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Aviation Standards
Mrs. Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has for an increase in inspections of Moroccan-registered aircraft following the FAA's announcement that Morocco fails to meet international aviation standards. [2654]
Ms Glenda Jackson: We have no evidence to suggest that Moroccan-registered aircraft flying to the UK are unsafe and have no current plans to inspect such aircraft. Morocco has applied for an assessment under the International Civil Aviation Organisation's safety oversight programme and we will review the position once that assessment has been carried out.
Mrs. Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will consider the introduction of a scheme similar to that operated by the Federal Aviation Administration for identifying countries that do not meet international aviation standards. [2650]
Ms Jackson: We consider it more effective to balance support for international programmes assessing the safety oversight of countries with firm action with respect to any aircraft flying to the United Kingdom that are found not to be conforming to international safety standards.
We are continuing to contribute to the safety assessments being carried out by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and are taking a leading role in an initiative by the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) to increase the number of inspections of foreign aircraft using ECAC airports, to share the results and other safety information and to organise joint actions when appropriate.
Since 1 May we have asked the Civil Aviation Authority to carry out inspections of eight foreign aircraft at UK airports. Two Nigerian-registered freight aircraft, were detained and we will not issue further permits in respect of Nigerian-registered aircraft until we are assured of their safe operation.
Nuclear Waste
Mr. Campbell-Savours: To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will identify the location of the site for the disposal of nuclear waste referred to as site 6. [297]
Mr. Battle: Following the dismissal of Nirex's appeal against refusal of planning permission for a Rock Characterisation Facility at Sellafield, the company has no plans to commence investigations at sites there or elsewhere. Revealing the location of potential sites in these circumstances could unnecessarily cause anxiety to people living nearby.
Mr. Matthew Taylor:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade over what time scale radioactive wastes arising from the reprocessing of Italian Magnox fuel will be returned to their country of origin. [1796]
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Mr. Battle:
The magnox reprocessing contract with ENEL signed in 1979 included an option for BNFL to return waste to Italy. The contract, and its terms, has been the subject of an exchange of Letters between the Governments of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Italy.
Wastes arising from the reprocessing of the fuel will be returned to their country of origin as soon as it practicable. BNFL is currently negotiating with ENEL on the form and timescale for such waste return.
Mr. Matthew Taylor:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what provision has been set aside in the accounts of Magnox Electric for the long term management of the United Kingdom plutonium inventory. [1792]
Mr. Battle:
Magnox Electric makes provisions in its accounts for the long term (100 years) storage and subsequent retrieval of all plutonium arising from the reprocessing of its spent magnox fuel. The current provision is some £200 million (3 per cent. discounted net present value).
Mr. Taylor:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade over what time scale it is planned to use plutonium fuel in Magnox reactors. [1793]
Mr. Battle:
Magnox Electric plc has no plans to use plutonium or MOX fuel in its magnox reactors.
Mr. Taylor:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what financial responsibility for the plutonium stockpiles arising from the reprocessing of advanced gas reactor fuel is borne by public funds. [1794]
Mr. Battle:
Financial responsibility for the plutonium expected to arise from the reprocessing of AGR fuel rests with utilities in the private sector with the exception of a small amount, less than 1 per cent. arising from the Windscale AGR at Sellafield.
Mr. Matthew Taylor:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proportion of the total future financial liabilities that would arise in the United Kingdom, as reported by the OECD in 1996, would fall to BNFL to disburse. [1779]
Mr. Battle:
The OECD indicative scheduled disbursement of provisions for liabilities in the UK shows cumulative expenses as £45 billion to the year 2100. BNFL's published accounts indicate total costs for liabilities at their sites as £17.3 billion (undiscounted). BNFL's own share of future liabilities at 31 March 1996 are £2.6 billion (undiscounted).
Details of, and information relating to, provisions for total future liabilities for which BNFL are liable, are contained in the company's annual report and accounts, copies of which are in the Libraries of the House.
