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Export Licences

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the target date is for her Department in responding to export licence applications; and if she will make a statement. [55717]

Nigel Griffiths [holding answer 13 May 2002]: The aim is to provide a response to 70 per cent. of cases within 20 working days, except in special circumstances. Details of performance in processing Standard Individual Export Licence applications against the target is published in the

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Government's Annual Reports on Strategic Export Controls, copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House.

The Government are committed to processing all export licence applications as quickly as possible consistent with our determination to manage the transfer of all goods and technology controlled for strategic reasons in a responsible manner.

Rotherham Rugby Club

Mr. Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will direct the Office of Fair Trading to examine (a) the reasons why Rotherham RFU club has been denied access to the Zurich Premier League, (b) the head leases and ownership clauses of the current members of the English Rugby Limited and (c) whether England Rugby Limited is a cartel. [56517]

Miss Melanie Johnson: Under UK competition legislation the Director General of Fair Trading is responsible for monitoring markets and investigating allegations of anti-competitive behaviour. Any evidence of anti-competitive behaviour should be sent directly to the Office of Fair Trading.

Temporary Workers

Mr. Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to her answer of 30 April 2002, Official Report, column 739W, on temporary workers, whether all parties who submitted responses to the original consultation have been included as consultees in the short consultation exercise to which she refers. [56528]

Alan Johnson: In the next consultation exercise on the draft Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations, I will be consulting all those who responded to the last consultation exercise, anybody else who has asked to be included in the consultation and other major interested bodies. I will place copies of the consultation document in the Libraries of the House and in addition on the DTI website.

TRANSPORT, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND

THE REGIONS

Anglo-Italian Meetings

Mr. Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions on how many occasions in the last six months (a) he and (b) his officials have met their Italian counterparts; and what subjects were discussed. [56889]

Dr. Whitehead: Officials met in April in preparation for a ministerial meeting in July 2002 to discuss the business of the EU Transport Council.

Temporary Staff

Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the cost to his Department was of employing staff in (a) London and (b) the south east from employment agencies in each year since 1997. [56507]

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Dr. Whitehead: This information is not held centrally and is therefore not available.

Press Office

Mrs. May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many members of his Department's press office are (a) under investigation and (b) suspended; and if he will make a statement. [55976]

Mr. Byers: Staffing and disciplinary matters are handled within the Department in accordance with the DTLR staff handbook. Within that framework personnel matters relating to individuals are a confidential matter between them and the Department.

Committee Mandates

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the mandate of the Advisory Committee on access for Community air carriers to intra-Community air routes is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [56828]

Mr. Jamieson: The Advisory Committee on access for Community air carriers to intra-Community air routes is established under the provisions of Article 11 of the Regulation (EEC) 2408/92. The remit of the committee is to advise the Commission on the application of the regulation and Articles 9 and 10 in particular on limiting traffic rights and capacity. The UK would normally be represented on the committee by an official from my Department. The committee has not met in the last 12 months and there has been no cost to public funds. There are no matters currently under its consideration.

Together with member states, the Commission is currently conducting a review to bring existing legislation on the conduct of comitology committees into line with Council Decision 1999/468/EC, to

"simplify the requirements for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission".

As an obligation to this Decision, the Commission undertook to publish an annual report on the working of committees. The first report was deposited in the Libraries of both Houses on 26 February (Com (2001) 783 Final). As part of the review process, the UK Government have encouraged the Commission to produce and maintain an electronic database of every comitology committee, its agendas and recent actions, to be accessible through its website.

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the mandate of the Committee on application of the legislation on access to the ground handling market at Community airports is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [56831]

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Mr. Jamieson: This advisory committee was established under Article 10 of the ground handling directive, whose purpose is to open up ground handling to competition at European airports in the interests of airlines. The mandate of the committee is to advise the European Commission when member states apply for exemptions from the directive. The committee is normally attended by two officials, but it has not met during the last 12 months. Since the committee was established in 1996, the average annual salary and travel and subsistence cost incurred by the Department has been approximately £1,200. There are no cases currently being considered by the committee.

Together with member states, the Commission is currently conducting a review to bring existing legislation on the conduct of comitology committees into line with Council Decision 1999/468/EC, to

"simplify the requirements for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission".

