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Exports (Indonesia)
Mrs. Clwyd: To ask the President of the Board of Trade on what basis his Department seeks assurances in respect of strategic exports to Indonesia; which categories of equipment are covered; and what factors determine which categories (a) require and (b) do not require assurances. [12566]
Mr. Nelson: The Government have in the past sought and received from the Indonesian authorities general assurances that British-supplied military equipment will not be used against civilians in Indonesia or East Timor.
Export licence applications are considered on their merits, taking account of all relevant factors on a case-by case-basis. On occasion, we seek assurances from the Government concerned, but this is not on the basis of pre-determined categories of equipment or factors.
10 Feb 1997 : Column: 33
Mr. Flynn:
To ask the President of Board of Trade what plans his Department has to develop a formal programme for nanotechnology research; and if he will make a statement. [14972]
Mr. Ian Taylor
[holding answer 7 February 1997]: Nanotechnology is an enabling technology which may impact the advancement of a wide range of scientific and engineering disciplines and industrial sectors in the future. It is essential for each of these disciplines and sectors to be able to prioritise its own research into all enabling technologies, including nanotechnology, to best suit its own objectives. This is indicated by the conclusions of the foresight panels, over half of which identified nanotechnology-related topics as research priorities.
Mr. Flynn:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the (a) financing and (b) progress of nanotechnology research in (i) the United Kingdom, (ii) Japan, (iii) the USA, (iv) Germany and (v) other countries; and if he will make a statement.[14970]
Mr. Taylor
[holding answer 7 February 1997]: Two studies were conducted by the National Physical Laboratory for the DTI in 1986, and lead to the formation of the national initiative on nanotechnology, which stimulated research in the field.
The current position on nanotechnology research is concisely summarised in section 3 of the Office of Science and Technology's report "Making it in Miniature" of October 1996, which is available to Members in the Library of the House.
In the UK, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council--the major funding body in this sector--is about to review its portfolio of nanotechnology research, and will identify any actions necessary as a result.
Mr. Flynn:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the laboratories researching nanotechnology in the United Kingdom, and if he will make a statement.[14966]
Mr. Taylor
[holding answer 7 February 1997]: At least 47 publicly funded institutions have received research grants which are related to nanotechnology.
Examples of major academic centres for nanotechnology research include:
10 Feb 1997 : Column: 34
Mr. Flynn:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the possible effects of exclusion of nanotechnology from the United Kingdom foresight project; and if he will make a statement. [14971]
Mr. Taylor
[holding answer 7 February 1997]: It is incorrect to say that nanotechnology has been excluded from the United Kingdom foresight programme. Several generic priorities relevant to nanotechnology have been identified under foresight with more than half of the foresight panels identifying subjects which fall under nanotechnology-related topics as research priorities.
Mr. Flynn:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) under what circumstances his Department provides grants for laboratories undertaking nanotechnology research; how much his Department has awarded in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement; [14967]
Mr. Taylor
[holding answers 7 February 1997]: Grants for nanotechnology research are available through the normal research grant system administered by the research councils; through foresight challenge; and through relevant Link programmes.
Funding is dependent on scientific quality, as judged by peer review mechanisms.
Central microstructure facility at Rutherford Appleton laboratory, which is part of the Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils;
Nanoscale physics research laboratories at Birmingham university and at Cranfield university;
Microelectronics fabrication centres at the universities of Sheffield and of Surrey;
National surface science laboratory at Sheffield Hallam university;
Nanoelectronics research centre at university of Glasgow;
IRC in semiconductor materials at Imperial college of Science, Technology and Medicine;
IRC in surface science at Liverpool university;
Semiconductors growth research centre at Nottingham university;
Microelectronics centre at Southampton university.
(2) if he will estimate his Department's budget for nanotechnology research in each of the last five years and the projected figure for the forthcoming year; and if he will make a statement. [14968]
| EPSRC: value of research grants Starting in each year | |
|---|---|
| £ million | |
| 1992-93 | 12.9 |
| 1993-94 | 33.1 |
| 1994-95 | 40.8 |
| 1995-96 | 19.9 |
| 1996-97 | 22.5 |
Post Office (Privatisation)
Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what recent assessment he has made of the advantages and disadvantages of privatising the Post Office. [14236]
Mr. Page:
The Government's views on the future structure of the Post Office were set out in our Green Paper "The Future of Postal Services" published in June 1994, and in my predecessor's statement to the House on 11 May 1995, Official Report, columns 885-86.
10 Feb 1997 : Column: 35
Ms Walley:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about his responsibilities for public safety in respect of the opening up of former mine shafts and adits. [14323]
Mr. Page:
The responsibility for making safe any collapse in an abandoned coal mine shaft or adit is generally a matter for the Coal Authority.
Mr. Keith Hill:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many people are employed by his Department to provide advice on the application of equal opportunities; and at what cost in the last year for which figures are available. [14477]
Mr. John M. Taylor:
The Department's approach to equal opportunities ensures that, as far as is possible, all officials involved in policy formulation and in providing advice to other staff take full account of the DTI's equal opportunities policies. Five members of staff are directly involved in implementing equal opportunities policies and procedures, although they are also engaged in other activities as well. The salary costs attributed to the equal opportunities work of these staff will be £76,855 in 1996-97.
The above excludes the DTI's executive agencies. The chief executives have delegated responsibility for equal opportunities in their agencies.
Mr. Livingstone:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to make the United Kingdom's initial declaration to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. [14386]
Mr. Nelson:
The United Kingdom, in accordance with the requirements of the chemical weapons convention, will submit its initial declaration to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons no later than 30 days after the convention comes into effect on 29 April 1997.
Mr. Jamieson:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade further to paragraph 2 of his statement, "Events Surrounding the Collapse of Rom Data" placed in the Library on 19 February 1996, when he expects
10 Feb 1997 : Column: 36
to make further information public; and when he expects the Department's disciplinary procedure will be completed. [14391]
Mr. Lang
[holding answer 6 February 1997]: The Department has completed its internal inquiries which have confirmed that there were failings in the handling of the case. The appropriate action has been taken in respect of the small number of staff whose work fell below the standard expected and the outcome has been reported to the Comptroller and Auditor General.
Mr. Austin Mitchell:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many individuals and firms have been licensed by each of the regulatory bodies created under the Insolvency Act 1986. [14792]
Mr. John M. Taylor:
Only individuals may be authorised to act as insolvency practitioners under the Insolvency Act 1986. The bodies currently recognised by the Secretary of State, together with the numbers of their members they have authorised to act, are as follows:
| Number | |
|---|---|
| Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales | 834 |
| Insolvency Practitioners Association | 279 |
| The Law Society | 183 |
| Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland | 167 |
| Chartered Association of Certified Accountants | 123 |
| Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland | 68 |
| The Law Society of Scotland | 23 |
In addition, the Secretary of State has authorised 133 practitioners.
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