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19 Sept 2002 : Column 168W—continued
Sexual Harrassment
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps she takes to ensure that women at work have suitable avenues to report sexual harrassment. [72856]
Ms Hewitt: The Government take the issue of sexual harassment very seriously. In employment law it is well established that sexual harassment constitutes a form of detriment under the Sex Discrimination Act.
Reporting instances of sexual harassment can be channelled through managers, personnel officers or trade union representatives. Many employers also appoint sexual harassment counsellors who are specially trained to deal with complaints.
The Government have published leaflets for employers and employees on how to avoid, how to report, and how to deal with sexual harassment. Guidance for women and men on how to report and deal with instances of sexual harassment is also available from the Equal Opportunities Commission, and the Equal Opportunities Commission can help individuals bring a complaint.
Equal Pay
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures are in place to ensure that women are paid the same as men when they are in the same job. [72854]
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Ms Hewitt: The Equal Pay Act 1970 makes it unlawful for an employer to pay a woman less than a man for the same job, a job rated as equivalent or a job of equal value. The Act applies equally to men and women. A booklet about the Act is available from the Government.
The Equal Opportunities Commission's (EOC) Code of Practice on Equal Pay provides practical guidance and recommends good practice to employers. It is a statutory Code, and can be referred to in Tribunal evidence.
The EOC was given extra funding to develop an Equal Pay Toolkit, aimed at helping employers to carry out pay reviews. The kit was launched on the 4 of July.
We have made funding available to Trade Unions to train their representatives to negotiate on equal pay issues in the workplace.
The Employment Act (2002) provides a new power to introduce an Equal Pay Questionnaire into the Equal Pay Act. The questionnaire procedure will help women who think they may not be receiving equal pay to request key information from their employers before deciding whether to institute proceedings. We will be consulting interested parties on the design and content of the form later this year.
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action can be taken against companies that do not enforce an equal pay policy. [72855]
Ms Hewitt: The Equal Pay Act 1970 imposes an obligation to pay men and women equally for the same work, work rated as equivalent and work of equal value. While employers are not legally required to have an equal pay policy, we encourage voluntary pay reviews through, for example, the Castle Awards and the Fair Pay Champions.
Individuals who feel they are suffering pay discrimination on the basis of their gender are entitled to take a case to an employment tribunal under the Equal Pay Act.
The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC), which helps to enforce sex discrimination and equal pay legislation, has the power to conduct formal investigations, and to issue non-discrimination notices where, in the course of a formal investigation, it is satisfied that the Equal Pay Act is not being complied with. The EOC also has the power to provide financial or other assistance to applicants bringing a case under the Equal Pay Act and to seek preliminary findings as to whether there may have been an infringement of the Act, and apply for an injunction to restrain persistent discrimination.
Employee Regulations
Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of (a) businesses and (b) employees would be excluded if those firms with up to 10 employees were exempted from regulation; and if she will make a statement. [73139]
Nigel Griffiths: Data are available for businesses with 0–9 employees at the start of 2000. The figures are for all types of regulations, including fire.
| Businesses | Employees |
|---|---|
| 95.0 | 17.3 |
Source:
Small and Medium Enterprise (SME)
Statistics for the United Kingdom 2000,
Small Business Service.
Regulations are drawn up to address specific issues. There are already a number of regulations that exempt small companies. Such exclusions are looked at on a case by case basis, and not necessarily by size of company but also turnover and other measures.
Blanket exclusions can cause their own problems when companies exceed the threshold they are expected to comply with all regulations at once.
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SMEs
Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many employees are employed in the UK in (a) small, (b) medium sized enterprises and (c) in total; and if she will make a statement. [73134]
Nigel Griffiths: The latest figures relate to the start of 2000 and include full-time and part-time employment.
| Small (0–49 employees) | Medium (50–249 employees) | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 9,650 | 2,536 | 22,132 |
Source:
Small and Medium Enterprise (SME)
Statistics for the United Kingdom 2000,
Small Business Service.