As an obligation to this Decision, the Commission undertook to publish an annual report on the working of committees. The first report was deposited in the Libraries of both Houses on 26 February 2002 (Com (2001) 783 Final). As part of the review progress, the UK Government have encouraged the Commission to produce and maintain an electronic database of every comitology committee, its agendas and recent actions, to be accessible through its website.

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the mandate of the Committee on the transfer of ships from one register to another within the Community is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [56836]

Mr. Jamieson: The committee dealing with the transfer of ships from one register to another within the Community is established under the provisions of Article 6 of Council Regulation (EEC) 613/91. The committee is composed of representatives of member states and is chaired by the European Commission. The remit of the committee is to assist the Commission in implementing and interpreting the regulation with a view to achieving the objective of facilitating the transfer of ships within the Community while ensuring that standards of maritime safety and environmental protection are not reduced. The committee has not met in the last 12 months. The UK is represented by officials from my Department and the annual cost of its work to public funds is currently nil. There are no items currently under the committee's consideration.

Together with member states, the Commission is currently conducting a review to bring existing legislation on the conduct of comitology committees into line with Council Decision 1999/468/EC, to

"simplify the requirements for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission".

As an obligation to this Decision, the Commission undertook to publish an annual report on the working of committees. The first report was deposited in the Libraries

16 May 2002 : Column 786W

of both Houses on 26 February (Com (2001) 783 Final). As part of the review process, the UK Government have encouraged the Commission to produce and maintain an electronic database of every comitology committee, its agendas and recent actions, to be accessible through its website.

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the mandate of the Committee on the harmonisation of technical requirements and administrative procedures in the field of civil aviation is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [56830]

Mr. Jamieson: The Committee on the harmonisation of technical requirements and administrative procedures in the field of civil aviation is established under the provisions of Article 12 of Council Regulation (EEC) 3922/91. The primary remit of the committee is to assist the Commission in making the amendments necessitated by scientific and technical progress to the common technical requirements and administrative procedures listed in Annexe II or adopted by the Council in accordance with Article 4 of the regulation. The Safety Regulation Group of the Civil Aviation Authority represents the UK on the committee. The committee has not met in the last 12 months and there has been no cost to public funds. There are no matters currently under its consideration.

Together with member states, the Commission is currently conducting a review to bring existing legislation on the conduct of comitology committees into line with Council Decision 1999/468/EC, to

"simplify the requirements for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission".

As an obligation to this Decision, the Commission undertook to publish an annual report on the working of committees. The first report was deposited in the Libraries of both Houses on 26 February (Com(2001) 783 Final). As part of the review process, the UK Government have encouraged the Commission to produce and maintain an electronic database of every comitology committee, its agendas and recent actions, to be accessible through its website.

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the mandate of the Advisory Committee on unfair pricing practices in marine transport is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [56832]

Mr. Jamieson: The Advisory Committee on unfair pricing practices in marine transport is established under the provisions of Article 6 of Council Regulation (EEC) 4057/86. The committee is composed of representatives of member states and is chaired by the European Commission. The remit of the committee is to assist the

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Commission in establishing the existence of unfair pricing practices and the amount thereof; the existence and extent of injury; the causal link between unfair pricing practices and injury; and the appropriate measures to prevent or remedy the injury caused by unfair pricing practices and the ways and means for putting such measures into effect. The committee has not met in the last 12 months. The UK is represented by officials from my Department and the annual cost of its work to public funds is currently nil. There are no items currently under the committee's consideration.

Together with member states, the Commission is currently conducting a review to bring existing legislation on the conduct of comitology committees into line with Council Decision 1999/468/EC, to

"simplify the requirements for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission".

As an obligation to this Decision, the Commission undertook to publish an annual report on the working of committees. The first report was deposited in the Libraries of both Houses on 26 February (Com(2001)783 Final). As part of the review process, the UK Government have encouraged the Commission to produce and maintain an electronic database of every comitology committee, its agendas and recent actions, to be accessible through its website.

