITC 69

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and of Austrian imports from the United Kingdom ; what was the corresponding figure based on the United Kingdom trade returns in 1992 and in 1993 to date ; what were the principal products in each case ; and which were the principal United Kingdom user industries ; (5) what was the value of Austrian exports to the United Kingdom in 1992 of telecommunications equipment and sound recording apparatus and of Austrian imports from the United Kingdom ; what was the corresponding figure based on the United Kingdom trade returns in 1992 and in 1993 to date ; what were the principal products in each case ; and which were the principal United Kingdom user industries ; (6) what was the value of Austrian exports to the United Kingdom in 1992 of specialised machinery in SITC 72 and of Austrian imports from the United Kingdom ; what was the corresponding figure based on the United Kingdom trade returns in 1992 and in 1993 to date ; what were the principal products in each case ; and which were the prinicpal United Kingdom user industries ;

(7) what was the value of Austrian exports to the United Kingdom in 1992 of power generating machinery and equipment and of Austrian imports from the United Kingdom ; what was the corresponding figure based on the United Kingdom trade returns in 1992 and in 1993 to date ; what were the principal products in each case ; and which were the principal United Kingdom user industries ;

(8) what was the value of Austrian exports to the United Kingdom in 1992 of textiles, and so on, in SITC 65 and of Austrian imports from the United Kingdom ; what was the corresponding figure based on the United Kingdom trade returns in 1992 and 1993 to date ; what were the principal products in each case ; and which were the principal United Kingdom user industries.

Mr. Needham : The 1992 information can be found in "Commodity Trade Statistics 1992 Series D" Vol. XLII, Nos. 1-09 and 1-12, published by the United Nations, copies of which are available in the Library of the House. Information on United Kingdom trade with Austria during 1993 is published in "Business Monitor MM20 Overseas Trade Statistics of the UK with Countries outside the European Community", published by CSO, copies of which are available in the Library of the House. Information on principal products can be obtained from the sources listed above. Information on United Kingdom user industries of goods imported from Austria is not collected.

Mr. Austin Mitchell : To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what was the value of Belgian exports to the United Kingdom in 1992 of manufactures of metal in SITC 69 and that of Belgian imports from the United Kingdom ; what was the corresponding figure based on the United Kingdom trade returns in 1992 and in 1993 to date ; what were the principal products in each case ; and which were the principal United Kingdom user industries ;

(2) what was the value of Belgian exports to the United Kingdom in 1992 of iron and steel in SITC 67 and that of Belgian imports from the United Kingdom ; what were the corresponding figures based on the United Kingdom trade returns in 1992 and 1993 to date ; what were the principal products in each case ; and which were the principal United Kingdom user industries ;

(3) what was the value of Belgian exports to the United Kingdom of textiles in SITC 65 in 1992 and of Belgian imports from the United Kingdom ; what was the corresponding figure based on the United Kingdom trade

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returns in 1992 and in 1993 to date ; what were the principal products in each case ; and which were the principal United Kingdom user industries ;

(4) what was the value of Belgian exports to the United Kingdom in 1992 of photographic apparatus, optical goods and clocks and watches and of Belgian imports from the United Kingdom ; what was the corresponding figure based on the United Kingdom trade returns in 1992 and 1993 to date ; what were the principal products in each case ; and which were the principal United Kingdom user industries ; (5) what was the value of Belgian exports to the United Kingdom in 1992 of miscellaneous manufactured products in SITC89 and of Belgian imports from the United Kingdom ; what was the corresponding figure based on the United Kingdom trade returns in 1992 and 1993 to date ; what were the principal products in each case ; and which were the principal United Kingdom user industries ;

(6) what was the value of Belgian exports to the United Kingdom in 1992 of other transport equipment in SITC79 and of Belgian imports from the United Kingdom ; what was the corresponding figure based on the United Kingdom trade returns in 1992 and 1993 to date ; what were the principal products in each case ; and which were the principal United Kingdom user industries.

Mr. Needham : Detailed information on trade statistics for Belgium and Luxembourg is classified together. The 1992 information can be found in "Commodity Trade Statistics 1992 Series D" Vol. XLII, Nos. 1-09 and 1-04, published by the United Nations, copies of which are available in the Library of the House. Information on United Kingdom trade with Belgium- Luxembourg during the first three quarters of 1993 is published in "Business Monitor MQ20 Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom with Countries within the European Community", published by CSO, copies of which are available in the Library of the House. Owing to the introduction of Intrastat, data across the two years may not be comparable at the detailed product level. Information on principal products can be obtained from the sources listed above. Information on United Kingdom user industries of goods imported from Belgium-Luxembourg is not collected.

