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Century Date Change (Computers)
Mr. David Atkinson: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what advice and assistance is available through training and education councils to businesses in respect of the millennium compliance of computer systems; and if he will make a statement. [15824]
Mr. Ian Taylor: My Department has sent information packs on the century date change problem to all business links in England--in which training and enterprise councils are partners--and their counterparts in Scotland and Wales. The pack includes a description of the problem, frequently asked questions and guidance on what businesses should do to address the problem. The business links were also invited to respond if they required further assistance in disseminating the information. In February 1997, a senior official from the communications and information industries directorate was seconded to the Confederation of British Industry, the Computer Software Science Association, DTI-led Taskforce 2000 with the specific responsibility of supporting the business links in this awareness and information dissemination activity.
Overseas Investment
Mr. Byers: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the percentage of the total direct investment overseas made by United Kingdom companies in (a) other European Union countries and (b) the United States of America in each year from 1984 to date. [17146]
Mr. Nelson:
Following is the information:
24 Feb 1997 : Column: 59
| 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EU | 0 | 29 | 19 | 12 | 27 | 28 | 50 | 42 | 46 | 36 | 43 | 37 |
| USA | 48 | 37 | 64 | 66 | 50 | 54 | 1 | 24 | 13 | 44 | 25 | 40 |
| RoW | 52 | 34 | 17 | 22 | 23 | 18 | 49 | 34 | 41 | 20 | 32 | 23 |
Source:
Business Monitor: MA4.
24 Feb 1997 : Column: 59
Private Shareholders
Mr. Cousins:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will estimate the number of private shareholders in (a) Northern Electric and
24 Feb 1997 : Column: 60
(b) Northumbrian Water Group at (i) the date the privatisation share offers were taken up and (ii) currently.[16920]
Mr. Page:
This is a matter for the companies concerned.
24 Feb 1997 : Column: 61
Mr. Dalyell:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on EU discussions with the US on the Helms-Burton amendment. [16999]
Mr. Nelson:
Sir Leon Brittan and Commission staff have held, and will continue to hold, discussions with the US Administration with a view to securing suspension or repeal of the Helms-Burton legislation. This objective is fully shared by the British Government. Meanwhile, the World Trade Organisation has established a panel to investigate the EU claim that the Helms-Burton provisions are in breach of US obligations in the WTO.
Mr. Chris Davies:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what requirements have been placed upon the electricity distribution companies to bury power lines currently carried overhead on pylons. [15789]
Mr. Page:
No requirements have been placed.
Mr. Ingram:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the names and locations of each of the overseas-based companies which have established research and development operations in the United Kingdom in each of the last 10 years. [17365]
Mr. Greg Knight:
Research and development investments notified to my Department's Invest In Britain Bureau during the period are as follows:
Source:
IBB Database.
24 Feb 1997 : Column: 62
Inward Investment
Mr. Brian David Jenkins:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the 10 largest industrial or commercial developments in (a) England and (b) the west midlands which resulted from inward investment since
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1992; and in each case what estimate he has made of the number of jobs created and the average cost to public funds of each of these jobs. [17193]
Mr. Greg Knight:
According to figures notified to my Department's Invest in Britain Bureau and the Government office for the west midlands the 10 largest publicly quotable industrial or commercial development in (a) England and (b) the west midlands are as follows:
| Year | Company | Country | Number of new jobs | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Samsung | Korea | 3,200 | North East |
| 1994 | Honda | Japan | 2,000 | South West |
| 1995 | Siemens | Germany | 1,800 | North East |
| 1996 | QVC | US | 1,616 | North West |
| 1995 | Jaguar | US | 1,210 | West Midlands |
| 1995 | Toyota | Japan | 1,000 | East Midlands |
| 1995 | Nortel | Canada | 916 | South West |
| 1993 | MBNA | US | 822 | North West |
| 1997 | Nissan | Japan | 800 | North East |
| 1995 | Epson | Japan | 800 | West Midlands |
| Year | Company | Country | Number of new jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Jaguar | US | 1,210 |
| 1995 | Epson | Japan | 800 |
| 1992 | Heller Machine Tools | Germany | 508 |
| 1997 | Calvins Barbeque UK | US | 500 |
| 1995 | Makita Manufacturing | Japan | 500 |
| 1994 | Sun Valley Poultry Ltd. | US | 450 |
| 1995 | Cable Midlands | US | 400 |
| 1995 | Callow and Maddox | US | 255 |
| 1995 | SP Tyres (UK) Ltd. | Japan | 250 |
| 1997 | Edscha | Germany | 200 |
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