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the mandate of the Advisory Committee on the definition and use of comparative technical and operating standards and specifications for the procurement of air traffic management equipment and systems is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [56829]

Mr. Jamieson: The Committee on the definition and use of comparative technical and operating standards and specifications for the procurement of air traffic management equipment and systems is established under the provisions of Article 6 of Council Directive 93/65 EEC. The remit of the committee is to assist the Commission in laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission, to make certain Eurocontrol standards mandatory at Community level. The committee meets only rarely and there has been no cost to public funds in the last 12 months. There are no matters currently under its consideration.

Together with member states, the Commission is currently conducting a review to bring existing legislation on the conduct of comitology committees into line with Council Decision 1999/468/EC, to

"simplify the requirements for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission".

As an obligation to this Decision, the Commission undertook to publish an annual report on the working of committees. The first report was deposited in the Libraries of both Houses on 26 February (Com(2001)783 Final). As part of the review process, the UK Government have encouraged the Commission to produce and maintain an electronic database of every comitology committee, its agendas and recent actions, to be accessible through its website.

16 May 2002 : Column 788W

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the mandate of the Committee for the adaptation to technical progress of recording equipment in road transport (tachographs) is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [55677]

Mr. Jamieson: The Committee for Adaptation to Technical Progress (CATP) is established under Article 18 of Regulation (EEC) 3821/85. The committee is composed of representatives of member states and is chaired by the European Commission. The remit of the committee is to consider and approve technical amendments to the tachograph—the instrument of drivers' hours enforcement. The committee has met once in the last 12 months. The last work carried out by the Committee was in connection with the specification for digital tachographs. There are currently no plans for further meetings. The UK is represented by officials from my Department and the annual cost of its work to public funds is about £1,000.

Together with member states, the Commission is currently conducting a review to bring existing legislation on the conduct of comitology committees into line with Council Decision 1999/468/EC, to

"simplify the requirements for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission".

As an obligation to this Decision, the Commission undertook to publish an annual report on the working of committees. The first report was deposited in the Libraries of both Houses on 26 February (Com(2001)783 Final). As part of the review process, the UK Government have encouraged the Commission to produce and maintain an electronic database of every comitology committee, its agendas and recent actions, to be accessible through its website.

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the mandate of the committee for a transparent system of harmonised rules for restrictions on heavy goods vehicles involved in international transport on designated roads is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [55674]

Mr. Jamieson: No such committee exists. In May 1998 the European Commission published a proposal for a Council directive on a transparent system of rules for driving restrictions on heavy goods vehicles involved in international transport on designated roads. The proposal made provision for an advisory committee composed of representatives of the member states and chaired by the Commission. The proposed directive was never adopted.

Together with member states, the Commission is currently conducting a review to bring existing legislation on the conduct of comitology committees into line with Council decision 1999/468/EC, to

"simplify the requirements for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission".

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As an obligation to this decision, the Commission undertook to publish an annual report on the working of committees. The first report was deposited in the Libraries of both Houses on 26 February (Com (2001) 783 Final). As part of the review process, the UK Government have encouraged the Commission to produce and maintain an electronic database of every comitology committee, its agendas and recent actions, to be accessible through its website.

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the mandate of the Advisory Committee on Transport is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [55645]

Mr. Jamieson: This committee was established under the provisions of Council Decision 78/174/EEC of 20 February 1978 instituting a consultation procedure and setting up a committee in the field of transport infrastructure. But the Council Decision was repealed by decision No. 1692/96/EC of 23 July 1996 on Community guidelines for the development of the trans-European transport network. And the committee established under the 1978 Decision has been replaced by the committee provided for under Article 18 of the 1996 Decision.

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the mandate of the Committee on implementation of Protocol 9 to the Act of Accession of Austria concerning transport by road and rail and combined transport (Ecopoints) is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [55676]

Mr. Jamieson: The Ecopoint system governs the transit through Austria by EU heavy goods vehicles. The Ecopoints Management Committee is established under the provisions of Article 16 of Protocol No. 9 of the Austrian Act of Accession and Article 4 of the Council Decision 1992/577/EEC. The committee is composed of representatives of member states and is chaired by the European Commission. The remit of the committee is to consider—and where appropriate, to vote upon—measures proposed by the Commission concerning the administration of the Ecopoint regime. The committee has met four times in the last twelve months. The UK is represented by officials from my Department and the annual cost of its work to public funds is about £2,000. The committee is currently considering whether the 108 per cent. penalty clause needs to be invoked in 2002, the categories of transport operations that should be exempted from the regime and improved procedures for dealing with infringements.

