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20 Jun 2003 : Column 501W—continued
Performing Rights Royalties
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations she has received on performing rights royalties; and if she will review the operation of the system. [118988]
Ms Hewitt: Hon. Members do, from time to time, forward their constituents' letters to me about performing rights royalties, but I have not recently received any direct representations on this subject. Copyright law that underpins these royalties is largely dictated by international and European law, but we are always open to any suggestions about how the system might be improved within those constraints.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many grants for research into rheumatoid arthritis were issued by the Medical Research Council in each of the last five years. [118453]
Ms Hewitt: The spend figures on Arthritis and Rheumatism for the last five financial years, together with the number of projects in each financial year are as follows:
| Financial year | Estimated spend(£ million) | Number of projects(8) |
|---|---|---|
| 1997–98(9) | 5.7 | 85 |
| 1998–99(9) | 5.1 | 68 |
| 1999–2000 | 4.8 | 40 |
| 2000–01 | 3.9 | 42 |
| 2001–02 | 4.2 | 43 |
(8) Projects: this includes grants, units and fellowships
(9) Since 1999–2000, MRC has prepared a breakdown of research expenditure into 12 disease-specific research divisions, one of these being Arthritis and Rheumatism. Before then, the breakdown was less detailed. Therefore the above figures for 1997–78 and 1998–99 are not directly comparable to the figures for the later three years. In order to produce these figures retrospectively MRC used the broader definition of the subject area which was in use at that time. Thus the higher numbers may simply reflect that change in definition.
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The data for 2002–03 is still being collated and final figures will be available in the autumn.
TransTec
Mr. Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will publish the report of the investigation authorised under section 432(2) into TransTec plc. [117750]
Ms Hewitt: The inspectors have submitted their final report and issues surrounding publication are currently being considered.
University Challenge Fund
Mr. Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many academies have been sponsored to move into industry with the help of the University Challenge Fund; how many businesses have been (a) supported and (b) started up with help from the University Challenge Fund; how many of the businesses and projects supported have subsequently failed; and if she will make a statement. [119642]
Ms Hewitt: I have taken the hon. Member to mean academics rather than academies. University Challenge is not designed to sponsor academics to move into industry, nor does it support established businesses. In their first three years of operation, the 15 Seed Funds established in 1999 have assisted the creation of 159 spinout companies. It is too early to assess the long-term survival rates of these companies, but an evaluation of the University Challenge Scheme is expected to begin in mid-autumn.
Vulnerable Borrowers
Dr. Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to amend the Consumer Credit Act 1974; and if she will make a statement on measures aimed at protecting vulnerable borrowers. [120634]
Mr. Sutcliffe: A review of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 was launched by my predecessor in July 2001 with the publication of a consultation document "Tackling the loan sharks—and more!" A summary of responses was published in February 2002 and a progress report was published in August 2002.
There has been further consultation on five key areas for reform:
- Increasing or removing the £25,000 financial limit in the Consumer Credit Act and reviewing the status of some exempt;
Making the regulations on early settlement fair and equitable to both lenders and borrowers;
Enabling lenders and consumers to be able to enter into and conclude credit agreements by electronic means;
Reform of the consumer credit licensing regime; and
Reform of the protections offered to consumers in respect of extortionate credit;
- Simplifying the consumer credit advertising regulations; and
The form and content of credit agreements;
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The consultation on making the extortionate credit provisions within the Consumer Credit Act 1974 more effective closed on 6 June 2003. The responses to this consultation are currently being analysed. Once this analysis is complete I will publish details of the measures I intend to take to protect vulnerable borrowers from exploitation.
In addition a National Debt Helpline pilot was launched in March 2002 to give consumers free, easy access to debt advice and where appropriate help them to draw up debt repayment plans to manage their debts. This project is funded jointly by the Government and the credit and finance industry.
The pilot aims to test how effectively consumer debt problems can be resolved by a national telephone advice and to establish the strength of the case for a national free money advice service. Since 1 March 2002 the National Debtline has helped 29,412 people with debt problems. They deal with 700 calls per week, providing a wide range of advice including on income maximisation, bankruptcy and debt management schemes to a wide variety of people from various social and economic groups.
World Trade Organisation
Ms Drown: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on consultations between her Department and campaigners for fair trade before the 5th WTO Ministerial Conference in Cancun. [120156]
Ms Hewitt: I meet regularly with representatives from civil society to discuss the Government's international trade policy. I last met with representatives from the Trade Justice Movement on 21 May to discuss how we can ensure that this is a true development round.
Campaigners for fairer trade help to raise the profile of trade and development issues. It is important that the Government and campaigners for trade justice continue to work together to ensure that the Doha Development Agenda becomes a reality.
A representative from Action Aid will be part of the official UK delegation to the WTO Ministerial Conference in Cancun and, as I recently announced to the House, I have accepted an invitation from Christian Aid to visit Guatemala prior to the Cancun meeting.
WORK AND PENSIONS
Bereavement Benefit
Alistair Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to revise the operation of bereavement benefit, in respect of the rule regarding the awarding of this benefit to a widower after the payment by his spouse of the married women's reduced rate of national insurance contributions; and if he will make a statement. [120085]
Maria Eagle: The bereavement benefit scheme introduced much needed reform to the support available in bereavement and provides cover for both spouses in
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the event of either's premature death, based on the qualifying national insurance contribution record of the deceased person.
Some married women made an informed choice to pay a reduced rate of national insurance contributions, in return for which they receive reduced benefit entitlements. This applies to bereavement benefits and we have no plans to change this.
Carers
Mr. Blizzard: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many carers over 65 years of age have (a) claimed and (b) received carers allowance since 28 October 2002. [115902]
Maria Eagle: The information is in the table and relates to the period 28 October 2002 to 31 December 2002. The majority of carers aged 65 and over who qualify for carer's allowance also receive a state pension of an equal or higher amount. In these circumstances, the overlapping benefits rules preclude the payment of carer's allowance. However, people affected in this way can, if they are on a low income, qualify for the carer premium payable with income related benefits.
| Number | |
|---|---|
| Claims | 9,950 |
| Entitled | 7,615 |
| In payment | 325 |
Notes:
1. Figures are rounded to the nearest five.
2. Figures refer to the number of people making a claim and each person may have made more than one claim. Figures relate to people aged 65 and over; State Pension age is 60 for women and 65 for men.
3. Figures exclude advance claims made prior to 28 October 2002.
Source:
100 per cent data from the CA Computer System (CACS) supplied by Information and Analysis Directorate. Figures are at 31 December 2002.
Council Tax Benefit
Mr. Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what provision he is making to advertise entitlement to council tax benefit. [118131]
Maria Eagle: Council tax benefit is administered by over 400 local authorities, each of which is required by legislation to take appropriate steps to ensure that people with a potential entitlement to council tax benefit are made aware of the help available.
Information is also contained in leaflet GL17 'Help with your Council Tax Benefit' as well as various other information leaflets and posters produced by the Department. Leaflets can be obtained from local Jobcentre Plus, Pension Service and Social Security offices as well as a number of other outlets including doctors' surgeries, post offices, chemists and supermarkets.
In addition, information about council tax benefit can be accessed on the Department's website at www.dwp.gov.uk.
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