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British Coal Enterprise
Mr. Sheerman: To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) how many companies are being considered for the purchase of British Coal Enterprise subsidiaries; and what criteria will be used against which to judge the suitability of the bids; [21742]
- (2) what steps his Department is taking to ensure that workspace is sold to an appropriate purchaser with knowledge of and commitment to the regeneration of former coalfield communities through training and regeneration. [21812]
Mr. Page: The sale of British Coal Enterprise is a matter for British Coal. When launching the sales process, British Coal indicated that it would be considering proposals for BCE in the light of its statutory duties and the importance of ensuring continuation of effective assistance to coalfield communities.
The corporation has announced that two management buy-out teams have been identified as preferred bidders for the business funding and outplacement arms of BCE, and that Birkby plc has been identified as preferred bidder for BCE's workplace portfolio.
Mr. Tipping:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what recent discussions he has held about the disposal of British Coal Enterprise's property portfolio; who is to acquire it; from what date; what steps have been taken to ensure that the new owners continue to meet the needs of coalfield communities; and if he will make a statement. [22605]
Mr. Page:
The sale of British Coal Enterprise is a matter for British Coal. When launching the sales process, British Coal indicated that it would be considering proposals for BCE in the light of its statutory duties and the importance of ensuring continuation of effective assistance to coalfield communities.
The corporation has announced that Birkby plc has been identified as preferred bidder for BCE's workspace activities. The corporation expects that the sales process will be concluded at or shortly after the end of March 1996.
Mrs. Anne Campbell:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade which former public sector research establishments in his Department have been privatised since 1979; and which public sector research establishments in his Department are currently undergoing reviews with a view to placing them in the private sector. [21947]
25 Mar 1996 : Column: 414
Mr. Ian Taylor:
The National Engineering Laboratory was privatised by trade sale in October 1995. The National Measurement Accreditation Service--NAMAS--formerly part of the National Physical Laboratory, was merged with the National Accreditation Council for Certification Bodies--NACCB--formerly part of the British Standards Institution, in August 1995 to form the United Kingdom Accreditation Service, which was established as a non-profit distribution company limited by guarantee. The National Maritime Institute--formerly part of the National Physical Laboratory--was also privatised as a company limited by guarantee in October 1982, changing its name to NMI Ltd. The operation of the National Physical Laboratory was contracted-out in October 1995. Negotiations are currently under way with a preferred bidder for a trade sale of the Laboratory of the Government Chemist.
No research establishments which fall within the area of responsibility of the research councils for which DTI is responsible have been privatised since 1979. The plant breeding activities of the former plant breeding institute were privatised by trade sale in October 1987, but the establishment itself remains in the pubic sector as part of the Institute of Plant Science Research.
Commercially oriented research activity has formed, and will continue to form, part of the work of AEA Technology, which is also due to be privatised. This includes the rationalised activities of the Warren Spring Laboratory which were absorbed by AEA Technology in spring 1994.
In terms of those research establishments currently under review, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Taunton (Mr. Nicholson) on 26 January 1996, Official Report, columns 421-23. Each review will address the relationship of establishments to others working in similar or related fields and consider, among other things, the potential for privatisation or rationalisation.
Dr. Twinn:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to receive the annul report for the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service. [22983]
Mr. Lang:
I am laying the ACAS report for 1995, before both Houses of Parliament today. Copies are available from the Vote Office.
Mr. Gordon Prentice:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to ensure that Ministers are aware of the views of the vice-chancellor concerning the use of selective quotations taken from the vice-chancellor's answers given at the press conference on 15 February. [17697]
Mr. Lang:
The inquiry itself made it clear that Sir Richard Scott's views about selective quotation from his report applied to any summary of his report, whether by Government, Opposition or the media.
25 Mar 1996 : Column: 415
Mr. Harry Greenway:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what study he has made as to the changes in employment levels in the last year in respect of businesses employing (a) over 20 people and (b) fewer than this figure; and if he will make a statement. [20697]
Mr. Page:
Estimates of the changes in employment levels during 1995 for businesses of different sizes are not available but it will be possible to derive such figures in future years from information held on the Central Statistical Office's interdepartmental business register.
| Total(5) | Less than 25 employees(6) | 25 or more employees(6) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn 1994 | 21,632 | 7,157 | 14,237 |
| Autumn 1995 | 21,977 | 7,145 | 14,578 |
| Change | 346 | -12 | 342 |
Notes:
(4) Figures are for employees only, and excluded the self-employed, unpaid family workers and those on Government programmes.
(5) Includes some people who did not give the number of employees at their workplace.
(6) Excludes those who did not give the number of employees their workplace.
Source:
Labour Force Survey.
Insolvency Service
Mr. Mike O'Brien: To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the privatisation of the Insolvency Service. [20684]
Mr. Oppenheim: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Spelthorne (Mr. Wilshire) on 28 February 1996, Official Report, column 589.
OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION
Bilateral Aid
32. Mr. Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals the Government have to increase the proportion of bilateral aid spent on meeting basic needs for poor people in poor countries. [20712]
Mr. Hanley: We are committed to the goal of poverty eradication in poor countries but we do not set rigid targets about the quantity of aid going to the poor; we are instead most concerned to provide quality, effective aid which makes a lasting impact on basic needs.
25 Mar 1996 : Column: 416
33. Dr. Goodson-Wickes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in how many instances since 1979 aid has ceased because the country was judged no longer to need it. [20713]
Mr. Hanley: We have ceased normal bilateral programmes in a number of better-off developing countries such as Korea and Singapore. ODA policy is to continue to concentrate aid further on the poorest countries where it is most needed, and can be used effectively.
Mr. William O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the criteria used to allocate overseas aid. [20708]
Mr. Hanley: The main criteria for allocating bilateral aid are the needs of the country concerned and the effectiveness with which aid can be used. A number of other factors, including good government, the commitment of recipients to political and economic reform and traditional ties with Britain, are also taken into account. There are also our obligations to multilateral organisations of which we are a member.
Rwanda
34. Mr. Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current level of aid to Rwanda; what were the equivalent figures in the last financial year; what is proposed for the next financial year; and if he will make a statement. [20714]
Mr. Hanley: In 1994-95, the United Kingdom spent more than £45 million in bilateral emergency aid in Rwanda. In 1995-96 we have committed more than £7 million in bilateral emergency and rehabilitation assistance. In addition, we have contributed £41.5 million to EU actions since April 1994. Future pledges will reflect needs and the capacity of the Government and implementing partners to deliver assistance.
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