---

Arms Exports

Mrs. Clwyd: To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will ensure that all companies involved in the sale, transportation and brokering of arms shipments register with the Department of Trade and Industry. [5886]

Mr. Lang: My Department's consultative document, "Strategic Export Controls", Cm 3349, presented to Parliament in July, sought views on all aspects of strategic export control procedures and policy, including the possibility of new legislation. Among the specific issues raised was the extent to which any new legislation should seek to control trafficking in undesirable goods or the brokering of such deals. The consultation period closed at the end of October and the Department is currently considering the responses and follow-up action to the consultation. Current procedures in relation to trafficking in arms are also being examined by the interdepartmental committee set up in response to the allegations that UK companies have been linked to the selling of arms to Rwandan extremists in Zaire. The committee's work on this area will contribute to the wider review of strategic export controls already under way.

4 Dec 1996 : Column: 697

Newspaper Publishers

Mrs. Clwyd: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the recent report of the committee for diversity and pluralism into newspaper publishers' margins. [7401]

Mr. John M. Taylor: There is no knowledge in my Department of the report of the committee for diversity and pluralism into newspaper publishers' margins.

Newspapers

Mrs. Clwyd: To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) when he last met representatives from the Multiple Newsagents Association; what was discussed; and if he will make a statement; [7389]

(2) when he last met representatives from the National Publishers Association; what was discussed; and if he will make a statement; [7370]

(3) if he will request the Director General of Fair Trading to refer the newspaper distribution system to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission. [7368]

Mr. Dafis: To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) when he last met representatives from the National Publishers Association; what was discussed; and if he will make a statement; [7128]

(2) when he last met representatives from the Multiple Newsagents Association; what was discussed; and if he will make a statement. [7127]

Mr. John M. Taylor: I refer the hon. Members to my reply to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Sellyoak, (Dr. Jones) on 2 December 1996, Official Report, column 495.

Corporate Governance

Mr. Evennett: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans his Department has to introduce reforms to corporate governance; and if he will make a statement.[5791]

Mr. John M. Taylor: Good corporate governance is essential to the competitiveness and high standing of industry. The Government keep the need for reforms in this area under review and will consider carefully any recommendations made by the Hampel committee.

Industrial Disputes

Mrs. Fyfe: To ask the President of the Board of Trade on how many occasions, in the last year for which figures are available, strikes have occurred following management's refusal to negotiate or refer the dispute to binding arbitration. [5826]

Mr. John M. Taylor: The Government do not collect the information requested.

British Citizens

Mr. Harvey: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the value to the United Kingdom economy of British citizens working abroad. [3778]

4 Dec 1996 : Column: 698

Mr. John M. Taylor: This Department has not made such an assessment. The Office for National Statistics publishes in "United Kingdom Balance of Payments" an estimate of private transfers from abroad, reflecting the savings of UK nationals temporarily resident abroad as well as pension and other transfers from abroad. In total, these transfers contributed £2,438 million to the balance of payments in 1995. Residence abroad can also benefit the economy directly or indirectly in other ways: for example, through the acquisition of new skills and experience, consultancy and maintenance contracts, export promotion and the effective management of UK overseas direct investment.

Coal Mining Industry

Mr. William O'Brien: To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the application by the mining unions to pay full pensions at the age of 50 years to mineworkers who were made redundant. [4785]

Mr. Page: I understand that, at present, pensions from the mineworkers' pension scheme are payable from age 50 on a reduced basis to cover the cost of early payment. This option is available only to members who left British Coal's employment after 1 March 1992.

The MPS trustees will be recommending to the Secretary of State, as guarantor to the scheme, benefit improvements arising out of beneficiaries' 50 per cent. share of any surplus which the valuation of the scheme--as at September 1996--currently under way reveals as available for distribution. It is for the trustees to consider whether to recommend in this context any extension to the existing provision for early pensions.

Airline Alliance

Mr. Andrew Smith: To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 14 November, Official Report, column 316, if his Department's practice, on the consultation of interested parties, has been followed in the case of the proposed British Airways/American Airlines alliance. [7452]

Mr. John M. Taylor: Yes, the Department's practice has been followed in this case. Since receipt of the Director General of Fair Trading's advice there have been no discussions nor consultations between the Department and British Airways or American Airlines on the substance of the decision to be taken by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.

