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Renewable Energy

23. Dr. Desmond Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will discuss with interested parties the possibility of introducing a renewables target for 2020 of 30 per cent. [76443]

Mr. Wilson: I share my hon. Friend's desire to see a very substantial increase in renewable energy generation to help us mitigate the impacts of climate change and to create a more diversified energy market. The aim when setting any target must be to ensure that it is realistic and achievable. Our current target for renewables is that, by 2010, 10 per cent. of electricity sales within Great Britain should come from sources eligible for the recently introduced Renewables Obligation. This will represent a substantial but attainable expansion over the course of the decade.

The Performance and Innovation Unit's report on energy policy which was published last February recommended that the target for the proportion of electricity generated from renewable sources should be increased to 20 per cent. by 2020. In the light of the report the Government are carrying out a review of future energy policy with a view to issuing a White Paper in the new year. The review has included extensive

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consultation and is including consideration of the possibility of introducing an increased renewables target for 2020.

Mr. Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the discussions between regional development agencies and her Department on the creation of a commercial market for renewable energy and their relative responsibilities. [78483]

Alan Johnson: I recognise the important contribution that regional administrations can make in delivering the Government's demanding targets on renewable energy. Regular discussions are held between the DTI and regional development agencies. These discussions involve Renewables UK, the specialist business unit set up earlier this year to help UK industry to maximise their involvement in renewable energy projects. There has been significant co-operation to date, including the establishment of a fund of #2.5 million allocated to the regional Government Office network to support a range of different activities designed to support the planning and promotion of renewables energy projects and developing targets in regions throughout Britain.

Furthermore, the Government is currently carrying out a review of future energy policy with a view to issuing a White Paper in the New Year. The role of renewables, including the role of regional agencies, will be included in the White Paper.

Textiles Industry

24. Andy Burnham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement about the future of the UK textiles industry. [76444]

Alan Johnson: The UK textiles and clothing industry faces a number of tough challenges to its competitive future. Globalisation has placed increasing pressure on it continually to raise its game to remain competitive and UK manufacturers need to adapt and modernise if they are to respond positively to the pace of change.

The DTI is committed to building a sustainable future for the industry and strongly supports the industry's own Textiles and Clothing Strategy Group which aims to increase its competitiveness through the development of innovative products, more efficient production methods and by diversifying into new markets.

Business Start-ups

25. Mr. Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the trends in inward investment to the UK since 1997 with special reference to start-up companies and businesses which have since gone bankrupt. [76445]

Alan Johnson: For the financial years 1997–98 to 2000–01, Invest-UK recorded a steady increase year on year of inward investment decisions to invest in the UK from 631 in 1997–98 to 881 in 2000–01. This increase also applied to the number of new projects by either existing foreign owned companies already operating in the UK or by companies locating here for the first time from 192 in 1997–98 to 500 in 2000–01.

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There is no requirement on companies to notify Invest-UK of decisions to invest in the UK and so the figures are based only on information volunteered by companies. There are no statistics available which show the number of inward investors which have gone bankrupt.

In 2001–02 there was a drop in project numbers to 827, of which 350 were new projects. This was consistent with the fall in investment levels across the world due to the global economic downturn which critically affected many sectors worldwide. International business confidence was also severely depressed in the aftermath of the 11 September tragedy.

However, figures for 2001 published in September by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) confirm the UK's premier position in Europe. The UK had $496,776 million stock of inward investment, this figure is second only to the US. My noble Friend the Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean, Invest-UK in British Trade International and the development agencies will continue to work hard to ensure that the UK remains the No. 1 location in Europe for inward investment.

Urban Post Offices

28. Mr. Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the urban post office network. [76448]

Mr. Timms: Post Office Limited (POL) has just embarked on a programme to restructure the urban post office network. The objective of the programme is to provide modernised and improved facilities which meet customers' needs and expectations and are in the right location for the local community. The programme, supported by the National Federation of Sub-Postmasters, will be taken forward by POL in consultation with individual sub-postmasters, the community, local stakeholders and Postwatch. Parliamentary and European state aids approvals have been received.

31. Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary' of State for Trade and Industry what discussions she has held with representatives of older people's groups about the proximity of urban sub-post offices to their customers. [76451]

Mr. Timms: Plans of Post Office Limited (POL) to restructure the urban post office network will take careful account of customer needs, including those of older people. POL's restructuring programme will involve extensive consultation with local stakeholders and the community in every case. Public consultation will be carried out under the Code of Practice procedures which have been agreed between POL and Postwatch, the consumer body.

Postwatch will be consulted on individual propositions for change. In addition, on a regular basis, Postwatch meet and consult a range of organisations including those representing older people.

Mr. Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment has been made of the impact the closure of urban post offices will have on the

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town of Chelmsford, including Broomfield and Great Baddow; and how many post offices in this area are expected to close. [77151]

Mr. Timms: The programme to restructure the urban post office network has only just started and is being taken forward in consultation with individual sub-postmasters, the community, Members of Parliament, other local stakeholders and Postwatch in accordance with the Code of Practice. There is no pre-determined closure list. Under the Code, Post Office Ltd. is required to consult Postwatch and other interested parties on its specific proposals for changes.

The objective of the urban network restructuring programme is to ensure that ad hoc closures which would leave gaps in the network are prevented. It is envisaged that the restructured urban network will provide modernised and improved facilities which meet customers' needs and expectations and are in the right location for the local community.

Aerospace Industry

30. Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures the Government are taking to support the expansion of the aerospace industry. [76450]

Alan Johnson: The Government have been and continue to be supportive of the aerospace industry in the UK. Since 1987 we have committed nearly #1 billion in launch investment for major new large aircraft and engine projects and provided some #20 million per year for civil aerospace research and demonstration. As large investors in R&D, aerospace companies will also benefit from the tax credit scheme for larger firms announced in the last Budget.

We are conscious of the strong competition faced by the industry, however, and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry announced on 16 May this year the establishment of the Aerospace Innovation and Growth Team, led by Sir Richard Evans. This will enable the key stakeholders to work together to produce a shared vision and strategy for the future success of the industry. Sir Richard and his team are currently about half way through their work and a great deal of effort, from industry, Government and other organisations, is being put into the process. I expect the IGT to report by next spring, with recommendations and an agreed action plan to take the industry forward.

Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of total turnover exports accounted for in the United Kingdom aerospace industry in the financial years (a) 1998–99; (b) 1999–2000 and (c) 2000–01; and if she will make statement. [77900]

Ms Hewitt: The percentage of total turnover accounted for by exports in the UK aerospace industry is shown in the table. Data are sourced from the Society of British Aerospace Companies, but unfortunately, are not available on a financial year basis. Therefore, calendar year figures are supplied:

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	Export percentage
1999	60
2000	60
2001	63

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