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Primate Research Centre
Dr. Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the support her Department is giving to the creation of a new primate research centre in Cambridgeshire. [25439]
Ms Hewitt: The new Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience will use primates to study behavioural neuroscience, with potential benefits for understanding and treating human disease such as Parkinson's, stroke, and vCJD. However, it is not a centre for primate research as such. All research using animals must satisfy the strict regulations administered by the Home Office.
The construction of the new centre will be funded principally by the Wellcome Trust as part of the Joint Infrastructure Fund, with a smaller contribution from the Higher Education Funding Council for England. My Department is not giving any financial support to its creation. The Minister for Science and Innovation wrote to confirm the national importance the DTI attached to the project, making clear that decisions on the centre's site were for the University of Cambridge and planning authorities. I am placing a copy of his letter in the Libraries of the House.
Renewables Obligation
Mr. Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations she has received from businesses concerning the administration costs of the Renewables Obligation; and if she will make a statement. [25629]
Mr. Wilson: We have not received any representations specifically on the administration costs of the Renewables Obligation. We have however received views on the cost to the consumers, domestic and industrial. We are expecting that the additional cost to the consumer will on average be, 4.4 per cent. in 2010–11 over 1999 actual levels. The economic impact of the Renewables Obligation has been looked at in depth and we are proposing to phase it in gradually. The gradual implementation of this initiative has been planned to avoid major price hikes and to set an upper limit to the cost to both the industrial and the domestic consumer.
Electricity Supply
Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her assessment is of the impact of NETA on the stability and continuity of electricity supply in the UK. [26602]
Mr. Wilson: In general, UK capacity margins in electricity are currently healthy and in recent years there has been a significant amount of new build, mainly with Combined Cycle Gas Turbines. The new electricity trading arrangements (NETA) has encouraged the development of electricity trading markets. They will provide signals to the market in the future as to when new capacity is required and ensure a stable and continuous supply of electricity.
Generators
Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action she will take to support
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environmentally friendly small generators following the introduction of NETA; and if she plans to take this action before the next Budget. [26614]
Mr. Wilson: The new Renewables Obligation, to come into effect this year, together with exemption of renewables from the climate change Levy and continuing support under the non-fossil fuel obligation, will create a long-term market incentive for renewables expected to be worth over £1 billion per year by 2010.
This will be underpinned by direct Government funding for renewables worth over £260 million between 2001 and 2004 including an extensive capital grants programme for the early development of offshore wind and energy crops, the initial stage of a major photovoltaics demonstration programme and a boost for research and development.
In addition, on 1 November 2001 we published a consultation document in response to Ofgem's reports on NETA and its impact on smaller generators, including renewables and combined heat and power (CHP). Consultation closed on 1 December and follow-up work to analyse responses and take appropriate action is now under way. On 20 December I announced the formation of a working group to look at obstacles to consolidation under NETA, and to report to DTI by 31 January 2002. The Government will be publishing a response to their consultation shortly.
In addition, DEFRA are planning to issue their CHP Strategy shortly and that this will seek views on the measures needed to support the development of CHP. The Government also announced in their pre-Budget report that they will consider the environmental case for providing more favourable treatment for CHP within the climate change levy.
British Coal Producers
Mr. Bill O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if she plans to extend the present financial arrangements to British coal producers beyond July; and if she will make a statement; [27262]
- (2) if she will provide coal subsidies up to December to allow British coal producers to respond constructively to the forthcoming energy review; and if she will make a statement. [27261]
Mr. Wilson: The Government currently have no plans to extend the current coal subsidy scheme, or to introduce a new scheme, beyond July 2002. The existing scheme has achieved what it set out to do, as eligible pits have been helped significantly to survive the very difficult price and structural threats they faced in 1999–2001.
We are working to ensure that the new EU coal state aid regime from July this year gives us the flexibility to devise suitable schemes to aid the industry if that is ever appropriate. Once the new EU regime is in place, we will of course consider on its own merits any proposal for Government support that complies with the new rules.
Renewable Energy
Mr. Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for Mid-Bedfordshire (Mr. Sayeed) of 22 November 2001, Official Report, column 396W, if she will place a copy of
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the interim report by the working group looking at consolidation services in the Library; and if she will make a statement. [26627]
Mr. Wilson: The interim report of the Consolidation Working Group was published on Ofgem's website on 10 January 2002, at www.ofgem.gov.uk. I will also be placing copies in the Libraries of the House.
