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Electronic Commerce
25. Mr. Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to bring forward his legislative proposals for electronic commerce. [90033]
Mr. Wills: The Government is ready to introduce the Electronic Communications Bill into Parliament. However, the Government is currently seeking agreement to the use of the carryover procedure for this Bill.
Small Business Service
26. Mr. Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in what ways the proposed Small Business Service will help to reduce compliance costs for small businesses. [90034]
Mr. Wills:
The Small Business Service will have a clear task to help reduce the burden of regulation on small firms wherever possible. It will work closely with the Regulatory Impact Unit to ensure that the impact of proposed regulations on small business is properly understood and considered at all levels of Government. It will work to ensure that small businesses have access to clear and straightforward information and guidance on
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regulatory requirements. It will also aim to identify practical ways in which it can help smaller business to cope with regulation.
The Government's proposals are set out in detail in the consultation document on the Small Business Service published on 30 June, copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House.
27. Mr. Syms:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about the cost to business of the proposals for new energy taxes. [90036]
28. Mr. Gray:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about the impact of the climate change levy on business. [90037]
Mr. Battle:
I welcome the representations from so many quarters of industry and business that something must be done to tackle climate change and to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.
The new climate change levy is intended to encourage energy efficiency in business and to contribute towards our commitments to reduce greenhouse emissions.
Any assessment of the impact of the levy will depend on the final rates of tax which are set by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer. HM Customs and Excise has previously published a consultation document on the design of the levy, which included some rates, but for illustrative purposes only.
The Government has promised that there will be significantly lower rates of levy for those energy intensive sectors, covered by the EU Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Directive, which are prepared to enter negotiated agreements with the Government to deliver energy efficiency improvements and/or emissions reduction targets. Discussions with a number of energy intensive sectors are under way to develop outline negotiated agreements for their sectors.
The Government is determined to work closely with business on the detailed design and implementation of the climate change levy, and will take final decisions in the light of the responses to the Customs and Excise consultation as well as representations received from business and others.
29. Dr. Cable:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to review the responsibilities of Oftel. [90038]
Mr. Wills:
The Government's review of utility regulation has examined telecoms regulation and the responsibilities of Oftel. The proposals for new legislation on utility regulation, which will be introduced at the earliest possible opportunity, include giving Oftel a new primary duty to protect the interests of consumers and extending Oftel's duties to address the interests of low income users and the chronically sick. In addition, the
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Government is committed to a wider ranging reform of telecoms regulation and we expect to publish initial proposals later in the year. We are also working closely with Oftel on the 1999 Review of EC telecoms legislation, which will lead to a new telecoms regulatory framework in the EC early in the next century.
31. Mr. Forth:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is his Department's estimate of the cost of the (a) social chapter's parental leave directive, (b) works councils directive and (c) part-time workers directive to British business. [90040]
Mr. Ian McCartney:
On the question of the estimated costs of the Directives on Parental Leave and Part Time Workers, I refer the right hon. Gentleman to the answer given to the hon. Member for Altrincham and Sale, West (Mr. Brady) on 17 June 1999, Official Report, column 204.
The Regulatory Impact Assessment for the European Works Councils Directive was published as part of the consultation exercise on the implementation on 1 July. It estimated the recurring compliance costs to business to be £14.5 million.
33. Ms Stuart:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on his Department's work on consumer protection. [90042]
Dr. Howells:
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry will be making a statement shortly on the Government's consumer White Paper.
34. Mr. Gill:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on metrication in the United Kingdom retail food industry. [90043]
Dr. Howells:
The sale of retail food in metric units of measurement began in 1973. About 90 per cent. of retail food is now sold in metric weights or measures.
Under legislation made in 1994, foods sold loose by weight must be priced and weighed in grams and kilograms after 31 December 1999. Retailers will be able to display the weight and price in imperial units alongside their metric equivalents. Consumers will be able to describe in imperial weights the quantity they wish to buy. The retailer will simply provide the equivalent metric quantity.
I intend soon to report more fully to Parliament on metrication in the UK, including the Government's plans to provide small retailers and their customers with information and advice about the changeover for loose goods.
35. Ms Jenny Jones:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received on licensing agreements in the petrol service station industry. [90044]
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Dr. Howells:
My Department has received a number of representations about licensing agreements in the petrol service station industry.
Mr. Opik:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will provide grants to support the generation of electricity from renewable energy sources by households without mains electricity; and if he will make a statement. [89852]
Mr. Battle:
The Government's consultation paper "New and Renewable Energy--Prospects for the 21st Century" invited views on the balance of measures and precise form of support for renewables in their next stage of development. I am currently considering responses to the consultation exercise and I will publish a summary of these shortly. I will take these responses into account in drawing up policy proposals for further support measures.
Mr. Llew Smith:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what quantities of irradiated spent research reactor fuel from the Spanish reactors (a) Jen-I, (b) Argos and (c) Arbi, have been imported for reprocessing at Dounreay since 1992; what safeguards agreements cover this spent fuel; what quantities have been reprocessed to date; what contractual commitments exist to return the (i) radioactive wastes, (ii) uranium and (iii) plutonium arising to Spain; and what quantities of reprocessing arisings have been returned to Spain to date. [91169]
Mr. Battle:
This is an operational matter for the UKAEA. I have asked the Chairman of the UKAEA for this information and his reply will be placed in the Library of the House.
Mr. Gareth R. Thomas:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry who has responsibility within the Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils for environmental performance; and if they are subject to performance-related pay. [91009]
Mr. Battle:
Overall responsibility is held by the Deputy Chief Executive, Dr. Gordon Walker. A senior member of staff, Dr. Richard Wade, has been appointed to carry forward and implement environment policy. The particular issue of radioactive emissions is dealt with by another senior officer, Dr. Tim Broome.
All CCLRC staff are subject to performance related pay.
Barbara Follett:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how the Government will implement the proposal in the Competitiveness White Paper to support the growth of smaller businesses in areas with particular needs. [91662]
Mr. Byers:
I am today announcing the introduction of Enterprise Grant Areas in England.
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Details of these areas are set out in the document explaining our proposals for Assisted Areas under Article 87(3)a and Article 87(3)c of the EC Treaty.
A copy of this document will be placed in the Library of the House.
(Environmental Performance)
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