Mr. Smith: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what consultations he has had with the Office of Fair Trading on further consultations with British Airways, American Airlines and third parties since his receipt of the Director General of Fair Trading's report. [7451]

Mr. Taylor: It is not the practice of my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade to comment publicly on a competition case between receiving advice from the Director General of Fair Trading and the announcement of my right hon. Friend's decision.

Company Directors

Mr. Byers: To ask the President of the Board of Trade which companies had directors against whom the then

4 Dec 1996 : Column: 699

Minister for Corporate Affairs considered bringing disqualification proceedings; and if he will indicate for each if the Minister determined that such proceedings should be taken for (a) 1993 and (b) 1994. [6329]

Mr. John M. Taylor [holding answer 2 December 1996]: In 1993 and 1994 reports were received which alleged aspects of unfit conduct in 7,489 and 5,462 companies respectively. The Insolvency Service, acting on behalf of the Secretary of State, commenced disqualification proceedings against 422 directors in 1993 and 747 directors in 1994. The names of the individual respondents to those proceedings could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

In the years in question Ministers took no decisions on the commencement of individual proceedings.

Bird's Eye Walls

Mr. Caborn: To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he expects the Office of Fair Trading to announce the findings of its investigation into the use by Bird's Eye Walls of ice cream wholesaler exclusivity. [6843]

Mr. John M. Taylor [holding answer 3 December 1996]: I understand that the investigation by the Director General of Fair Trading into Bird's Eye Walls' exclusive concessionaire system is still in progress. I have asked the DGFT to let the hon. Gentleman know the outcome when the investigation is completed.

Riot Control Equipment

Mr. Fatchett: To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list those countries to which water cannons have been exported from Britain in the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [2481]

Mr. Lang [holding answer 6 November 1996]: Details of deliveries of equipment exported are not held by my Department.

Departmental Responsibilities

Mr. Mackinlay: To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list those departmental responsibilities which relate to (a) England, (b) England and Wales, (c) England Wales and Scotland and (d) the whole of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the approximate proportion of the time and budget of his Department which exclusively relates to each of these categories. [5959]

Mr. Lang [holding answer 3 December 1996]: The responsibilities of the Department of Trade and Industry apply to the whole of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, except where indicated as follows:

Corporate and consumer affairs
Company law
Northern Ireland has its own company law.
Companies House
Northern Ireland has separate legislation for the administration of registration functions, but maintains close links with Companies House.
The Registrar for Scotland comes within the Companies House structure, but there are differences in the Scottish law of property and the legal system.

4 Dec 1996 : Column: 700

Consumer affairs
DTI does not fund the Northern Irish General Consumer Council or Association of Citizens' Advice Bureaux.
Nor is it responsible for Northern Irish legislation on misleading price indications, weights and measures, product liability and specific safety regulations.
Some consumer legislation has specific sections which apply only to Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Insolvency Service
The Insolvency Service has no responsibility in relation to Northern Ireland.
Its responsibilities are limited to England and Wales for preliminary administration and investigation of compulsory insolvencies; acting as trustee or liquidator; reporting criminal offences; undertaking banking and investment services for bankruptcies and liquidations; and policy advice to Ministers.
Industrial Relations Directorate (IRD)
Most of DTI's industrial relations work does not cover Northern Ireland, although industrial relations legislation is adopted almost in its entirety there.
IRD is responsible for the whole of the UK, however, for the negotiation of certain EU directives; policy and practices on pay; industrial disputes and public funding; and interest in trades unions.

Most IRD related NDPBs, including the industrial tribunal and employment appeals tribunal, and ACAS, do not cover Northern Ireland. The Office of Manpower Economics does, however, cover the whole of the UK.
Investigations
Various investigations powers in the Companies Acts 1985 and 1989, the Insurance Companies Act 1982 and the Financial Services Act 1986 do not cover Northern Ireland. In addition, in view of the differences between English and Scottish law, and where it is appropriate to use external investigators, the Department frequently uses accountants practising in Scotland to undertake investigations in cases with a Scottish dimension.
Energy promotion
Export promotion
DTI has overall responsibility for export promotion policy throughout the UK in collaboration with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Delivery of export promotion services in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is the responsibility of the relevant Department.
Energy
Energy policy
DTI has responsibility for establishing the framework of UK energy policy, but implementation of that policy lies partly with the Scottish Office and the Northern Ireland Department of Economic Development (NIDED).
Nuclear industries
The Scottish Office has responsibility for the safety and licensing of civil nuclear installations in Scotland. There are no civil nuclear sites in Northern Ireland.
The Welsh Office is involved in any emergency at a civil nuclear site in Wales.
Responsibility for reporting incidents at civil nuclear sites to DTI Ministers is confined to England and Wales, although DTI would act on the Scottish Office's behalf in notifying nuclear emergencies to the European Union and other countries.
Coal
The principal provisions of the Coal Industry Nationalisation Act 1946 do not extend to Northern Ireland.
Energy technologies
Overall policy is dealt with by the DTI, including orders for renewable energy under the non-fossil fuel obligation for England and Wales. Separate arrangements exist in Scotland and Northern Ireland for the non-fossil fuel obligation.
Electricity
The Electricity Act 1989 does not cover Northern Ireland.

