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US Trade Sanctions
Mr. Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what (i) representations he has received from and (ii) steps he is taking to support (a) the Scottish cashmere wool industry, (b) the United Kingdom pork industry and (c) United Kingdom candle manufacturing following the imposition of trade sanctions on such products by the Government of the United States of America. [79158]
Mr. Wilson:
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I received a number of letters and other representations on behalf of many of the sectors on the provisional US retaliation list, including cashmere knitwear, pork products and candles. We and the European Commission urged the US not to retaliate against industries that are completely unrelated to the issue under dispute. The Government also brought forward a scheme to guarantee the bonds requested
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by US Customs in respect of cashmere knitwear, produced both in Scotland and elsewhere in the UK, in view of the highly seasonal nature of that industry.
These three sectors were all removed from the US retaliation list on 9 April. Whilst the removal of these and other sectors is very welcome, other industries remain targeted. The US is well aware of the harm which has already been caused to sectors on the list. There is now a fresh opportunity for the EU to work with the US and the other interested parties to avoid unnecessary damage to our industries and to our trade relations more generally. The UK Government will urge a swift resolution to this dispute in line with the EU's World Trade Organisation obligations and its responsibilities to African, Caribbean and Pacific suppliers.
Mr. Michael J. Foster:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on current ECGD liabilities in respect of exports to Angola. [79502]
Mr. Wilson:
ECGD's exposure to Angola amounts to £53.5 million. This is entirely in the form of claims paid outstanding for recovery.
Mr. Truswell:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he will take to ensure employees remain aware of the minimum wage after his Department's initial advertising campaign. [79382]
Mr. Ian McCartney:
We are monitoring the effect of our advertising campaign and are confident that this will show that it has achieved high levels of awareness among employees. We are ensuring that copies of the detailed guidance and explanatory leaflets are widely available and the telephone helplines will continue to operate. Any future changes to the minimum wage will also be publicised.
Mr. Swayne:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received on the future of producer co-operatives in the dairy industry; and if he will make a statement. [79827]
Dr. Howells:
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received a number of representations on the MMC's report into the supply of raw milk in Great Britain from hon. Members individually and on behalf of constituents. He has also received representations from interested parties and from members of the public.
My right hon. Friend will announce what action, if any, he intends to take when he publishes the report.
Mrs. Brinton:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) when the Government review of renewable energy will be published; [80267]
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Mr. Battle:
I refer my hon. Friend to my written answer of 30 March 1999, Official Report, columns 577-78, to my hon. Friend the Member for Bury, North (Mr. Chaytor) in which I announced the publication paper "New and Renewable Energy--Prospects for the 21 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 considerable potential for renewables to become a fully competitive part of UK energy supply, and to make an important contribution to secure, diverse and sustainable 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 us to meet our environmental targets of reducing greenhouse gases by 12.5 per cent. by 2012, and our goal of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 20 per cent. by 2010.
The document shows that producing 10 per cent. of UK electricity from renewables appears to be feasible. The Government intend working towards a target of renewable energy providing 10 per cent. 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.
This report identifies key issues and challenges which the Government and industry would need to pursue. Issues examined in the paper include: planning arrangements; opportunities for developing energy crops; and arrangements to ensure that embedded generators (those directly connected to local distribution systems, often the case with renewables producers) receive a fair price for their electricity. It seeks views on the issues raised to enable the Government to frame its future policy.
I look forward to receiving those views and plan to make a further announcement about our way forward in due course. The Government are committed to encouraging sustainable development, to ensure a better quality of life for us and our children.
Mr. Luff:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to publish his decision on the MMC report on the market for milk. [80582]
Dr. Howells:
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry will publish the MMC's report as soon as is practicable.
Mr. Hayes:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment his Department has made of the proposals in Consultation Document MLX249 published by the Medicines Control Agency; if the proposals represent Government policy; and if he will make a statement. [80633]
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Dr. Howells:
My officials have assessed these proposals, taken on board industry's views and made representations, both orally and in writing, to the Medicines Control Agency.
We also understand that the Medicines Control Agency have consulted widely.
Mr. Fallon:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when Royal Mail sought his approval to increase the mailing price of the Presstream service; and what account he took in giving his approval of earlier guarantees from Royal Mail about stability of prices. [80030]
Mr. Ian McCartney:
Changes to postal tariffs are primarily a matter for the Post Office in consultation with the Post Office Users' National Council (POUNC), to whom the Post Office is statutorily required to refer major proposals for comment. The proposals are formally notified to my Department at the same time as they are referred to POUNC. The most recent tariff proposals, including those for the Presstream service, were referred to POUNC on 14 January. In indicating that he was content for the proposed tariff changes to be implemented, my right hon. Friend took account of the representations received about the proposed Presstream tariff increases and the arrangements made by Royal Mail, in response to representations, to mitigate their impact. He also took into account that the increases for this service were the first since September 1993.
Mr. Cox:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the tonnage of chrysotile asbestos imported into the United Kingdom in 1998; and if he will list the countries and the quantity involved. [80004]
Mr. Wilson:
Chrysotile asbestos is not separately identified in the system under which United Kingdom trade is recorded. However, since 1986, trade in all other forms of asbestos has been prohibited. The figures in the following table, therefore, relate to chrysotile asbestos.
(2) if he will make a statement on the minimum targets for the Government's renewable energy policy. [80268]
| Tonnes | |
|---|---|
| Canada | 1,361 |
| South Africa | 268 |
| Zimbabwe | 193 |
| Chile | 18 |
| USA | 1 |
| World total | 1,841 |
(12) Asbestos is defined as code 278.4 of the Standard International Trade Classification, Revision 3, (SITC Rev 3). This does not include asbestos cement and manufactures containing asbestos.
Source:
HM Customs and Excise
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