Working Time Directive
Mr. Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many breaches of the EC Working Time Directive have been recorded to date in (a) the United Kingdom and (b) Scotland. [72399]
Alan Johnson: We do not record "breaches", but we do collate figures relating to enquiries and complaints:
The ACAS helpline currently receives over 5,000 working time calls during a year
The Employment Tribunal Service Annual Report for 2001–02 showed that, during the period, the Employment Tribunal Service disposed of 1,632 cases that were specifically concerned with the working time entitlements (rest and paid annual leave). 169 (10 per cent.) were successful and 495 (30 per cent.) were ACAS conciliated settlements.
Since the introduction of the Working Time Regulations in 1998 (up to March this year), the Health and Safety Executive Working Time officers have dealt with 685 complaints and completed 469 investigations on the working time and night work limits. Local authority Environmental Health Departments have recorded one successful prosecution over the past two years
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Machinery
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the EU Standing Committee on the approximation of the laws of the member States relating to machinery 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. [66441]
Ms Hewitt: It is my understanding that the hon. Member is referring to the Standing Committee set up under Article 6.2 of Directive 98/37/EC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to machinery. It is anticipated that the above Committee will meet later in the year, however, dates have not been set. The UK is represented by officials from the Department of Trade and Industry. They are supported by a technical expert from the Health and Safety Executive. The Scottish Executive is regularly consulted on, and is fully involved in, discussions at official and Ministerial level with the Department on the formulation of EU policy which touch on matters which fall within the responsibilities of the Scottish Executive.
ACMs
Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the mandate of the Committee for the Adaptation to Technical Progress of the Directive on the Removal of Technical Barriers to Trade in Pressure Vessels 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 she will list the items currently under its consideration; if she will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if she will make a statement. [55215]
Ms Hewitt: It is assumed that the question concerns the provisions of the Directive on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to simple pressure vessels 87/404/EEC. There is no provision for such a Committee in that directive.
EU Committees
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the EU Committee on the implementation of projects promoting co-operation and commercial relations between the European Union and the industrialised countries of North America, the Far East and Australasia is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive have been members of it; and if she will make a statement. [64919]
Ms Hewitt: The EU Committee on the implementation of projects promoting cooperation and commercial relations between the European Union and the industrialised countries of North America, the Far East and Australia is next due to meet on 24 July 2002. Relations with the European Union are the responsibility of the Parliament and Government of the United Kingdom, as Member State. The Scottish Executive is regularly consulted on, and is fully involved in discussions, at official and Ministerial level, on the formulation of EU policy which touch on matters which fall within the responsibilities of the Scottish Executive.
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Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the EU Advisory Committee on common rules for imports of products from third countries is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive have been members of it; and if she will make a statement. [64928]
Ms Hewitt: I refer to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Buckingham (Mr. Bercow) on 21 May 2002, Official Report, columns 232–33W.
The Scottish Executive is regularly consulted on, and is fully involved in discussions, at official and Ministerial level, with the Department on the formulation of EU policy which touch on matters which fall within the responsibilities of the Scottish Executive.
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the EU Advisory Committee on protection against dumped imports is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive have been members of it; and if she will make a statement. [64926]
Ms Hewitt: I refer to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Buckingham (Mr. Bercow) on 22 May 2002, Official Report, column 389W.
The Scottish Executive is regularly consulted on, and is fully involved in discussions, at official and Ministerial level, with the Department on the formulation of EU policy which touch on matters which fall within the responsibilities of the Scottish Executive.
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the EU Committee on defence against obstacles to trade which effect the market of the Community or a non-member country is next due to meet, whether representatives of the Scottish Executive have been members of it; and if she will make a statement. [64918]
Ms Hewitt: I refer to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Buckingham (Mr. Bercow) on 21 May 2002, Official Report, column 230W.
The Scottish Executive is regularly consulted on, and is fully involved in discussions, at official and Ministerial level, with the Department on the formulation of EU policy which touch on matters which fall within the responsibilities of the Scottish Executive.
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the EU Advisory Committee on protection against subsidised imports is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive have been members of it; and if she will make a statement. [64905]
Ms Hewitt: I refer to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Buckingham (Mr. Bercow) on 22 May 2002, Official Report, column 389W.
