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Bereavement Benefits
Mr. Rendel: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the cost of increasing the disregard in the bereavement benefits to (a) £20, (b) £30, (c) £40 and (d) £50. [78031]
Angela Eagle: The information is in the table.
| £ million | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WPA disregard in all benefits | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Long run |
| £20 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 10 |
| £30 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 15 |
| £40 | 40 | 40 | 40 | 25 |
| £50 | 55 | 55 | 55 | 35 |
Notes:
1. The proposed disregard for Widowed Parents Allowance is £10 for Income Support and £15 for Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and Working Families Tax Credit. The figures estimate the cost of increasing these rates for these benefits to the requested levels.
2. The estimates presented are broad orders of magnitude. They are rounded to the nearest £5 million and are our best estimate of the cost of increasing the disregards, but are nonetheless subject to a degree of uncertainty.
3. Estimates use information from the 1996-97 Family Resources Survey, the Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry and forecasts from the Government Actuary's Department. The offset ratio is assumed to remain constant across the years in order to provide illustrative estimates.
Green Transport Plan
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what involvement fleet managers have had in drawing up his Department's Green Transport Plan. [77968]
Angela Eagle: The Department's Environment Officer is also the Department's fleet manager and had considerable involvement in developing the 27 Departmental Green Transport Plans which will be in place by 31 March 1999.
Miners (Compensation Payments)
Mr. Canavan: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if social security benefits previously paid out will be recoverable from the compensation payments recently announced for miners suffering from (a) emphysema, (b) bronchitis and (c) vibration white finger; and if he will make a statement. [78137]
Mr. Bayley:
It has been a long standing principle that victims of personal injury or disease should not be compensated twice for the same need. Consequently compensation paid to miners for loss of past earnings, cost of care and loss of mobility may be reduced to take
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account of the liability to repay benefits paid in respect of the disease in question. Compensation for pain and suffering will be paid in full.
Mr. Burstow:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) for what period disability living allowance recipients whose cases were examined by the Benefit Integrity Project will be excluded from the new checking regime; [77889]
Mr. Bayley:
We are committed to achieving a coherent, fair and sensitive system for the delivery of Disability Living Allowance (DLA). This will encompass new methods of claiming and periodic inquiry arrangements to be applied ultimately to all cases in payment. The Benefits Agency is working to establish the proper frequency with which individuals should be asked about their current needs so that, in the future, inquiries can be made at the most appropriate time and new claimants can be advised from the outset when inquiries are likely to be made in their case. Developmental work is well underway, in consultation with organisations of, and for, disabled people.
As a first step in the process, a prototype periodic inquiry system will be introduced in April 1999 for existing DLA cases, followed in the Summer by trials to test new ways of handling claims for DLA and Attendance Allowance (AA). Both strands of work will be closely monitored and evaluated. Developments and data from each strand will be used to design the final overall process.
People whose cases were examined under the Benefit Integrity Project (BIP) will not, at the outset, be subject to the new periodic inquiry arrangements. Once the full new system is introduced, they are likely to be allocated a periodic inquiry frequency on the same basis as new claimants for DLA and AA. It is, however, too early to provide details.
We have made it clear that the main objective of these changes is to ensure that benefit is being paid properly. They are not savings driven. There will be additional administrative costs as the new inquiry process develops. The effect of the new processes on programme spending will be factored into the expenditure forecasts in the normal way.
Mr. Mackinlay:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what meetings his Department have had with Global Services and JMT Charlesworth Ltd.; what were the terms of the grants made to these companies over the past two years; and if he will make a statement. [71805]
Mr. Wilson
[holding answer 16 February 1999]: JMT Charlesworth applied in 1997 to the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) for a DTI funded Export Marketing
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Research Scheme grant. The grants are open to British companies with fewer than 500 employees wishing to research specific overseas markets and are payable after the work has been successfully completed. The company received a grant of just over £1,000 from BCC following their study of the market for used, refurbished trucks for sale to Eritrea and Ethiopia.
Mr. Hammond:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received following his speech at the Mansion House on 2 February. [75180]
Mr. Chope:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the last occasion on which a Government Minister led a trade delegation to (a) Lithuania, (b) Malawi, (c) Malaysia and (d) Mauritius; and what future trade delegations are planned. [76544]
Mr. Wilson:
(a) Lithuania--I will be leading a trade mission to Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania from 26 to 30 April 1999. The mission will look at opportunities for British companies in ports and railways development and it is hoped that more than 15 high level British companies will take part in the mission. This is the first occasion that a Government Minister has led a trade delegation to the Baltic States during this administration.
