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Written Answers to Questions
Thursday 14 February 2002
TRADE AND INDUSTRY
Postal Service Job Losses
11. Colin Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions she has had with Communication Workers Union regarding projected job losses in the postal service. [33802]
Ms Hewitt: While Ministers have had discussions with the Communication Workers Union on a range of issues, the cost-saving proposals announced by Consignia are an operational issue for the company in consultation with the unions.
Chemicals Industry
12. Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the chemicals industry in the north-west of England. [33803]
Mr. Wilson: The chemical sector forms one of the north-west region's most important clusters. It accounts for 22 per cent. of the UK chemical industry. It contains the highest concentration in the country of the faster growing speciality and fine chemicals companies, supplying new markets such as electronics, pharmaceuticals and consumer products.
Aerospace Industry
13. Mr. Wilkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the prospects for the aerospace component manufacturing industry in 2002. [33804]
Mr. Wilson: As the hon. Member will be aware, the severe downturn in air travel following 11 September has resulted in a reduction in orders for new aircraft and a lower demand for aircraft repair and maintenance. This is inevitably having an adverse effect on the aerospace component manufacturing industry, which is likely to persist throughout 2002. However, all possible steps are being taken to restore passenger confidence and there are signs that this is starting to return. The Government believe that the long-term prospects for the industry remain good, and that market growth will return to its former level.
Gas and Electricity Suppliers
14. Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action she is taking to eradicate sales malpractices by gas and electricity suppliers. [33805]
Mr. Wilson: Regulation of energy suppliers is for the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem). Ofgem has already, with our strong encouragement, put in place specific marketing and sales rules for suppliers that go beyond those in general consumer law, and will shortly
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consult on extending these rules. Energywatch, the statutory consumer body established under the Utilities Act 2000, recently launched its "Stop Now!" campaign to combat unscrupulous sales practices. I wrote to all suppliers in November making clear that, if they do not address the problem of dishonest sales, those of us concerned with energy supply will need to look again at how best to protect consumers.
Technology (Telford)
16. David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions she has had with Advantage West Midlands in relation to technology investment in Telford. [33809]
Alan Johnson: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry met the Board of Advantage West Midlands to discuss region-wide issues such as manufacturing and the region's proposals to become a Manufacturing Beacon; clearly this will have an impact on Telford. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, and other DTI Ministers, also attend regular meetings of the RDA Chairs, including Advantage West Midlands, where a wide range of issues is discussed, including its broadband and technology cluster proposals.
Higher Education
17. Dr. Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions have taken place between her Department and the Department for Education and Skills on modifications to the research assessment exercise in higher education. [33810]
Ms Hewitt: As mentioned in the Science and Innovation White paper "Excellence and Opportunity", my Department will monitor the modified guidance for the 2001 Research Assessment Exercise, and we shall be discussing the issues arising with the Department for Education and Skills, and the Higher Education Funding Council for England.
Inward Investment
19. Mr. Joyce: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what actions she is taking to encourage inward investment from Japan and South Korea. [33812]
Ms Hewitt: I visited South Korea and Japan from 7–12 January and met existing and prospective investors in both individual and group meetings, including a meeting with senior representatives of the Japanese automotive industry in Tokyo.
The Invest UK teams in both South Korea and Japan organise a series of initiatives, including marketing programmes, company calls, seminars, company visits to the UK, and attendance at trade fairs, all aimed at encouraging companies to invest in the United Kingdom.
The attractions of the United Kingdom mean that this country remains the number one location for South Korean and Japanese foreign direct investment in the European Union. To maintain this position, in the face of difficult global economic conditions, Invest UK has intensified its efforts at attracting knowledge-driven, high value investments in the ICT, automotive, life sciences and financial services sectors.
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Manufacturing
20. Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on Government assistance for exports from the UK manufacturing industry. [33814]
Nigel Griffiths: British manufacturers account for over 60 per cent. of total British exports.
This year we are spending some £69 million through British Trade International to help British exporters access the information, skills and contacts they need to trade successfully overseas.
In addition, the Export Credits Guarantee Department (ECGD) helps British exporters to compete overseas. Last year it underwrote £5.6 billion of new business.
23. Mr. Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures she is taking to improve productivity in manufacturing industry. [33817]
Mr. Wilson: Since 1997 we have established a stable macro-economic framework to ensure the future competitiveness and productivity of British manufacturing. We have built on this basis with policies to promote the spread of best practice, encourage innovation, raise skills levels and improve the transfer of ideas from the science base.
Sir Teddy Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the state of manufacturing industry. [33811]
Mr. Wilson: Manufacturing production is weak across the industrialised countries, including in the UK. The Government's policies are designed to assist the manufacturing sector improve its competitiveness and future prospects.
Work Life Balance Challenge Fund
21. Mr. Tynan: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many organisations have received funding from the work life balance challenge fund. [33815]
Social Entrepreneurship
22. Mr. Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the contribution social entrepreneurship can make to the UK economy. [33816]
Ms Hewitt: The past lack of a common definition of social enterprise means that there is currently no reliable data on the contribution it makes to the UK economy. DTl's Social Enterprise Unit, working with academics and others, is reviewing existing research and identifying how best to map and evaluate social enterprise.
Fireworks
24. Tony Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent consultation has taken place with trading standards officers on the subject of fireworks. [33818]
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Miss Melanie Johnson: I have sought feedback from trading standards departments on enforcement activities in respect of the fireworks safety regulations.
John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she will answer the letters of 30 November 2001 and 10 January 2002 from the hon. Member for Edinburgh, West regarding nuisance fireworks. [32514]
Miss Melanie Johnson: I will reply to the hon. Member shortly.
Wind Energy
25. Mr. Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she last met National Assembly secretaries to discuss wind energy in Wales; and if she will make a statement. [33819]
Mr. Wilson: DTI Ministers and officials have regular contact with Ministers and officials of the National Assembly on a range of issues including wind energy.
The Government have set an ambitious target for renewable energy and the development of wind energy in Wales will make an important contribution.
Mr. Alan Reid: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment the Government have made of the environmental impact of wind farms. [35607]
Mr. Wilson: Each proposed wind turbine installation is subject to some environmental evaluation prior to its construction. For proposed wind farms involving more than a single turbine, whether onshore or offshore, a full environmental impact assessment by an independent consultant is generally required.
A number of studies, conducted both within the DTI's Sustainable Energy Programme and outside, have looked in detail at environmental effects of wind farms. These include studies on noise, birds, other wildlife, visual impact, electromagnetic interference, and the cumulative effects of wind turbines on a locality.
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