The Scottish Executive is regularly consulted on, and is fully involved in discussions, at official and Ministerial level, with the Department on the formulation of EU policy which touch on matters which fall within the responsibilities of the Scottish Executive.
19 Sept 2002 : Column 173W
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the EU Textile Committee (conventional regime) is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive have been members of it; and if she will make a statement. [64917]
Ms Hewitt: I refer to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Buckingham (Mr. Bercow) on 22 May 2002, Official Report, column 388W.
The Scottish Executive is regularly consulted on, and is fully involved in discussions, at official and Ministerial level, with the Department on the formulation of EU policy which touch on matters which fall within the responsibilities of the Scottish Executive.
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the EU Coordinating Group for the Community regime for the control of exports of dual-use goods is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive have been members of it; and if she will make a statement. [64922]
Ms Hewitt: No date has yet been fixed for the next meeting of the Co-ordination Group for the Community Regime for the Control of Exports of Dual-Use Items and Technology.
The Scottish Executive is regularly consulted on, and is fully involved in discussions, at official and Ministerial level, with the Department on the formulation of EU policy which touch on matters which fall within the responsibilities of the Scottish Executive.
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the EU Standing Committee on technical rules and standards, including rules relating to information society services is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if he will make a statement. [64827]
Ms Hewitt: The Committee on Standards and Technical Regulations is next due to meet on 30 October 2002. The UK is normally represented by one or two officials from the Department of Trade and Industry. The Scottish Executive is regularly consulted on, and is fully involved in discussions, at official and Ministerial level, on the formulation of EU policy which touch on matters which fall within the responsibilities of the Scottish Executive.
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the EU Committee for management of generalised preferences is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive have been members of it; and if she will make a statement. [64920]
Ms Hewitt: The Committee last met on 3 June 2002. There are currently no plans for it to meet in the near future. The UK is normally represented by officials from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). As the EU's Generalised System of Preferences Scheme is an international trade issue, the DTI delegates at this committee represent all of the UK. The Scottish Executive is regularly consulted on, and is fully involved in discussions, at official and Ministerial level, on the formulation of EU policy which touch on matters which fall within the responsibilities of the Scottish Executive.
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Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the EU Committee for the harmonisation of credit insurance provisions for transactions with medium- and long-term cover is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive have been members of it; and if she will make a statement. [64921]
Ms Hewitt: The Committee for the harmonisation of the main provisions concerning export credit insurance for transactions with medium and long-term cover is a comitology committee covering the work of the European Council Working Group on Export Credits.
Comitology procedures only exist for a very limited number of issues, the committee meets on an ad hoc basis and the committee has had no reason to meet in the past twelve months. We are unable to anticipate if or when it might be required to meet in future.
If a meeting of the committee was convened, the UK would be represented by our delegation to the Council Working Group comprising officials from the Export Credits Guarantee Department. The Scottish Executive is regularly consulted on, and is fully involved in discussions, at official and Ministerial level, on the formulation of EU policy which touch on matters which fall within the responsibilities of the Scottish Executive.
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the EU Advisory Committee on standardisation in the field of information technology 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. [64902]
Ms Hewitt: The Advisory Committee on Standardisation in the field of Information Technology (SOGITS) has not met for over two years and there are no issues under consideration at present. Discussions are taking place to reactivate this Committee. The UK is normally represented by an official from the Department of Trade and Industry. The Scottish Executive is regularly consulted on, and is fully involved in discussions, at official and Ministerial level, on the formulation of EU policy which touch on matters which fall within the responsibilities of the Scottish Executive.
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the EU Standing Committee for the approximation of the laws of the Member States concerning pressure equipment is next due to meet; what the UK representation on it is; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if he will make a statement. [64825]
Ms Hewitt: Provision for such a Standing Committee is contained in Article 7.2 of the Pressure Equipment Directive 97/23/EC but this has not yet been put into effect and so the Committee has never met.
An informal "Working Group on Pressure" has been convened, however, under the auspices of Article 17 of the Directive.