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(b) Malawi--There have been no Minister-led trade delegations by a Government Minister in this Administration and none are currently planned.
(c) Malaysia--The last occasion on which a Government Minister led a trade delegation to Malaysia was in September 1995 by the then President of the Board of Trade, Ian Lang.
Thirteen DTI sponsored trade missions are planned during FY 1999-2000.
(d) Mauritius--There have been no trade delegations led by a Government Minister in this Administration. Future DTI supported outward trade missions to Mauritius are planned for July 1999, November 1999 and March 2000.
Mr. Chope:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the last occasion on which a Government Minister led a trade delegation to (a) Kazakhstan, (b) Kyrgyzstan, (c) Lebanon and (d) Lesotho; and what future trade delegations are planned. [76541]
Mr. Wilson:
(a-b) The last occasion on which a Government Minister led a trade delegation to Kazakhstan and/or Kyrgyzstan was when Viscount Goschen, then Minister for Aviation and Shipping, led a delegation to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan between 9-16 September 1995.
There are no firm plans for future trade delegations led by a Minister to visit either country. The Department of Trade and Industry plans to support 4 trade missions to Kazakhstan in 1999-2000, two of which will visit Kyrgyzstan. They are as follows:
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(2) what estimates he has made of the likely level of savings or increased expenditure arising from the new disability allowance review regime. [77891]
| Date | Trade missions |
|---|---|
| April 1999 | Agricultural sector working group mission to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan |
| October 1999 | Infrastructure and Energy projects Directorate oil and gas trade mission to Kazakhstan |
| October 1999 | British Water Trade mission to Kazakhstan |
| March 2000 | British Consultants Trade mission to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan |
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| Date | Trade missions |
|---|---|
| 11-24 April 1999 | Business Link Gloucester |
| 18-22 May 1999 | Middle East Association |
| 3-15 October 1999 | Business Link Milton Keynes |
| 16-24 November 1999 | Nottingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry |
| January 2000 | Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry |
(d) There have been no Minister-led trade delegations to Lesotho and there are no plans for one in the future.
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Mr. Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the last occasion on which a Government Minister led a trade delegation to (a) Colombia, (b) Cuba, (c) Cyprus, (d) Dominica and (e) the Dominican Republic; and what future trade delegations are planned. [76526]
Mr. Wilson: The then Minister for Trade led a trade delegation to Colombia in 1996. There are no plans for another Minister-led trade delegation in the near future. The following trade missions are planned:
| Date | Trade missions |
|---|---|
| May 1999 | ABHI/LATAG |
| September 1999 | British and Colombian Chamber of Commerce |
| November 1999 | London Chamber of Commerce |
| March 2000 | Northern Development Company |
The then Minister for Science and Technology led a trade delegation to Cuba in 1994. I will be leading a
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trade delegation in April 1999 and the Caribbean Trade Advisory Group (CARITAG) are planning a trade mission in June.
There have been no recent Minister-led trade delegations to Cyprus, Dominica or the Dominican Republic and none is planned in the near future.
The London Chamber of Commerce and Industry are planning a trade mission to Cyprus in September 1999 and CARITAG are organising a trade mission to the Dominican Republic in June 1999.
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Mr. Chope:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the last occasion on which a Government Minister led a trade delegation to (a) Peru, (b) Qatar, (c) Saudi Arabia and (d) Singapore; and what future trade delegations are planned. [76556]
Mr. Wilson:
The information is as follows:
Peru
The last occasion a Government Minister led a trade delegation to Peru was November 1996.
My Department plans to support four trade missions to Peru in the financial year 1999-2000:
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| Date | |
|---|---|
| BEAMA | 14-18 June 1999 |
| Birmingham Chamber of Commerce | 27 September-1 October 1999 |
| British and Chilean Chamber of Commerce | 22-26 November 1999 |
| London Chamber of Commerce | 20-26 March 2000 |
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Qatar
The former Minister for Trade led a trade delegation to Qatar in November 1997.
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My Department is planning to support four trade missions to Qatar in the financial year 1999-2000:
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| Date | |
|---|---|
| Northern Development Company | 5-7 February 2000 |
| Middle East Association | 26-28 February 2000 |
| East Mercia Chamber of Commerce and Industry | 1-3 April 2000 |
| Rotherham Business Link | 9-11 April 2000 |
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Saudi Arabia
The last occasion a Government Minister led a trade delegation to Saudi Arabia was in November 1995.
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My Department is planning to support six trade missions to Saudi Arabia in 1999-2000.
