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TRADE AND INDUSTRY
Algeria (Controlled Goods)
Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the controlled goods which have been granted export licences for use in Algeria for each month since September 2001. [99145]
Nigel Griffiths: I refer the hon Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale (Mr. Moore) on 6 February 2003, Official Report, column 389W–390W.
Benefit Claimants
Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how quickly disabled people will be
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able to change designated individuals authorised to collect benefit payments on their behalf from post offices when card accounts come into operation; [100450]
- (2) what plans she has made for assisting disabled people to use the new PIN number key pads for card accounts in post offices when accessing benefits; [100447]
(3) what the procedure is for benefit claimants changing designated individuals to collect payments on their behalf when their carer changes. [100449]
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.
Departmental Expenditure
Mr. Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what financial assistance her Department gave to the Greater London Assembly in 2002; and for what projects. [95847]
Alan Johnson: No financial assistance was given to the London Assembly in 2002.
Employers Liability Insurance
Mr. Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the Office of Fair Trading report on Employers Liability Compulsory Insurance will be published. [100244]
Nigel Griffiths: The Office of Fair Trading is conducting a fact finding study of the UK Liability Insurance Market, including Employers Liability Compulsory Insurance (ELCI). The timing of the study is a matter for the OFT, but I understand that a report is planned for publication in spring 2003. Further details of the OFT study are available at http://www.oft. gov.uk/market+investigations/investigations/insurance.htm.
The Government are simultaneously carrying out a review specifically of the operation of the ELCI system, led by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and involving other Government Departments, including the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Officials working on the ELCI review are also working closely with OFT and the two pieces of work are being conducted to a similar timetable. Further details of the ELCI review are available at www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/dwp/2002/health-safety/eli-review/index.htm.
Energy Policy Consultation
Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she will publish a summary of the responses to the consultation on energy policy. [99674]
Mr. Wilson: The energy White Paper consultation process consisted of two main strands, public consultation and strategic stakeholder consultation.
Three methods were used in consulting the public: focus groups, deliberative workshops, and a touch screen questionnaire used at the BBC Tomorrow's World roadshows in Birmingham, London, Cardiff and Glasgow, and also made available via the DTI website. The results of the public consultation were published on 10 October 2002.
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Stakeholders were invited to comment on a variety of themes including security of supply, climate change, international issues, energy efficiency and energy supply and distribution. A summary of the results were published on 27 November 2002.
The consultation results are on the DTI website at http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/developep/.
Environmental Impact Assessment (North Sea)
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what environmental impact assessment process is in place in respect of oil and gas exploration and production activities in the North Sea. [99795]
Mr. Wilson: Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) became a formal requirement for all offshore oil and gas activities in March 1999, following the introduction of the Offshore Petroleum Production and Pipe-lines (Assessment of Environmental Effects) Regulations 1999. All new developments, and significant exploration and production activities that could have an adverse impact in the receiving environment, require a full EIA that includes consultation with statutory bodies and a period of public notice. Other activities are also assessed to confirm that a full EIA is not required. Activities are additionally considered under the Offshore Petroleum Activities (Conservation of Habitats) Regulations 2001.
Fair Trade Products
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her policy is on the purchase, for departmental use, of fair trade products. [99290]
Ms Hewitt: Departmental policy is to promote the purchase of fair trade products. However, this is set against the background of the need to obtain best value for money, the EC procurement rules and the Department's objectives. Within these guidelines, the Department is committed to supporting ethical trading wherever possible. For example, the Department's catering contractor to its London restaurants makes available fair trade tea and coffee to staff.
Fireworks
Mr. Tynan: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when her Department will publish the firework injury statistics for November 2002; and what plans she has to collect year-round firework injury statistics. [98716]
Miss Melanie Johnson: The firework injury statistics are currently being finalised and it is our intention to publish them by the end of March. I have no plans to collect them year -round.
Hospitality
Mr. Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what hospitality has been offered at public expense in the last 12 months by each Minister in her Department to outside interest groups, broken down by (a) restaurant, (b) recipient and (c) cost in each case; [99497]
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- (2) what criteria Ministers in her Department use when determining whether to offer hospitality in restaurants to interest groups at public expense; and if she will make a statement; [99496]
(3) how often Ministers in her Department have received hospitality in restaurants from outside groups. [99572]
Ms Hewitt: All offers of hospitality are made in accordance with published departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on the principles set out in 'Government Accounting'. The giving and receiving of hospitality is conducted fully in accordance with the guidance set out in the Ministerial Code, and Guidance on Contacts with Outside Interest Groups including Lobbyists. The detailed information requested is not held centrally, and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
House Building
Matthew Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what schemes are in place to increase the number of people in house building professions. [99397]
Mr. Wilson: The Construction Industry Training Board is taking the lead in increasing recruitment into the construction industry. This includes the needs of the house building sector. The Ambition Construction scheme was launched in 2001 with joint CITB and DWP funding to train and place New Deal clients in skilled jobs directly relevant to house building.
In recognition of the importance of this issue to the future health of the industry, the Strategic Forum for Construction has set targets for recruitment and retention in its agenda (as set out in its report "Accelerating Change"). In addition, the Strategic Forum is also looking to improve the productivity of the construction industry through integrated team working and through offsite fabrication which will in turn increase the ability of the industry to meet the demands—both in terms of quality and quantity—of its clients. The Department is working with the Strategic Forum and others, to deliver this agenda.
Manufacturing Investment
Mr. Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on levels of manufacturing investment. [100085]
Alan Johnson: The level of manufacturing investment as a proportion of manufacturing output in the fourth quarter of 2002 was 9.7 per cent.
Recent difficulties faced by manufacturing are largely the result of the global slowdown, which began in 2001, and increased uncertainty and lower confidence in global conditions have led firms to postpone investment projects.
We are taking action to help manufacturers facing difficult conditions through the Government's Manufacturing Strategy we have developed in partnership with industry. The macroeconomic framework we have established, with low inflation and sound public finances, is
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creating the right underlying conditions to encourage businesses to increase investment when the global economy recovers.
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