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28 Apr 2003 : Column 178W—continued
Electronic Commerce Regulations
Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations she has received about the Electronic Commerce (EC Directive) (Extension) Regulations. [109953]
Environmental Targets (ACARE)
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the Government policy is on the environmental conclusions, targets and programmes set out in the Advisory Council for Aeronautical Research in Europe's (ACARE) Strategic Research Agenda; and what action will be taken by Her Majesty's Government to implement the programmes recommended by ACARE in order to meet the environmental targets set out in ACARE's Strategic Research Agenda. [109099]
Alan Johnson: The reply I gave to the hon. Member on 3 February 2003, Official Report, column 20W, explains what action is being taken to implement the environmental programmes recommended by ACARE. Since that date, the DTI has held a UK dissemination event for the Strategic Research Agenda to increase awareness and participation in carrying forward the challenges. In addition, ACARE has set up an 'Observation Platform' to monitor implementation of the Strategic Research Agenda by all the stakeholders across Europe. DTI will remain fully engaged in these activities.
The Aerospace Innovation and Growth Team is taking particular note of the ACARE Strategic Research Agenda in preparing its environmental recommendations.
EU Directives
Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the EU directives and regulations which have been implemented by her Department since 17 April 2002. [106824]
Ms Hewitt: My Department has implemented 17 EU directives since 17 April 2002. They are as follows.
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| Number | Title/subject matter |
|---|---|
| Directive 1994/33 | On the protection of young people at work |
| Directive 1998/30 | (36)On the internal market in natural gas |
| Directive 1998/71 | On the legal protection of designs |
| Directive 1998/101 | (36)On batteries and accumulators containing certain dangerous substances |
| Directive 1999/42 | On mutual recognition of qualifications |
| Directive 1999/44 | On the sale of consumer goods and associated guarantees |
| Directive 1999/70 | Concerning the framework agreement on fixed-term work |
| Directive 2000/31 | On certain legal aspects of information society services, in particular electronic commerce (e-commerce) |
| Directive 2000/35 | On combating late payment in commercial transactions |
| Directive 2001/41 | On the marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations, as regards substances classified as carcinogens, mutagens or substances toxic to reproduction |
| Directive 2001/90 | On the marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations (creosote) |
| Directive 2002/21 | On a common regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services |
| Directive 2002/22 | On universal service and users' rights relating to electronic communications networks and services |
| Directive 2002/34 | On the approximation of laws relating to cosmetic products |
| Directive 2002/39 | On the opening to competition of Community postal services |
| Directive 2003/1 | On the approximation of laws relating to cosmetic products |
| Directive 2003/16 | On the approximation of laws relating to cosmetic products |
(36) In Northern Ireland, completing implementation in the UK.
Exports (Syria)
Mr. Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what procedures are followed in respect of the approval of chemical exports to Syria. [110226]
Nigel Griffiths: All relevant export licence applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis against the consolidated EU and national arms export licensing criteria and other previously announced Government policies.
These are set out in Appendix F of the Government's 2001 Annual Report on Strategic Export Controls a copy of which is available in the Libraries of the House.
Medical Research Council
Mr. Norman: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how many of the unsuccessful alpha plus rated research grant applications to the Medical Research Council could have been awarded if an additional £8.1 million of funds were available; [107422]
- (2) what the definition of commercial exploitation is in the accounts of the Medical Research Council; and for what reason the level of commercial exploitation in the MRC account has increased by 40 per cent. [107421]
Ms Hewitt: The term "commercial exploitation" is used to cover all the activities concerning the exploitation of the intellectual property generated from research within the Medical Research Council's own institutes and units. It therefore covers the income received from licensing MRC's intellectual property and also any payments made in relation to these activities. The majority of expenditure reported in their accounts is covered under items 1 and 2 as follows and arises as a direct consequence of the revenues generated by MRC inventions, and received by the MRC, in the previous financial year. The main items of expenditure are:
1. Payments to the budgets of "originating" MRC units and inventors under the "awards to inventors" scheme—a scheme similar in scope to those operated by most UK Universities and designed to provide incentives for MRC units and staff to assist in the identification, protection and exploitation of inventions.
2. Payments of revenue shares to external bodies who have licensed rights to the MRC in return for share of income.
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3. The management fee paid to MRC Technology (the company affiliated to the MRC which manages MRC intellectual property).
4. Fees for patents and legal costs relating to MRC inventions.
Overall, the MRC's exploitation activities are a net contributor to MRC funding in universities and MRC units.
In 2001–02 there was a 40 per cent. increase in expenditure on commercial exploitation due to exceptional payments under MRC's revenue sharing schemes. This reflects, in part, the exceptionally high income in 2000–01 resulting from the sale of part of MRC's shareholding in Cambridge Antibody Technology.
It is difficult to put a figure on the number of grants that could have been funded had an additional £8.1 million been available as grant applications vary considerably in length, cost per year and total cost.
Mobile Phones
Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to regulate the storage and transmission of picture messages generated by mobile phones; and if she will make a statement. [109564]
Mr. Timms: At present there are no plans to introduce specific regulations for the storage or transmission of images generated by mobile phones.
