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Religious Freedom

Mr. Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with the (a) Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and (b) Secretary of State for International Development about educating UK businesses to employ business practices that promote religious freedom overseas. [159393]

Dr. Howells [holding answer 27 April 2001]: There have not been any discussions between my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and his colleagues at FCO and DfID on this issue.

However, promotion of human rights is at the heart of the UK's foreign policy and HMG regard religious freedom as a fundamental human right. The Government condemn instances where individuals are persecuted because of their faith, wherever it happens and whatever the religion of the individual or group concerned.

The Government acknowledge that UK businesses operating in international markets can play an important role in promoting human rights and are keen to help encourage this as part of the work to promote Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Last year I was appointed as Minister with responsibility for corporate social responsibility with a remit including improving co-ordination of activity across Government to promote CSR, including establishment of an Interdepartmental Group of officials. Both FCO and DfID are among the Departments represented on this group.

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Government are working in a variety of ways to promote business awareness of human rights. For example, DTI supported business in the Community's report "Winning With Integrity" which includes practical advice to businesses on how they can ensure their operations respect human rights. The DTI is actively promoting the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprise which refer to businesses respecting human rights and works closely with other Government Departments in these efforts. FCO has established a Global Citizenship Unit with a remit to work with Trade Partners UK, other Government Departments, individual companies, NGOs and posts abroad in support of global citizenship initiatives. British Trade International recognises that companies applying corporate social responsibility principles will have a better understanding of key social and environmental issues and will manage such risks in a more effective and competitive manner.

Correspondence

Sir Brian Mawhinney: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the right hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire will receive a reply to his letter of 19 March on behalf of his constituent, Mr. R. G. Reeve. [159691]

Mr. Byers: As indicated in the response from my office dated 23 April, the letter has been transferred to the Health and Safety Executive for reply, as the matters raised by Mr. R. G. Reeve fall within its area of responsibility.

Foot and Mouth

Mr. Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will ensure that the request by Holne Chase Hotel in Dartmoor National Park under the Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme in respect of a loan of £250,000 is agreed to; and if he will amend his Department's guidelines for the scheme in respect of hotels and tourist attractions in National Parks to take account of the foot and mouth crisis, with particular reference to companies which have already had a loan guaranteed under the scheme. [159607]

Ms Hewitt: Applications can be considered only from lenders once they are satisfied there is a viable business proposal that meets Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme criteria and are prepared to make the loan available, subject to a Government guarantee. All loans guaranteed before April 1993 are not counted towards the maximum borrowing under the Scheme. There are no plans to extend this criterion further.

Chelsea Village Plc

Mr. Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he began an investigation into share trading with the public listed company Chelsea Village; how many hidden trusts own Chelsea Village plc shares; how many of these hidden trusts are registered in the West Indies; and if hidden trusts have traded Chelsea Village shares between themselves. [159527]

Dr. Howells: I cannot discuss the affairs of individual companies but if the hon. Member has information to suggest that there should be an investigation into the ownership of shares of Chelsea Village plc the Department will consider it.

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PRIME MINISTER

Special Advisers (Overseas Visits)

Mr. Tyrie: To ask the Prime Minister on how many occasions between 5 June 2000 and 31 March 2001 special advisers of the Chief Whip and Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury have travelled abroad in an official capacity. [158549]

The Prime Minister: None.

Prime Minister's Office (Overseas Visits)

Mr. Tyrie: To ask the Prime Minister on how many occasions his (a) Chief of Staff, (b) Chief Press Secretary and (c) other members of his office travelled abroad on official business between 5 June 2000 and 31 March 2001. [158591]

The Prime Minister: Between 5 June 2000 and 31 March 2001, my Chief Press Secretary, my Chief of Staff and other members of my office have travelled overseas on official business, including accompanying me on official visits, on 39 occasions. All visits have been made in accordance with the rules set out in the Civil Service Management Code.

These arrangements follow the practice of successive Administrations.

Policy Unit (Overseas Visits)

Mr. Tyrie: To ask the Prime Minister on how many occasions members of the Number 10 Policy Unit travelled abroad on official business between 31 March 2000 and 31 March 2001. [158592]

The Prime Minister: Between 31 March 2000 and 31 March 2001 members of the No. 10 Policy Unit have travelled overseas on official business on 63 occasions. All visits have been made in accordance with the rules set out in the Civil Service Management Code.

These arrangements follow the practice of successive Administrations.

Euro

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Prime Minister which UK companies, in receipt of funds from the European Investment bank since 1997, have lobbied him over UK participation in the euro; which business leaders on the boards of the above companies have been associated with the Britain in Europe Campaign; and if he will make a statement. [158752]

The Prime Minister: I regularly meet a wide range of business leaders. The European Investment bank's annual report lists companies which have received funds from them. A list of Britain in Europe board and council members is available on its website www.britainineurope.org.

Motorola

Mr. Ashton: To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he has had with Motorola on the future of its mobile phone factory in Bathgate; and if he will hold similar discussions with Ericsson of Worksop Notts, on the future of its mobile telephone plant. [159120]

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The Prime Minister [holding answer 26 April 2001]: I spoke to Motorola on Tuesday 10 April in support of the company choosing to maintain production at Easter Inch, the largest, private sector manufacturing site in Scotland, rather than closing it to focus all its production at the company's plant at Flensburg.

Now Motorola has made its decision the Scottish Executive will pursue with the company future options for the Bathgate site. There are a variety of options to explore with the company--ranging from sale as a going concern including to a contract manufacturer of mobile phones or another related business. The other alternatives include new employment for a new employer purchasing the site. We regret the redundancies, and Invest UK has already begun to assist the Scottish Executive with the task of future options.

In order to assist the individuals affected the Scottish Executive is setting-up a Taskforce with Scottish Enterprise Edinburgh and Lothian, Employment Service, West Lothian Council, the Careers Service, Benefits Agency and the STUC. The Taskforce will draw up an Action Plan specifically to meet the needs of the Motorola workers. Subject to the agreement of Motorola, this is likely to include an on-site jobshop, business start up workshops and other support to assist people to find jobs. The Taskforce has already begun work today.

Ericsson announced on 26 January 2001 that it will cease manufacture of telephone handset throughout the world and that in consequence it intends to dispose of its plants making handsets, including Carlton near Worksop and Scunthorpe. The Government have kept in regular contact with the Managing Director responsible for the two sites and with Ericsson HQ in Sweden over new developments. Through the Regional Development Agencies, Government Offices and Invest UK, we are working closely with the company to find a buyer for the sites. Officials from the Department of Trade and Industry, Local Government Offices and Regional Development Agencies have also visited the Carlton and Scunthorpe operations in order to gain a better insight. I know my hon. Friend will shortly meet with the Minister for Small Business and E-Commerce.

Foot and Mouth

Mr. Norman: To ask the Prime Minister if he will announce the terms of reference for the public inquiry into the foot and mouth crisis referred to by the Minister for the Environment in his Statement on 23 April 2001, Official Report, column 25. [159556]

The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the right hon. Member for Tonbridge and Malling (Sir J. Stanley) on 5 April 2001, Official Report, column 251W.

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