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NATIONAL HERITAGE
Tourism
Mr. Cummings: To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what measures she is taking to increase tourism to the north-east of England. [3388]
Mr. Sproat: Government support for tourism is channelled through the statutory British Tourist Authority and English tourist board. Through the ETB, support is made available to the 10 non-statutory regional tourist boards, including the Northumbria tourist board, which helps them undertake a variety of marketing and development activities of benefit to the tourism industry in their regions.
The Northumbria tourist board has been instrumental in widening the appeal of the region. In 1995, the number of UK and overseas visitors to the region rose by over 20 per cent. on 1994. Overseas visitor spend showed an impressive increase of 53 per cent. on the previous year.
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Mr. Steen:
To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list the rules and regulations she proposes to repeal or amend by means of a reference to the Deregulation Committee before the end of 1996; and if she will make a statement. [3443]
Mr. Sproat
[holding answer 11 November 1996]: The Department of National Heritage does not plan any such repeals or amendments before the end of 1996.
Ms Ruddock:
To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when an environmental appraisal was produced using the guidance contained in the Department of the Environment's guide "Policy Appraisal and the Environment" for the National Heritage Bill [Lords]; and if she will place a copy in the Library. [3309]
Mr. Sproat
[holding answer 11 November 1996]: My right hon. Friend has considered the guidance contained in "Policy Appraisal and the Environment" and is satisfied that an appraisal of the environmental effects in relation to the National Heritage Bill is not appropriate at this time. We will keep this decision under review as appropriate. The main purpose of the Bill is to extend the powers of the national heritage memorial fund so that it can support applications from a wider range of projects and applicants. There is nothing in the Bill that should have an adverse effect on the environment. On the contrary, the NHMF's new powers will provide greater protection for the environment. The Bill will allow the NHMF to provide support for recording schemes such as a survey of the flora and fauna of our rural areas. Also, privately owned scenic areas which may act as havens for wildlife will become eligible for funds.
Sir Irvine Patnick:
To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will place in the Library all the bids submitted for the British academy of sport; and if she will make a statement. [3031]
Mr. Sproat
[holding answer 11 November 1996]: The bids we received for the British academy of sport are commercially confidential to the bidders. I understand that a small number of bidders have made aspects of their proposals public, but it would be a breach of confidentiality for me to place copies of the bids in the Library.
Citizens Advice Bureau
Mr. Congdon: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what arrangements have been made to review Government funding of the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux and Citizens Advice Scotland. [4046]
Mr. John M. Taylor: My Department is the major provider of funds to NACAB and CAS. A financial, management and policy review of both organisations began in October. The review will take place in two
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stages, the first stage being a prior options review and the second an examination of efficiency and financial management and control systems. Pannell Kerr Forster Associates has been appointed to carry out the work and report its findings to my Department. The report on stage 1 will be submitted before the end of the year, with completion of the review and final report before the end of March 1997. The detailed terms of reference for each stage of the review have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
Works Councils
Mr. Hain: To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many United Kingdom-based companies have adopted works councils as specified by the European social chapter. [2820]
Mr. John M. Taylor: The European works councils directive sets down requirements for European level information and consultation arrangements in companies which operate in more than one of the countries covered by the directive and are above a specified size. The directive was adopted under the agreement on social policy and therefore does not apply to the UK, but a number of UK-based companies are affected by it because they have employees above the threshold levels in the countries covered.
My Department does not hold precise information on the numbers of companies affected, but I understand that approximately 40 UK-based companies had reached voluntary agreements by 22 September 1996.
Taxation (Self-assessment)
Mrs. Roche: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assurances his Department has (a) sought and (b) been given from the Inland Revenue regarding its ability to deal with the volume of queries likely to arise regarding self-assessment of taxation. [3113]
Mr. Page: The President of the Board of Trade is aware of the Inland Revenue's preparation for self-assessment which includes a programme to handle inquiries from taxpayers, employers and tax agents. A new telephone helpline has been established to assist taxpayers outside normal working hours.
Century Date Change
Mrs. Roche: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what advice his Department has issued to small businesses regarding the need to plan for changing information technology systems for 2000. [3114]
Mr. Ian Taylor: Taskforce 2000, a cross-private group set up at my invitation to increase awareness of the century data change issue, has over recent weeks stimulated considerable media coverage. The task force is well on its way to ensuring that, by the end of March 1997, maid board level executives in every company in the UK are aware of the problem. The task force has recently produced an awareness pack which my Department will make available through our network of business links and on the web page. The pack contains a statement of the problem, advice to companies and sources of help.
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Post Office
Mrs. Roche: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment his Department has made of the percentage of small firms which are (a) in favour of and (b) against the end of the Post Office's monopoly on letter delivery. [3115]
Mr. Page: None. I am, however, aware of the survey recently carried out by the Federation of Small Businesses on members' attitudes to the future delivery of mail.
Business Links
Mrs. Roche: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the cost of advertising business links. [3259]
Mr. Page: The total cost of the national advertising campaign and supporting publicity activities for business link in 1996-97 will be £4 million. A survey of business link target client companies following the July wave of advertising showed that the campaign was increasing their awareness and understanding of business link. A further survey will be conducted following the present wave of advertising which ends in mid-November.
Deregulation
Mr. Steen: To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the rules and regulations he proposes to repeal or amend by means of a reference to the Deregulation Committee before the end of 1996; and if he will make a statement. [3782]
Mr. Page: My Department has consulted or is currently consulting on the following proposals for use of the deregulation order-making power:
Consumer Credit Act 1974--exempt lending and hiring to unincorporated business from the Act and modify notification requirements for consumer credit licence holders;
Companies Act 1985--reduce information required on shareholder details;
Electricity Act 1981--enable projects not linked to the electricity grid to benefit from the fossil fuel levy; and
Companies Act 1985--alter the law on disclosure of directors shareholdings.
PRIME MINISTER
Anglo-French Summit
Mr. Simpson: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list (a) the members of his Office who attended the Anglo-French summit in Bordeaux and (b) the positions they hold. [3615]
The Prime Minister: I was accompanied to the Anglo-French summit by three officials and four support staff.
Engagements
Sir Peter Tapsell: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 12 November. [2182]
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Mr. Harry Greenway: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 12 November. [2183]
The Prime Minister: This morning, I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House, I shall be having further meetings later today.
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