Mr. Austin Mitchell : To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what was the value of French exports to the United Kingdom manufactures of metal SITC 69 in 1992, and of French imports from the United Kingdom ; what were the corresponding figures based on the United Kingdom trade returns in 1992, and in 1993, to date ; and what were the principal products in each case together with the principal United Kingdom user industries ;

(2) what was the value of French exports to the United Kingdom of vehicles in 1992, and French imports from the United Kingdom, the corresponding figure based on the United Kingdom trade returns in 1992 and in 1993 to date and the principal products in each case ; (3) what was the value of French exports to the United Kingdom in 1992 of electrical machinery in SITC 77 and of French imports from the United Kingdom ; what was the corresponding figure based on the United Kingdom trade returns in 1992 and in 1993 to date ; what were the principal products in each case ; and which were the principal United Kingdom user industries ;

(4) what was the value of French exports to the United Kingdom of power generating machinery and equipment in 1992 and that of French imports from the United Kingdom,

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the corresponding figure based on the United Kingdom trade returns in 1992 and in 1993 to date, the principal products in each case and the principal United Kingdom user industries.

Mr. Needham : The 1992 information can be found in "Commodity Trade Statistics 1992 Series D" Vol. XLII, Nos. 1-01 and 1-09, published by the United Nations, copies of which are available in the Library of the House. Information on United Kingdom trade with France during the first three quarters of 1993 is published in "Business Monitor MQ20 Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom with Countries within the European Community", published by CSO, copies of which are available in the Library of the House. Owing to the introduction of Intrastat, data across the two years may not be comparable at the detailed product level. Information on principal products can be obtained from the sources listed above. Information on United Kingdom user industries of goods imported from France is not collected.

Mr. Austin Mitchell : To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what was the value of Finnish exports to the United Kingdom in 1992 of iron and steel and of Finnish imports from the United Kingdom ; what was the corresponding figure based on the United Kingdom trade returns in 1992 and 1993 to date ; what were the principal products in each case ; and which were the principal United Kingdom user industries ;

(2) what was the value of Finnish exports to the United Kingdom in 1992 of road vehicles and of Finnish imports from the United Kingdom ; what was the corresponding figure based on the United Kingdom trade returns in 1992 and 1993 to date ; what were the principal products in each case ; and which were the principal United Kingdom user industries.

(3) what was the value of Finnish exports to the United Kingdom in 1992 of office machines and automatic data processing equipment in SITC75 and of Finnish imports from the United Kingdom ; what was the corresponding figure based on the United Kingdom trade returns in 1992 and 1993 to date ; what were the principal products in each case ; and which were the principal United Kingdom user industries ; (4) what was the value of Finnish exports to the United Kingdom in 1992 of telecommunications and sound recording apparatus in SITC76 and of Finnish imports from the United Kingdom ; what was the corresponding figure based on the United Kingdom trade returns in 1992 and 1993 to date ; what were the principal products in each case ; and which were the principal United Kingdom user industries.

Mr. Needham : The 1992 information can be found in "Commodity Trade Statistics 1992 Series D" Vol. XLII, Nos. 1-09 and 1-11, published by the United Nations, copies of which are available in the Library of the House. Information on United Kingdom trade with Finland during 1993 is published in "Business Monitor MM20 Overseas Trade Statistics of the UK with Countries outside the European Community", published by CSO, copies of which are available in the Library of the House. Information on principal products can be obtained from the sources listed above. Information on United Kingdom user industries of goods imported from Finland is not collected.

Mr. Austin Mitchell : To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the United Kingdom current-weighted

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share of the volume of exports of manufactures by the main manufacturing countries between 1973 and 1990 ; and if he will make a statement on the changes.

Mr. Needham : The information is not readily available and could be produced only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Austin Mitchell : To ask the President of the Board of Trade on how many occasions in the last five years he has knowingly provided incomplete information in answers to parliamentary questions other than on grounds of disproportionate cost ; and on what subjects.

Mr. Heseltine : I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given to my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on Tuesday 15 March 1994, Official Report, column 645.

Mr. Austin Mitchell : To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he will publish for 1970, 1973, 1979, 1985 and each year from 1989 exports by each of the main manufacturing countries of textiles, mechanical engineering products, and road motor vehicles on a comparable basis to that used in compiling the tables in the article published in the 18 November 1966 issue of the Board of Trade journal, entitled "United Kingdom and World Exports of Manufactures in the Past Decade."

Mr. Needham : No.

Mr. Austin Mitchell : To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the changes since 1973 in (a) the United Kingdom share of the volume of exports of manufactures by the main manufacturing countries, (b) the United Kingdom share of manufacturing output by these countries, (c) the volume of imports of manufactures from the rest of the EC as a ratio against United Kingdom output, (d) the rest of the EEC import penetration of the United Kingdom market for motor cars, (e) United Kingdom manufacturing output and (f) manufacturing employment.

Mr. Needham : The information on the United Kingdom share of the volume of exports by the main manufacturing countries to 1991 can be readily derived from table E1 of "Monthly Review of External Trade Statistics" annual supplement 1992, published by CSO, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House. More timely information is not readily available and could be produced only at disproportionate cost.

