---

Fairness at Work

16. Mr. Russell Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the effects on employees and trade unions in Scotland of the proposals contained in the Government's "Fairness at Work" White Paper. [126351]

Dr. Reid: The Government have implemented the proposals contained in the "Fairness at Work" White Paper mainly through the Employment Relations Act 1999. Workers and trade union members in Scotland have benefited a great deal from the creation of decent minimum standards at work and the emphasis on a partnership approach to work.

Criminal Assets

17. Mr. Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he has had about the seizure of criminal assets in Scotland. [126352]

Mr. Wilson: My right hon. Friend has regular discussions with both his Cabinet colleagues and Scottish Executive Ministers on various matters.

US Trade Dispute

18. Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with (a) industry and (b) others about the future of Scottish cashmere manufacturing. [126353]

Mr. Wilson: I meet representatives of the industry and of individual companies on a regular basis to discuss a range of issues affecting the industry. I have written to the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry about the current US Carousel retaliation threat to the cashmere and other industries, as well as discussing this with the US Ambassador to Britain. I am also in contact with the Scottish Executive on this issue.

The hon. Member will be aware that we still await the final retaliation list from the USTR. I continue to be hopeful that our efforts on behalf of the cashmere industry have been successful.

19. Mr. Tynan: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he has had with the Scottish textiles industry regarding the trade dispute between the USA and the European Union. [126354]

Mr. Wilson: I have had a range of discussions with the industry about the current trade dispute. I have also written to the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry about the current US Carousel retaliation threat to the cashmere and other industries as well as discussing this with the US Ambassador to Britain. I am also in contact with the Scottish Executive on this issue.

The hon. Member will be aware that we still await the final retaliation list from the USTR. I continue to be hopeful that our efforts on behalf of the cashmere industry have been successful.

Textiles Industry

23. Mr. Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the future of Scotland's textiles industry. [126358]

27 Jun 2000 : Column: 486W

Mr. Wilson: The Government recently announced a twelve-point plan to support the British textile industry, which has, until now, lacked an overall strategy and adequate support. The strategy will help the competitiveness of the industry by addressing issues such as the supply chain, design and research, public procurement and exports. I was delighted that the excellent work of Heriot Watt University's Galashiels Campus has been recognised by its designation as a Centre of Manufacturing Excellence in Textiles

All the measures for the UK textile industry will equally apply in Scotland. I am delighted, however, that the Scottish Executive considers that the importance of the textile industry to the Scottish economy merits further action and is introducing a comprehensive package of additional measures to support the textile industry in Scotland.

Eurozone

20. Mr. Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent advice he has given to the Prime Minister regarding the readiness of the Scottish economy for entry into the eurozone. [126355]

Mr. Wilson: My right hon. Friend has regular discussions with the Prime Minister on a wide range of issues including the current healthy state of the Scottish economy.

Genetic Paternity Testing

21. Mrs. Irene Adams: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the implications are in Scotland of the recommendations made by the advisory committee on Genetic Paternity Testing; and if he will make a statement. [126356]

Dr. Reid: A draft Code of Practice on Genetic Paternity Testing is currently being considered by the Human Genetics Commission. The Government plan to publish the Code later this year. The intention is that the Code will cover the whole of the United Kingdom, including Scotland.

Drug Deaths

22. Mrs. Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what action his Department is taking to reduce the number of drug deaths in Scotland as part of the UK anti-drugs strategy. [126357]

Mr. Wilson: Responsibility for action to reduce the number of drug deaths in Scotland lies with the Scottish Executive, working within the common UK-wide statutory framework. The reduction of drug-related deaths is a key objective of Scotland's drug strategy.

Poverty and the Knowledge Economy

24. Mrs. McKenna: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the joint management committees on poverty and the knowledge economy. [126359]

Dr. Reid: The Joint Ministerial Committees on poverty and the knowledge economy, which bring together Ministers from the UK Government and the devolved Administrations, both met on 26 May, in Edinburgh. The

27 Jun 2000 : Column: 487W

meetings were chaired by the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The Advocate-General for Scotland represented the Scotland Office. A wide variety of issues were discussed. Areas discussed at the meeting on poverty included the work being done to help pensioners; the Children's Fund and social inclusion. Areas discussed at the meeting on the knowledge economy included jobs and skills. It was agreed that a conference on services for pensioners should take place later this year. The next meetings of the Joint Ministerial Committees on poverty and the knowledge economy will take place in the autumn.

Road Accidents (A90)

Mr. Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many (a) fatal and (b) serious injuries accidents occurred per vehicle mile on the A90 between Ellon and Aberdeen in (i) 1995, (ii) 1996, (iii) 1997, (iv) 1998 and (v) 1999. [127228]

Dr. Reid: Responsibility for statistics for fatal and serious accidents in Scotland is a matter for the Scottish Executive.

Orange Badges

Mr. Alasdair Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many valid orange disability badges are currently held by individuals resident within Scotland, broken down by local authority area. [127660]

Dr. Reid: Responsibility for statistics for orange disability badges in Scotland is a matter for the Scottish Executive.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Bananas

Mr. David Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on how her Department is working with Caribbean banana smallholders and the Fairtrade Foundation to encourage the introduction of fair trade bananas to the UK market. [127886]

Mr. Foulkes: I met with the Fairtrade Foundation on 13 June to discuss their request for DFID support for the launch of the Fairtrade Windward Island Banana Campaign later this year. We have agreed to provide support for this campaign, and discussions on the details are continuing.

Mr. David Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on how her Department is working with the EU and other institutions to assist Caribbean banana smallholders. [127887]

Mr. Foulkes: We are continuing to press the European Commission to reach an agreement on a successor bananas regime that will not be WTO-compatible but will enable the continuation of a viable--albeit restructured--banana industry in the Caribbean. We are also continuing to work actively with the European Commission and other donors in a programme to support and encourage necessary reforms to achieve a more commercially based banana industry in the Eastern Caribbean. This programme is being supported by substantial funding

27 Jun 2000 : Column: 488W

from the Stabex facility and the EC Special Framework of Assistance for banana industry restructuring, economic diversification and social safety net provision during the transition process.

Intellectual Property Rights

Mr. Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions she has had with developing countries in respect of the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights Agreement; and if she will make a statement. [127464]

Mr. Foulkes: The WTO TRIPS Council is currently conducting its review of the implementation of TRIPS legislation for 13 of its developing country members. The Government will be following this review closely.

The Government are well aware that the TRIPS Agreement has been difficult for some countries to implement and that questions have been raised about its coverage and approach.

The Government stand ready to offer assistance to developing countries on understanding the implication of the Agreement for themselves and its implementation.

Our Department is actively funding programmes aimed at helping developing countries to better their Uruguay Round commitment including in the area of intellectual property rights.

The Government's position is to maintain an agreement on TRIPS. The Government are open to constructive suggestions on how to improve the TRIPS Agreement and as part of a new comprehensive round would be open to substantive negotiations on the Agreement.

---