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British Shoe Manufacturing Industry
Mr. Maclean: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures he proposes to take to limit job losses in the British shoe manufacturing industry. [73306]
Mr. Battle: My Department is working closely with the British shoe manufacturing industry to improve its competitiveness in domestic and overseas markets. I launched an Action Plan designed to achieve this at the National Footwear Conference in Rossendale in February 1998. The Plan is being taken forward by the Footwear Liaison Action Group (FLAG). This is an industry led Group which has representatives from companies, trade associations, unions, training organisations, Business Links, DTI and DFEE. My Department is supporting a number of projects developed under this initiative.
Quidhampton (Power Plant Construction)
Mr. Key:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will announce his decision on the proposed construction of a mini-power plant at Quidhampton near Salisbury. [73382]
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Mr. Battle:
This is one of a number of cases which are being carefully considered and on which an announcement should be made shortly.
Mr. Cox:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what efforts his Department is making to increase the volume of United Kingdom trade with the countries of the Caribbean; and if he will make a statement. [72630]
Mr. Wilson:
My Department offers a full range of services, including support for trade missions and trade fairs, to British companies seeking business in the Caribbean.
During the current financial year, we have provided financial support and assistance for trade missions organised by CARITAG (to Cuba and the Dominican Republic), the Hull & East Riding Chamber of Commerce and Shipping (to Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados and Jamaica), the Bristol Chamber of Commerce and Initiative (to Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and Jamaica) and CARITAG in association with the Leicester African Caribbean Business Association (to Antigua, St. Kitts, St. Lucia and St. Vincent). We also provided financial support, under the Trade Fair Support Scheme, for a British pavilion at the Havana International Trade Fair, which took place in November 1998.
Working closely with multiplier organisations in the United Kingdom, we also arrange seminars and workshops throughout the country to promote market opportunities in the Caribbean region.
Mr. Cox:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the Ministers from his Department who have visited Caribbean countries since 1 May 1997; and if he will make a statement. [72632]
Mr. Wilson:
I visited Cuba in November 1998. No other Minister from this Department has visited the Caribbean since 1 May 1997.
Mr. Stinchcombe:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations (a) he and (b) his ministers have received on genetically modified organisms and the biotechnology industry from the US Government. [72761]
Mr. Battle:
My Ministerial colleagues and I have regular contacts with US Government representatives across the whole range of issues for which we are responsible. Trade in genetically modified crops and the biotechnology industry are two subjects amongst a great many which have been raised in those contacts.
Mr. Steen:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has made to the EU regarding the harmonisation of recycling requirements and certification for all firms selling their products within the EU. [73653]
Mr. Battle:
Prevention of distortions in the Internal Market is a key objective in the Government's consideration of any proposed EU measure to promote
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recycling, and will be among the issues that the UK will ensure is brought out during the discussions now taking place in the EU Recycling Forum, where options for improving the competitiveness of the recycling industries are currently being considered.
The Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (94/62/EC), the only Directive containing recycling targets so far adopted, harmonises Member States' management of packaging waste. It also lays down certain "essential requirements" with which packaging must comply before being allowed to circulate within the Community. These provisions in the Directive were transposed into UK law in the Packaging (Essential Requirements) Regulations 1998.
Mr. Maclean:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what (a) budget and (b) resources will be available to the Special Representative on the Digital Economy. [72800]
Mr. Wills
[holding answer 24 February 1999]: The detail of remuneration and day to day support for the e-Envoy will be agreed with the successful candidate. They will also be expected to draw resources broadly from this Department and others in Whitehall.
Mr. Maclean:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what his Department is doing to promote British fashion at the New York Fashion Show. [72705]
Mr. Battle
[holding answer 24 February 1999]: My Department has taken many steps to promote British Fashion in the US market over the past year. Notably a major British promotion of SAKS Fifth Avenue which focused on fashion, culture, food and design took place over a week in September 1998.
Mrs. Gillan:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will place in the Library a copy of the internal document on the development of the internal market. [73268]
Mr. Wilson
[holding answer 25 February 1999]: I am not entirely certain to which document the hon. Member is referring. A copy of the European Commission's latest document charting progress in the internal market, published in October 1998 and entitled Single Market Scoreboard No.3, can be found in the Library of the House. An explanatory memorandum on this document was submitted to the Parliamentary scrutiny committees on 11 December. I understand that the Commission intends to issue shortly a communication which assesses progress on the Single Market Action Plan. When published, this will be placed in the Library of the House according to normal procedures, although I expect that it will be available sooner via the European Commission's website.
Mr. Ennis:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will estimate how many workers in the
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Barnsley, East and Mexborough constituency will benefit from the implementation of the national minimum wage. [73373]
Ms Hewitt:
I have been asked to reply.
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Director of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply.
Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Jeff Ennis, dated 1 March 1999:
Mr. Maclean:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what cost compliance assessment has been made for Directive 98/70/EC. [72532]
Dr. Reid:
I have been asked to reply.
A compliance cost assessment was provided to the House under cover of a Supplementary Explanatory Memorandum (SEM) dated 15 January 1998 reference number 8822/97 on the European Parliament and Council Directive relating to the quality of petrol and diesel fuel. A copy of the SEM is available in the House Library.
Sir Alastair Goodlad:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many mental illness hospital beds have been (a) opened and (b) closed in each health authority in England and Wales in the last year for which figures are available. [72579]
Mr. Hutton:
This information is not available centrally.
A national inquiry has been set up to give advice on the future number, mix and use of NHS beds in England. This inquiry has recently been extended to include psychiatric services which will cover the whole age range from child and adolescent mental health services through to services for older people and to consider services for learning disabilities. The inquiry's findings will be published in spring 1999.
Sir Alastair Goodlad:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent in England and Wales in the last year on the care and treatment of patients suffering from schizophrenia; and what percentage that figure represents of total expenditure on (a) mental and (b) all health services. [72578]
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Mr. Hutton:
Over £2,767 million was spent on National Health Service care and treatment of patients suffering from a mental illness in 1997-98 in England, but we cannot break this down to separately identify each condition such as schizophrenia. The total expenditure on the purchase of healthcare for 1997-98 was nearly £28,956 million.
As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent question requesting information about the number of people who will benefit from the introduction of the national minimum wage in the Barnsley East and Mexborough constituency.
The New Earnings Survey (NES) can provide earnings data for small geographical areas. Estimates of the proportion of people who are currently earning below the proposed minimum wage for a range of geographical areas have been placed in the House of Commons Library under the title of 'New Earnings Survey (NES) 1998--National Minimum Wage Distribution Tables'. However, figures for workers in Barnsley East and Mexborough earning less than the minimum wage are not given since the sample size is too small to provide reliable estimates.
I will arrange for a copy of this letter to be placed in the Library.
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