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| Date | |
|---|---|
| Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry | 18-27 September 1999 |
| Middle East Association | 15-25 October 1999 |
| Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry | 18-28 November 1999 |
| Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce and Industry | 25 January-3 February 2000 |
| London Chamber of Commerce and Industry | 29 February-9 March 2000 |
| Business Link Rotherham | 26 March-4 April 2000 |
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Singapore
I led a trade delegation to Singapore in October 1998.
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My Department is planning to support 14 trade missions to Singapore in 1999-2000:
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| Date | |
|---|---|
| The Scottish Council for Development and Industry | 19-23 April 1999 |
| Defence Manufacturers Association | 3-7 May 1999 |
| East Mercia Chamber of Commerce and Industry | 10-14 May 1999 |
| Business Link Shropshire | 21-25 June 1999 |
| BESA | 28 June-2 July 1999 |
| Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce | 20-24 September 1999 |
| Business Link Kent | 27 September-1 October 1999 |
| Manchester Chamber of Commerce | 5-29 October 1999 |
| Southern Derbyshire Chamber of Commerce | 1-5 November 1999 |
| Northern Development Company | 22-26 November 1999 |
| Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry | January 2000 (tbc) |
| Luton and Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce | 7-11 February 2000 |
| North Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce | 28 February-3 March 2000 |
| Business Link Sheffield | 27-31 March 2000 |
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Mr. Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the last occasion on which a Government Minister led a trade delegation to (a) Japan, (b) Jordan, (c) Kenya and (d) Kuwait; and what future trade delegations are planned. [76538]
Mr. Wilson:
The information is as follows:
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Japan
The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office, my right hon. Friend the Member for East Kilbride (Mr. Ingram) led a trade delegation to Japan from 15-27 March 1998.
My Department plans to support 38 trade missions to Japan in the financial year 1999/2000:
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| Date | |
|---|---|
| British Nuclear Industry Forum | 5-15 April 1999 |
| British Tourist Authority | 11-17 April 1999 |
| Manchester Chamber of Commerce and Industry | May 1999 (tba) |
| Motor Sport Industries Association | 17-21 May 1999 |
| JTA/Exports to Japan Unit | 24-28 May 1999 |
| British Knitting and Clothing Export Council | 31 May-4 June 1999 (tbc) |
| Aromatherapy Trade Council | June 1999 (tbc) |
| Birmingham Chamber of Commerce | 7-11 June 1999 |
| London Chamber of Commerce and Industry | 14-18 June 1999 (tbc) |
| British Airports Group | 21-23 June 1999 |
| The National Wool Textile Export Corporation | 21-25 June 1999 |
| The British Council | Between September 1999 and March 2000 (tba) |
| Export Action Centre for Building Materials | September 1999 (tba) |
| JTA/Exports to Japan Unit | September 1999 (tba) |
| Northern Development Company | 6-10 September 1999 |
| JTA/Department of Trade and Industry | Autumn 1999 (tba) |
| The British Council (Education Counselling Service) | 1-11 October 1999 |
| British Jewellery and Giftware Federation | 11-15 October 1999 |
| Energy Industries Council | 2-5 November 1999 |
| British Knitting and Clothing Export Council | November 1999 (tba) |
| Food From Britain | November 1999 (tba) |
| The Federation of Garden and Leisure Manufacturers Ltd. | November 1999 (tba) |
| The Scottish Council For Development and Industry | 15-19 November 1999 |
| Wolverhampton Chamber of Commerce, Trading and Enterprise | November 1999 (tba) |
| JTA/Exports to Japan Unit | November 1999 (tba) |
| Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders | November 1999 (tba) |
| North Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry | January 2000 (tbc) |
| Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry | late January 2000 |
| British Marine Industries Federation | February 2000 (tba) |
| Publishers Association | 14-16 February 2000 |
| British Furniture Manufacturers | March 2000 (tba) |
| Bedfordshire and Luton Chamber of Commerce | March 2000 (tba) |
| Business Link Kent | March 2000 (tba) |
| Federation of British Electrotechnical and Allied Manufactures' Association | March 2000 (tba) |
| JEBA/JTA/Exports to Japan Unit | tba |
| JTA/Exports to Japan Unit | tba |
| JTA/Exports to Japan Unit | tba |
| JTA/Exports to Japan Unit | tba |
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Jordan
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Department of the Environment, my hon. Friend the Member for Mansfield (Mr. Meale) led a trade delegation to Jordan from 5-8 December 1998.
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My Department is planning to support five trade missions to Jordan in the financial year 1999-2000.
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| Date | |
|---|---|
| Middle East Association | 24 May-9 June 1999 |
| South of England Exporters Association | 19-22 September 1999 |
| Business Link Milton Keynes and North Bucks | 3-15 October 1999 |
| Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the British Consultants Bureau | 20-22 November 1999 |
| Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry | January 2000 (tbc) |
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Kenya
There have been no recent Minister-led trade delegations to Kenya.
