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Pirate Radio Stations
25. Mr. Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to curb the activities of pirate radio stations. [115685]
Ms Hewitt: My Department's Radiocommunications Agency is constantly active against pirates. Last year it conducted a record 1,414 operations against pirates across the UK and successfully prosecuted 47 people.
Competition
26. Mr. Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the competitiveness of UK industry in relation to its major European rivals. [115686]
Mrs. Liddell:
Competitiveness depends on a wide range of factors as discussed in the Government's Competitiveness White Paper. Following on from the White Paper, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry published, in December 1999, a set of indicators which provided a systematic assessment of the UK's competitiveness against the world's leading economies, including its major European rivals.
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The overall message from the Indicators is that the UK is beginning to succeed as a knowledge driven economy, but in many areas has some way to go to match the standards of the best.
27. Mr. Ian Bruce:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will bring forward the publication of the White Paper on communications regulation reform; and if he will make a statement on its proposed contents. [R] [115687]
Ms Hewitt:
The White Paper is a priority for both the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department for Culture Media and Sport. It will cover areas such as the economic regulation of broadcasting and telecommunications, content regulation, media ownership and the role of public service broadcasting. It will be published as soon as possible before the end of the year.
28. Mrs. Curtis-Thomas:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about the recent consultation exercise conducted with businesses by the Small Business Service. [115688]
Ms Hewitt:
We published and laid in the House on 17 January the results of the very extensive consultation carried out last year, together with the Government's response. We had 700 replies, from a complete cross-section of all those with an interest.
29. Mr. Shaw:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the impact of the working time directive. [115690]
Mr. Alan Johnson:
The Government commissioned an interim report of research on the implementation of the Working Time Regulations. A copy of the report is available from the Library of the House.
32. Mr. Stunell:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures he proposes to encourage micro-cogeneration of electricity within the UK. [115694]
Mrs. Liddell:
The Chancellor announced his intention in the Pre-Budget Report of trebling support for energy efficiency measures under the climate change levy to around £150 million for 2001-02. This has been confirmed in the Budget.
Final decisions on use of the £50 million "energy efficiency" fund will be made in the 2000 spending review. The overall aim will be to encourage take-up of low-carbon technologies, including renewables, with an expanded programme of support.
The Budget has also confirmed, subject to obtaining EU State Aids clearance, that a system of 100 per cent. first year capital allowances will be introduced for certain eligible technologies--to include "good quality" CHP--from April 2001.
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Micro-CHP giving energy saving benefits to consumers could also be eligible for Utilities' programmes to meet Energy Efficiency Standards of Performance Obligations.
The draft Strategy for CHP to 2010 is due to be published soon by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment. It will invite comments on how we can achieve our CHP objectives, including developing the market for micro-CHP.
33. Dr. Tony Wright:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proposals he has to protect consumers in relation to schemes run by trade associations. [115695]
Dr. Howells:
When seeking to buy products or services many consumers will be influenced by logos or membership of trade associations. Consumers need to know that these provide effective redress and are properly enforced. The Government propose to change the law to give the Director General of Fair Trading a power to give a seal of approval to effective codes. This will enable the consumer to choose a supplier with confidence, knowing that if something does go wrong, redress is available.
34. Mr. Brady:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on inward investment to the North West of England. [115696]
Mr. Caborn:
Since May 1997 my Department has made 672 offers of Regional Selective Assistance in the North West of England, including 51 offers to overseas companies, creating or safeguarding nearly 33,000. Major inward investment successes have included MBNA in Chester and New Balance Athletic Shoes in Cumbria.
35. Mr. Blizzard:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what initiatives his Department is taking in conjunction with other Departments to reduce the burdens on business. [115697]
Ms Hewitt:
The Small Business Service is working closely with other Government Departments to reduce burdens on business. For example it is working closely with the Inland Revenue's business support teams to make it easier for employers to establish and operate their payroll operations; and it is working with the HSE to help implement the Health and Safety Commission's strategy for small firms.
36. Mr. John M. Taylor:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the position regarding BMW's ownership of Land Rover in Solihull; and if he will make a statement. [115698]
Mr. Byers:
I understand that Ford has reached a memorandum of understanding with BMW to acquire Land Rover. The transaction is subject to BMW and Ford achieving a definitive agreement, due diligence and regulatory approvals. If successful the acquisition is expected to be completed in the second quarter of this year.
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37. Mr. Wilkinson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the five aerospace projects on which his Department has disbursed the most launch aid in the last 20 years, indicating the sums involved in each case. [115699]
Mr. Byers:
In the last 20 years, the five largest launch investment commitments which the Government have made are:
Mr. Healey:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to encourage the growth of enterprise in areas of high unemployment. [115691]
Mr. Caborn:
The Government recognise the need to encourage the growth of enterprise in disadvantaged areas such as those with high unemployment.
One of the Policy Action Teams set up by the Social Exclusion Unit was asked to look at the role of 'Enterprise and Social Exclusion'. It reported in November 1999.
The report made several recommendations for the Government's new Small Business Service (SBS). A key role for the SBS will be to identify those people who face specific barriers to entrepreneurship, for example some ethnic minorities and those in disadvantaged communities and to ensure that business support is tailored to meet their needs.
At the local level there will be a new network of SBS franchises which will replace the Business Links network. The Government's SBS franchise bidding guidance has set out a clear message to the potential franchisees to demonstrate how they will deliver their services to those in deprived communities and other under-represented groups.
The SBS has established a new social inclusion team to take these issues forward and in all aspects of this work, the SBS will build on the excellent work that is already going on at the local level. It will identify good practice and ensure that it is shared widely.
Another area of assistance is Enterprise Grants. These are available to SMEs in the 'Assisted Areas' and in additional areas of identified special need, including local authorities with high unemployment or low employment rates.
In addition, the Phoenix Fund was announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in November 1999 to take forward specific activities in deprived areas. The fund will have a budget of £30 million over three years. The Fund will support
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entrepreneurship in deprived areas and will respond to issues raised in the PAT 3 report. It will provide funding for:
To BAE SYSTEMS for the Airbus A3XX in March 2000, £530 million
To British Aerospace for the Airbus A340-500/600 in February 1998, £123 million
To Rolls-Royce for the Trent aeroengine in November 1997, £200 million
To British Aerospace for the Airbus A330/340 in December 1988, £447.1 million
To British Aerospace for the Airbus A320 in March 1985, £249.3 million.
piloting of the new Business Volunteers Mentor Association;
support for new and existing community finance initiatives;
a development fund for innovative ways of supporting enterprise in deprived areas.
The Department is currently considering ways of developing the fund for the benefit of business.
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