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Correspondence
Mr. Peter Atkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will respond to the letter of the hon. Member for Hexham of 2 April on the stay warm scheme. [65644]
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Mr. Morley [holding answer 2 July 2002]: The Department for Trade and Industry have responsibility for the Warm Stay Scheme. The hon. Member's letter has therefore been transferred to that Department.
Devolution
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the EU Advisory Committee on the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [70575]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: I have been asked to reply.
Article 22 (3) of European Directive 86/609/EEC (on the approximation of laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States regarding the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes) provides for the Commission to establish "a permanent consultative committee within which the Member States would be represented, which will assist the Commission in organising the exchange of appropriate information, while respecting the requirements of confidentiality, and which will also assist the Commission in the other questions raised by the application of this Directive". The Commission made a decision on 9 February 1990 (90/67/EEC) for setting up the Advisory Committee on the Protection of Animals for Experimental and Other Scientific Purposes under Article 22 of the Directive, including provision for representation and working methods. However, the Committee has never been established. The Commission has recently made a recommendation for the Directive to be revised. In its initial comments on what amendments might be considered, the United Kingdom has suggested that the Commission should consider either dispensing with or establishing the Advisory Committee.
TRADE AND INDUSTRY
Devolution
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the EU Committee for the Adaptation to Technical Progress and for the Implementation of the Directive on Contained Use of Genetically Modified Micro-organisms is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [68552]
Mr. Jamieson: I have been asked to reply.
No date has yet been fixed for the next meeting of this Committee. Officials from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) represent the UK on the Committee. The Scottish Ministers and HSE comprise the Competent Authority for implementation of the Directive on the contained use of genetically modified micro-organisms in Scotland. HSE officials consult the Scottish Executive on agenda items in which it might have an interest in accordance with our Concordat with the Devolved Administrations.
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Job Creation
Mr. Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what extra financing has been secured for regional development agencies to create positive job creation in the manufacturing sector. [69076]
Alan Johnson: RDA funding will increase from £1.24 billion in 2000–01 to £1.80 billion in 2003–04. Alongside this, the Government has given the RDAs financial flexibility to pursue their regional priorities. From 1 April this year, the RDAs are getting their funding from Government as a single funding stream which they can use as they judge best in order to meet a set of agreed targets. Under this general framework there is also a modest component of extra funding specifically designated for manufacturing to match fund RDAs' Regional Centres for Manufacturing Excellence (delivering the Manufacturing Advisory Service) but their role is not specifically one of job creation. However, one of the underpinning objectives of the single pot is to increase competitiveness and therefore employment, including in the manufacturing sector. The RDAs are working closely with Government to put in place strategies at the national and regional levels which will encourage the development of a strong and forward-looking manufacturing sector.
Construction Products
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the EU Standing Committee on the approximation of the laws relating to construction products is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [66423]
Mr. McNulty: I have been asked to reply.
The Standing Committee is due to meet on 10 and 11 September 2002. The United Kingdom delegation consists of officials of the Office of The Deputy Prime Minister and a representative from the construction industry. International negotiation is a reserved matter, and the Scottish Executive is not, and has not been, represented on the Standing Committee. However, officials consult regularly with their opposite numbers in the devolved administrations on relevant issues prior to such negotiation.
CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT
Cultural Co-operation
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when the EU Committee for the implementation of the programme establishing a single financing and programming instrument for cultural co-operation (Culture 2000) is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [70898]
Dr. Howells: The Culture 2000 Management Committee last met in Brussels on 31 May 2002. There is no fixed date for the next meeting of the Committee, although this is likely to be in the autumn. No members of the Scottish Executive have been or are members of the Committee.
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Devolution
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when the EU Committee on the export of cultural goods is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [70915]
Dr. Howells: The exact date of the next meeting of the Advisory Committee on Cultural Goods is unknown. However, there are normally two meetings each year; and since the last meeting took place on 4 July, it is anticipated that the next meeting will be at the beginning of 2003. Representatives of the Scottish Executive have not attended meetings of the committee. The Scottish Executive is not a member since the committee is responsible for advising the European Commission about a non-devolved matter. A representative of the Scottish Executive is, however, welcome to attend as an observer.
TREASURY
Light Dues
Nick Harvey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what the total income from light dues has been in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement; [70052] (2) what the total income from light dues, broken down by port, has been in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [70053]
Mr. Jamieson: I have been asked to reply
The total income from light dues in each of the last 10 years is listed on the attached sheet.
We do not hold information on income, broken down by port but have provided information on income broken down by region, in the last 5 years. The information is not held beyond that period. The income listed to Trinity House is light dues payments made directly to Trinity House Lighthouse Service.
| Year | Income(m) |
|---|---|
| 2001–2002 | 75.204 (Subject to Annual Audit) |
| 2000–2001 | 71.445 |
| 1999–2000 | 69.261 |
| 1998–1999 | 67.452 |
| 1997–1998 | 62.141 |
| 1996–1997 | 65.550 |
| 1995–1996 | 64.344 |
| 1994–1995 | 64.785 |
| 1993–1994 | 64.307 |
| 1992–1993 | 59.859 |
Source:
The above figures are taken from the GLF Consolidated Accounts and are for Total Income. (Excluding Irish Government Contribution)
Source:
The figures by Region are for General Light Dues only and does not include income from UK Fishing Vessels and Tugs.
The figures do not include any Light Dues refunds that were made.
The figures for Ireland are shown in £ sterling after conversion.
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Nick Harvey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact of an abolition of light dues on (a) shipping, (b) port business and (c) tourism; and if he will make a statement. [70051]
Mr. Jamieson: I have been asked to reply.
We do not intend to abolish light dues but are considering how the present system could be improved. We have issued a consultation document entitled "Light Dues Review: Meeting the Costs of Marine Aids to Navigation" seeking the views of the maritime industry on the structure of UK light dues. The consultation will consider whether charging can be extended to other users or redistributed among existing payers. We have asked consultees to identify the impact of light dues charges on their business operations.
The consultation period ends on 31 July. In the light of responses received, we shall consider where improvements can be made to the present system and determine the strength of support for change within the industry.
Nick Harvey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average payment made to Treasury was per ship entering British ports, in light dues for each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [70064]
Mr. Jamieson: I have been asked to reply.
The information is not held in the form requested.
Nick Harvey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to change the level of light dues; and if he will make a statement. [70050]
Mr. Jamieson: I have been asked to reply.
We have no plans at present to change the current level of light dues. The rates are reviewed annually and set at a level to meet the expenditure requirements of the General Lighthouse Authorities.
The consultation exercise on the Light Dues Review will determine whether improvements are made to the present system and if this will require changes to the regulations and current rates.
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