Representation from the United Kingdom is led by officials from the Department of Trade and Industry. They are supported by a technical expert from the Health and Safety Executive. The Scottish Executive is regularly consulted on, and is fully involved in discussions, at
19 Sept 2002 : Column 175W
official and Ministerial level, with the Department on the formulation of EU policy which touch on matters which fall within the responsibilities of the Scottish Executive.
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the EU Committee for the harmonisation of national legislation relating to recreational craft 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. [64882]
Ms Hewitt: It is my understanding that the hon Member is referring to the Standing Committee set up under Article 6 of the Directive 94/25 on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of Member States relating to recreational craft. The next meeting is scheduled for December 2002. The UK is represented by two officials from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
The Scottish Executive is regularly consulted on, and is fully involved in discussions, at official and Ministerial level, with the Department on the formulation of EU policy which touch on matters which fall within the responsibilities of the Scottish Executive.
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the EU Committee on implementation of the multiannual programme for enterprise and entrepreneurship, in particular for small and medium-sized enterprises is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive have been members of it; and if she will make a statement. [64914]
Ms Hewitt: The next Enterprise Programme Management Committee (EPMC) is due to take place during September/October 2002.
The Multiannual programme for enterprise and entrepreneurship is not a devolved activity.
The Scottish Executive is regularly consulted on, and is fully involved in discussions, at official and Ministerial level, with the Department on the formulation of EU policy which touch on matters which fall within the responsibilities of the Scottish Executive.
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the EU Advisory Committee for implementation of the Community market-access strategy is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive have been members of it; and if she will make a statement. [64961]
Ms Hewitt: The Advisory Committee for the Implementation of the Community Market-access Strategy last met on 6 June 2002. Its next meeting is likely to be in the first half of 2003. The Scottish Executive is regularly consulted on, and is fully involved in discussions, at official and Ministerial level, with the Department on the formulation of EU policy which touch on matters which fall within the responsibilities of the Scottish Executive.
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the EU Advisory Committee on common rules for exports of products is next due to meet;
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whether representatives of the Scottish Executive have been members of it; and if she will make a statement. [64927]
Ms Hewitt: The EU Advisory Committee on Common Rules for Exports of Products last met on 8 May 2001. No date has been set for its next meeting and I believe it is unlikely to do so again in the foreseeable future. The Scottish Executive is regularly consulted on, and is fully involved in discussions, at official and Ministerial level, on the formulation of EU policy which touch on matters which fall within the responsibilities of the Scottish Executive.
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the EU Committee for protection against the effects of the extra-territorial application of legislation adopted by a third country, and actions based thereon or resulting therefrom (anti-boycott) is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive have been members of it; and if she will make a statement. [64923]
Ms Hewitt: It was intended that a Committee for Protection Against the Effects of the Extraterritorial Application of Legislation Adopted by a Third Country and Actions Based Thereon or Resulting therefrom (anti-boycott) would be established in Brussels to assist EU companies affected by extraterritorial jurisdiction by third countries, and in particular those affected by the extraterritorial aspects of the US trade sanctions against Cuba, Iran and Libya.
Thus far, the Committee has not been convened. UK companies are obliged to inform HMG and the European Commission of any extraterritorial action taken against them, but whilst it is clear who would be responsible for representing the UK at any meeting of the Committee, in these times of improved electronic communication, it has not been necessary in practice for it to meet.
In addition, as part of the 1997 Understanding between the EU and the US, the US undertook to exempt European individuals and companies from the extraterritorial aspects of US legislation drastically reducing the number of cases occurring, thus further reducing the need for the Committee to meet.
The Scottish Executive is regularly consulted on, and is fully involved in discussions, at officials and Ministerial level, with the Department on the formulation of EU policy which touched on matters which fall within the responsibilities of the Scottish Executive.