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Mr. Taylor:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) over what time scale she plans that Magnox Electric will merge with BNFL; [1795]
Mr. Battle:
The aim is that integration should take place in two key stages. The first stage, transfer of the Government's shares in Magnox Electric to BNFL, should take place in the autumn with the second stage, full integration of the combined businesses of the two companies expected to be completed about 12 months after that, subject to the companies meeting the requirements of the relevant regulators. Constructive discussions on the detailed arrangements for the merger, including the financial arrangements, are continuing between all parties, including BNFL, Magnox Electric and my Department.
Mr. Dafis:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to extend the legal safeguards against unfair discrimination by employers in respect of part-time employees. [2086]
Mr. Ian McCartney:
Part-time workers have equal statutory rights with full-time workers and their rights have been clarified in recent court judgments, which we welcome. At present the Government have no plans to introduce further legislation on part-time work.
The social partners at European reached an agreement on part-time work on 6 June 1997. The Commission may consequently decide to consult member states on a measure to implement this agreement. They have asked the Commission to propose that this agreement be implemented by the Council. The Government will consider any proposal, when it is submitted to Council, against the Government's criteria of promoting employability and competitiveness.
Mr. Green:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action she plans to take to prevent anti-competitive monopolies developing among funeral directors and crematoria. [2022]
Mr. Nigel Griffiths:
I am aware of concerns which have been aired.
The Director-General of Fair Trading is responsible for investigating possible anti-competitive and monopolistic practices. He has no plans to take action against funeral directors and crematoria, but has powers to act if the evidence suggests that there is cause for concern. Anyone with evidence of anti-competitive or monopolistic behaviour should forward the information to the Director-General.
Mr. Miller:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will refer the sale of British Rail International Ltd to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission. [2006]
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Mr. Nigel Griffiths:
The Office of Fair Trading is making inquiries to establish whether the acquisition of British Rail International Limited by Grandes Lignes International SA may constitute a qualifying merger situation under the Fair Trading Act 1973. If so, the Director-General of Fair Trading will advise whether or not it should be referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission. My right hon. Friend the President of the Board will take her decision in the light of that advice.
Ms Walley:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) how she plans to promote renewable energy sources; [2232]
(3) if she will make a statement on the current levels of financial support and projected levels of support in each of the next five years, for (a) fossil fuel industries, (b) wind power, (c) solar electricity, (d) wave power and (e) nuclear power. [2233]
Mr. Battle:
The Government propose to undertake a new and strong drive to develop renewable energy sources in line with our manifesto commitment. To this end I anticipate reviewing policy including considerations of what would be necessary and practicable to achieve 10 per cent. of UK's electricity needs from renewables by the year 2010 and how renewables can make an effective contribution to meeting requirements for future greenhouse gas reduction commitments. I will make a further announcement in due course. In the meantime the Government's new and renewable energy programme, currently underway will continue. I have already announced that I will initiative shortly a consultation exercise with the relevant trade bodies of the renewable energy industry, OFFER, and the Regional Electricity Companies on a fifth Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation (NFFO) Order for renewable energy in England and Wales, leading to an announcement later in the year.
The reduction in the rate of the Fossil Fuel Levy from 3.7 per cent. to 2.2 per cent. with effect from 1 April 1997 was due to reduced payments to the nuclear industry. The reduction had no effect on the level of support for renewable energy projects.
Over the coming months the Government will be considering the balance of activities within the spending plans it inherited to ensure that they reflect the Government's priorities. The results of my reviews of NFFO 5 and renewable energy policy will be fed into this wider exercise. The Department's expenditure plans for the Government's renewable energy; nuclear; clean coal; oil and gas; and environment programmes for the three year's 1997-98 to 1999-2000 may be found on page 37 of "Trade and Industry: The Government's Expenditure Plans 1997-98 to 1999-2000". A copy of the Plans is available in the Library of the House. Historical expenditure information on the Government's wind, solar and wave programmes is also available from my Department.
10 Jun 1997 : Column: 418
(2) what financial arrangements have been requested by BNFL in connection with the merger with Magnox Electric. [1797]
(2) if she will make a statement on the impact of the reduction in the Non-Fossil Fuel Levy in April on subsidies for renewable energy projects; [2230]
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