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Inward Investment
Mr. Hardy: To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the 10 largest industrial or commercial developments in England which resulted from inward investment since 1993; and, in each case, what estimate he has made of the number of jobs created and the average cost to public funds for each of these jobs. [37637]
Mr. Page [holding answer 18 July 1996]: A full answer can be given only at disproportionate cost. Inward investment includes takeovers, expansions and joint ventures as well as new greenfield projects. Not all these will be eligible for public assistance.
Sellafield (Plutonium Store)
Mr. Llew Smith: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what meetings have been held under the auspices of the International Atomic Energy Agency or other relevant bodies concerning the establishment of an international regional plutonium store at Sellafield since his answer of 13 July 1993, Official Report, columns 430-31. [38242]
Mr. Page [holding answer 19 July 1996]: None.
Non-toxic Gunshot
Mr. Morley: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to amend the international proof convention on small arms to permit and facilitate the use of non-toxic gunshot. [38793]
Mr. John M. Taylor [holding answer 23 July 1996]: No steps are necessary. There is no current rule either domestic or made under the Permanent International Commission for the Proof of Small Arms--CIP--which restricts the use of non-toxic shot in guns. However, in certain situations, steel shot can damage gun barrels with implications for consumer safety. CIP has now produced regulations to avoid the sale of steel shot cartridges above a certain size and velocity.
Exports
Mr. Amess: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are the 10 largest manufactured exports from the United Kingdom at the eight digit standard international trade classification level. [38970]
Mr. Oppenheim [holding answer 23 July 1996]: The information is given in the following table:
| Rank | Commodity code | Description | £ million |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 84719180 | Digital processing units other than for use in civil aircraft | 3,398 |
| 2 | 71023100 | Diamonds, sorted | 2,410 |
| 3 | 87032319 | Motor vehicles, new, with an engine exceeding 1,500 cc not exceeding 3,000 cc | 2,397 |
| 4 | 30049019 | Medicaments (including veterinary) other than containing iodine, packaged for retail sale | 2,054 |
| 5 | 87032410 | Motor vehicles, new, with an engine exceeding 3,000 cc | 1,733 |
| 6 | 84733010 | Electronic assemblies of automatic data processing machines | 1,642 |
| 7 | 84733090 | Other parts and accessories of automatic data processing machines | 1,638 |
| 8 | 85252090 | Radio transmitters-receivers, other than for use in civil aircraft | 1,467 |
| 9 | 88033010 | Other parts of civil aircraft, other than propellers, undercarriage, tyres, electrical parts | 1,353 |
| 10 | 87089998 | Parts and accessories for motor vehicles chassis without engines | 1,327 |
Source:
Overseas Trade Statistics of the UK.
24 Jul 1996 : Column: 486
Space Policy
Mr. Cousins: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was discussed, and what conclusions were reached, at his seminar on space policy with industry on 25 June; and what date has been set for the next one. [38891]
Mr. Ian Taylor [holding answer 23 July 1996]: The space policy forum I held on 25 June was extremely successful and was attended by representatives from across the space community. The forum considered the whole range of issues affecting the sector and made an invaluable contribution to the forward plan for UK space activities, which I am publishing today. This process forms an essential part of UK space policy. I look forward to further regular consultation with the space community within the framework set by the plan.
Export Guarantees Advisory Council
Dr. Wright: To ask the President of the Board of Trade if the Export Guarantees Advisory Council (a) publishes its advice to Government and (b) publishes an annual report; and if in each case this is (i) under a statutory requirement or (ii) voluntary. [37903]
Mr. Nelson [holding answer 18 July 1996]: The Export Guarantees Advisory Council is a purely advisory body appointed under the terms of the Export and Investment Guarantees Act 1991. Its function is to advise the Secretary of State, at his request, in respect of any matter relating to the exercise of his functions under the Act. Its members receive no remuneration.
The answers to both the specific questions are no.
Enterprise Zones
Sir Irvine Patnick: To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the enterprise zones created in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [39559]
Sir Paul Beresford: I have been asked to reply.
In the last three years, the enterprise zones created have been east midlands, Dearne Valley and east Durham--all designated in 1995--and Tyne riverside which is in the process of being designated this year.
Since the enterprise zone scheme was introduced in 1981, the Government have developed a range of alternative schemes to promote regeneration and growth. These are generally better targeted and can be
24 Jul 1996 : Column: 487
implemented more rapidly than the enterprise zones scheme which, in part as a result of EC regulations, can take up to three years to designate. Enterprise zones can affect economic activity over wide areas through displacement effects and are not the appropriate regeneration measure in most circumstances. In December 1987, the Government announced that the enterprise zone scheme would not be extended other than in exceptional circumstances.
Mr. Redmond:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action his Department has taken to support and promote the building industry's considerate constructors scheme; and if he will make a statement. [39797]
Mr. Clappison:
I have been asked to reply.
The considerate constructors scheme is an initiative being piloted by the Construction Industry Board, chaired by Sir Michael Latham. Both the board and the scheme have the full support of the Government.
Ms Hodge:
To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what is her Department's budget in 1996-97 for consultants to assist with information, publicity, press and media. [39341]
Mr. Sproat:
None. My Department does not employ consultants within these areas.
Ms Hodge:
To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many staff are assumed in her Department's budget, employed (i) full time and (ii) part time, (a) to work on press and media and (b) to provide information and publicity in 1996-97. [39468]
Mr. Sproat:
Staff in the information division work on publicity and press projects. There are currently 12 full-time information grade posts, and no part-time posts.
Ms Hodge:
To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many staff were employed full time or part time (a) to provide information and publicity and (b) on press and media in (i) 1995-96, (ii) 1994-95 and (iii) 1993-94. [39423]
Mr. Sproat:
Staff in the information division work on publicity and press projects. The number of information grade posts in each of the past three years has been:
Ms Hodge:
To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what was the cost of staff employed full time or part time (i) to provide information and publicity and (ii) to work on the press and media in (a) 1995-96, (b) 1994-95 and (c) 1993-94. [39407]
1995-96: 10
1994-95: 11
1993-94: 11
24 Jul 1996 : Column: 488
Mr. Sproat: Staff in information division of the Department of National Heritage work on press and publicity projects. The total cost for both (i) and (ii) of staff employed full time or part time was:
- (a) £390,864
(b) £435,818
(c) £428,685
- (2) what is the cost budgeted for staff, employed full time or part time, to provide information and publicity in 1996-97. [39447]
Mr. Sproat: The total cost budgeted for staff employed full time or part time in the Department of National Heritage, to provide information and publicity and to work on the press and the media in 1996-97 is £455,380.
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