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the EU Advisory Committee on restrictive practices and dominant positions is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if he will make a statement. [67752]
Ms Hewitt: The Advisory Committee on Restrictive Practices and Dominant Positions met on 15 July. The UK is normally represented by officials from the Office of Fair Trading, and sometimes the DTI. The Scottish Executive is regularly consulted on, and is fully involved in discussions, at official and Ministerial level, with the Department on the formulation of EU policy which touch on matters which fall within the responsibilities of the Scottish Executive.
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Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the EU Advisory Committee on restrictive practices and dominant positions in the transport industry 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. [67753]
Ms Hewitt: The Advisory Committee on Restrictive Practices and Dominant Positions in the transport industry meets only when there are European Commission decisions or legislative proposals to discuss. No meetings are currently planned. The UK is normally represented by officials from the Office of Fair Trading, the DTI and the DTLR. The Scottish Executive is regularly consulted on, and is fully involved in discussions, at official and Ministerial level, with the Department on the formulation of EU policy which touch on matters which fall within the responsibilities of the Scottish Executive.
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the EU Advisory Committee on concentrations between undertakings is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if he will make a statement. [67749]
Ms Hewitt: The Advisory Committee on Restrictive Practices and Dominant Positions met on the 15 July. The UK is normally represented by officials from the Office of fair Trading and sometimes the DTI. The Scottish Executive is regularly consulted on, and is fully involved in discussions, at official and Ministerial level, with the department on the formulation of EU policy which touch on matters which fall within the responsibilities of the Scottish Executive.
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the EU Committee on General Authorisations and Individual Licences in the Field of Telecommunications Services 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. [68553]
Ms Hewitt: No meetings are currently scheduled for the EU Committee on General Authorisations and Individual Licences in the Field of Telecommunications Services.
The UK is normally represented at the Licensing Committee by two officials, one each from Oftel and the Radio Agency. The Scottish Executive is regularly consulted on, and is fully involved in discussions, at official and Ministerial level, with the Department on the formulation of EU policy which touch on matters which fall within the responsibilities of the Scottish Executive.
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the EU Committee on the Implementation of Open Network Provision 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. [68554]
Ms Hewitt: No meetings are currently scheduled for the EU Committee on the implementation of Open Network Provision.
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The UK is normally represented on the ONP Committee by three officials, one from DTI and two from Oftel. The Scottish Executive is regularly consulted on, and is fully involved in discussions, at official and Ministerial level, with the Department on the formulation of EU policy which touch on matters which fall within the responsibilities of the Scottish Executive.
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the EU Committee for the Implementation of the Multiannual Community Action Plan on Promoting the Safe Use of the Internet 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. [68573]
Ms Hewitt: The Internet Action Plan Programme Committee is next due to meet on 28 October 2002. An official from the Department of Trade and Industry normally attends, and represents all of the UK. The Scottish Executive is regularly consulted on, and is fully involved in discussions, at official and Ministerial level, with the Department on the formulation of EU policy which touch on matters which fall within the responsibilities of the Scottish Executive.
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the EU Committee for the Implementation of the Multiannual Community Programme to Stimulate the Development and Use of European Digital Content on the Global Networks and to Promote Linquistic Diversity in the Information Society (e-Content) 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. [68569]
Ms Hewitt: The Programme Management Committee met on 22 March 2002, and is next due to meet on 11 September 2002. The UK is normally represented by one official from the Department of Trade and Industry. The Scottish Executive is regularly consulted on, and is fully involved in discussions, at official and Ministerial level, with the Department on the formulation of EU policy which touch on matters which fall within the responsibilities of the Scottish Executive.
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the EU Committee for the Approximation of the Laws of the Member States Relating to Noise Emission in the Environment by Equipment for Use Outdoors 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. [68567]
Ms Hewitt: The Noise Committee met on 16 November 2001, and is next due to meet on 6 December 2002. The UK is normally represented by two officials from the Department of Trade and Industry. The Scottish Executive is regularly consulted on, and is fully involved in discussions, at official and Ministerial level, with the Department on the formulation of EU policy which touch on matters which fall within the responsibilities of the Scottish Executive.
