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TRADE AND INDUSTRY
Safeway
Mr. Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will support a reference to the Competition Commission in respect of the policy of Safeway to require a £20,000 contribution per product line from suppliers in return for guaranteed shelf space. [99323]
Dr. Howells: The Competition Commission is already investigating the supply of groceries from supermarkets. The Commission's terms of reference would allow them to investigate relationships between supermarkets and their suppliers. The exact scope of investigations is a matter for the Commission.
The nature of the relationship between the supermarkets and their suppliers was flagged up as an area of concern by the Director General of Fair Trading in his press notice announcing the reference.
Pirate Radio Stations
Mr. Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many pirate radio stations have been prosecuted in each of the last three years. [99831]
Ms Hewitt: It is the people involved with the pirate radio stations who are prosecuted as the stations themselves are not an identifiable body. Details of prosecutions in the past three years are as follows:
| Year | Prosecutions | Convictions |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 41 | 41 |
| 1998 | 53 | 53 |
| 1999(4) | 39 | 39 |
(4) To 30 September 1999
Mr. Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what has been the average fine imposed on pirate radio stations where a conviction has been obtained in relation to illegal broadcasting in each of the last three years. [99832]
Ms Hewitt: The average fine imposed on individuals convicted of offences relating to pirate radio broadcasting in each of the last three years is as follows:
| Year | Average fine £ |
|---|---|
| 1997 | 272 |
| 1998 | 452 |
| 1999(5) | 248 |
(5) To 30 September 1999
24 Nov 1999 : Column: 134W
Mr. Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how equipment confiscated from pirate radio stations following convictions in relation to illegal broadcasting is dealt with. [99833]
Ms Hewitt: The vast majority of equipment ordered forfeit by the courts is destroyed to prevent it getting back onto the market.
Mr. Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action is taken against organisations which (a) advertise on and (b) sponsor pirate radio stations. [99834]
Ms Hewitt: It is an offence contrary to the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 to advertise on or sponsor pirate radio stations. If evidence to substantiate such offences can be obtained those involved are prosecuted.
Mr. Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will assess the benefits of (a) paying compensation and (b) giving refunds to community radio stations which are unable to take full advantage of their broadcasting licences because of the actions of pirate radio stations. [99758]
Ms Hewitt: With respect to the Wireless Telegraphy Act, the Agency endeavours to ensure interference-free spectrum for use by legitimate broadcasters. The Agency deals with this by taking direct action against pirate radio stations (928 raids nationally last year). This action is entirely funded by the revenue generated by the WT Act Licence.
The Agency regularly reviews its policies and has considered the issues of compensation and refunds. However, at present, it is felt that direct action is the best way of combating interference and current Agency policy reflects this.
Export Credits
Mr. Nigel Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what were the amounts of export credits which were paid to UK companies following non-payment of bills in each year since 1979 for which records are available; [98740]
- (2) what were the amounts of export credit guarantees issued in each year since 1979 for which records are available. [98739]
Mr. Caborn: Complete records are available from 1986 only. The table sets out for each of the years from 1986 the Sterling equivalent of Guarantees issued and the value of Claims paid in each of these years. Included for information is the value of recoveries and interest received by ECGD.
The Claims and recoveries will not relate to the Guarantees in that year.
24 Nov 1999 : Column: 135W
EU Firms
Dr. Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many firms from EU member states operate in each of the English regions. [98577]
Mr. Caborn: The following table shows the number of local units owned by EU-owned enterprises in each English region in March 1999. The figures do not represent the number of EU-owned enterprises in England as one enterprise may own several of the local units shown here. Supplying figures for enterprises would show a concentration in London and the South East, where head offices tend to be located.
| Region | Number |
|---|---|
| North East | 560 |
| North West | 1,740 |
| Yorkshire and The Humber | 1,205 |
| East Midlands | 910 |
| West Midlands | 1,590 |
| Eastern | 1,460 |
| London | 3,050 |
| South East | 2,605 |
| South West | 1,090 |
| Total | 14,205 |
Source:
Office for National Statistics
Parental Leave
Mr. Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received relating to paid parental leave. [98668]
Mr. Alan Johnson: The Department has received representations, both for and against paid parental leave, from a number of individuals and organisations since the Fairness at Work White Paper was published in Summer 1998. We have recently received over 250 letters as part of an NSPCC campaign for paid parental leave.
EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT
Maintained Schools
Mr. Clappison:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much was spent per pupil in maintained schools in each year for each of the last 20 years. [98630]
24 Nov 1999 : Column: 136W
Ms Estelle Morris:
The following table presents the unit costs per pupil for LEA maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools in England for the period 1979-80 to 2001-02. The costs are presented both in cash terms and in real terms (i.e. constant 1999-2000 prices). The budgets from 1998-2002 are the responsibility of this administration. Previous budgets had been set, distributed and agreed before May 1997.
| Unit costs (per FTE pupil) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cash terms | Real terms | |
| 1979-80(6) | 510 | 1,450 |
| 1980-81(6) | 650 | 1,550 |
| 1981-82(6) | 740 | 1,610 |
| 1982-83(6) | 810 | 1,640 |
| 1983-84(6) | 870 | 1,690 |
| 1984-85(6) | 925 | 1,710 |
| 1985-86(6) | 990 | 1,730 |
| 1986-87(6) | 1,110 | 1,890 |
| 1987-88(6) | 1,240 | 2,000 |
| 1988-89(6) | 1,360 | 2,050 |
| 1989-90(6) | 1,490 | 2,090 |
| 1990-91(6) | 1,620 | 2,120 |
| 1991-92(6) | 1,750 | 2,150 |
| 1992-93(6) | 1,860 | 2,210 |
| 1993-94(6) | 1,870 | 2,170 |
| 1994-95(6) | 1,890 | 2,160 |
| 1995-96(6) | 1,190 | 2,120 |
| 1996-97(6) | 1,960 | 2,110 |
| 1997-98(7) | 1,980 | 2,070 |
| 1998-99(8) | 2,050 | 2,090 |
| 1999-2001(8) | 2,150 | 2,150 |
| 2000-01(8) | 2,270 | 2,210 |
| 2001-02(8) | 2,400 | 2,290 |
(6) Actual outturn
(7) Provisional outturn
(8) Projected estimate
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