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28 Apr 2003 : Column 104W—continued

Export Control Act

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) in what circumstances an individual dealing in arms in Zimbabwe who has UK residence rights but holds joint Zimbabwean and Dutch nationality would be subject to the restrictions and sanctions contained in the Export Control Act 2002 and the proposed draft secondary legislation issued for consultation in January; [107800]

Nigel Griffiths [holding answers 14 April 2003]: The Government cannot make assessments on hypothetical cases based on secondary legislation that is still under consultation. However, the Export Control Act 2002 provides new powers to control trafficking and brokering activities carried out in the UK and by UK persons, as defined in the Act.

The consultation document on the draft orders to be made under the Act sets out the scope of the new trade controls and is available from the Libraries of the House.

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Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what (a) sanctions and (b) restrictions would apply to an individual with UK residence rights and business interests but joint Zimbabwean and Dutch nationality under (i) the Export Control Act 2002, (ii) the proposed secondary legislation issued for consultation in January 2003 and (iii) European Union legislation who supplied arms or military supplies to Zimbabwe through (A) UK incorporated companies and (B) Zimbabwe incorporated companies, which are associated with or controlled by him. [107802]

Nigel Griffiths [holding answer 14 April 2003]: The Government cannot make assessments on hypothetical cases based on secondary legislation that is still under consultation. However, the Export Control Act 2002 provides new powers to control trafficking and brokering activities carried out in the UK and by UK persons, as defined in the Act.

The consultation document on the draft orders to be made under the Act sets out the scope of the new trade controls and the penalties for breach of the legislation. The consultation document is available from the Libraries of the House.

Zimbabwe is subject to an EU embargo on the sale or supply of arms and other military equipment. I also refer my hon. friend to the reply from my right hon. Friend the Member for Livingston (Mr. Cook), the then Foreign Secretary, to my hon. Friend, the Member for Barnsley, East and Mexborough, (Mr. Ennis) of 12 May 2000, Official Report, columns 493–94W.

Hallmarks

Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions her Department has had with the European Union on the future of hallmarks on (a) gold, (b) silver and (c) platinum; and if she will make a statement. [107275]

Miss Melanie Johnson: There has been one meeting in Brussels held in November 2002, at the request of the Danish Presidency, to raise the possibility of resurrecting the draft EU Directive on Hallmarking.

Any directive must enhance the single market and continue to protect the consumer.

Internet Access

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the outcome was of her Department's evaluation of the (a) Government General Practitioner and (b) Internet Learning and Access Point trials. [107174]

Mr. Timms: The evaluation report of the "Your Guide" pilot, which covered both, was published on 23 July 2002 and a copy placed in the Library of the House.

Iraq (Reconstruction)

Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans the Government have, and what steps they are taking, to ensure that British and

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other European companies have an equal opportunity to bid for contracts in the reconstruction of post-war Iraq. [109008]

Ms Hewitt: We expect UK companies to make a significant contribution to the redevelopment of Iraq's essential infrastructure. In this context, it is important that there is a level playing field for all companies who are interested in contracts in Iraq. I have discussed this with the US authorities.

National Energy Research Centre

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what additional resources will be provided (a) to establish and (b) to operate the new national energy research centre; and whether the centre's remit will include research, development and demonstration of nuclear options. [107578]

Mr. Wilson: The Research Councils have been allocated £28 million over 2003–6 to fund research in support of a Sustainable Energy Economy. They propose to provide £8–12 million from the programme, over five years, to establish the UK Energy Research Centre and to provide for research at the Centre and for the co-ordination of a National Energy Research Network.

A Scientific Advisory Committee is being established to advise the Councils on the emphasis and scope of the programme and of the Centre. However, it is envisaged that the National Energy Research Network would encompass a broad range of energy research.

Part-time Workers

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the impact of the Part-time Workers Directive on staff in her Department. [109281]

Ms Hewitt: All part-time workers in my Department are treated on a par with full-time employees in relation to their terms and conditions of service.

Pharmacies (Entry Regulations)

Mr. Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions she has had with the Scottish Executive Department of Health on their announcement that they were not to accept the report from the Office of Fair Trading on the entry regulations for pharmacies; and what the outcome of the discussions was. [109189]

Miss Melanie Johnson [holding answer 14 April 2003]: Discussions were held at ministerial and official level between the Scottish Executive and DTI on this matter. The regulations determining control of entry restrictions are devolved in Scotland and a matter for their Ministers. Scottish Executive Ministers announced their intentions in relation to the OFT report on pharmacies recommendations on 26 March.

Post Offices

Mr. Tom Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many post office outlets per head of population there are in (a) Scotland, (b) England, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland. [107724]

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Mr. Timms: Based on Postcomm's 2001–02 annual report on the post office network, the numbers of post office outlets per 10,000 population (based on 1999 ONS estimates) as at end March 2002 was:


Mr. Grogan: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many decisions to close urban post offices have been reversed following the consultation process in each region in the last six months. [109013]

Mr. Timms: Proposals for post office closures under the urban network reinvention programme are put out to public consultation in accordance with the code of practice agreed with Postwatch. Final decisions on closure, after consideration of representations received, are an operational matter for Post Office Ltd. and I have asked the Chief Executive to reply direct to my hon. Friend.

Mr. Grogan: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many closures of urban post offices have been approved in each region in the last six months. [109016]

Mr. Timms: Proposals put out to consultation for, and subsequent decisions on, post office closures under the urban network reinvention programme are an operational matter for Post Office Ltd. and I have asked the Chief Executive to reply direct to my hon. Friend.

Power Stations

Mr. Illsley: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what priority she will give to encouraging the running of power stations fitted with flue gas desulphurisation plant in preference to cheaper, unabated plant. [107985]

Mr. Wilson: Coal fired power stations are currently regulated by the Integrated Pollution Control ("IPC") regime. IPC was established by the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and regulates industrial pollution through a system of authorisation. IPC is being superseded by the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control ("IPPC") regime, established by an EC Directive of the same name. Installations that came into operation before 31 October 1999 will be regulated by IPPC from 2006. New installations or those undergoing substantial change will be required to apply for an IPPC permit with immediate effect.

IPC requires operators to demonstrate that they will use the Best Available Techniques Not Entailing Excessive Cost ("BATNEEC") for their activities. BATNEEC have to be applied to prevent or minimise the release of prescribed substances and to render harmless any such substances which are released to air, water and land. If releases are made to more than one environmental medium, the Best Practicable Environmental Option is applied. The regulator assesses BATNEEC on a site by site basis and keeps authorisations under review. Depending on the characteristics of the plant, BATNEEC may include the use of flue gas desulphurisation.

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In an IPPC permit application, operators are required to demonstrate that they will use the Best Available Techniques ("BAT") to control pollution from their activities. BAT aims to prevent, and where that is not practicable, to reduce to acceptable levels, emissions from the activities. BAT also aims to balance the cost to the operator against the benefits to the environment, and is assessed by the regulator on a site by site basis, taking into account European guidance on what constitutes BAT for that sector.

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