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the EU Advisory Committee on Telecommunications Procurement is next due to meet;
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whether representatives of the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [68551]
Ms Hewitt: No meetings of the Advisory Committee on Telecommunications Procurement are currently planned. Under the Cabinet Office and Scottish Executive Concordat on Co-ordination of European Union Policy Issues, UK representation falls to the relevant UK Department (in this instance the Office of Government Commerce). The Concordat requires that the Scottish Executive should be fully consulted prior to any meeting of the Committee and provides that it may send observers or, with the prior agreement of the relevant UK Department, represent the UK at meetings. To date, UK representation at meetings of this particular committee has been by officials of the Office of Government Commerce.
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the EU Committee on Security of Information Systems 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. [68555]
Ms Hewitt: The Advisory Committee on Security of Information Systems (SOG-IS) has not met for over three years and there are no issues under consideration at present. The UK is normally represented by an official from the Department of Trade and Industry.
The Scottish Executive is regularly consulted on, and is fully involved in discussions, at official and Ministerial level, with the Department of the formulation of EU policy which touch on matters which fall within the responsibilities of the Scottish Executive.
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the EU Committee on fees, implementation rules and the procedure of the boards of appeal of the Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market (trademarks and design) 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. [70904]
Ms Hewitt: The next meeting, which is expected to be the last in the current round aimed at agreeing detailed rules for the Community Registered Design, is due to be held on 19 September. The only officials normally attending are those who are expert on the specific issues, who come from the Patent Office.
The Scottish Executive is regularly consulted on, and is fully involved in discussions, at official and Ministerial level, with the Department on the formulation of EU policy which touches on matters which fall within the responsibilities of the Scottish Executive.
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the EU Advisory Committee for co-ordination in the internal market field 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. [71823]
Ms Hewitt: The Advisory Committee for Co-ordination in the Internal Market Field has several formations. The next meeting of the "general" formation is planned for 3 December, although there are meetings of the Heads of Delegations formation planned for
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8 October, "Better Regulation" formation planned for 24 July and 9 October and a Heads of Co-ordination Centres formation planned for 5 November.
The DTI co-ordinates single market policy and represents the UK at meetings of this committee, except in the case of the "Better Regulation" formation where Cabinet Office (Regulatory Impact Unit) officials also attend.
The Scottish Executive is regularly consulted on, and is fully involved in discussions, at official and Ministerial level, with the Department on the formulation of EU policy which touch on matters which fall within the responsibilities of the Scottish Executive.
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the EU Committee of experts on the transit of natural gas through grids 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. [71824]
Ms Hewitt: There is no date for the next meeting of the Committee, perhaps because it is due to be abolished under the Commission's current proposals for liberalising the European gas market.
The Committee is and always has been made up purely of experts from the industry, so no representatives of the Scottish Executive have ever sat on it. Lattice Group plc represents the UK, including Scotland, on the Committee.
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the EU Advisory Committee on the development and reconversion of regions 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. [73161]
Ms Hewitt: The next meeting of this Committee is scheduled for 25 September. My Department, which has co-ordinating responsibility for Structural Funds in the UK, sends one representative. Other departments with responsibility for the European Regional Development Fund, and the Devolved Administrations, are also invited. A representative of the Scottish Executive normally attends as an observer. On average the UK representation is three officials.
For further information regarding the Committee I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Buckingham (Mr. Bercow) on 4 July 2002, Official Report, columns 467–68.
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the EU Committee of experts on the transit of electricity through grids 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. [73152]
Ms Hewitt: There is no date for the next meeting of the Committee, perhaps because it is due to be abolished under the Commission's current proposals for liberalising the European electricity market.
National Grid Company plc represents the UK, including Scotland and Northern Ireland, on the Committee.
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The Scottish Executive is regularly consulted on, and is fully involved in discussions, at official and Ministerial level, with the Department on the formulation of EU policy which touch on matters which fall within the responsibilities of the Scottish Executive.
Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many new pieces of legislation originating in the European Union were implemented by her Department in each of the last three years; and if she will make a statement. [73136]
Ms Hewitt: My Department has implemented five EU directives so far this year. It implemented nine EU directives in 2001 and sixteen in 2000.
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