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Alternative Fuels
Mr. Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to what degree energy production from (a) renewable sources, (b) wind and (c) CHP have changed since the introduction of NETA. [51961]
Mr. Wilson: The most recent data on the electricity output from renewable, wind and CHP sources were published on 31 August 2001 by Ofgem in its "Report to the DTI on the Review of the Initial Impact of NETA on Smaller Generators", covering the first two months of NETA operation. It found that, for those two months, compared with the corresponding two-month period a year earlier, output had decreased as follows:
- (a) for renewables (excluding hydro and wind), by 7 per cent;
- (b) for hydro, by 14 per cent;
- (c) for wind, by 13 per cent; and
- (d) for CHP, by 61 per cent.
A significant rise in gas prices that occurred in the same months may have contributed to the very large fall in CHP output recorded in the survey period.
Ofgem has committed in its corporate plan to carry out a review of NETA covering the first year of operation, to be published in the second quarter of 2002. Ofgem has indicated it intends to include as part of its one year review a chapter on the impact of NETA on smaller generators during the first year of NETA operation. In addition, further data on the output of electricity from renewables (including wind) and CHP sources are expected to be published in July 2002 in the DTI's annual "Digest of UK Energy Statistics".
Following the Ofgem report of 31 August 2001, the Government set up a consultation on NETA and smaller generators, and on 4 April 2002 published their response. This identifies action to help smaller
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generators operate more effectively within NETA. It is available on the DTI website at www.dti.gov.uk/ industries_energy.html#markets.
The introduction of the Renewables Obligation on 1 April this year provides a substantial impetus to the use of renewable electricity. On CHP, DEFRA are working to produce a draft strategy that will be out to consultation shortly. In the recent Budget, several measures were announced that would benefit CHP, including extending the exemption of CHP from the climate change levy.
Miners' Compensation
Mr. Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of claimants represented by each of the top 10 claims handlers have been refused any settlement for (a) chronic bronchitis and emphysema and (b) vibration white finger of former coalminers. [52308]
Mr. Wilson: The percentage of claims denied for compensation under the chronic bronchitis and emphysema Claims Handling Agreement, as a percentage of total claims received, for each of the top 10 claims handlers is as follows:—
| Top 10 claims handlers | Ineligible |
|---|---|
| Thompsons | 4.8 |
| Hugh James Ford Simey | 6.3 |
| Union of Democratic Mineworkers | 4.9 |
| Raleys | 2.8 |
| Mark Gilbert Morse | 0.8 |
| Browell Smith & Co. | 1.3 |
| Graysons | 3.9 |
| Watson Burton | 1.0 |
| Irwin Mitchells | 3.6 |
| Randell Saunders | 3.5 |
The percentage of claims denied for compensation under the vibration white finger Claims Handling Agreement, as a percentage of total claims received, for each of the top 10 claims handlers is as follows:
| Top 10 claims handlers | Denied |
|---|---|
| Thompsons | 24.5 |
| Browell Smith & Co. | 21.6 |
| Union of Democratic Mineworkers | 11.0 |
| Raleys | 16.0 |
| Hugh James Ford Simey | 23.8 |
| Graysons | 17.6 |
| Moss | 31.2 |
| Watson Burton | 20.0 |
| AMS Law | 30.8 |
| Towells | 15.8 |
Some of these claimants will be submitting further evidence of vibration exposure which may allow these claims to be reconsidered. The procedure for this has been agreed with the claimants' solicitors.
Mr. Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate she has made of the probable total compensation payout to claimants for (a) chronic bronchitis and emphysema and (b) vibration white finger of former coalminers. [52311]
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Mr. Wilson: It is difficult to provide an accurate estimate of costs of British Coal health claims due to the number of new claims being registered each week. Almost 700 new respiratory disease and 300 vibration white finger claims continue to be registered each week. Presently the Department estimates that the total cost of both compensation schemes will be around £6 billion.
