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Industrial Diseases
Mr. Cummings:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the number of applicants in the following age bands who have made a claim for payment in respect of vibration white finger and chronic bronchitis and
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emphysema aged (a) 49 and below, (b) 50 to 59, (c) 60 to 69, (d) 70 to 79, (e) 80 to 89 and (f) 90 years and above. [101048]
Mrs. Liddell:
As at 30 November, the age breakdown of claims made by ex-miners in respect of claims for compensation for VWF and respiratory disease is as follows:
| Aged | Number |
|---|---|
| Respiratory disease claims received | |
| 49 and below | 6,558 |
| 50-59 | 12,348 |
| 60-69 | 25,311 |
| 70-79 | 30,202 |
| 80-89 | 11,047 |
| 90 and above | 2,556 |
| VWF claims received | |
| 49 and below | 15,780 |
| 50-59 | 13,364 |
| 60-69 | 14,382 |
| 70-79 | 8,414 |
| 80-89 | 925 |
| 90 and above | 20 |
Telecommunications Council
Mr. Jim Marshall: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the outcome of the Telecommunications Council held in Brussels on 30 November; and if he will make a statement. [101168]
Ms Hewitt: I represented the UK at the Telecommunications Council on 30 November which adopted a Directive on a Common Framework for Electronic Signatures. I welcomed this as a major step forward towards clarifying the legal framework for electronic commerce.
In addition the Commission presented a number of recent Communications which were followed by preliminary exchanges of views.
In presenting the fifth report on implementation of the telecommunications regulatory package the Commission drew attention to progress towards implementation of the existing package of telecoms liberalisation legislation, and concluded that the successes of the existing regulatory framework had led to market growth with increased competition and lower tariffs. The Commission also drew attention to the remaining barriers to a single European market in telecoms, including a comparatively low level of harmonisation of Community licensing and interconnection regimes, incomplete implementation by some member states of Community cost accounting provisions, and the lack of competition in local access markets in all member states. Member states approved this general analysis.
There was a first debate on the Commission Communication on the review of the regulatory framework for electronic communications. In presenting the Communication the Commission summarised its approach to the review of the regulatory package which would apply to all electronic communications systems and said it would report on the outcome of its public consultation in April before making legislative proposals in May. In the following debate all member states
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recognised the need for swift action in the face of the pace of technological change, and simplification of the regulatory framework. A number, including the UK, stressed the need for a flexible framework with a minimum of regulation. I emphasised that strengthening competition in the market for communications services is vital to produce an environment in which e-commerce can flourish in Europe, and welcomed the Commission's recognition that regulation should be on a co-regulatory basis with business where possible. The Council adopted Conclusions endorsing the Commission's principles for the new regulatory framework as set out in its Communication.
The Commission also presented its Communication on the results of its public consultation on its Green Paper on radio spectrum policy. The Commission summarised the outcome of its consultation and the areas in which it indicated future legislative proposals. There was no discussion of the Communication: the Presidency concluded that the Council noted the Commission's intentions which would require further study when specific legislative proposals emerged in 2000.
There was also a debate on the information society of the future and how to build trust and create effective rules for electronic commerce. The Commission will produce guidelines on the use of self-regulation in this area for discussion at the Information Society meeting in Lisbon in April 2000.
The Council also noted, without discussion, the Commission Communication on implementation of Directive 97/47/EC on advanced TV standards. The
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Commission also provided an oral update on member states' preparation for the Millennium Bug in energy, transport and other fields.
Mr. Gibb:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will define the phrase, "undue cross-subsidy", in paragraph 28 of the Post Office White Paper. [101289]
Mr. Alan Johnson:
The phrase "undue cross-subsidy" refers to any cross-subsidy from the monopoly to non-monopoly services which is intended or has the effect of being a breach of competition rules. It will be for the Postal Services Commission to regulate this and to make decisions based on the facts of any particular case.
Dr. Gibson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he intends to announce awards from round 2 of the Joint Infrastructure Fund. [101685]
Mr. Byers:
I have today announced jointly with the Wellcome Trust and the Higher Education Funding Council for England details of the awards from round 2 of the Joint Infrastructure Fund (JIF). Over £320 million has been awarded to 45 successful applicants across 27 universities across the United Kingdom.
The projects awarded funding cover the broad spectrum of science and engineering. They range from projects costing £750,000 to over £30 million.
There are a further 3 rounds of the JIF with decision points in March and November 2000 and March 2001.
Details of the individual awards announced today are as follows:
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Note:
The JEC approved a total of 45 awards but support for one of these is dependent on a further site visit. Details of this award have therefore not been announced yet.
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