Together with member states, the Commission is currently conducting a review to bring existing legislation on the conduct of comitology committees into line with Council Decision 1999/468/EC, to

"simplify the requirements for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission".

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As an obligation to this decision, the Commission undertook to publish an annual report on the working of committees. The first report was deposited in the Libraries of both Houses on 26 February (Com (2001) 783 Final). As part of the review process, the UK Government have encouraged the Commission to produce and maintain an electronic database of every comitology committee, its agendas and recent actions, to be accessible through its website.

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the mandate of the EU-Switzerland Transport Committee (rail and road) is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [55644]

Mr. Jamieson: The committee in question did not meet in the last 12 months. It was established by the EU Switzerland Transit Agreement of 1992. However, the Transit Agreement has been superseded by the new EU Switzerland Agreement which is due to enter into force on 1 June 2002. That agreement provides for the establishment of a Joint Management (Transport) Committee, the function of which will be to ensure proper implementation of the agreement. No date has been set for its inaugural meeting. It will operate in accordance with the EU rules on comitology.

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the mandate of the Advisory Committee for the application of uniform principles on costing for railway undertakings is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [55681]

Mr. Jamieson: I have not been able to identify the Advisory Committee in question from the information provided by the hon. Member.

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the mandate of the Committee on the driving licence is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [55673]

Mr. Jamieson: The Committee on the driving licence is mandated under Article 1.2 of Council directive 97/26/EEC amending directive 91/439/EEC on driving licences. Its mandate extends considering possible changes in driving licence arrangements in the light of scientific and technical progress.

The committee has met once in the past 12 months. The UK is represented on the committee by an official of my Department, at a cost to public funds in the past 12 months of less than £1,000.

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The committee is currently considering a number of scientific studies undertaken by the Commission into such aspects as drivers' vision and vehicle adaptations for disabled drivers.

If, as a result of the committee's work, some new legislative proposal emerged with significant implications for the UK, we would inform the Scrutiny Committees.

Together with member states, the Commission is currently conducting a review to bring existing legislation on the conduct of comitology committees into line with Council decision 1999/468/EC, to

"simplify the requirements for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission".

As an obligation to this decision, the Commission undertook to publish an annual report on the working of committees. The first report was deposited in the Libraries of both Houses on 26 February (Com (2001) 783 Final). As part of the review process, the UK Government have encouraged the Commission to produce and maintain an electronic database of every comitology committee, its agendas and recent actions, to be accessible through its website.

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the mandate of the Advisory Committee for the harmonisation and comparability of the accounting and annual accounts of railway undertakings is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [55680]

Mr. Jamieson: The Council Decision of 13 May 1965 (OJ No88, 24.5.1965, pl473), which established this committee, is no longer in force. The committee has not met in the last twelve months.

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the mandate of the Committee for the adaptation to technical progress of roadworthiness tests of vehicles is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [55675]

Mr. Jamieson: The Committee for the Adaptation to Technical Progress of Roadworthiness of Vehicles is mandated to approve technical amendments to the European Union Directive which prescribes the content of "MOT" tests across Europe. It has met once in the past 12 months when it was attended by two staff from my Department, a cost of less than £1,000. If, as a result of the committee's work, some new proposal emerged with significant implications for the UK we would inform the Scrutiny Committees.

Together with member states, the Commission is currently conducting a review to bring existing legislation on the conduct of comitology committees into line with Council Decision 1999/468/EC, to

"simplify the requirements for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission".

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As an obligation to this Decision, the Commission undertook to publish an annual report on the working of committees. The first report was deposited in the Libraries of both Houses on 26 February (Com (2001) 783 Final). As part of the review process, the UK Government have encouraged the Commission to produce and maintain an electronic database of every comitology committee, its agendas and recent actions, to be accessible through its website.

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