4 Dec 1996 : Column: 701

Regulatory issues, entailing liaison with OFFER, relate to England and Wales only.
EU directive negotiations are undertaken on behalf of the UK, but both the Scottish Office and NIDED are consulted, and they have responsibility for implementation.

Section 34 directions relating to fuel stocks for security purposes are for England and Wales only; Scotland and Northern Ireland make their own arrangements.
Pension regulations made by the former Secretary of State for Energy do not cover Scotland or Northern Ireland.
DTI's electricity emergency provisions do not cover Scotland or Northern Ireland.
The DTI does not sponsor the electricity industry in Northern Ireland.
Engineering inspectorate
DTI's responsibility for the conduct and reporting of public inquiries and hearings into the contested proposals of the electricity and gas supply industries (e.g. overhead lines and underground cables) does not extend to Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Oil and gas
The principal provisions of the Gas Act do not extend to Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland Office has separate responsibility for gas policy in the province.
Regional development
Government Offices
The network of Government Offices covers the English regions only and is jointly run by DTI, DoE, DfEE and DOT.
Regional development
On regional industrial policy, DTI takes the lead for the development and targeting of industrial policy, but works closely in consultation with the Scottish and Welsh offices. (In Northern Ireland these subjects are dealt with separately by the Northern Ireland Office.)
Powers to provide regional selective assistance (RSA) in Scotland and Wales are exercised by the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Wales. RSA is not available in Northern Ireland which has a separate arrangement.
DTI is responsible for the co-ordination of UK policy on the EU structural and cohesion funds. However, decisions on the implementation and allocation of funds in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are generally made by the relevant Department.
Business links
Business links are established in England only, as is the local competitiveness challenge.
Innovation, technology and design services are delivered within England through business links. DTI also funds the provision of innovation and technology counsellors in Wales through their similar Business Connect service.
Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) policy
On SME issues, DTI works closely with the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland Offices in developing policies. Any action arising is the responsibility of the separate departments. The small firms loan guarantee scheme operated by the DTI is available throughout the United Kingdom.

Invest in Britain Bureau
The Invest In Britain Bureau (IBB) is responsible for inward investment promotion for the whole of the UK. It operates through a network of regional development organisations and Government offices in England; national agencies in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales; and overseas through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Management best practice
DTR's management best practice programme extends to England, Wales and Scotland. Academic/industry programmes cover all the UK with the Scottish Office, Welsh Office and Northern Ireland Office contributing additional funds to allow extra activity in their areas. The international technology programmes also cover the whole of the United Kingdom.

4 Dec 1996 : Column: 702

Small and Medium Enterprise technology
DTI funds SMART in England and Northern Ireland. DTI funds SPUR in England and SPUR for further development of SMART projects in Northern Ireland. The Scottish and Welsh Offices are responsible for SMART and SPUR arrangements in Scotland and Wales.
DTI funds focus technical in England.
Industry
Engineering, automotive and metals sectors
The Department of Economic Development in Northern Ireland administers and pays for its own shipbuilding intervention fund and shipbuilding grants, within the context of a policy laid down for the UK as a whole, on which DTI leads.
Innovation
The Scottish Office has responsibility for the funding and operation of innovation measures in Scotland. The Welsh Office has responsibility for the operation of design services and the SMART and SPUR schemes in Wales, although DTI retains responsibility for the funding of other innovation measures in Wales.
Responsibility for technology and innovation in Northern Ireland is handled by the Northern Ireland Office.
Radiocommunications Agency
In the Radiocommunications Agency, regional licensing and forcement action is carried out through a network of Regional Offices. Implementation is uniform throughout the UK and representative local offices exist in Cardiff for Wales, Falkirk for Scotland and Belfast for Northern Ireland, as well as several offices in England.

Relevant information on the approximate proportion of the time and budget of the Department devoted to its main responsibilities is contained in MINIS, which is published annually by the DTI.

---