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Engineering Industry

Mr. Redwood: To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list the figures for (a) export orders and (b) numbers of firms operating at a satisfactory rate in the engineering sector in each of the last 15 months. [10325]

Mrs. Beckett [holding answer 24 July 1997]: Figures for export orders on hand at the end of each of the last 15 months are as shown in the table:

Not seasonally adjusted £ million
March 199610,373
April 199610,412
May 199610,101
June 19969,695
July 19969,539
August 19969.908
September 19969,909
October 19969,711
November 19969,809
December 19969,358
January 19979,346
February 19979,443
March 19979,172
April 19979,441
May 19979,308

Figures on the numbers of firms operating at a satisfactory rate in the engineering sector are not available from official statistics.

Mr. Redwood: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action she plans to take to increase the levels of planned investment in the engineering industry. [10321]

Mrs. Beckett [holding answer 24 July 1997]: My agenda for pursuing competitiveness through partnership, starting with the competitiveness summit on 23 July, includes encouraging investment in industry, including the engineering industry. Engineering investment will also be encouraged by my policies for promoting technology transfer in the sector and encouraging good supply chain links. I welcome the actions of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor in laying the foundations for economic stability and introducing appropriate tax changes in the Budget, which will also improve the climate for investment.

Wind Energy

Mr. Vaz: To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the Government's policy towards the use of wind energy. [9596]

Mr. Battle: Wind Energy is a vital element of sustainable development and has the potential to make an important contribution to our new and strong drive to develop renewable sources of energy. I expect development of wind energy to lead to the creation of new jobs and access to a worldwide market for renewable energy equipment estimated by the World Energy Council to grow to £50 billion per annum by 2005.

25 Jul 1997 : Column: 810

Astronomy

Charlotte Atkins: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations the Minister for Science, Energy and Industry received before 14 July from the hon. Member for Chesham and Amersham (Mrs. Gillan) concerning astronomy in the United Kingdom and the royal observatories. [10266]

Mr. Battle: It is for hon. Members to publicise their approaches to me, should they wish to do so.

Trade Missions

Mrs. Gillan: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what trade missions are planned for the next 12 months by (a) the Minister for Trade, (b) members of the royal family, (c) the chairman of the British Overseas Trade Board and (d) other departmental Ministers. [9454]

Mrs. Beckett [holding answer 18 July 1997]: The following trade missions are planned at present. Details of visit programmes and accompanying business delegations have yet to be finalised.







The royal family's extensive programme of overseas visits plays an important part in the promotion of British commercial as well as other interests. The following visits specifically for trade promotions are planned during the next 12 months.


















25 Jul 1997 : Column: 811

Space School

Mrs. Gillan: To ask the President of the Board of Trade if the Science Minister will visit the 17th session of the Space school currently being held at Brunel university; and if he will make a statement. [10527]

Mrs. Roche: Regrettably, I am unable to visit this year's Space school. However, I welcome efforts to explain the importance of space science to young people, and compliment the Space school on developing innovative ways to further their interest in science.

25 Jul 1997 : Column: 812

Travel Industry

Mrs. Gillan: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his Department's policy towards vertical integration in the travel industry; and if he will make a statement. [10530]

Mrs. Beckett: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the right hon. Member for Wokingham (Mr. Redwood) on 14 July, Official Report, column 68.