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Market Reports
Mr. Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to change the current scale of charges for market reports; and if he will make a statement. [78433]
Mr. Wilson: The Export Forum report, placed in the Library of both Houses, concluded that the current level of prices was close to what the market will bear. A review of the chargeable services themselves is planned to start in April and the new Chief Executive of British Trade International, Sir David Wright (current Ambassador to Tokyo), will wish to consider the outcome of the review before decisions are taken.
Export Promotion
Mr. Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he has taken to increase (a) awareness and (b) take-up of the Export Marketing Research Scheme; and what funding has been made available for the (i) current and (ii) next financial year. [78431]
Mr. Wilson:
The Scheme's budget for the current financial year is £1,195,000. £1,550,000 has been allocated for 1999-2000. My officials and the Scheme's contractor (British Chambers of Commerce) have drawn
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up and are implementing a comprehensive action plan to increase awareness and take-up of the Scheme. This includes:
Steps are also being taken to refresh intermediaries' knowledge of the scheme through:
Mr. Baldry:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he proposes to continue support from his Department for the Languages for Export Advisory Scheme. [78432]
Mr. Wilson:
The Languages for Export Advisory Scheme is currently being reviewed as part of the normal evaluation programme for DTI schemes. The Chief Executive and board of British Trade International will consider the future of the Scheme after the review is completed.
Mr. Baldry:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will place in the Library a list of staff of his Department currently posted overseas identifying (a) the capacity in which they are posted, (b) their grade and (c) their terms of service. [78439]
Mr. Wilson:
At senior levels (Range 10 and above) 26 managers are in post overseas. Below that level, 12 officers are in posts under the Overseas Attachment Training Scheme. A small number of additional staff are likely, at any time, to be in posts overseas. Details of these are not kept centrally in a form which enables the data readily to be aggregated.
It would not be appropriate to list individuals' appointments and terms of conditions as requested. Most of these staff are on loan to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, usually on FCO terms of service. Others are on secondment or detached duty, for example to the European Commission, on the terms of the receiving organisation.
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Mr. Redwood:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the impact of each one per cent. increase in sterling against the euro on (a) industrial profits and (b) jobs in manufacturing. [77591]
Mr. Byers:
I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 11 February 1999, Official Report, column 403.
Ms Keeble:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the future of ECGD's Fixed Rate Export Finance Scheme. [79666]
Mr. Wilson:
Over the past year, the Government have been undertaking a fundamental review of ECGD's financing support for UK exports, including the FREF arrangements which have been scheduled to expire on 31 March 1999. The review has included a formal consultation process and follow-up work involving ECGD, Treasury and Bank of England officials as well as representatives from the UK exporting community. A number of options are being evaluated. More time is needed to complete the review and for ECGD to negotiate with the banks an appropriate successor to the current scheme. The current arrangements are, therefore, being rolled forward for a further 6 months.
Dr. Ladyman:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about the eligibility of areas under Objective 2. [79667]
Mr. Llew Smith:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to make an announcement on the distribution of EU structural funds for the regeneration of deprived areas. [78990]
Mr. Wills:
The discussions between Member States and the Commission on the reform of the Structural and Cohesion Funds were concluded at the Berlin Council on 25 March.
I am pleased to say that the UK has negotiated an outcome that is fair and affordable to all future and existing Member States, including the UK. One notable success for the UK was the securing of the safety net which maintains two thirds of the existing Objective 2 and 5b population coverage.
The Government will consult widely with all those with an interest, principally local and regional bodies, on the determination of proposed areas and the criteria to be used to ensure that we target the areas of greatest need. Careful consideration will be given to the relative needs of different areas across the UK. I am issuing today a public consultation document which will set out the basis on which interested parties will be invited to make their submissions. I am also placing copies of the document in the Library of the House and the Vote Office.
Those wishing to make representations should do so to the appropriate Government Office in England, the Scottish Office, the Welsh Office and the Department of Finance and Personnel in Northern Ireland. Other Departments with an interest include the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries
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and Foods for fisheries and rural areas and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport for tourist-dependent areas, the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions and the Department for Education and Employment.
In order to meet the likely deadline of mid-June for submission of the proposed Objective 2 areas to the European Commission by each Member State, the public consultation will end on 25 May 1999.
Mr. Chaytor:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) when he expects to publish his consultation paper on renewable energy generation; and if he will make a statement; [79085]
Mr. Battle:
I have today published a consultation paper "New and Renewable Energy--Prospects for the 21st Century" which reports on the outcome of the Government's review of new and renewable energy policy.
The Renewables Review paper demonstrates that there is tremendous potential for renewables to become a fully competitive part of UK energy supply. Renewables make an important contribution to secure, sustainable and diverse energy supplies in the UK. They are an essential element of a cost-effective climate change programme and will help the Government meet their environmental objectives at the least cost to the customer. Renewables play a vital role in enabling the UK to meet its environmental targets of reducing greenhouse gases by 12.5% by 2012, and the goal of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 20% by 2010.
The document shows that producing 10% of UK electricity from renewables appears to be feasible. The Government intend working towards a target of renewable energy providing 10% of UK electricity supplies, cost effectively, as soon as possible. I want to achieve this by 2010. However, this should not be seen as an end in itself, but a step forward on the road to making renewables a strong, world-beating industry.
There are already considerable benefits of the renewables industry. The UK industry employs 3,500 people. Through creating an export drive, and by further developing the industry and the UK market, up to 45,000 jobs could be created.
The Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation (NFFO) has already provided over £600 million of support for renewables. Support for renewables under NFFO will accelerate in the first decade of the next century and could rise to around £150 million a year. NFFO has played a major part in stimulating the industry and bringing down the costs of renewables. As a result of NFFO, an industry of some 700 organisations has been developed. This is why the Government want to see how NFFO can evolve, and to see how it can help the industry to thrive even more.
The review document therefore presents options for possible ways to support renewables while they are reaching market prices. It looks at both the costs and benefits of moving towards a greater use of renewables. In particular, it looks at options for a revised NFFO in the competitive energy markets of the future.
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In addition, the Government have provided an increased budget for DTI's New and Renewable Energy Support Programme. They have allocated £43.5 million over the next three years for R&D to help achieve its aim.
The Government are pressing ahead with reform--electricity liberalisation, for instance, is giving consumers the ability to choose their electricity supplier--including green electricity. Suppliers are now offering green tariffs and the Government hope consumers will take up this opportunity to stimulate growth in renewables.
Solar energy also has real potential in the longer term. This is why the Government have recently asked for industry's involvement in taking forward three major new photovoltaic initiatives. In addition, last year I switched on the first solar panel system for a British school, as part of the Government's Foresight Scolar programme. I believe that such schemes can play a valuable part in the development of the UK renewables industry.
Direct mail to eligible companies of more than 20 employees
8,000 letters sent out; 400 have contacted BCC asking for additional information and 18 applications have been received to date
The placing of editorial material in relevant publications
Ensuring presence at organised events and speaking at export clubs
EMRS was represented at 28 events (exhibitions, seminars etc) in 1998
An Internet presence:
www.britishchambers.org.uk
Staging regional "Showcase" events for companies
10 showcases presented to 285 companies; 19 applications have arisen
The publication of a regular EMRS Newsletter which is distributed to over 3000 past and prospective customers as well as intermediaries.
3 half day showcases held in 1998 completing national coverage for intermediaries and export advisers (52 attended)
4 two-day training courses in export marketing research specifically tailored to the business advisers (50 attended)
Direct mail to 300 trade associations. BCC are currently discussing projects with 20 different trade associations.
(2) what targets he has established for the generation of electricity from renewable sources. [79086]
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