The information on the United Kingdom share of manufacturing output by the main manufacturing countries can be readily derived from the information contained in the OECD "Main Economic Indicators" database which can be accessed from the Library of the House, and from the OECD publications "National Accounts Vol. II" and "Main Economic Indicators", copies of which are available in the Library of the House.

The information on the United Kingdom volume of imports of manufactures as a ratio against United Kingdom output post-1987 can be readily derived from data available on the Central Statistical Office database, which can be accessed via the Library of the House. Comparable pre-1988 information is not readily available and could only be produced at disproportionate cost.

The information on European Union import penetration of United Kingdom motor car market can be readily derived from "Motor Industry of Great Britain--World

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Automotive Statistics", published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.

The information on United Kingdom manufacturing output and employment can be readily derived from data available on the Central Statistical Office database, which can be accessed via the Library of the House.

Mr. Gordon Prentice : To ask the President of the Board of Trade what awards, or other forms of recognition, are made by his Department to individuals and companies from manufacturing industry.

Mr. Heseltine : The Department of Trade and Industry does not give any specific awards to individuals and companies from manufacturing industry.

It does, however, run the annual competition, SMART, for small and medium- sized enterprises of fewer than 50 employees and provides 180 awards of up to £45,000 each in the form of grants to help develop new products and processes. A second phase of the competition is also open to SMART winners and offers each of them up to a further £60,000 of grant support.

In addition, the Department co-sponsors many awards managed by private sector organisations ; most are also open to the service sector. Examples of these awards are the export award for smaller businesses, the United Kingdom quality award and the best factory award.

The Department is also responsible for the work of the Queen's Awards Office, though recommendations to the Palace are made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister.

Japanese Exports

Mr. Austin Mitchell : To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the difference between the price index for Japan on page 31 of the January edition of OECD "Series A Monthly Statistics of Foreign Trade" and the index of average values on page 23 ; and if he will make a statement as to the effect of each on calculations of the competitiveness of Japanese exports to Britain.

Mr. Needham : Definitional differences between the two indices are a matter for the OECD. The effect of each index will depend on the exact nature of the calculations performed.

Auditing Industry

Mr. Austin Mitchell : To ask the President of the Board of Trade which sections of the Companies Act 1989 relate to the prevention of lobbying on behalf of the auditing industry by recognised supervisory bodies.

Mr. Neil Hamilton : None. The recognised supervisory bodies are free to bring to my attention any matters which they consider relevant to the conduct of audit.

Jammu and Kashmir

Mr. Redmond : To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action he has taken to date with the Indian authorities in respect of Madam Speaker's statement of 21 February, Official Report , column 21, regarding the document from Jammu and Kashmir ; and if he will make a statement.

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Mr. Needham : I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on 16 March 1994, Official Report , column 701 .

Exports (Macedonia)

Mr. Sims : To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to assist United Kingdom exporters whose consignments have been blocked by the Greek authorities en route to the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

Mr. Needham : My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has made our concerns known to the Greek Government. We and other European partners are working to encourage the Greeks to lift the block on goods being transported to the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia via the port of Salonika. We regard the blockade as illegal. Our embassy in Athens successfully assisted a British company soon after the imposition of the blockade. Since then no British companies have made representations to the Department or to the embassy.

Nuclear Facilities (Accident Insurance)

Mr. Llew Smith : To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the reason for the proposed increase in publicly funded accident insurance coverage for nuclear facilities set out in the draft statutory instrument on the Atomic Energy and Radioactive Substances Nuclear Installations (Increase of Operators' Limits of Liability) Order 1994.

Mr. Eggar : The order increases the liability limit of nuclear operators under the Nuclear Installations Act for third party nuclear damage from £20 million to £140 million. In the case of licensees of prescribed sites, the limit will increase from £5 million to £10 million.

As set out in the explanatory memorandum to the order, the increase is in line with the recommendation made in 1990 by the steering committee for nuclear energy of the OECD for countries which are parties to the Paris convention. A copy of the memorandum will be placed in the Library of the House.

Subsidence

Mr. Wigley : To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has for preventing fraud in the handling of money paid by the Coal Authority to contractors in respect of subsidence ; and what response he has made to the recent letter from Mr. Neil Clarke to his Department on this matter.

Mr. Eggar [holding answer 18 March 1994] : The Coal Authority will want to ensure proper procedures and safeguards to minimise the risk of fraud for all their functions, whether carried out by their own staff or contractors. They will doubtless wish to take account of considerations referred to by Mr. Clarke.

Scotch Whisky

Mr. McKelvey : To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will include in the agenda for the forthcoming EU/Bulgaria associations agreement meeting the tariff levels and excise tax rates facing Scotch whisky and other imported spirits in Bulgaria.

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Mr. Needham : Following representations from my Department to the European Commission, this matter has been placed on the agenda for the agricultural sub-committee of the joint committee of the EU/Bulgaria interim agreement, which takes place in Sofia on 23-25 March.

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