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Written Answers to Questions
Wednesday 16 June 1999
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS
Macedonia
Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he initiated steps to remove controls on the export to Macedonia of all-wheel drive utility vehicles, heavy duty recovery vehicles and drop-sided trucks; and what assessment he has made of the effect this ban has had on relief efforts. [86734]
Mr. Tony Lloyd: The controls set out in Group 3, Part 1, Schedule 1 of the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994 prohibit the export of certain vehicles to the Republic of Macedonia without an export licence. These controls do not constitute a ban. We do not believe that they have had a significant effect on the current relief effort in Macedonia.
We began the process of lifting these controls in April 1999 in order to assist relief organisations working in Macedonia. Since then we have fast tracked relevant licence applications to allow the speedy export of vehicles for relief work in Macedonia.
Register of European Commissioners' Interests
Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects the Register of European Commissioners' Interests to be deposited in the Library. [86736]
Ms Quin: The register of European Commissioners' Interests is a public document which is regularly updated. It can be found on the Internet at the following address: http://europa.eu.int/comm/commissioners/interests-en.htm.
Nuclear Plant (Turkey)
Mr. Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received concerning Turkey's plan to build a nuclear plant at Akkuyu Bay; what assessment his Department has made of the potential risks of this project; and if he will make a statement. [86849]
Ms Quin: We have received representations from the Greek Government on the matter of the proposed nuclear power plant in Akkuyu. They have drawn attention to their publication, "Risks Associated with the Construction of a Nuclear Power Plant in Akkuyu, Turkey".
We are aware that Turkey has been considering this project for some time as part of a wider strategy to increase energy production. Turkey is a member of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and has a full scope safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Association (IAEA). Any nuclear power plant in Turkey would be subject to full scope safeguards by the IAEA. Turkey has also recently applied to join the
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Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and the Zangger Committee, the international nuclear export control regimes.
We understand that the Turkish authorities are still evaluating bids for this project. We will continue to monitor its development.
Mr. Maclean:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish the latest agenda for the EU-Japan summit of 17 June, prior to the meeting. [86830]
Ms Quin:
The provisional agenda for the EU-Japan Summit on 20 June 1999 is:
1. Opening remarks (including new developments in EU-Japan relations)
2. International situation
Kosovo
Russia
Korean Peninsula
Indonesia
East Timor
Macau
3. Economic, trade and co-operation issues
Macro-economic development in Japan, Asia and Europe
Bilateral economic co-operation
business dialogue
deregulation
Mutual Recognition Agreement
WTO related issues (new round, accession)
Peaceful use of nuclear energy
Antarctic Environmental Treaty Secretariat
Mr. Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects the Antarctic Environmental Treaty Secretariat to be established; how many signatory states have ratified the Treaty; and if he will make a statement. [86893]
Mr. Tony Lloyd: Issues relating to a possible Antarctic Treaty Secretariat were discussed at the recent Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting, held in Peru in May. Both Argentina and Australia reiterated their offer to host the Secretariat, but no consensus was reached on either bid. The UK looks forward to a resolution of the matter and will continue constructive dialogue on it with other Treaty Parties.
Forty-four countries have now ratified or acceded to the Antarctic Treaty, 27 of which have Consultative (voting) status; 37 countries have signed the Environmental Protocol to the Treaty; and 28 countries have either ratified or acceded to the Protocol.
WALES
Food Standards Agency
Mr. Barry Jones:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the impact upon small businesses of the flat rate levy to fund the new Food Standards Agency; and if he will make a statement. [86345]
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Mr. Hain:
The Government have responded to the views put forward in the public consultation and have decided not to place a levy on retailers and caterers.
Mr. Barry Jones:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the role of the voluntary services in tackling social exclusion; and if he will make a statement. [86347]
Mr. Hain:
The voluntary sector has a key role to play in helping to tackle social exclusion and will be a key partner of the Assembly in taking forward its social inclusion work. The voluntary sector successfully leads numerous initiatives and projects to counter social exclusion at local level and across Wales. The Wales Council for Voluntary action makes an important contribution to policy making through its membership of our Advisory Panel on social exclusion.
In March, my right hon. Friend announced additional funding of £1.5 million from the Social Inclusion Fund to support volunteering initiatives to encourage people to participate in their communities through joining in the work of local voluntary sector initiatives.
Following the transfer of functions this will be a matter for the National Assembly for Wales.
Mr. Barry Jones:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the impact of the world climate levy upon industry; and if he will make a statement. [86344]
Ms Hewitt:
I have been asked to reply.
The climate change levy will make a significant contribution to meeting the UK's legally-binding target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions set under the Kyoto Protocol and our domestic commitments to further reductions. It will entail no increase in the overall burden of tax on business, since it will be accompanied by a 0.5 percentage point cut in the main rate of employers' National Insurance Contributions. This will reduce the cost of hiring workers and encourage employment opportunities. Business will also benefit from an additional £50 million a year for schemes aimed at promoting energy efficiency and additional support for renewable sources of energy, like solar and wind power.
The impact of the climate change levy on any one industry, firm or plant will depend on the tax rates set for different sectors. The Government are well aware of the need to protect the competitiveness of British industry and intend to set significantly lower rates of tax for those energy intensive sectors that agree targets for improving their energy efficiency. A number of energy intensive sectors are involved in these negotiations.
Mr. Mitchell:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions under what
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Article of the Treaty consents for growing genetically modified crops are issued; when the relevant substantive resolution was agreed in each House of Parliament relating thereto; and what amendments have subsequently been made. [86236]
Mr. Meacher:
All consents for the deliberate release into the environment of Genetically Modified Organisms are issued on the basis of the procedures laid down in Council Directive 90/220/EEC of 23 April 1990. The legal basis of the Directive is Article 95 (ex Article 100a) of the Treaty establishing the European Community. The Regulations implementing the Directive, detailed in the answer of 22 March 1999, Official Report, column 41, were adopted by negative resolution. The Directive was adapted to take account of technical progress by Commission Directive 94/15/EC of 15 April 1994.
Joan Ruddock:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the antibiotic marker genes, and the antibiotics to which they convey resistance, that have been used in the genetic modification of plant crops. [86321]
Mr. Meacher:
The antibiotic marker genes and the antibiotics to which they convey resistance, that have been used in the genetic modification of plant crops released for research purposes in the European Community are listed in the table:
| Gene | Antibiotic |
|---|---|
| nptII | Kanamycin |
| bla | Ampicillin |
| hpt | Hygromycin |
| aad | Streptomycin |
| tet | Tetracycline |
| aad | Spectinomycin |
| nptIII | Amikacin |
| gen | Gentamycin |
Mr. Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what baseline studies of biodiversity in genetically modified crop test site areas are required to be carried out prior to genetically modified crops being planted. [86886]
Mr. Meacher [holding answer 15 June 1999]: All applications for consent to release a genetically modified plant must include a pre-planting environmental audit including details of the release site ecosystem including climate and fauna, details of any sexually compatible wild relatives or cultivated plant species present and the proximity of officially recognised biotopes or protected areas. Specific baseline studies of biodiversity at test sites are not required.
Mr. Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what permissions have been granted to grow genetically modified food at Blunsdon, near Swindon; and if he will make a statement. [86413]
Mr. Meacher
[holding answer 11 June 1999]: No consent to release a genetically modified crop has been issued in respect of Blunsdon, Wiltshire. The only such consent in Wiltshire relates to the release of GM spring oilseed rape at Lushill Farm, Hannington, Wiltshire, consent number 98/R19/18.
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