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28 Jan 2003 : Column 740W—continued
Computer Misuse
Mr. Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many cases of computer misuse there were in her Department in each of the last five years, broken down by each category of misuse; and how many of those cases resulted in disciplinary action. [93039]
Ms Hewitt: My Department has recorded the following statistics for the misuse categories as listed (figures in brackets represent where disciplinary action was taken):
| 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accessing/handling inappropriate material | 3 (3) | 8 (4) | 32 (0) | 3 (0) | 2 (0) |
| Unauthorised access to or misuse of data | 13 (0) | 15 (0) | 4 (0) | 10 (0) | 4 (0) |
The figures do not include incidents occurring within the Department's Executive Agencies.
Debt Taskforce
Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how many times the Task Force on Tackling Over-Indebtedness has met since its establishment; [92714]
- (2) how many DTI employees are engaged in work for the Task Force on Tackling Over-Indebtedness; [92730]
(3) what discussions the Task Force on Tackling Over-Indebtedness are involved in. [92715]
Miss Melanie Johnson [holding answer 22 January 2003]: The Task Force on Tackling Over-indebtedness has met 10 times.
The Task Force has sent me its second report which I am considering. I will be issuing a response shortly.
No DTI staff are currently engaged in work for the Task Force.
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Departmental Expenditiure (Newsprint)
Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the total expenditure of her Department was on newspapers, magazines and periodicals in 2002. [90525]
Ms Hewitt: My Department's expenditure on newspapers, magazines and periodicals for 2001–02 was £705,729.
This includes expenditure on national daily and Sunday newspapers, regional newspapers, mass circulation magazines and journals, and academic periodicals. It also includes expenditure on annual publications, in particular reference works that would not normally be considered as periodicals. It is not possible to exclude such annual publications from the above figures, except at disproportionate cost.
Development Agencies
Mr. Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for what purpose Government money will be used to fund offices and staff for the Welsh Development Agency, the Scottish Development Agency, the East of England Development Agency, the North of England Development Agency and the South West of England Development Agency in California. [88586]
Alan Johnson: The Department is responsible for providing funding for overseas representation in California by One North East, South West of England Regional Development Agency and the East of England Development Agency to carry out inward investment activities. The Welsh Development Agency and Scottish Development International activities in California are funded separately by the Devolved Administrations.
Mr. Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will take powers to ensure that development agencies do not use public money to open offices and employ staff overseas without parliamentary or ministerial approval. [88587]
Alan Johnson [holding answer 14 January 2003]: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given on 15 January 2003, Official Report, column 649W.
Equitable Life
Mr. Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what reports she received on the transfer out of Equitable Life by the PIA's pension scheme in 1998 at the time the transfer took place. [91187]
Export Control Act
Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she will announce the start date for the consultation period on secondary legislation for the Export Control Act 2002. [93468]
Nigel Griffiths: We expect to publish a consultation document on the secondary legislation to be made under the Export Control Act 2002 shortly.
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Future Integrated Soldier Technology
Mr. Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she expects to be consulted about the industrial implication of the contractor selection for the Future Integrated Soldier Technology (FIST) programme; and whether she will take the value of export opportunities for British companies into account in her assessment of the relative merits of the competing contractors for the FIST programme. [93430]
Alan Johnson: I would expect to be formally consulted by the Ministry of Defence ahead of the preferred contractor decision and announcement. DTI officials have been taking a close interest in the Future Integrated Soldier Technology (FIST) programme and continue to be actively engaged with both the Defence Procurement Agency (DPA) and the companies over the industrial implications of the respective bids.
An understanding of the export potential will form a part of the procurement assessment. As is usual for defence programmes, the Defence Export Services Organisation (DESO) takes the lead on these matters.
North Korea
Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what reports she has received on the use by North Korea of the United Kingdom Magnox Reactor design to build its plutonium production reactors. [91968]
Nigel Griffiths: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received no reports on the design of the DPRK's reactors.
Pensions (Keyboard Withdrawals)
Mr. Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what arrangements she is making to assist elderly pensioners suffering from macular degeneration to withdraw their pensions in cash using a keyboard and PIN once the new procedures are implemented. [92776]
Mr. Timms: This is a matter which falls within the day to day responsibility of Post Office Ltd. I have therefore asked the Chief Executive to reply direct to the hon. Member.
PV Solar Panels
Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to his answer of 20 January 2003, Official Report, columns 11–12W, on PV Solar Panels, why grants for PV solar panels were awarded only to public buildings in 2002. [93996]
Mr Wilson : The Large Scale Field Trial was open only to public buildings because European Union State Aid Rules prevented us from giving substantial grants to private sector entities for this type of research and development project.
Small Business
Ms Munn: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what (a) advice and (b) financial support her Department gives to small businesses which are transferred to new owners. [92986]
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Nigel Griffiths: Personal Business Advisers based in the national network of Business Link Operators can provide advice and support for small businesses transferring to new owners, including help with management buy-outs. Small businesses should call 0845 600 9006 to be put in touch with their local operator, or visit www.businesslink.org to find out more.
The SBS website at: http://www.sbs.gov.uk/content/dti/bsuccession/index.htm sets out the main regulations that apply when a business changes hands, and how to comply with them.
In addition, the Business Debtline, a 3-year pilot, provides support and advice to primarily, but not exclusively, sole traders and micro businesses in financial difficulties. The free phone number 0800 197 6026 and a self-help pack containing comprehensive advice is also available.
TREASURY
Accounting Standards
Mr. Flight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what plans he has to give the Financial Services Authority responsibility for investigating the accounts of companies suspected of breaching accounting standards and laws; [92815]
- (2) what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of measures in place to deter breaches of accounting standards and laws by British businesses. [92827]
Miss Melanie Johnson : I have been asked to reply.
This is one of the areas currently being looked at by the Co-ordinating Group on Audit and Accounting Issues. They will be presenting their report to my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and the Chancellor of the Exchequer by the end of the month and I expect my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will make a statement.
Child Trust Fund
Mr. Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out what the timetable is for the introduction of the Child Trust Fund. [93654]
Ruth Kelly: The Government will announce further decisions regarding the implementation of the Child Trust Fund as part of the Budget cycle, in line with normal practice relating to annually managed expenditure.
Mr. Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which types of financial service providers will be permitted to sell the Child Trust Fund; and whether (a) fund managers and (b) life insurance companies will be permitted to do so. [93655]
Ruth Kelly: As announced in the pre-Budget report, the Child Trust Fund will be offered through open market provision. Providers—including fund managers and life insurance companies—will be able to enter the market if they satisfy a set of conditions.
28 Jan 2003 : Column 744W
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