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Industrial Investment Levels
27. Mr. Tredinnick: To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on investment levels in United Kingdom industry (a) from 1974 to 1979 and (b) since 1979. [7915]
Mr. Eggar: Between 1974 and 1979, total investment grew on average by 0.75 per cent. in real terms each year. Since 1979, it has grown by 1.75 per cent. on average in real terms each year.
Competitiveness
28. Mr. McFall: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what measures were proposed by Her Majesty's Government at the Madrid summit to improve the competitiveness of manufacturing and service industries in (a) the United Kingdom and (b) other member states. [7916]
Mr. Lang: The Madrid European Council discussed competitiveness on the basis of a report produced by the European Commission's competitiveness advisory group under the chairmanship of Dr. Ciampi. The United Kingdom endorsed, in particular, the emphasis which the report placed on: the need to ensure the effective implementation of the single market, including the introduction of competition into the utilities sector, the need to give effective support to small and medium enterprises, especially through the removal of regulatory obstacles, and the importance of Europe competing effectively with the United States and Asia. The United Kingdom also reiterated its commitment to making progress with trans-European networks.
Competitiveness (Environmental Appraisal)
Ms Ruddock: To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) how "Competitiveness: Forging Ahead" was modified by the results of any environmental appraisal undertaken by his Department; [8668]
- (2) if "Competitiveness: Forging Ahead" has been subject to an environmental appraisal using the guidance contained in "Policy Appraisal and the Environment"; and if he will publish the appraisal; [8666]
(3) what procedures have been put in place by his Department to monitor the environmental impacts arising from the implementation of "Competitiveness: Forging Ahead"; [8669]
(4) what alternative courses of action from those detailed in "Competitiveness: Forging Ahead" were considered in any environmental appraisal undertaken by his Department. [8667]
Mr. Page: The 1994 White Paper "Competitiveness: Helping Business to Win" was the first comprehensive audit of the UK's competitive position. The 1995 White Paper "Competitiveness: Forging Ahead" updated the analysis, and it will be reviewed and developed further in the competitiveness White Paper due to be published later this year.
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The White Papers have analysed the main factors influencing competitiveness. They identified the primary responsibility of companies themselves to improve their competitive performance. They also outlined policies and initiatives across the whole of Government to help create the right framework and conditions to foster that improvement.
Against this background, the White Papers considered the relationship between environmental issues and competitiveness. The 1995 White Paper sets out the implications for business of the Government's commitment to sustainable development. It addresses the way that tax and regulatory policies are used to achieve environmental objectives and identifies the challenges and opportunities for business managers. There was no specific, separate written environmental appraisal of the White Papers themselves. It is a matter for each Government Department and individual company to consider and monitor the environmental implications of their activities in the normal way--including, where appropriate, the need for a written environmental appraisal.
Responsibility for managing the competitiveness agenda within the Government now lies with my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister, and the Office of Public Service in the Cabinet Office.
29. Mr. Jacques Arnold:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the introduction of business links. [7917]
Mr. Lang:
Business links are making excellent progress in raising the quality of business support services and simplifying access to them. For the first time, businesses have a simple route to top quality public and price sector support--support delivered by local business for local business and tailored to the customer's individual needs. Across the country, thousands of companies, especially small firms with the desire and potential to grow, are experiencing the tangible benefits which business link offers--a single point of access to a complete range of support, including help with exports, innovation and technology, access to finance, sources of supply and so on.
The national business link network is nearing completion. With 176 outlets now operational, close to 80 per cent. of VAT registered firms in England can now benefit from the services of their local business link. Complete coverage is expected by April.
Mr. Pearson:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of his Department's internal audit report into business links. [7902]
Mr. Page:
This was a valuable report which has helped my Department to improve its management of the business link project. On 6 October 1995, my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade and Industry wrote to the hon. Member for Sheffield, Central (Mr. Caborn) as the then Chairman of the Trade and Industry Committee, providing a memorandum which included details of progress and covering key issues identified by the report. I have asked my officials to seek the agreement of the Committee to placing the memorandum in the Library of the House.
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30. Mr. Clapham:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade when it is expected that Nuclear Electric will be able to meet the full cost of its liabilities. [7919]
Mr. Eggar:
The major part of Nuclear Electric's liabilities are in respect of long-term provisions for nuclear fuel reprocessing, waste management and decommissioning costs, a substantial part of which will not fall due for payment for a considerable number of years. After the privatisation of British Energy, the Government will ensure that Magnox Electric has sufficient assets to meet its liabilities as they fall due.
31. Mr. Clelland:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many people are employed in civil research and development in (a) 1979 and (b) the current year. [7920]
Mr. Ian Taylor:
The information is not available for the years requested; 1993 is the latest year for which information is available and only total research and development figures were collected before 1990.
| Total | Civil | |
|---|---|---|
| 1978 | 262,000 | -- |
| 1990 | 280,000 | 231,000 |
| 1993 | 279,000 | 245,000 |
Communications Industry
32. Mr. Pope: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps his Department is taking to promote the competitiveness of United Kingdom manufacturers and suppliers of communications networks and services. [7921]
Mr. Ian Taylor: My Department promotes the competitiveness of the communications industry through a series of initiatives, many in close co-operation with trade associations. These initiatives tackle a number of issues such as skill shortages, quality, and the use of new applications of technology to enhance productivity. In addition, we continue to pursue a licensing policy for telecommunications operators which has created one of the most competitive telecom services markets in the world. This has brought benefits both to consumers and to the industry itself since many UK companies which have proved themselves to be competitive here are now taking advantage of opportunities in expanding overseas markets.
Eurofighter
33. Mr. Pike: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions he has had with the aerospace industry in relation to the United kingdom share of work in the Eurofighter project. [7922]
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Mr. Eggar: My Department is staying in close touch with industry and, with the MOD, it is seeking to ensure a fair and realistic distribution of work in the Eurofighter project. My Department is also seeking to help secure the best conditions for UK industry's participation in Eurofighter through its own contacts with Governments and industry at home and abroad.
Small Business
34. Mr. Win Griffiths: To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about his plans to promote small businesses. [7923]
Mr. Page: The Government are taking a number of measures to promote the interests of small businesses. These include:
the establishment of the business link network which will offer advice and help to small and medium companies. By April 1996, every company in England will have access to a business link outlet and the range of services they offer;
the creation of the small business Ministers forum to ensure that the issues and concerns of small businesses are addressed across Whitehall Departments.
the current programme of "Your Business Matters" conferences being organised by the small firms' representative organisations is enabling small businesses themselves to have a direct say in the development of future Government policy for the sector. The outcomes of the conferences will be considered in this year's competitiveness White Paper.
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