| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
Research
Mr. Vaz: To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the Government's policy in respect of scientific and medical research. [1482]
Mr. Battle: The Government are committed to a strong science and engineering base and to the maintenance of its international position of excellence, as an essential underpinning resource both to our national economic future and to the quality of life. Research and development and the exploitation of its results will provide the answer to many of the problems faced by society: in health; in social issues; and in the environment. Medical research has a key role in that. Government have a crucial role to play as prime funder of curiosity-driven science, with its proven record of stimulating new innovations and enhancing our quality of life: and as facilitator and co-ordinator to ensure that the efforts of those engaged in scientific research are properly encouraged and developed in the nation's best interests Business has a responsibility for driving the research and development of new and improved products and services. We shall be seeking to:
use science and technology to improve our quality of life;
encourage new ideas and innovation to the market;
strengthen the voice of science in Government; and
end the bias against science in our culture.
Mr. Vaz: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proposals she has to promote further co-operation with the European Union in the field of scientific and medical research. [1484]
Mr. Battle:
The Government attach great importance to co-operation with other members of the European Union in the field of scientific research. UK participants play an active role in the EU's Fourth Framework Programme (FP4) for Research and Technological Development which covers a wide range of scientific, technological and medical research. Negotiations concerning the content and organisation of the EU's Fifth Framework Programme, due to start in 1999, have recently begun. The UK has already played, and will continue to play, an active role in the shaping of this
6 Jun 1997 : Column: 275
future programme, to ensure that UK researchers and technologists have every opportunity to build upon their current, successful levels of participation.
Medical research is well provided for in the Commission proposals for FP5, particularly in the programme "Unlocking the Resources of the Living World", which is specifically aimed at improving the quality of life and for example, includes research: on the control of viral and other infectious diseases; the development of new antibiotics and anti-cancer agents; and the health effects of pollution.
Ms Walley:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate she has made of the cost of (a) current Magnox nuclear liabilities and (b) future Magnox nuclear liabilities; and if she will set out the basis on which these estimates are made. [2228]
Mr. Battle:
The estimated cost of meeting Magnox Electric's liabilities are given in the company's report and accounts for the year ended 31 March 1996 as £8.9 billion discounted at 3 per cent. real and £18.2 billion undiscounted. I understand that updated figures will be published in the company's report and accounts for the year ended 31 March 1997, which should be published in the next few months.
Ms Walley:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will commission an assessment of the environmental impact of continuing to explore and develop new hydrocarbon reserves; and if she will make a statement. [2126]
Mr. Battle:
The Joint Nature Conservation Committee provides an assessment of the potential impact of hydrocarbons exploration and development on the environmental resources of areas before they are offered for licensing. On the basis of its advice, some areas may not be offered while others may have conditions applied to any licence to ensure that possible adverse impacts are minimised. These conditions may also require the provision of an environmental assessment by the licensee when preliminary work has identified the preferred location of a well or development and the probable characteristics of the project.
Ms Walley:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the number of escorts of nuclear waste by the UK Atomic Energy Authority Constabulary in 1996; if she will provide a breakdown of the cost of these escorts; and if she will make a statement. [2227]
Mr. Battle:
Nuclear waste is not a category of nuclear material which requires to be escorted under the international recommendations, therefore no escorts were provided (or costs incurred) by the UK Atomic Energy Authority Constabulary in 1996 in this respect.
Ms Walley:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans the Government have to meet its new international obligations under the international nuclear safety convention; and if she will make a statement. [2231]
6 Jun 1997 : Column: 276
Mr. Battle:
The Convention on Nuclear Safety was ratified by the United Kingdom on 17 January 1996 and entered into force on 24 October 1996. As a contracting party under the Convention, the United Kingdom will be required to produce a national report on how nuclear safety obligations are met in this country. These obligations include establishing a legislative and regulatory framework and ensuring that sufficient numbers of qualified staff are available throughout each nuclear installation's life. Steps must also be taken to ensure that design, construction and operation of civil nuclear power plant are safe, that safety assessments are carried out throughout the life of a nuclear installation and that emergency plans are routinely tested. In view of the stringent safety regime that the Government requires of the industry, we anticipate that the United Kingdom will have no difficulty in meeting these obligations.
National reports will be reviewed and discussed in detail by contracting parties at periodic review meetings, to be held at intervals of not more than three years. The first review meeting will be held at the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna in April 1999.
Mr. Matthew Taylor:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list her Department's current programmes for research into clean coal technology; and if she will make a statement. [1008]
Mr. Battle:
My Department's research on clean coal technology is being undertaken in seven programme areas:
A mid-term evaluation of the programme by an international panel of experts was undertaken in 1996 and a report of the evaluation published in July 1996. Industry provided evidence to the international panel which indicated that the programme benefits are a mixture of gross and net effects ranging from firm export orders and potential future sales of components, innovative mechanisms to reduce NOx emissions, techniques to use more UK coals in steel making, etc., they do show the programme has been of significant value to UK industry. We are examining what other options there may be to support clean coal technology.
6 Jun 1997 : Column: 277
Mr. Clapham:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what functions are still administered by British Coal; what functions previously performed by British Coal are now performed by (i) her Department and (ii) the Coal Authority; and when she expects British Coal to be finally wound up. [1695]
Mr. Battle
[holding answer 2 June 1997]: British Coal remains responsible for the disposal of its remaining assets (principally property) and for the management of such liabilities as still remain with the Corporation (principally various personal injury claims).
British Coal's liability for the provision of concessionary fuel to ex-employees of British Coal and liability to make certain contributions to the former British Coal, pension schemes, was transferred to the Department in March 1995. The Department has also taken on responsibility for health and injury liabilities of former British Coal employees who transferred to private sector companies and the Coal Authority in respect of their past service with the Corporation.
The Coal Authority was established in September 1994 and has four main functions:
Projects covering the seven programme areas are undertaken in collaboration with industry, universities and a number of overseas organisations. The results are disseminated via published project summaries and technical reports, including seminars, workshops and conferences. An annual report and newsletter is also published on developments in all the programme areas. The present phase of the programme is due to be completed in 1998.
Coal Exploration and Extraction
Coal Preparation
Coal Handling and Supply
Coal Combustion in Conventional Utility Power Generation
Advanced Power Generation
Other Coal Conversion and Utilisation Processes
Technology Transfer and Commercialisation
It is anticipated that the DTI will take over the remaining management functions of the Corporation by the end of 1997. No decision has been taken on the date thereafter when the Corporation will be dissolved.
licensing coal-mining operations and granting rights to exploit coal;
handling coal-mining subsidence damage claims which are not the responsibility of licensees;
managing property interests and historic liabilities; and
holding and giving access to information on past, present and future coal mining and coal reserves.
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |