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TRADE AND INDUSTRY
Clean Coal Initiative
Mr. Dafis: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to review the level of effectiveness of the clean coal initiative proposed by the previous Administration; and if she will make a statement. [3017]
Mr. Battle: An evaluation of the clean coal programme took place only last year and the evaluation report published in July 1996. The evaluation by an international panel of experts and involving UK industry and universities showed that the programme has been a significant value to industry by acting as a focus for collaboration and contributing to the development of the technology for both the home and export markets. The present phase of the programme is due to be completed next year and we are currently reviewing in consultation with industry, what further work may need to be undertaken. This review will take into account both the recommendations in the evaluation report and the views of the industry led Foresight Task Force on clean coal power generation.
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 our review of the UK's future clean coal technology requirements will be fed into this wider exercise. Copies of the evaluation report for the clean coal programme are in the Libraries of the House.
Plastic Baton Rounds
Mrs. Clwyd: To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list the amount and type of 37/38 mm plastic baton rounds licensed for export to Indonesia, in each year since 1990. [1846]
Mrs. Roche:
There is no record that any such export licences have been issued since 1990.
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Mr. Gummer:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what specific measure her Department proposes to achieve the Government's target for the reduction in CO2 emissions by 20 per cent. from 1990 levels by 2010.[3156]
Mr. Battle:
I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister on 12 June 1997, Official Report, column 516.
Mr. Gummer:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what proportion of the UK reduction in CO2 emissions by 20 per cent. on 1990 levels by 2010 she estimates will be contributed by industry; [3155]
Mr. Battle:
We are currently reviewing the United Kingdom's Climate Change programme looking at policies and measures across all sectors. At present it is not possible to estimate what contribution each sector will contribute to the overall programme.
Mr. Hinchliffe:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action she will take to regulate services to business provided by consultants in the private sector on the issue of United Kingdom Government grant availability relating to the European Union. [3269]
Mrs. Roche:
My Department is aware of cases of unscrupulous practice by a small number of companies--so called "grant cowboys"--who trade in grant availability advice to businesses. My advice to firms approached by such companies is to talk to their Business Links, who are a local and reliable source of advice on the full range of business support that is available both from the EU and other sources.
We will continue to keep the matter under review.
Mr. Hinchliffe:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proposals she has to reform the current structure of local, regional and national business advisory services dealing with European Union and United Kingdom Government grant support. [3271]
Mrs. Roche:
My Department will work with existing business support organisations, and with the proposed Regional Development Agencies, to strengthen the quality of all business support services.
Dr. Lynne Jones:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade when MOX fuel fabrication is due to commence at the new Sellafield MOX plant. [3135]
Mr. Battle:
The precise timing for commissioning of the new Sellafield Mixed Oxide (MOX) plant is an operational matter for the company, subject to meeting regulatory requirements. However, I understand that the MOX plant is expected to commence operations sometime in 1998.
16 Jun 1997 : Column: 59
Dr. Jones:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade if the Sellafield MOX plant will be set up to handle weapon-grade plutonium. [3136]
Mr. Battle:
The Sellafield MOX Plant (SMP) has been designed to handle civil plutonium. I understand that BNFL currently has no plans for the plant to handle ex-military plutonium.
G7 countries have already recognised that, in the context of disposing of surplus fissile military materials, incorporating the plutonium into MOX fuels--and subsequently irradiating it--is an important means of safeguarding the material. No decision has yet been made whether to convert surplus plutonium taken from nuclear weapons in the USA and former Soviet Union into MOX fuel and burn in conventional reactors.
Dr. Jones:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade if routine checking will take place of the weight and isotopic composition of the feed material the Sellafield MOX plant receives. [3137]
Mr. Battle:
The Sellafield MOX plant is subject to international safeguards arrangements which require the reporting of the weight and isotopic composition of plutonium feed to the plant.
Mr. Martyn Jones:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what measures she has taken to assist the United Kingdom environmental technology industry; if she will make a statement. [3582]
Mr. Battle:
The Government recognise the importance of the environmental industry and will be exploring with its members how we can best work together to support it. We have already made financial help available under the Sector Challenge to a project aimed at helping companies in the technology and services sub-sector to export.
Mr. Martyn Jones:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the (a) desirability and (b) feasibility of internalising the environmental and societal externalities of energy production. [3009]
Mr. Battle:
The Government share with other member countries of the International Energy Agency the goal that, to the extent necessary and practicable, the environment costs of energy production and use should be reflected in prices. The Government are also concerned about the social implications of changing patterns of energy production, though they believe that there are better ways of responding to such concerns than distorting market prices.
Mr. Cotter:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many business links have been created since 1993.[3954]
Mrs. Roche:
There are 89 Business Link partnerships and 241 separate Business Link outlets.
16 Jun 1997 : Column: 60
Mr. Cotter:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the future of business links. [3953]
Mrs. Roche:
Improving the Business Links service to small and medium sized businesses is one of my key priorities. I am committed to ensuring that all Business Links deliver a service which is of the highest quality. Many are already doing so, and I am discussing with officials and with the national Business Links partners how we can ensure that all Business Links are brought up to the standard of the best.
Mr. Ian Taylor:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she intends to meet the Internet Service Providers Association and the Cable Communications Association to discuss competition aspects of the Government's discussions with British Telecom. [3712]
Mr. Battle:
I and my ministerial colleagues engage in many meetings with the full range of players in the industry. Following a special package for schools earlier this year from the cable sector, BT have recently brought forward their own first proposals for the connection of schools to the Internet. The Director General, OFTEL, has announced plans to consult widely, and as quickly as possible, on these proposals. This consultation will include the Internet service providers and the cable companies.
Mr. Ian Taylor:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) when her Department intends to publish proposals for a reform of the regulatory structure for telecommunications and broadcasting; [1566]
(3) if her Department will continue to be responsible for all aspects of conditional access for digital television.[1568]
Mr. Battle
[holding answer 3 June 1997]: The development and application of digital technology is steadily undermining the distinctions between the previously separate sectors of telecommunications, broadcasting, and IT, and is creating new opportunities, for example in multimedia and interactive services. This is enabling the development of the "Information Society".
It is clear that, in the medium term, a new regulatory regime will be required to reflect these developments. For example, the Government have made clear their intent to create an Office of Communications (Ofcom), which would regulate the communications infrastructure and ensure fair competition. My Department will take a central role in work on this, and other possible changes, by virtue of our objective of promoting the interests of UK business and consumers; encompassing not only those sectors which supply, but also sectors which use the Information Society technologies and services, and the regulation of consumer protection, competition, and the communications sectors.
This work is however at an early stage, and it is important not to attempt to pre-empt technological developments. Departmental responsibilities are, of course, a matter for the Prime Minister.
16 Jun 1997 : Column: 61
(2) what reduction in CO2 emissions she estimates British industry will make by (a) 2005 and (b) 2010.[3154]
(2) if her Department will continue to have both responsibilities for the communication and information industries. [1567]
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