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Energy Council
Mr. Jim Marshall: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the outcome of the Energy Council held in Brussels on 11 May; and if he will make a statement. [84067]
Mr. Battle: The Council considered several matters of interest to the United Kingdom.
On renewables, our strategy was singled out for praise. I called on the Commission to maintain momentum in the promotion of renewable energy by coming forward with a directive giving a framework for fair access of renewables to the internal electricity market. It should minimise distortions, ensure transparency, provide flexibility to distinguish between different kinds of renewables and promote cost-effectiveness and price competitiveness.
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The Commission made two presentations on the internal energy market. The first concerned progress on implementation of the gas and electricity directives and the second harmonisation measures in electricity. I welcomed the implementation report stressing the importance of developing a real single market in energy (rather than 15 national markets) to enable consumers to reap the benefits that competition can bring in terms of lower prices and better service. I pointed out that agreement on the electricity and gas directives was only the first step. This must be followed by effective and timely implementation in all member states. I expressed disappointment that implementation had been delayed in some cases, urging those member states to put the necessary legal frameworks in place as a matter of urgency, emphasising the potential benefits to consumers. I also pointed out the importance of a level playing field where everyone plays by the rules; it was not acceptable for companies to compete in the markets of others member states while being protected from competition in their own.
I also welcomed the Commission's harmonisation report which highlighted the main areas where obstacles to the single market persist, such as arrangements for cross-border trading. I emphasised the need to get on with this work urgently so that we can have workable and effective arrangements by the time of the next Council.
I suggested the Council should regularly review progress towards achieving a single market against specific indicators, such as the number of new market entrants or prices. This will provide a measure of how far consumers are really being offered a competitive supply and benefiting from lower prices. The Presidency's summary supported this approach including the need to take the social dimension into account in liberalising the internal market in electricity. The Commission accordingly undertook to provide regular progress reports to Council.
The Energy Council held an orientation debate concerning possible elements for inclusion in a strategy on the integration of environmental aspects and sustainable development into energy policy. Ministers had a useful exchange of views which the Presidency summarised.
The Council also adopted conclusions aimed at reducing standby losses from electrical appliances which encourages an integrated approach--building a consensus and partnership with business on priorities and targets--developing a combination of voluntary and regulatory measures at Community level.
The Council received information from the Commission on the Energy Charter Treaty, the campaign for take-off on renewables and on progress towards minimising the impact of the millennium bug.
A full press release on the outcome of the Council can be found on the Council Secretariat web site at http://ue.eu.int/newsroom.
Mr. Boswell:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the current number of (a) Crown post offices and (b) sub-post offices; and what these numbers were one year and five years previously. [84056]
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Mr. Ian McCartney
[holding answer 13 May 1999]: I understand from the Post Office that the numbers of Crown offices and sub-post offices are as follows:
| Crown offices | Sub-post offices | |
|---|---|---|
| End March 1994 | 800 | 18,982 |
| End March 1995 | 699 | 18,908 |
| End March 1996 | 653 | 18,761 |
| End March 1997 | 606 | 18,645 |
| End March 1998 | 601 | 18,407 |
| End March 1999 | 600 | 18,175 |
DEFENCE
Brunei (Jungle Training)
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost of the jungle training exercise in Brunei carried out between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 1998. [72791]
Mr. Doug Henderson: This exercise was a sub- element of exercise Ocean Wave, which took place in the Gulf, Far East and Asian Pacific regions between 13 January and 28 August 1997 as stated on 26 February 1999, Official Report, column 471. The cost of the jungle training exercise was £572,000, excluding the cost of spares and ammunition consumed during the exercise, and also excluding transport costs, as the unit were already deployed in the area as part of exercise Ocean Wave.
Ministry of Defence Police
Mr. Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who is responsible for reviewing the legality of the actions of the Ministry of Defence Police. [83249]
Mr. Doug Henderson: The Ministry of Defence Police derive their constabulary powers from the Ministry of Defence Police Act 1987. The MOD Police are therefore answerable to the law through the courts. In common with other UK police forces, MOD Police are subject to comprehensive disciplinary procedures; these are overseen by the independent Police Complaints Authority where complaints by members of the public are involved.
WEU Council
Mr. Maclean: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the agenda for the WEU Council of 10 May. [83815]
Mr. George Robertson: The Agenda for the WEU Council of the 10 May was as follows:
Adoption of Agenda
Europe's security and defence in the light of the entry into force of the Amsterdam treaty and of the Washington summit.
Approval of the draft decision sheet.
Kosovo
Mr. Bercow:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the (a) nature and (b) number of sorties undertaken to date by the Yugoslav Air Force over Kosovo. [83964]
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Mr. George Robertson:
Figures are not readily available for sorties by the Yugoslav Air Force over Kosovo. However, it is assessed that approximately 180 sorties have been flown in Serbia and Montenegro during the first 49 days of the NATO bombing campaign, an average of four per day. The majority of these flights are believed to be communications and logistic support helicopter flights, whilst just under half comprise fighter and fighter bomber sorties.
Joan Ruddock:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the findings of research commissioned by his Department from universities and research institutes are required to be reviewed by his Department before publication is allowed. [84209]
Mr. Spellar:
MOD's prior consent to publish the findings of research commissioned directly from universities and research institutes is needed only when, exceptionally, MOD notifies the research author that national security interests may be involved.
Where research is carried out by the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency, DERA, the Agency would seek the agreement of the customer, MOD or other party, before any publication.
Mr. Shaw:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many former (a) Chatham and (b) other dockyard workers have received compensation due to possible radiation exposure through the no fault scheme. [84072]
Mr. Spellar:
No former Chatham or other dockyard workers have so far been awarded compensation for alleged exposure to radiation through the Compensation Scheme for Radiation Linked Diseases. Sixty cases (of which forty-two relate to former dockyard workers) are at various stages of investigation.
Mr. Shaw:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in what month of what year HMS Dreadnought was last in commission and at sea. [84301]
Mr. Spellar:
Our records indicate that HMS Dreadnought was last in commission and at sea in September 1981.
Mr. Matthew Taylor:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what changes have been made to the (a) course and (b) location of Skynet satellites since 1 December; and if he will make a statement. [84312]
Mr. Spellar:
None.
17 May 1999 : Column: 257
Mr. Blunt:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when his Department expects to be able to make available to the House of Commons Defence Committee the list of measures scored as efficiency savings under the efficiency programmes of (a) 1998-99, (b) 1999-2000, (c) 2000-01 and (d) 2001-02. [83583]
Mr. George Robertson:
My Department is replying shortly to the request of the House of Commons Defence Committee for further information on efficiency.
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