Mr. Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the average level of final settlement for claimants represented by each of the top 10 claims handlers for (a) chronic bronchitis and emphysema and (b) vibration white finger of former coal miners has been. [52310]
Mr. Wilson: The average full and final settlement for each of the top 10 claims handlers involved in the compensation claims for chronic bronchitis and emphysema is as follows:
| Top 10 claims handlers | Average full and final settlement |
|---|---|
| Thompsons | 6,267 |
| Hugh James Ford Simey | 8,713 |
| Union of Democratic Mineworkers | 4,281 |
| Raleys | 4,416 |
| Mark Gilbert Morse | 5,251 |
| Browell Smith and Co. | 6,719 |
| Graysons | 4,624 |
| Watson Burton | 4,936 |
| Irwin Mitchells | 6,088 |
| Randell Saunders | 6,329 |
The average full and final settlement for each of the top 10 claims handlers involved in the compensation claims for vibration white finger is as follows:
| Top 10 claims handlers | Average full and final settlement |
|---|---|
| Thompsons | 7,283 |
| Browell Smith and Co. | 9,011 |
| Union of Democratic Mineworkers | 8,052 |
| Raleys | 6,923 |
| Hugh James Ford Simey | 7,220 |
| Graysons | 5,978 |
| Moss | 6,891 |
| Watson Burton | 8,697 |
| AMS Law | 8,455 |
| Towells | 8,310 |
Air Traffic Control System (Tanzania)
Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what account was taken of the effect on jobs at BAe Systems in deciding to grant an export licence for the sale of an air traffic control system to Tanzania. [51749]
Nigel Griffiths: All relevant export licence applications are considered on a case by case basis against the consolidated EU and national arms export licensing
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criteria. The effect of proposed exports on the economic, social, commercial and industrial interest of the producer country will not effect the application of the criteria in the EU code of conduct.
Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what criteria were taken into account in deciding to grant an export licence for BAE Systems in respect of its sale of an air traffic control system to Tanzania. [51750]
Nigel Griffiths: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Hancock) on 9 January 2002, Official Report, column 869.
Export Licences
Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the decision in 1997 to give preliminary clearance to Siemens Plessey Electronic Systems under the F680 procedure was taken into account in determining the application for an export licence. [51751]
Nigel Griffiths: The Form 680 process is administered by the Ministry of Defence and provides advice on the prospects for approval at the marketing stage. When the Government provides Form 680 advice it is always made clear to companies that such advice does not constitute an export licence, nor does it guarantee that an export licence will be approved for the future export of goods and technology.
All relevant export licence applications are considered on a case by case basis against the Consolidated EU and national arms export licensing criteria in the light of the circumstances prevailing at the time of the application. Export licensing decisions do not take into account previous advice provided under the Form 680 process.
BP (Secondments)
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the total cost to her Department for the secondment of BP employees since January 2000 has been. [52162]
Ms Hewitt: Records held centrally show the total cost of reimbursement to BP for provision of secondees into DTI in the period from 1 January 2000 to 31 March 2002 as £80,334.
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what expenses and travel costs BP employees on secondment to her Department are allowed to claim. [52160]
Ms Hewitt: Terms and conditions of secondments into the Department are set out in contractual agreements. The standard terms for all secondees in relation to travel and subsistence costs are that the Department reimburses direct to secondees the cost of any travel, subsistence and other expenditure that they may incur in the course of their work while on secondment. Reimbursement is at DTI rates and is made in accordance with departmental rules. The only exception to this arrangement is where any secondee has the use of a company car and uses it on DTI business. In these instances the secondee is not paid a DTI mileage rate but is reimbursed actual costs of petrol used.
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Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what date the secondment of Mr. Bob Saunders from BP to her Department began; what the duration of the secondment will be; what the terms and conditions of the secondment are; and if she will make a statement. [52158]
Ms Hewitt: The secondment of Robert Saunders is due to start on 1 May 2002. The secondment will be for two years and will be subject to standard contractual terms and conditions applied to all secondments into the Department.
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if employees from BP have to sign the Official Secrets Act when they are accepted on secondment to her Department; and if she will make a statement. [52161]
Ms Hewitt: While neither permanent staff nor secondees have to sign the Official Secrets Act all secondments into the Department are subject to specific contractual terms. The contracts, which are signed by the secondee, make it clear that they are subject to the provisions of the Official Secrets Act 1989 and to certain other Acts which prohibit unauthorised disclosure of various categories of information and that they are therefore required to conform to the Department's security procedures. An explanatory booklet summarising the provisions of the Official Secrets Act 1989 is sent to each secondee with their contract. Additionally the contract makes clear that secondees, like civil servants, are also required to exercise care in handling information that they acquire in the course of their official duties and to protect information that is held in confidence.
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