One Northeast
Mr. Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what interests have been registered by the chair of One NorthEast. [108601]
Alan Johnson: John Bridge has been chair of One NorthEast since December 1998 and is currently paid £47,800 per annum for this role. He is also a Member of the Board of English Partnerships and receives remuneration of £11,259 per annum.
I am advised that his other declared interests are as follows:
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Non-executive director of Kenmore UK Ltd;
Board Member of the Institute for Automotive and Manufacturing Advanced Practice (AMAP);
Non-executive director of e-comeleon plc;
Chairman of North East Seedcorn Capital Fund;
Chairman of Endeavour SCH plc;
Board Member of Tees Valley URC;
Chairman of the National Trust for North East and Yorkshire;
Member of the European Government Business Relations Council;
Visiting Professor of Newcastle Business School;
Visiting Professor of Durham University Business School;
Honorary Fellow of Sunderland University;
Member of the Reform Club;
Trustee of the Spirit of Enterprise;
Vice Chair of the Regional Policy Forum;
Chair of the Assessment Panel for SBS Incubator Fund;
Member of the Treasury Advisory Council for Partnerships (UK);
Member of the Urban Policy Sounding Board;
Chairman of Alnwick Garden Trust;
Vice Chair of the Over the Moon Appeal; and
Chairman of Durham Cathedral Council.
Mr. Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much One Northeast spent on entertainment in (a) 2000, (b) 2001, (c) 2002 and (d) 2003. [108692]
Alan Johnson: The following information, which has been provided by One NorthEast, represents the total amount spent by the Agency on entertainment in the specified years:
| Total amount spent on entertainment | |
|---|---|
| 2001–02 | 45,590 |
| 2002–03 | 66,368 |
The majority of this expenditure relates to hospitality provided to inward investors and visiting Ministers and dignitaries, including a recent visit by a Select Committee.
I am advised that figures for 1999–2000 and 2000–01 are not available as the accounting systems inherited by the Agency cannot provide this detail.
Mr. Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much One Northeast spent on external consultants in (a) 2000, (b) 2001, (c) 2002 and (d) 2003; which (i) companies and (ii) individuals were employed; and what fees were paid. [108693]
Alan Johnson: The following information, which has been provided by One NorthEast, represents the total amount spent by the Agency on consultancy work in the specified years:
| Total amount spent on consultancy work | |
|---|---|
| (a) 1999–2000 | 245,143 |
| (b) 2000–01 | 111,170 |
| (c) 2001–02 | 263,181 |
| (d) 2002–03 | 250,528 |
These costs do not include the cost of consultancy provided in relation to construction and development work which is an intrinsic part of the budgeted costs of projects managed and delivered on the Agency's behalf.
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I am advised that it is not possible to provide detailed information on the number of different organisations employed or individuals employed. Furthermore, it is not possible to provide details of specific fees paid to individual firms of consultants as this would be in breach of commercial confidentiality.
Mr. Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much One Northeast spent on external legal advice in (a) 2000, (b) 2001, (c) 2002 and (d) 2003; which companies were engaged to provide such advice; and what fees were paid. [108694]
Alan Johnson: The following information, which has been provided by One NorthEast, represents the total amounts spent on external legal advice in the specified years:
| Total amount spent onlegal advice | |
|---|---|
| (a) 1999–2000 | 295,260 |
| (b) 2000–01 | 187,870 |
| (c) 2001–02 | 122,918 |
| (d) 2002–03 | 196,386 |
The Agency's legal panel comprises three legal firms based in the north east region, namely Ward Hadaway, Eversheds and Robert Muckle. The Agency also obtained legal advice from Dickinson Dees in respect of discrete items of work that were tendered competitively outwith the panel arrangements.
I am advised that it is not possible for the Agency to provide details of the specific fees paid to each firm of solicitors as this would be a breach of commercial confidentiality.
Mr. Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the costs of establishing the new headquarters of One NorthEast at Newburn Riverside were; and what estimate she has made of the annual running costs of the building. [108695]
Alan Johnson: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry gave One NorthEast approval to proceed with the construction of new headquarters following the submission of a detailed business case and the completion of a thorough and rigorous value for money appraisal by the Department. The net cost of the move amounted to £3.3 million. The cost of constructing and fitting out the new building amounted to £9 million, but this was offset by capital receipts of £3 million and £2.7 million respectively from the sale of the Agency's buildings at Great North House, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and St. George's House, Gateshead. The Agency also surrendered its lease of premises at Hadrian House Newcastle and, as a consequence, was able to achieve savings of £50,000 per annum relative to those premises. The new Headquarters uses solar water heating and recycles roof water and this has allowed the Agency to achieve a Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) 'Excellent' rating. A cost v. savings analysis completed by the Agency has
28 Apr 2003 : Column 183W
shown that the Agency's capital investment in the new building will pay for itself within six years. Annual running costs of the building are currently estimated to be £881,500 (less than 0.5 per cent. of total operating income), which is a significant saving against the operating costs of the three office premises in Newcastle and Gateshead, formerly owned or occupied by the Agency. The co-location of the Agency's core staff of more than 250 personnel in one building was not solely motivated by the clearly demonstrable financial benefits of doing so, but also by the desire to provide improved levels of customer service, and the benefits in terms of improved communication, both internal and external, by having key staff in one building.
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