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Ivermectin (Salmon Farms)
Mr. Flynn:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many salmon farms in Scotland have (a) applied and (b) been granted licences to treat their fish with ivermectin; and if he will make a statement. [2120]
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Mr. Chisholm:
I understand from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency that 64 salmon farms have applied for discharge consents in respect of the use of ivermectin. Sixteen consents have been granted, 15 of which are in operation.
A further 19 consents await a decision by my right hon. Friend on whether to call them in for his own determination as provided for under the Control of Pollution Act 1974.
Mr. David Stewart:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he intends to cap any Scottish local authorities in 1997. [2524]
Mr. Dewar:
No. All Scottish local authorities have set budgets for 1997-98 at or below the expenditure limits implied by the provisional capping principles which the previous government announced in conjunction with the 1997-98 local government finance settlement.
Mr. David Marshall:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has for the future of the water quangos in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [579]
Mr. Dewar
[holding answer 22 May 1997]: The Government is committed to returning the Scottish water authorities to local democratic control. A key consideration in taking this forward will be to ensure, in the light of our Manifesto commitment, that we fully observe both the letter and the spirit of the Nolan Committee's recommended procedures for making appointments to public bodies. We shall introduce change at a sensible pace which does not destabilise the recently constituted water authorities.
I have held discussions with the three current water authority chairmen. Each one of them has told me that he is willing to work closely with the new Government to achieve our objectives. I have therefore told them that I am happy for them to continue to serve until the end of 1997, and that I shall then re-examine the position.
The terms of appointment of roughly half of the present members of the water authorities come to an end on 30 June 1997. I intend, as an immediate first step, to advertise in accordance with the Nolan procedures for new members. We shall then consider those democratically elected local representatives who apply, as well as suitable candidates from other fields, including those current members whose appointments are coming to an end. Overall, I envisage a significant shift in the balance of board membership. The advertisement will make clear that applicants may also be considered for positions as chairmen.
To ensure the water authorities are able to operate effectively in the interim period while the Nolan procedures are being carried through, we shall invite members due to leave at the end of 30 June to accept re-appointment for a further six months to the end of the calendar year. The new appointments will then run from 1 January 1998.
I have asked my officials to conduct a review during this interim six month period of the further steps I might take to strengthen local democratic control. The review
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will consider a wide range of options for the water authorities. It will also consider any possible implications for the Scottish Water and Sewerage Customers Council.
I have asked my officials to consult extensively with all interested parties, including COSLA, the water authorities themselves, and the Scottish Water and Sewerage Customers Council. I have asked them to report to me in November.
17. Mr. Miller:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government policy on reform of the United Kingdom's framework of competition law. [671]
Mr. Nigel Griffiths:
The Government's policy is to make competition law more efficient and effective. We intend to introduce a Competition Bill this Autumn which will bring in a tough prohibitive approach to deal with anti-competitive agreements and abuse of market power.
18. Mr. Streeter:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps she plans to take to assist small businesses in the west country. [672]
Mrs. Roche:
I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave earlier to my hon. Friend for Bradford, West (Mr. Singh).
In addition, small businesses are a very important part of the economy of the west country.
25. Mr. Mackinlay:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to assist small businesses. [680]
Mrs. Roche:
I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave earlier to my hon. Friend for Bradford, West (Mr. Singh).
26. Mr. Hanson:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions she proposes to undertake with the Federation of Small Businesses regarding her proposals on statutory interest on late payments. [681]
Mrs. Roche:
I intend to have regular contact with all the small firms representative bodies including the Federation of Small Businesses. We will be consulting on the form of legislation for a Statutory Right to Interest in the summer. The Federation of Small Businesses will be invited to submit their views.
32. Mr. Page:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many organisations representing small firms indicated to her Department whether they are (a) for or (b) against a statutory right of interest in the recent consultation exercise. [689]
Mrs. Roche:
Fifty-four representative organisations, who will have small firms in their membership, responded to the 1996 review. Of these representative organisations 22 were in favour of a Statutory Right to Interest and 32 were against.
5 Jun 1997 : Column: 235
It is clear that late payment continues to cause concern to small firms. A number of business surveys consistently show that a majority of small firms support legislation for a Statutory Right to Interest. A recent NOP survey in fact found that 80 per cent. of UK firms supported such legislation. It is in direct response to the committing concerns of small businesses that the Government will introduce the Fair Payment of Commercial Debts Bill.
19. Mr. Wilkinson:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions her Department has had with representatives of (a) British Aerospace and (b) other aircraft manufacturing companies relating to the possibility of financial aid from Her Majesty's Government towards the Airbus 3XX project. [673]
Mr. Battle:
The Department is in regular contact with British Aerospace and other UK aerospace companies on a range of issues including new product strategy. We have not, however, received any formal application for finance for the A3XX project.
20. Mr. Sutcliffe:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans her Department has to introduce a national minimum wage. [674]
Mr. Ian McCartney:
The Gracious Speech set out the Government's intention to bring forward legislation for the introduction of a national minimum wage. We are already moving to set up an independent Low Pay Commission to advise the Government on the level at which the minimum wage might be introduced.
33. Mr. Amess:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what recent representations she has received on the likely effects of the minimum wage and social chapter on Britain's trading prospects. [690]
Mr. McCartney:
I have received a number of representations on the minimum wage and social chapter. Employers in every industrial sector support the principle of a national minimum wage. By rejecting an "empty chair" policy on the social chapter, we will enable the UK to use its influence to ensure that European measures promote labour market flexibility and maximise employability.
21. Mr. Bayley:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps she is taking to promote industrial investment in Yorkshire. [676]
Mrs. Beckett:
My Department has a range of initiatives designed to encourage industrial investment in Yorkshire. These include Regional Selective Assistance, Regional Enterprise Grants and European Structural Funds.
22. Mr. Martyn Jones:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made with regard to the possible incorporation of a social clause within future trading agreements; and if she will make a statement. [677]
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Mr. Ian McCartney:
The Government is firmly committed to using its best endeavours to eliminate abusive labour practices around the world. We will use every opportunity in the ILO and elsewhere to promote this objective, and we will also explore how the processes of the WTO can reinforce this objective.
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