Mail Deliveries
Mr. Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of first class mail was delivered the next day in the last three month period for which figures are available. [26569]
Mr. Alexander: This is an operational matter for the company subject to the regulatory powers and duties of the Postal Services Commission in respect of service standards.
I am advised by the company that 90.7 per cent. of first class mail was delivered the next day in the period July to September 2001.
Oldbury Power Station
Mr. Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will place in the Library a copy of the evidence submitted to the 1998 Periodic Safety Review of Oldbury Power Station. [25318]
Mr. Wilson: No. The DTI does not hold the evidence submitted to HSE by the operator for the Review. This is subject to S 28 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and can be released only for the purpose of HSE's functions (to secure the health, safety and welfare of persons from risks arising out of work activities) or with BNFL's specific consent.
Acquired Rights Directive
Mr. Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to her answer of 10 December 2001, Official Report, column 669W, on the acquired rights directive, by what means individuals who have lost out can claim redress. [27011]
Alan Johnson [holding answer 14 January 2002]: Anyone who believes that they have suffered loss due to the previous Government's partial non-implementation of the Acquired Rights Directive must show that they were in an undertaking affected by a relevant transfer which, but for the deficiencies in implementation, would have been within the scope of the TUPE Regulations, and that they suffered loss as a result. At present, a number of claims have been brought in the courts, but without the cause and amount of the claimed losses having been established. If anyone believes that they have a claim, then legal advice should be sought either directly or through the person's trade union.
Fireworks
Mr. Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make it her policy to break down the figures for injuries caused by fireworks by type of firework. [26667]
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Miss Melanie Johnson [holding answer 11 January 2002]: The annual data analysis currently details the types of fireworks involved in accidents as reported by patients who attend Accident and Emergency Departments.
Corus
Mr. Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much of the regeneration aid for English areas affected by redundancies in the steel industry announced in May 2001 has been spent; and if she will make a statement. [25960]
Ms Hewitt: The majority of the £48 million package of regeneration measures for areas affected by the closures announced by Corus in May 2001 consisted of major infrastructure projects funded by the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions. Projects of this kind are necessarily slow-moving, and little money is spent in the early stages. Progress on the projects is as follows:
- Durham University Stockton Campus (budget £19.4 million)—discussions are continuing with Environment Agency and Highways Agency on the impact of the development. Site reclamation work will commence once this is concluded. No significant expenditure to date.
Phase 2 of the Middlehaven project (budget £16 million)—Detailed design work is now underway. A new junction with the A66 will be built during March 2002, with work on the site following this in spring 2002. No significant expenditure to date.
New Tees crossing feasibility study (budget £250,000)—£118,520 committed to be spent in financial year 2001–02, the remainder in early 2002–03.
Light Rapid Transit system feasibility study (budget £250,000)—£93,525 committed to be spent in financial year 2001–02, the remainder in early 2002–03.
A66 Longnewton Junction improvements (budget £4.7 million)—the project is included in the Highways Agency budget and work programme. The Agency expects to have identified a detailed work programme in the next two months.
Broadband communications in Teesside and North Lincolnshire (budget £500,000 in each)—proposals from Regional Development Agencies are under consideration by DTI as part of the £30 million fund for the roll-out of broadband communications across the UK. Programme approval is expected in the next month.
Enterprise Grants in Scunthorpe (budget of up to £500,000)—expenditure is dependent on applications from companies wishing to expand. No expenditure has yet been made.
Mr. Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many of those eligible for compensation payments as a result of the redundancies declared by Corus in May 2001 have now received them. [25961]
Ms Hewitt: Between 23 October 2001 when payments began and 22 January 2002, a total of 5,528 single lump sum payments of £2,480 will have been made to individuals who lost their jobs with Corus as the result of the company's announcement of 1 February 2001.
Mr. Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list payments of regeneration aid that have been made to areas affected by Corus steel closures since January 2001. [25959]
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Ms Hewitt: Payments of regeneration aid are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions. For details of expenditure on the package of measures announced as a result of the Corus closures on 5 May 2001, I refer the hon. Member to my reply today to question No. 25960.
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