My Department is planning to support one trade mission to Kenya in the financial year 1999-2000.
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My Department plans to support three trade missions to Kuwait in the financial year 1999-2000.
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Kuwait
There have been no recent Minister-led trade delegations to Kuwait. However, Kuwait has been visited by many UK Ministers and I plan to visit next month.
| Date | |
|---|---|
| Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry | 11-13 September 1999 |
| Sheffield International Trade Centre | 2-4 November 1999 |
| Middle East Association | 18-21 February 2000 |
Mr. Chope:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the last occasion on which a Government Minister led a trade delegation to (a) Ecuador, (b) Egypt, (c) Estonia and (d) Gambia; and what future trade delegations are planned. [76529]
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Mr. Wilson:
The information is as follows:
Ecuador
There have been no recent Minister-led trade delegations to Ecuador.
My Department has no plans to support any trade missions to Ecuador.
Egypt
I led a trade delegation to Egypt in February 1999.
My Department is planning to support eight trade missions to Egypt in the financial year 1999-2000:
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| Date | |
|---|---|
| North Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce | 16-20 May 1999 |
| Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry | June 1999 |
| Business Link Sussex | 12-16 September 1999 |
| South of England Exporters Association | 19-29 September 1999 |
| Northern Ireland Development Company | 28 November-2 December 1999 |
| London Chamber of Commerce | 30 January-3 February 2000 |
| The Guage and Toolmakers Association | February 2000 |
| Business Link Barnsley and Doncaster | Date to be confirmed |
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Estonia
I will be leading a trade mission to Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania from 26 to 30 April 1999. The mission will look at opportunities for British companies in ports and railways development and it is hoped that more than 15 high level British companies will take part in the mission.
No other trade missions are being passed by my Department.
Gambia
There have been no recent Minister-led trade delegations to the Gambia.
My Department has no plans to support any trade missions to the Gambia.
Mr. Chope:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the last occasion on which a Government Minister led a trade delegation to (a) Algeria, (b) Argentina, (c) Australia, (d) Bahrain and (e) Bangladesh; and what future trade delegations are planned. [76520]
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Mr. Wilson:
There has been no Minister-led trade mission to Algeria during the past 10 years. There are no trade missions planned for Algeria.
| Date | |
|---|---|
| Trade International Northern Ireland | April 1999 |
| Latin American Trade Advisory Group/ABHI | May 1999 |
| Northern Development Company | May 1999 |
| Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry | July 1999 |
| Southern Derbyshire Chamber/BL North Derbyshire | September 1999 |
| Birmingham Chamber of Industry and Commerce | November 1999 |
| British Argentine Chamber of Commerce | November 1999 |
| London Chamber of Commerce and Industry | March 2000 |
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales, my hon. Friend the Member for Neath (Mr. Hain) led a trade mission to Australia in October last year. The following 12 missions are planned for the coming year:
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| Date | |
|---|---|
| The Northern Offshore Federation | 19-23 April 1999 |
| The Sports Industries Federation | 21-25 June 1999 |
| Association of British Healthcare Industries | 5-9 July 1999 |
| Business Link Sussex | 30 August-3 September 1999 |
| Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry | 20-24 September 1999 |
| Northern Development Company | 4-8 October 1999 |
| North Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry | 18-22 October 1999 |
| Australia and New Zealand Trade Advisory Committee (ANZTAC) | 22-26 November 1999 |
| Liverpool Chamber of Commerce and Industry | 7-11 February 2000 |
| Business Link Shropshire | 13-17 March 2000 |
| Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry | 20-24 March 2000 |
| The Scottish Council Development and Industry (SCDI) | date not yet decided |
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My hon. Friend the Minister for Competition and Consumer Affairs opened a British Week event in November last year in Bangladesh. One trade mission is planned this year:
Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry 6-13 November 1999.
The last visit by a Minister to Bahrain was undertaken by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education and Employment, the hon. Member for Leeds, East (Mr. Mudie), in November 1997. The following four missions are planned for the coming year:
| Date | |
|---|---|
| Coventry and Worcester Chamber of Commerce | 28-30 September 1999 |
| Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce International | 22-24 January 2000 |
| Middle East Association | 22-25 February 2000 |
| Rotherham Business Link | 5-8 April 2000 |
I commend the hon. Member to the Overseas Trade Services website (http://www.dti.gov.uk/ots) on which a list of future missions, seminars and trade fairs is displayed for all our major markets.
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