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Research Council
Mr. Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the outcome of the Research Council held in Brussels on 2 December; and if he will make a statement. [101692]
Ms Hewitt: The Research Council of 2 December:
- 1. Concluded bilateral scientific and technological co-operation agreements with Argentina and China and approved a decision to sign a similar agreement with Russia;
- 2. Adopted Conclusions on the preparation of future Community RTD Framework Programmes;
- 3. Adopted a Resolution on developing a coherent European space strategy;
- 4. Adopted Conclusions concerning waste management and decommissioning obsolete nuclear installations of the Joint Research Centre (JRC);
- 5. Adopted a Decision approving a supplementary programme for the High Flux Reactor at Petten in the Netherlands;
- 6. Received information from the Commission on the implementation of the Fourth and Fifth Framework Programmes including the participation of associated CEECs and Cyprus, on women and science in light of the recent European Technology Assessment Network (ETAN) report and from the Presidency and the Commission on the ASEM Ministerial Conference of 14-15 October 1999. There was also a discussion on the possible co-ordination of various member states' "Science Week" activities with a European Science Week.
Trade Negotiations
Ms Drown: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how he intends to consult the public about the Millennium round of trade negotiations. [101649]
Mr. Caborn: My Department has consulted widely in forming the UK position on a new round of trade negotiations. DTI Ministers and Officials have held regular meetings with Non-Governmental Organisations; the Department has issued a document "The UK and the World Trade Organisation: An Introduction to the Next Round" for public comment in addition to consultation documents on WTO services negotiations and possible WTO negotiations on industrial tariffs; and a DTI trade policy website has also been established.
We fully recognise the importance of public consultation and will continue to consult all interested parties on future trade liberalisation in the WTO.
Minimum Wage
Mr. Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how the minimum wage will be implemented for company directors who wish to elect not to pay themselves a salary during periods of low or negative profits. [101836]
Mr. Alan Johnson:
Company Directors are office holders. Office holders are not covered by national minimum wage legislation, which applies to employees and other workers. Only in exceptional circumstances will
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office holders also have employment contracts making them "workers" for the purposes of employment law. If a company director chooses to work for a company under such an arrangement, his or her right to the minimum wage is the same as that of any other worker. There is no suspension of this right due to the company's hardship.
Mr. Crausby:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make it his policy to ensure that the providers of cash dispensing machines indicated if any charge will be made for the use of their machines. [102038]
Mr. Byers:
My view is that any charges made for using cash machines should be displayed clearly before the transaction proceeds. I am aware that the industry is considering this and I hope that they will reach a voluntary agreement to do this but if not I will use my powers under the Prices Act 1974 to require them to do so.
Mr. Grogan:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what would be the estimated cost to the Mineworkers' Pension Scheme of introducing an entitlement to a full pension at age (a) 58 years, (b) 55 years and (c) 53 years; [102091]
Mrs. Liddell:
These are matters for the Trustees of the Mineworkers' Pension Scheme.
Ms Oona King:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what restrictions apply to the siting of digital television transmitting and receiving stations on rooftops; who can apply for permission for such siting; and to which Government Department. [102053]
Ms Hewitt:
The siting of digital television transmission and reception equipment is a matter for local planning authorities in the context of Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions Planning Policy Guidance Note 8: Telecommunications (PPG8 revised), and circular 4/99: Planning for Telecommunications, copies of which are available from the Library of the House.
Ms Oona King:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many digital television transmitting and receiving stations there are in London. [102055]
Ms Hewitt:
There is one prime Digital Terrestrial transmitter site that covers London. This is located at Crystal Palace. With respect to receiving stations, this is potentially every household that has a UHF aerial. In addition, a number of broadcasters up-link their programmes material from within the London area to satellites for onward transmission, either direct to the home (e.g. for some BskyB services), or to cable head ends for subsequent distribution to the home through cable networks.
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Ms Oona King:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the lowest permissible height for digital television transmitting and receiving stations. [102054]
Ms Hewitt:
Digital equipment is sited to deliver the best transmission and reception arrangements. For digital UHF, the higher the aerial the better the reception. Higher sited transmit antennas will also send a signal further, but with a greater potential for interference with other radio transmitters. The siting of the transmission masts and stations is a matter for local planning authorities in accordance with Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions Planning Policy Guidance Note 8: Telecommunications (PPG8 revised) and circular 4/99: Planning for Telecommunications, copies of which are available from the Library of the House.
Ms Oona King:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which frequencies have been granted to News International Digital Television by the Radio Authority. [102052]
Ms Hewitt:
Racal Telecom hold a number of licences which are issued by the Radiocommunications Agency, under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949, to use the radio spectrum to up-link material to satellites for onward transmission from the News International building at Wapping. The bands used for this purpose are at 14GHz. The Radio Authority has issued no licences under the Broadcasting Acts 1990 and 1996 in relation to sound broadcasting services over these frequencies.
Ms Oona King:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he granted a licence for News International to place a digital television transmitting and receiving station on the roof of its building in Wapping. [102056]
Ms Hewitt:
Licences under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 for the use of radio transmission equipment (satellite up-links) at the News International Building in Wapping were issued to Racal Telecom on 12 January 1999, 2 February 1999 and 31 March 1999. For the most part, (with the notable exception of the Television Reception Licence used to finance the BBC), receiving stations are exempt from licensing under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949.
Mr. Blizzard:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the timetable is for implementation of those provisions of the Employment Relations Act 1999 relating to trade union recognition. [102304]
Mr. Alan Johnson:
The Government intend to bring these provisions into force shortly after Easter next year.
Mr. Corbyn:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the total value of trade between the UK and Ghana for each of the last five years; and what is his estimate for the current year. [101969]
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Mr. Caborn
[holding answer 9 December 1999]: Information on UK trade in goods with Ghana is given in the following table. Information on trade in services is not available.
(2) what would be the estimated cost to the Mineworkers' Pension Scheme of introducing pensions at 50 years for miners who are made redundant. [102092]
| Year | UK exports | UK imports |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 190.7 | 138.7 |
| 1995 | 240.1 | 163.8 |
| 1996 | 279.1 | 189.3 |
| 1997 | 270.2 | 135.0 |
| 1998 | 222.2 | 155.2 |
| 1999(10) | 144.1 | 139.7 |
(10) January to October
Source:
Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom, HM Customs and Excise.
Assisted Areas
Mr. Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the timescale for the review of Objective 2 and assisted areas status. [102341]
Mr. Caborn: My Department has been discussing with the Commission the proposals for the new Objective 2 areas which we submitted on 8 October. We hope that the Commission will approve the areas in principle before Christmas and give formal approval in January.
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