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Job Advertisements
Mr. Janner: To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many jobs have been advertised in each grade in his Department during the last three months for which records are available; and how many people have applied for each such job. [13827]
Mr. John M. Taylor:
The Department has operated an internal advertising scheme for vacancies in all grades from administrative assistant to grade 7, and equivalents,
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since April 1994. In the three months November 1995 to January 1996 inclusive, 239 posts were advertised. This figure is broken down by grade in the table below.
| Grade | Post advertised (November 1995-January 1996) |
|---|---|
| Secretarial Group | 13 |
| Administrative Group | 86 |
| Executive Officer | 62 |
| Higher Executive Officer level | 39 |
| Senior Executive Officer level | 9 |
| Grade 7 | 30 |
| Total | 239 |
Information on the number of applicants for these specific posts is not yet available, but historical data suggest that, on average, there are three applicants for each post advertised.
Export Credits Guarantee Department
Mr. Meacher: To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will estimate the amount paid under ECGD guarantees since 1980 in relation to trade with the United Arab Emirates; what was (a) the amount paid to banks under buyer credit and line of credit facilities, (b) the amount paid directly to exporters under short-term or supplier credit facilities and (c) the amount subsequently recovered; and if he will estimate the proportion of each figure paid in respect of (i) the export of military and related equipment and (ii) the export of military and related equipment where the end user has been assessed to have been Iraq. [13946]
Mr. Oppenheim: Since 1980, the ECGD has paid claims of £27.9 million in relation to trade with the United Arab Emirates and made recoveries of £15.1 million. Of the claims, £21.3 million related to short-term or supplier credit facilities. The ECGD maintains no records of the goods supplied under its now privatised short-term business, but there is otherwise no record of any of the claims relating to arms business.
Mr. Meacher: To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will estimate the amount paid under ECGD guarantees since 1980 in relation to trade with Singapore; what was (a) the amount paid to banks under buyer credit and line of credit facilities, (b) the amount paid directly to exporters under short-term or supplier credit facilities and (c) the amount subsequently recovered; and if he will estimate the proportion of each figure paid in respect of (i) the export of military and related equipment and (ii) the export of military and related equipment where the end user has been assessed to have been Iraq. [13945]
Mr. Oppenheim: Since 1980, the ECGD has paid claims of £13.1 million in relation to trade with Singapore and made recoveries of £1.43 million. All the claims related to short-term or supplier credit facilities. The ECGD maintains no record of the goods supplied under its now privatised short-term business, but there is otherwise no record of any of the claims relating to arms business.
Cambodia
Mr. Menzies Campbell:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his policy towards investment in
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Cambodia by British companies; what action the British Government have taken to facilitate business links; and if he will make a statement. [13949]
Mr. Oppenheim:
Investment prospects in Cambodia have improved since the internationally brokered comprehensive political settlement brought to power a democratically elected coalition Government in 1993. However, the state of the economy and security situation mean that opportunities are limited at the moment.
The British Government, through our embassy in Phnom Penh, maintain regular contacts with all British companies resident in Cambodia. The embassy regularly supports visiting British companies in their efforts to establish business links. The British chamber of commerce in Bangkok visited Cambodia last year and Cambodian officials will visit the UK in March and again later this year. An export promoter from the DTI and trade promotion staff are planning to visit Cambodia later this year to identify further opportunities for British companies wishing to establish business links.
In addition, we encourage UK companies to take advantage of the European Union programmes, such as the EC investment partners scheme, which are designed to promote links between businesses in Europe and in certain developing countries such as Cambodia.
Mr. Menzies Campbell:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his policy towards investment in Myanmar by British companies; what action the British Government have taken to facilitate business links; and if he will make a statement. [13950]
Mr. Oppenheim:
My Department continues to provide information relating to investment issues in Burma and the associated risks. However, our efforts are focused primarily on the trade opportunities that may exist for British companies, rather than on investment, where we continue to take a cautious line.
My Department held a trade awareness seminar, "An Introduction to Burma", at the London chamber of commerce on 5 December 1995. This will be followed by a trade mission to Burma from 26 February to 1 March 1996.
Mr. Gill:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what penalties exist in each member state of the European Union for non-compliance with the electro magnetic compatibility directive. [13500]
Mr. Ian Taylor:
My Department does not hold information concerning the penalties in all of the member states for non-compliance with the
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electromagnetic compatibility directive. Other member states will have taken such steps as they felt appropriate to ensure compliance with the directive. In a communication of 3 May 1995, the Commission, reflecting the common view of Community institutions, noted that national penalty arrangements should be effective, proportionate and dissuasive. The Council resolution of 21 June 1995 encouraged the Commission to ensure that penalties introduced by member states to ensure compliance meet these criteria. My Department will monitor the situation.
Protecting electrical and electronic equipment from electromagnetic interference is important and, under the electromagnetic compatibility regulations, as amended, the United Kingdom enforcement authorities may issue a suspension notice or a prohibition notice to secure compliance or prosecute for offences which could lead to fines on summary conviction of up to £5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or to both. Except in the case of CE-marked apparatus found not to comply with EMC protection requirements, before seeking prosecution enforcement authorities must first send a compliance notice, to which no penalties attach so long as compliance follows within a reasonable period.
Mr. Hardy:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade when the hon. Member for Wentworth will receive an answer to his question of 30 November about the support of greyhound breeding in Ireland by the EC. [13126]
Mr. Oppenheim:
There are certain European Community structural fund grants for greyhound breeding in the Republic of Ireland.
Information about details of these funds' grants in other EC member states is not directly available in the United Kingdom. I have, however, made inquiries and expect to be able to give a substantive answer within the next few days.
Mr. Hain:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much in (a) ecus and (b) pounds, (i) in each eligible region and (ii) in total, the United Kingdom received in European Coal and Steel Community loans over the last available five-year period. [11696]
Mr. Page
[holding answer 29 January 1996]: Loan activity under the ECSC treaty comprises article 54 investment loans, article 56 reconversion loans, and loans disbursed under the workers' housing programme. The information requested is as follows. Figures are not available on a regional basis for loans under the workers' housing programme.
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Source:
European Commission.
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| United Kingdom | ||
|---|---|---|
| Ecu | £ | |
| 1990 | 1.40 | 1.15 |
| 1991 | 8.00 | 6.56 |
| 1992 | 0.70 | 0.57 |
| 1993 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 1994 | 0.10 | 0.08 |
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