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Arms Sales (Indonesia)
Mr. Alan Simpson: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussion have taken place with the Indonesian Government about payments for arms sold to them with British Government support in relation to the devaluation of their currency; and what assessment he has made of the likely cost to public funds of export credit guarantees needed to cover the agreed purchase price. [25132]
Mrs. Roche: No discussions have currently taken place. The Indonesian Government have not indicated that they will not continue to make payments in respect of defence contracts/loans at due date. Payments are due in Sterling or other hard currencies. Consequently there are no rupiah payments which would result in an exchange loss to ECGD.
Nuclear Waste (Reprocessing)
Mr. Llew Smith: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what technical conditioning and packaging specifications have been established as necessary by foreign energy utilities in respect of the consignments of radioactive reprocessing wastes due to be returned to countries of origin following reprocessing of foreign spent fuel. [25067]
Mr. Battle: Packaging requirements for operational wastes arising from reprocessing will be determined in detail by the specifications of the wastes to be returned. These vary according to the particular fuel reprocessed, although they are broadly similar for each category of waste. Details of individual waste specifications are confidential to the organisations concerned. However, all waste transport packages will comply with the relevant internationally agreed safety requirements.
Mr. Llew Smith:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what terms of acceptance were agreed upon by
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(a) British Nuclear Fuels and (b) the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority for the return of radioactive waste arising from reprocessing. [25068]
Mr. Battle:
Details of the contracts between United Kingdom reprocessing companies and their customers are confidential to those organisations.
However, all reprocessing contracts signed since 1976 contain options for BNFL to return operational wastes to the country of origin. Government policy is that the options should be exercised and that the wastes should be returned.
Ms Walley:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she intends to announce the decision on the bid by North Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce to organise a trade mission to Japan; and if she will make a statement. [25017]
Mrs. Roche:
The President of the Board of Trade announced the first stage of the trade mission programme for 1998-99 on 29 September 1997. This first announcement comprised 159 trade missions.
The announcement for the second stage of trade missions will take place as soon as possible and no later than the end of February.
Mr. Redwood:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement setting out the reasons for granting BP permission to build a 1,200 MW gas-fired power station. [24766]
Mrs. Beckett
[holding answer 22 January 1998]: The reasons for granting consent to the Saltend project are recorded in the Department's decision letter to the Company of 7 August 1997 and the Department's press notice of the same date.
Mr. Pond:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will carry out an assessment of the impact of her Department's current policies on the (a) income, (b) employment opportunities and (c) living standards, of the poorest 30 per cent. of the population. [23343]
Mrs. Beckett:
My Department's policies aim to support the endeavours of business to become as competitive as possible in order to generate higher levels of income and living standards and good jobs and opportunities for all of our people. My department is also working to ensure that the benefits of growth and prosperity are widely shared by, for example, promoting regional competitiveness and through the introduction of a national minimum wage.
Mr. Cox:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are her Department's main objectives during the British presidency of the European Union in 1998. [24075]
Mrs. Beckett:
In November I wrote to the Trade and Industry Committee [Supplementary Memorandum to Minutes of Evidence, dated 4 November 1997] with a list
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of dossiers on which I hope to make progress during the British Presidency of the Council of the European Union. These are the practical steps which underpin my key priorities for helping business during the UK Presidency.
Although the Presidency gives us the opportunity to highlight priority areas, as chair of the Council of Ministers the overarching objective is to manage the full range of European business constructively and impartially in all formations of the Council for which we are responsible (Industry, Internal Market, Research, Consumer Affairs, Energy and Telecommunications). My Department will also liaise with colleagues in other departments where we share responsibility.
Mr. Bercow:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many official cars are available for use by Ministers in her Department; and how many cars have been acquired for the use of Ministers in her Department since 1 May. [25166]
Mrs. Beckett
[holding answer 23 January 1998]: There are seven official cars available for use by Ministers in this Department. All are operated by the Government Car Service. Two new cars have been acquired since 1 May 1997 to replace existing ones, one of which was ordered under the previous Government.
Mr. Bercow:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many times her husband has accompanied her on overseas visits; and what was the cost of his travel and other expenses. [25163]
Mrs. Beckett
[holding answer 23 January 1998]: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Spelthorne (Mr. Wilshire) on 20 January 1998, Official Report, column 473.
Mr. Boswell:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade on what basis she will consider applications for combined heat and power stations during the moratorium on construction of conventional gas-fired power stations. [24321]
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Mr. Battle
[holding answer 21 January 1998]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend, the President of the Board of Trade to my hon. Friend, the Member for Rugby and Kenilworth (Mr. King) on 22 December 1997, Official Report, columns 519-20.
Mr. Boswell:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the recent reported remarks by the Director General of Oftel about Britain's failure to give an international lead on telecom deregulation; and if she will make a statement. [24384]
Mrs. Roche
[holding answer 21 January 1998]: I am not aware of any such remarks about telecom deregulation.
Mr. Cohen:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what regular publications are produced by the Export Credits Guarantee Department; what is the purpose of each; how often each is produced; and what is the security classification of each. [24543]
Mrs. Roche:
Details of ECGD's regular publications are as follows:
Improving competitiveness is a key element in our policies at home. In our Presidency we will bring this approach to Europe, working in partnership with the business community.
Enhancing the scope and effectiveness of the Single European Market in line with the Action Plan agreed at Amsterdam will be a key objective. We shall also work with our partners in Europe to maintain progress towards greater liberalisation in trade in goods and services.
Reducing the unacceptably high level of unemployment is one of the Europe's highest priorities. We shall pursue employability as offering better scope for individuals and greater flexibility in the European economy as a whole.
Our Presidency will also cover a critical period in the negotiations for the next EU Framework Programme for RTD (Research and Technological Development). Our overriding objective will be to forge ahead with negotiations so that the timetable for introducing the new framework in 1999 can be achieved.
| Title | Purpose | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Report and Trading Accounts | To report on business supported and ECGD's financial position. | Annual |
| ECGD Newsletter | To provide customers and potential customers with up to date information on ECGD cover availability and developments. | Quarterly |
| Global Explorer: The Official ECGD Yearbook(16) | To provide comprehensive coverage of ECGD's products, cover availability and general background information. | Annual |
| Risk | In-house staff magazine | 2-3 times a year |
(16) Global Exporter is published by Newsdesk Communications Ltd. on behalf of ECGD, at no cost to ECGD or its customers. Advertising revenue covers the costs.
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