| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
Compensation Applications
David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to the answer of 26 March 2002, Official Report, columns 698–99W, on compensation applications, if she will provide a breakdown of the top 100 companies and organisations and the amounts paid to those lawyers dealing with vibration white finger and carpal tunnel syndrome. [60803]
Mr. Wilson: In the time given, the Department cannot provide the costs paid to the top 100 solicitors/ organisations. The following table updates the details of costs paid to the 10 solicitors/organisations who represent the largest number of vibration white finger claims in ascending order of total claims intimated.
| Solicitor/organisations | Costs paid (£ million) |
|---|---|
| 1. Thompsons | 6.3 |
| 2. Browell Smith and Co. | 4.8 |
| 3. UDM | 4.0 |
| 4. Raleys | 3.5 |
| 5. Hugh James Ford Simey | 3.5 |
| 6. Graysons | 2.3 |
| 7. Watson Burton | 2.2 |
| 8. Moss | 1.6 |
| 9. Towells | 1.5 |
| 10. AMS Law | 1.2 |
Legal Costs
David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to the answer of 26 March 2002, Official Report, columns 797–98W, on legal costs, if she will provide a breakdown of the top 100 companies and organisations and the amounts paid to those lawyers dealing with bronchitis and emphysema. [60802]
Mr. Wilson: In the time given, the Department cannot provide the costs paid to the top 100 solicitors/ organisations. The following table updates the details of costs paid to the 10 solicitors/organisations who represent the largest number of respiratory disease claims in ascending order of total claims intimated.
12 Jun 2002 : Column 1268W
Computers
Dr. Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures are (a) in place and (b) under discussion in her Department in order to ensure compliance with the WEEE directive. [60753]
Mr. Wilson: The WEEE directive is still in draft. The conciliation process is about to commence and the final text should be finalised this autumn. This will allow detailed implementation plans to commence. A formal consultation was completed in December 2000, on the original Commission draft, and there has been constant discussion with all stakeholders since. Informal retailer, local authority and small business focus groups have already been established to consider compliance options, with more planned. A series of formal consultations are planned early next year.
Minimum Wage
Mr. Lyons: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to remove the lower rate of the minimum wage. [60533]
Alan Johnson: We have no such plans. I announced new terms of reference for the Low Pay Commission today and will of course carefully consider any recommendations made on this issue in their next report.
European Structural Fund
Mr. Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the financial contribution into the United Kingdom's economy has been in each of the last five years from the European Structural Fund. [60710]
Alan Johnson: The total European Union Structural Funds allocations to the United Kingdom for the periods 1994–99 and 2000–06 are euro 12,590 and euro 16,640 million, equivalent to £8,380 and £10,799 million at 2000 prices. The table breaks these totals into the yearly sums. These figures include the European Social Fund allocation.
| Euro million | £ million | |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 2,552 | 1,668 |
| 1998 | 2,569 | 1,679 |
| 1999 | 2,673 | 1,748 |
| 2000 | 2,496 | 1,621 |
| 2001 | 2,471 | 1,595 |
The figures in the table are allocations rather than receipts. Some receipts are not recorded centrally and, in any case, receipts in any one year will include reimbursement of some claims submitted in respect of previous years. Similarly some claims submitted during the year in question will not be paid in that year.
12 Jun 2002 : Column 1269W
Newspaper Distribution Monopolies
Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) when she last met the National Federation of Retail Newsagents to discuss wholesaler monopolies of newspaper and magazine distribution; [60496]
- (2) if she will meet the chief executive of the National Federation of Retail Newsagents to discuss the wholesaler monopolies of newspaper and magazine distribution. [60497]
Miss Melanie Johnson: My right hon. Friend and other DTI Ministers have not met the National Federation of Retail Newsagents recently.
Responsibility for monitoring the newspaper and magazine distribution market and investigating allegations of anti-competitive behaviour lies with the Director General of Fair Trading. The Office of Fair Trading is currently reviewing the Code of Practice on the supply of national newspapers, introduced following the 1993 monopoly report on newspaper distribution in England and Wales. It is also examining other issues affecting the industry including exclusive distribution and carriage charges.
BNFL
Mr. Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list, for each of the last three years, each political donation made by British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. and each of its subsidiaries; what budget has been allocated by BNFL and its subsidiaries for political donations in 2002–03; and if she will make a statement. [59241]
Mr. Wilson [holding answer 11 June 2002]: This is a matter for the company. I have asked the chief executive to write to my hon. Friend.
Renewable Energy
Mr. Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many renewable energy projects attracted financial support from the Export Credits Guarantee Department in each of the last three years; what the level of financial support was for each project; and what percentage these represent of the total (a) number and (b) value of ECGD funded projects. [57609]
Ms Hewitt: ECGD has not provided new financial support for any renewable energy project during the last three years. During this period, however, additional insurance has been extended in respect of projects for which financial support had been underwritten earlier. Details of insurance provided by ECGD are not disclosed as this is treated as commercial in confidence.
Low Pay Commission
Dr. Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the Low Pay Commission has been given new terms of reference. [61929]
Ms Hewitt: We have today given the Low Pay Commission new terms of reference. The Government have asked the commission to continue to monitor and evaluate the impact of the minimum wage and to make recommendations, if appropriate, for changes to the levels of the main and development rates. The commission has
12 Jun 2002 : Column 1270W
been asked to report to the Government by the end of February 2003. Copies of the terms of reference have been placed in the Libraries of the House.
I am pleased to announce that we have also recently made two appointments to the Low Pay Commission. The new chair of the commission is Adair Turner, vice chairman of Merrill Lynch Europe and the new employer member is Angie Risley from Whitbread Group plc.
Broadband
Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the roll out of broadband connectivity in Northern Ireland. [57731]
Mr. Timms: The Government are committed to making the UK broadband market more extensive and competitive. The Government work with colleagues in the Northern Ireland Executive to support the development of the market. As part of the £30 million UK broadband fund, Northern Ireland will be receiving £1.46 million, which will be used to fund a number of initiatives announced on 19 March 2002.
The Northern Ireland Executive has recognised the development of a leading-edge telecommunications infrastructure as central to the development of the Northern Ireland economy. It has launched a number of initiatives such as the SME Broadband Satellite pilot programme to encourage companies to embrace broadband.
The Northern Ireland Executive will in due course issue a call for expressions of interest in potential flagship projects.
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS
Angola
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what part his Department played in brokering the ceasefire between the Government of Angola and the UNITA rebels signed in April; and if he will make a statement. [58912]
Mr. MacShane: Prior to the ceasefire in Angola, Her Majesty's Government operated a two-track policy towards Angola which was to support the existing sanctions regime against UNITA, as a means of pressing them towards dialogue; while working on the Angolan Government to improve their humanitarian performance, tackle corruption and create some genuine democratic space for possible dialogue. We worked with the Government of Angola, our EU colleagues and the United Nations with the aim of encouraging transparent dialogue between all parties to the conflict.
We welcome and support the current cease-fire and moves towards peace in Angola. The signature of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Chiefs of Staff of Angolan armed forces and UNITA on 4 April is an important step on the path to securing peace and stability. The agreement should be the start of a sustainable process through negotiation and dialogue.
12 Jun 2002 : Column 1271W
Both sides now need to make firm commitments towards the implementation of a transparent and inclusive political process.
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |