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Intelligence and Security Committee
Kali Mountford: To ask the Prime Minister when he will respond to the Intelligence and Security Committee's Annual report for 1998-99. [107650]
The Prime Minister: I intend to present the Government response to the Intelligence and Security Committee's Report before Parliament tomorrow.
TRADE AND INDUSTRY
Inward Investment
19. Charlotte Atkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on inward investment in the UK. [105768]
Mr. Caborn: The UK had another record year for attracting inward investment projects in 1998-99. The Invest in Britain Bureau recorded 652 decision to invest in the UK with almost 119,000 associated jobs. These figures are underscored by latest Office for National Statistics data which show that at the end of the third quarter 1999, the total stock of inward investment in the UK amounted to £222 billion, an increase of 21 per cent. over the previous year.
The UK remains the number 1 location in Europe for inward investment and this Government are committed to providing a stable economic framework to ensure that the UK stays ahead of its competitors.
Metrication
20. Mr. Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on his policy on metrication. [105769]
Dr. Howells: The Government are taking forward the policy adopted by successive Governments since 1965 of overseeing the change to metric units as the primary system of measurement in the United Kingdom. A report by my Department on the progress since 1965, particularly for goods sold by weight or measure, was placed in the Library of the House on 23 July last year.
E-Commerce
21. Dr. Kumar:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he is taking to provide a network of support for those businesses which trade on the internet. [105770]
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Ms Hewitt:
We have established a network of 100 Support centres throughout the UK under the Information Society Initiative (ISI) at which businesses can get impartial, jargon-free advice and support. In England, these Centres will be fully integrated into the new Small Business Service.
We are also working with a newly formed Digital Content Forum on an action plan for growth in this rapidly developing sector which includes many of the key content and service providers for e-commerce based businesses.
Beyond this, work is under way to develop a new, industry led mentoring scheme for internet based start ups, building on recommendations in the Performance and Innovation Unit's report "e-commerce@its.best.uk".
22. Mr. Russell Brown:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what account he has taken in framing his policy on e-commerce, of representations received from the IT industry. [105771]
Ms Hewitt:
The report "e-commerce@its.best.uk", launched by the Prime Minister in September 1999, sets out the Government's e-commerce strategy. In preparing this report, extensive consultation took place with representatives from the IT industry among others.
In general terms, the Government meet regularly to discuss e-commerce policy with the Information Age Partnership, in which business leaders from the IT industry participate.
23. Dr. George Turner:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to ensure that the UK is among the world leaders in the exploitation of IT. [105772]
Ms Hewitt:
We are determined to make the UK the best place in the world for Information Technology and e-commerce. The Government's vision and strategy for e-commerce is set out in the report "e-commerce@its.best.uk", which was launched by the Prime Minister in September.
The Electronic Communications Bill, currently in committee stage, will give digital signatures legal parity with their written equivalents and will put wholly electronic contracts on a sound legal footing.
30. Mr. Savidge:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to ensure the security and privacy of internet transactions. [105780]
Ms Hewitt:
Government alone cannot ensure the privacy and the security of the internet. We are, however, taking steps to ensure that both business and the public have the tools at their disposal to address their own needs. In particular we have introduced the Electronic Communications Bill, which will both promote the use of electronic signatures and encryption, and enhance the availability of cryptographic support services, such as the issue of authentication certificates. The Department has also been involved in the creation and promulgation of BS7799, the standard for Information Security Management, which is now recognised internationally as an important tool for business in securing their internet transactions. Finally the 1998 Data Protection Act, which will be implemented later this year, ensures that all those who process customer data have to adopt mechanisms to safeguard its privacy.
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24. Mr. Stephen O'Brien:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to assist rural sub-post offices. [105773]
Mr. Alan Johnson:
The Government are making a substantial contribution to the costs of automating the entire post office counters network to strengthen the viability of the network as a whole. Automation will enable Post Office Counters Ltd. to offer substantial enhancements to the services it is able to offer to clients and customers which in turn will increase the attractiveness of post offices compared with other service delivery channels. In addition, the Performance and Innovation in the Cabinet Office is carrying out an urgent study on the post office network. Various rate relief schemes already apply to many rural post offices.
25. Mr. Edwards:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to review the level of the national minimum wage. [105774]
Mr. Alan Johnson:
Any future changes to the national minimum wage will be made sensibly and taking account of the economic conditions prevailing at the time.
28. Mr. Tony Lloyd:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations he has received concerning the level of the minimum wage. [105778]
Mr. Alan Johnson:
My Department has received a small number of representations on this issue in the past few weeks. Any future changes to the national minimum wage will be made sensibly and taking account of the economic conditions prevailing at the time.
26. Mr. Dismore:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consultations were held with (a) local authorities and (b) the cable telecommunications industry prior to the laying before Parliament of the Telecommunications (Licence Modifications) (Cable- Local Delivery Operators Licences) Regulations 1999 in relation to the effects of the regulations on local authorities plans to control the height and width of roadside cable telecommunications cabinets; and if he will make a statement. [105775]
Ms Hewitt:
Telecommunication operators, the Local Government Association and other interested bodies were first consulted on the changes planned to telecommunication licences in November 1997. These changes came into force on 27 September 1999. There were no specific consultations on the maximum size of street cabinets as the proposed measurements had at the date of consultation already become the standard for new licences.
Furthermore, the licences do not alter the limitations of what operators may do within the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995. Cabinets which are larger than that permitted under that Order require planning permission.
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27. Mr. Gill:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received about integrated pollution prevention and control changes; and if he will make a statement. [105776]
Mr. Alan Johnson:
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has received a small number of representations concerning integrated pollution prevention and control changes.
Representations on issues including scope, timing and charges have also been made to officials in the Department of Trade and Industry.
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