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EU Company Law Directive (Takeover Bids)
Mr. Heathcoat-Amory: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the progress of the 13th company law directive concerning takeover bids. [101605]
Mr. Byers: Political agreement was reached on the proposed 13th Company Law Directive at the Internal Market Council in June this year, with the exception of one point, a Spanish objection concerning the application of the directive to Gibraltar. Since then Her Majesty's Government and the Government of Spain have been negotiating a solution to this question.
Energy Council
Mr. Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the outcome of the Energy Council held in Brussels on 2 December; and if he will make a statement. [101691]
Mrs. Liddell: The Council considered several matters of interest to the United Kingdom.
The Commission made two presentations on the Internal electricity market. The first concerned progress on implementation of the electricity directive and the second harmonisation measures in electricity which look at cross border trading issues in respect of transmission pricing and congestion. As regards the implementation
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report, I expressed disappointment that the Directive had not been implemented in all member states and stressed the importance of a level playing field which ensured fairness for everyone. I also congratulated the Commission on taking prompt action against those which had not implemented the directive. I said that fully open energy markets in Europe was a high priority for the UK because this would increase the competitiveness of European companies and reduce prices for consumers. I also called for progress far beyond the market opening levels set out in the Directive. On the harmonisation of cross border trading mechanisms the Council agreed conclusions which note the work of the transmission system operators to develop transmission pricing mechanisms and procedures for managing congestion; encourage them to come forward with early proposals for a resolution of outstanding issues and invite the Commission to monitor progress and to come forward with its own proposals if the system operators are unable to reach a final agreement. I announced that the UK and the Netherlands are working on competition indicators to show how well competition is developing and where barriers persist. The results of this work will be shared with the Commission and other member states.
In the absence of a proposal from the Commission on the access for renewables to the internal electricity market, the Council was unable to have a full exchange of views. I expressed disappointment at the continued delay and urged the Commission to come forward with a proposal as soon as possible. I said such a proposal should minimise distortions, ensure transparency, provide flexibility to distinguish between different kinds of renewables and promote cost-effectiveness and price competitiveness and that we supported the Commission in its objectives of promoting renewables as part of the response to Kyoto and the progressive inclusion of renewables in the internal electricity market. I was among a number of ministers who counselled against the inclusion of binding targets for renewables in the directive, this being a matter best left to member states, thereby respecting the principle of subsidiary.
The Council agreed a report to the Helsinki European Council on integration of environmental and sustainable development into energy policy which focused on priority areas for action, which include the development of the internal energy market and the promotion of renewables and energy efficiency measures.
In addition, the Energy Council held an orientation debate on a proposal for a directive on energy efficiency requirements of ballasts for fluorescent lighting aimed at raising product standards in Europe. Council conclusions were approved on strengthening the northern dimension of European energy policy with a view to improving co-ordination of actions between countries bordering the Baltic Sea and on the North West Region of Russia and to help provide greater focus for EU support mechanisms.
The Council also note reports on gas harmonisation, gas security of supply, a progress report on the energy Charter Treaty including a negotiating directive for a transit protocol and information from the Commission on the millennium bug and a Community energy efficiency action plan.
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Mr. Wyatt:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures are being taken to prevent energy suppliers taking over the electricity and gas contracts of customers without their authority; and what penalties are proposed for those companies that do so. [101908]
Mrs. Liddell:
These matters are the responsibility of the Director General of Gas and Electricity Supply. I am aware that Ofgem is continuing to work hard with the industry to tighten up the transfer process.
My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State has recently announced a research study to look at consumer motivations for and against switching supplier.
Mr. Gerrard:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people and organisations have been prosecuted in each of the last three years for (a) advertising on and (b) sponsoring pirate radio stations. [102033]
Ms Hewitt:
So far this year three people have been prosecuted for managing the operation of pirate radio stations. In 1998 one person was similarly convicted and a further three in 1997. One of those convicted this year and one of those in 1997 were also convicted for advertising.
Mr. Stephen O'Brien:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has undertaken of the effect of regulations affecting businesses on operating costs. [100537]
Mr. Byers:
The Government require an assessment to be carried out on all proposed regulations that might affect business before they are introduced.
Dr. George Turner:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will announce his decision on British Sugar plc's application to build a new gas-fired power station at the British Sugar factory at Cantley, Norfolk. [102573]
Mrs. Liddell:
I have today granted consent under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 to British Sugar plc for the construction of a 70 MW gas-fired combined heat and power station at the British Sugar factory at Cantley, near Norwich in Norfolk. The station has also today been given clearance as a gas-fired station under Section 14 of the Energy Act 1976 and planning permission for the Development has been deemed to be granted, subject to 37 planning conditions agreed with the Broads Authority, Broadland District Council and Norfolk County Council. The decisions have been taken in accordance with the policy set out in the White Paper entitled "Conclusions of
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the Review of Energy Sources for Power Generation and Government response to fourth and fifth Reports of the Trade and Industry Committee" (Cm 4071).
Copies of the Press Notice and decision letters are being placed in the Library of the House.
Mr. Bill Michie:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to publish the bilateral Concordat between UK Government Departments and the Scottish Executive on EU Structural Funds. [102574]
Mr. Byers:
The First Minister and I have today agreed the text of a Concordat on the EU Structural Funds between the UK Government Departments DTI, DETR, DfEE, MAFF and DCMS and the Scottish Executive. Copies of the Concordat have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
Mr. Alan W. Williams:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of Britain's gross domestic product was devoted to research and development on the latest available figures; and what the equivalent figure was for other G7 countries. [100530]
Ms Hewitt:
In 1997, the latest year for which figures are available, the UK's gross expenditure on research and development (GERD) was £14.6 billion. This represented 1.87 per cent. of GDP.
| Country | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Canada | 1.60 |
| France | 2.23 |
| Germany | 2.31 |
| Italy | 1.08 |
| Japan | 2.89 |
| UK | 1.87 |
| USA | 2.71 |
Source:
OECD Online-Main Science and Technology Indicators, 3 August 1999
Young Business People
Mr. Hope: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he is taking to encourage young business people to become world-class entrepreneurs. [100548]
Ms Hewitt: The creation of the Small Business Service will ensure world-class support for developing small business. The Enterprise Fund improves access to finance and the recently announced Phoenix Fund will stimulate the development of enterprise in deprived areas.
The DTI supports Young Enterprise and is committed to work with YE and private sector companies to develop the Company Programme model into Higher Education with a view to encouraging young people to consider setting up their own business.
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