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New Statesman Ltd.
Mr. Redwood: To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to her answer of 14 January 1998, Official Report, column 216, on the New Statesman Ltd., if the company has filed its accounts. [24402]
Mrs. Beckett [holding answer 20 January 1998]: Accounts for New Statesman Ltd., in respect of period ended 31 March 1997, were delivered to the Registrar of Companies on 13 January 1998.
Coal Industry
Mr. Redwood:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action she plans to take to assist the coal industry after June. [24410]
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Mrs. Beckett
[holding answer 20 January 1998]: My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced on 10 December 1997, Official Report, column 1003, that we were using the opportunity of the supply arrangements for the period to 30 June 1998 to review the long-term energy requirements of the nation and make sure we have an energy policy consistent with a competitive industry and the long-term energy needs of the country. The role of coal, and the opportunities for the UK coal industry, will be considered in that context.
Mr. Redwood:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) when the Minister for Science, Energy and Industry was first informed of the Prime Minister's intention to announce an extension to coal contracts; [24408]
(3) what consultation the Minister for Science, Energy and Industry held with ministerial colleagues prior to the Prime Minister's announcement of an extension of coal contracts. [24407]
Mrs. Beckett
[holding answer 20 January 1998]: The Minister for Science, Energy and Industry has worked closely with ministerial colleagues and the Prime Minister at all stages in dealing with matters relating to the coal industry.
Mr. Redwood:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment her Department has made of the likely job losses in the coal mining industry over the next two years. [25423]
Mr. Battle:
Levels of employment in the coal mining industry will depend upon the commercial decisions taken by the private sector coal companies.
Mr. Redwood:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the impact of the Prime Minister's pledge to cut CO2 emissions by 20 per cent. on jobs in the mining industry over the next five years. [25419]
Mr. Battle:
The Government's review of energy sources for power generation will consider the role that coal can play in contributing to the United Kingdom's energy and electricity generation requirements in the context of sustainable development, including the meeting of environmental targets.
Ann Clwyd:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she expects to publish her Department's response to the Scott consultation documents. [24959]
Mrs. Roche:
As I stated in a written answer to my hon. Friend, the Member for Cynon Valley, Official Report, 18 December 1997, column 310, we expect to set out the Government's proposals on the Strategic Export Controls Review during the current parliamentary session. This is likely to take the form of a White Paper.
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Mr. Kidney:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the loss of protection afforded by law to copyright holders by computer developments with particular reference to digital copying and Internet Jukebox. [24805]
Mr. Ian McCartney:
United Kingdom copyright law, the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, already gives copyright owners protection for uses of their works based on new technology. In particular, the rights to authorise reproduction conferred by the Act apply to digital copying as to other kinds, and the Act also grants rights enabling control over transmissions of music and sound recordings to members of the public on request, as are involved in "Internet jukebox" services. We do not consider, therefore, that recent developments in technology have led to a loss of protection for copyright owners in the UK. Comparable standards of protection overseas also need to be established, however, especially in view of the global nature of the Internet, and accordingly we support EU and international initiatives aimed at achieving this.
Mr. Bill O'Brien:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what sums have been spent on the provision of renewable energy in the last financial year, giving details of each source of renewable energy. [24966]
Mr. Battle:
Provision of electricity from renewable sources is primarily supported through the Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation (NFFO), funded by a fossil fuel levy placed on electricity consumers. At 31 December 1997, 221 NFFO renewable energy projects in England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland were operational, comprising 507 MW of electricity generating capacity. My policy proposals for a fifth (NFFO-5) Renewals Order for England and Wales were announced in November last year and I expect to make a NFFO-5 Order towards the end of 1998.
(2) when the Minister for Science, Energy and Industry was first notified of the decision by the Prime Minister to ask the Paymaster General to negotiate agreement between the coal companies and the generators; and what consultations he had with the Paymaster General before the decision; [24406]
| Renewable energy source | Levy receipts |
|---|---|
| Landfill gas | 20.8 |
| Hydro | 2.0 |
| Sewage gas | 7.9 |
| Waste incineration | 28.2 |
| Wind | 35.8 |
| Other (mainly poultry litter and tyre burning) | 14.3 |
| Total | 109.0 |
The DTI's new and renewable energy programme supports research, development, demonstration and
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technology transfer activities. Net expenditure on the programme in 1996-97 was £14.8 million. A breakdown of programme expenditure is as shown.
| New and renewables | 1996-97 |
|---|---|
| Biofuels | 2.7 |
| Fuel cells | 1.0 |
| Hydro | 0.15 |
| Solar | 2.0 |
| Wind | 2.5 |
| Technology, transfer, programme management, strategy and evaluation and other technologies | 6.5 |
| Total | 14.8 |
In addition, Government support or academic research is provided through the programmes of the Engineering Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and support has also been provided for the Foresight SCOLAR photovoltaic programme.
Minimum Wage
Mr. Redwood: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment the Government have made of the likely degree of restoration of differentials following the introduction of a minimum wage. [24758]
Mrs. Beckett [holding answer 22 January 1998]: Pay differential between groups of workers is a matter for them and their employers to determine in the light of their company's particular circumstances. However, I am sure that, as part of its consideration of the wider economic and social implications of the National Minimum Wage, the Low Pay Commission will consider any effect on pay differentials when formulating its recommendations to Government.
Human Biotechnology
Mr. Redwood: To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on Government policy on limits to genetic manipulation in human biotechnology research. [24676]
Mrs. Beckett [holding answer 22 January 1998]: Human biotechnology research promises many benefits but can also raise questions of safety and ethics, as can other new technologies. The Government have in place a thorough system of controls to maintain human biotechnology research, including that involving genetic modification, within acceptable boundaries. A framework of expert committees, such as the Gene Therapy Advisory Committee, the UK Xenotransplantation Interim Regulatory Authority, and the Human Genetics Advisory Commission (HGAC), consider implications of new research.
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 places strict limits on research involving human embryos, including the requirement for such research to be licensed by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA).
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The Government are also interested in wider views on such issues. For example, a consultation paper on the implications of human cloning is to be launched jointly by the HGAC and the HFEA at the end of this month, and the Minister for Science, Energy and Industry announced in November that he would be seeking views from the public on issues arising from developments in the biosciences.
Mr. Redwood:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade on what evidence the statement by the Minister for Small Firms, Trade and Industry that it would soon be as cheap to telephone France or Spain as it currently is to make local calls in London was based. [24759]
Mrs. Beckett
[holding answer 22 January 1998]: On 1 January this year, legislation came into force which liberalised telecommunicatins services within the European Union. Our experience on international routes where competition is already allowed has shown that prices can fall considerably--for example between the UK and US, consumers are now being offered calls at as little as 5p a minute. On that basis if there is effective competition and regulation throughout Europe, there is every reason to believe that it should be little or no more expensive to call the rest of Europe than to make a local call in the UK today.
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