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4 Jun 2003 : Column 421W—continued
TB (Somerset)
Mr. Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on TB control in Somerset. [115414]
Mr. Morley: TB control in Somerset is carried out in accordance with national policy.
The latest available data show there are 3,459 cattle herds registered in the county. Of these, 182 herds (5.3 per cent.) have been under TB restrictions at some point in the period 1 January to 31 March 2003. Up to the end of March there had been 63 new TB incidents (22 confirmed, 26 unconfirmed and 15 with laboratory results outstanding).
The State Veterinary Service has worked very hard over the last 18 months to reduce the number of overdue TB herd tests. By the end of March the number of herd tests overdue in Somerset had been reduced to 222.
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Water Extraction
Colin Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps can be taken by the Environment Agency in an emergency situation to speed up the process of granting a licence to extract water from a river. [115678]
Mr. Morley [holding answer 3 June 2003]: The Water Resources Act 1991 provides that the requirements for abstraction licensing do not apply under certain emergency situations, including the abstraction of water for fire-fighting, and for the purpose of preventing the flooding of land and property.
All other qualifying abstractions are required to follow the normal process. The speed at which the application will be dealt will depend upon a variety of circumstances, such as the complexity of the case and the need to investigate.
TRADE AND INDUSTRY
Alstom
Mr. Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the imminent closure of Alstom's traction production; and what discussions she (a) has had and (b) will have with officials from Alstom regarding the closure of the new build train production. [116275]
Alan Johnson: It is disappointing that Alstom has chosen to end traction production in Preston. This is a commercial matter for the company but it will have come as a bitter blow to the workforce. We will liaise with regional partners and Job Centre Plus to ensure that individuals are given help to find new jobs or help with new training.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has held discussions with the company about its general restructuring strategy, announced on 12 March. Ministers and officials will remain in close contact with the company.
Broadband
Mr. Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the level of competition in the broadband market. [116514]
Mr. Timms: The Government target is for the UK to have the most extensive and competitive broadband market in the G7 by 2005. Latest statistics indicate that at the end of March 2003, we had the third most competitive market based on measures of choice, price and regulatory framework. This is up from fourth in the G7 a year before.
Consumer Credit Act
Mr. O'Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will ensure that consultations are held with bodies representing (a) small business and (b) finance providers on whether to amend provisions of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 concerning the provision of business finance before decisions on the issue are taken. [116263]
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Miss Melanie Johnson: Bodies representing small businesses and finance providers have been closely involved in the review of the Consumer Credit Act since July 2001. These groups continue to play a key role in the review process. They are involved in on-going discussions with officials, and receive and comment on consultation papers when they are published.
One key aspect of the review, is to ensure that changes to the legislation will not diminish the access to business finance currently available to small and medium-sized businesses.
Veterinary Medicines
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the proposals not to allow veterinary surgeons to charge for prescriptions over the next three years, within the OFT proposals based on the Competition Commissions inquiry into the supply of prescription only veterinary medicines. [115080]
Miss Melanie Johnson [holding answer 3 June 2003]: The Competition Commission's reasoning for not allowing veterinary surgeons to charge for prescriptions over the next three years is set out in paragraphs 2.169 to 2.173 of volume I of the report. The Commission stated in the report that if it was concerned simply to establish the correct market price for prescriptions then it might be reasonable to leave vets to set their own prices and then rely on the market. The Commission reasoned that prescription charges have a major impact on competition with pharmacies, as vets are able to set the charges so as to deter clients from asking for prescriptions. In that way, they can influence the terms of competition with pharmacies to their own advantage. The Commission's view is that the three-year period of writing prescriptions at no additional charge is necessary in order to ensure that charges will not deter animal owners from obtaining written prescriptions and making use of pharmacies.
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what organisations were consulted in the Competition Commission's inquiry into the supply of prescription only veterinary medicines. [115081]
Miss Melanie Johnson [holding answer 3 June 2003]: Parties who gave evidence during the course of the Competition Commission's inquiry included: manufacturers of veterinary medicines, veterinary wholesalers, veterinary surgeons, pharmacists, veterinary organisations, Government bodies and other interested parties. A full list of those who gave evidence, and details of their evidence can be found in pages 273 to 537 of volume I of the report.
Mr. Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what discussions she has had with representatives of veterinary practices in Scotland on the impact of the recommendations contained in the Competition Commission's report Veterinary Medicines: a Report on the Supply within the United Kingdom of Prescription-only Veterinary Medicines on rural veterinary practices; [116103]
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- (2) what discussions she plans to have with the Scottish Executive on the impact of the Competition Commission Report, Veterinary Medicines: a Report on the Supply Within the United Kingdom of Prescription-only Veterinary Medicines in Scotland. [116104]
Miss Melanie Johnson [holding answer 3 June 2003]: My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Trade & Industry has asked the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) to discuss with interested parties the terms of orders that could be made under the Fair Trading Act 1973 (FTA) to implement the Competition Commission's proposed remedies. The OFT has written out to the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, the British Veterinary Association and the British Small Animal Veterinary Association, among others. Each of these bodies have members who practice in Scotland. Many vets based in Scotland have also written individually to the OFT.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is currently preparing a response to the Competition Commission's regulatory recommendations. The Scottish Executive has been asked to contribute to this.
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what guidance she gave to the Competition Commission regarding the consideration of animal welfare in its recent inquiry into the supply of prescription only veterinary medicines; and whether animal welfare fell within the remit of the Competition Commission's inquiry. [115079]
Miss Melanie Johnson [holding answer 3 June 2003]: The Competition Commission was asked to assess whether there was a monopoly situation in the supply of prescription-only veterinary medicines, and whether such a monopoly acted against the public interest.
The Commission, in its report, fully accepted that the supply of prescription-only veterinary medicines raises issues that go wider than competition and that the public interest includes protection of public safety and animal welfare. The Commission received submissions from interested parties including vets, members of the public, animal charities and the Government's Chief Veterinary Officer, which touched on animal welfare issues. The Commission took account of these submissions in reaching its conclusions.
WALES
Antisocial Behaviour
11. Dr. Hywel Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what initiatives the Government is taking to combat anti-social behaviour in Wales. [116432]
Mr. Touhig: The Government remains committed to tackling anti-social behaviour. The Anti-Social Behaviour Bill currently before this House provides many new tools for practitioners in dealing with the causes and effects of anti-social behaviour.
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