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Science Investment
Mr. Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much the Government are investing in science; and if the information is publicly available. [89293]
Mr. Battle: My noble Friend Lord Sainsbury is today publishing the Forward Look of Government-funded Science, Engineering and Technology which sets out the Government's spending plans. We see science as a major priority and a key driver for wealth creation, employment and an improved quality of life both in this country and overseas. We will be investing over £20 billion in this area over the next three years--a real terms increase of £1.8 billion--representing a level of investment higher in real terms than at any time over this decade. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of the House.
City Flyer Express BA Merger
Mr. Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will set out the reasons for the time taken to reach his decision on the merger of City Flyer Express and British Airways; and when that decision is scheduled. [88887]
Dr. Howells:
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry will publish the Competition Commission's report on British Airways' proposed acquisition of City Flyer Express as soon as is practicable. It is not the practice of my right hon. Friend to comment publicly on the timing or substance of competition cases in advance of publication of the Competition Commission's report.
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European Communities Working Groups
Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the European Communities working groups which met over the last 12 months with a representative from his Department in attendance; if he will list the number of times each met; if he will indicate the nature of the Government's representation; and if he will make a statement. [88481]
Angela Eagle: The Social Questions Working Group of the Council met on nine occasions in the last 12 months when officials from this Department were present.
Jobseeker's Allowance
Mr. Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he is able to announce changes to the regulations in respect of the payment of Jobseeker's Allowance to employees made redundant when their employer goes into receivership. [89031]
Angela Eagle: We are aware of the effect of the Jobseeker's Allowance rules in this area and are considering the matter in conjunction with the Department of Trade and Industry to see whether any changes can be made. There are, however, complex issues to be resolved. Meanwhile, there are existing safeguards to protect those most in need as payments can be made if hardship would otherwise result.
Stakeholder Pensions
Mr. Levitt: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what progress has been made on the consultation on the stakeholder pensions proposals. [89295]
Mr. Timms: The consultation paper "Stakeholder Pensions: Employer Access--the Government's Proposals" is published today. This is the second in a series of consultation papers on stakeholder pensions; further consultation papers will be issued in the coming weeks.
This paper demonstrates our commitment to move ahead with pensions reform. Stakeholder pensions will plug a gap in pension provision by providing low-cost, dependable and flexible pensions for up to five million people who currently do not have the right options available to save for their retirement.
This consultation paper sets out how employers will play a part in this process, by providing employees with access to a stakeholder pension scheme if they do not offer an occupational pension scheme. Copies of the consultation paper are available in the Library and the Vote Office.
Transport and Works Act 1992
Mr. Snape:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many applications for orders under the Transport and Works Act
29 Jun 1999 : Column: 92
1992 will be affected by the transfer of powers to the National Assembly for Wales on 1 July. [87582]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
No outstanding Transport and Works Act applications will transfer to the National Assembly for Wales on 1 July.
Shona McIsaac:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the locations in the Cleethorpes parliamentary constituency where GM crops are being grown. [87991]
Mr. Meacher:
Within the parliamentary constituency of Cleethorpes, six consents have been issued in respect of small research trials of genetically modified crops to permit growing in 1999. These trials are all located at Dalby Farms Limited, Brigsley. Further details of these trials are available on the DETR public register and on the DETR website.
Mr. Alan Simpson:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the distance of the pollen barrier at the genetically modified farm-scale trial in Wiltshire; what is the distance which SCIMAC recommend for an isolation distance in their code of practice; and if he will make a statement. [88158]
Mr. Meacher:
The consent for the farm scale evaluation of spring oil seed rape at Lushill Farm, Hannington, Wiltshire does not specify a pollen barrier. Under the conditions of the release, a 50m isolation distance must be maintained between the genetically modified (GM) oil seed rape and any non-GM oilseed rape to be used for food or animal feed. Any oil seed rape growing within 50m of the GM oil seed rape will in this instance be destroyed after harvest. The 50m separation distance between GM and non-GM oil seed rape is specified in the SCIMAC (Supply Chain Initiative for Modified Agricultural Crops) Guidelines.
Mr. Bennett:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment the Environment Agency has made of the damage caused by cormorants to inland fishing. [88194]
Mr. Meale:
In 1995 my Department, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Environment Agency commissioned a three year programme of research on the problem of fish-eating birds, including cormorants, at inland fisheries. The research was aimed at identifying the populations, distributions and movements of these birds, their feeding ecology, the extent of the problems they can cause and assessing different management techniques to reduce those problems. The final results will be disseminated to the fishing and bird conservation interests at a seminar to be held on 30 September.
Mrs. Anne Campbell:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will
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name those authorities in receipt of the area cost adjustment and the additional SSA which they received for 1999-2000. [88188]
Mr. Meale:
The information requested has been placed in the Library.
Lorna Fitzsimons:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the number of planning applications for wind farms which have been refused; how many appeals against such refusals have been made and in each case on what grounds. [88394]
Mr. Raynsford:
Information on planning applications made to local planning authorities for wind farm proposals is not held centrally; there have been 27 planning appeals in England since 1990. In most of those appeals weighing visual impact against the benefits of renewable energy is likely to have been an important consideration. Appeal decision letters are available from the Planning Inspectorate.
Mr. Lepper:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his oral answer of 13 April 1999, Official Report, column 11, on sites of special scientific interest, when he expects to announce how the Government intend to proceed. [88336]
Mr. Meale:
We have recognised the need to give thorough consideration to the most effective measures we can introduce, and will be announcing our conclusions shortly.
Mr. Truswell:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the (a) level of pollution and (b) threat of pollution arising from spillages from oil storage tanks with insecure stop-cocks; and if he will make a statement. [88195]
Mr. Meale:
In 1998 the Environment Agency recorded 5,308 water pollution incidents in England and Wales related to oil spillages. In a sample study six per cent. of incidents were identified by the Agency as due to faulty oil tank valves.
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