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3 Jul 2003 : Column 420W—continued
Export Licences (Colombia)
Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the applications for export licences for (a) armaments and (b) dual use equipment made by United Kingdom companies for export to Colombia in each of the past three years; and how many licences were (i) granted and (ii) refused. [123448]
Nigel Griffiths: The details of all relevant export licence applications issued and refused are published by destination in the Government's Annual Reports on Strategic Export Controls. Copies of the 2000, 2001 and 2002 Annual Reports are available from the Libraries of the House.
Grants
Mr. Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the grants made by her Department and each agency and non-departmental public body for which her Department is responsible to (a) the John Innes Institute, (b) the BioIndustry Association, (d) Diatech, and (e) Floranova in each year since 1997. [122296]
Ms Hewitt: Since the start of the financial year 1997–98, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) has committed a total of £30.7 million in research grants to the John Innes Centre. This figure includes responsive mode funding, initiative grants, equipment and research fellowships. In addition to these research grants, BBSRC also provides a core strategic grant on an annual basis to the John Innes Centre. Annual spend in the financial years 1997–98 to 2002–03 is shown in the following table.
| Research grants | CSG | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997–98 | 2.4 | 9.6 | 12.0 |
| 1998–99 | 2.7 | 9.8 | 12.5 |
| 1999–2000 | 2.4 | 9.5 | 11.9 |
| 2000–01 | 3.2 | 9.8 | 13.0 |
| 2001–02 | 3.8 | 10.0 | 13.8 |
| 2002–03 | 4.4 | 10.2 | 14.6 |
DTI has made the following payments to the BioIndustry Association in connection with a range of events and activities designed to promote the general capability of the biotechnology industrial sector.
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| £ million | |
|---|---|
| 1998 | 0.22 |
| 1999 | 0.19 |
| 2000 | 0.17 |
| 2001 | 0.36 |
| 2002 | 0.36 |
| 2003 | 0.17 |
No grants have been made to Diatech or Floranova.
Insurance Contract Law
Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether it is her policy to reform insurance contract law; and if she will make a statement. [122907]
Mr. Boateng: I have been asked to reply.
The Government have no plans to reform insurance contract law at present.
Net Metering Arrangements
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps she is taking to encourage net metering arrangements, with particular reference to the removal of market distortions. [122216]
Mr. Timms [holding answer 30 June 2003]: The Government use the term "net metering" to describe commercial arrangements where a generator receives the same price for exported energy as he pays for imported energy. Offering net metering on this basis will result in a supplier incurring costs and, although at least one supplier has offered customers a limited net metering tariff, it is difficult to see how the economics of net metering could be sustained on a widespread basis.
The Government are, however, anxious to ensure that small, locally connected, generators receive full and fair value for the energy they produce. To this end, changes to electricity market arrangements will be implemented this September which will allow energy exported by small distributed generation to be traded via the electricity settlement system for the first time. In addition, the Distributed Generation Co-ordinating Group, jointly established by the DTI and Ofgem to address barriers associated with the connection and operation of small-distributed generation, has initiated work to identify metering and settlement arrangements which will ensure that small generators are fairly recompensed for exported energy.
Regeneration (Staffordshire)
Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many bids Advantage West Midland received from the North Staffordshire Partnership in respect of an Urban Regeneration Company for North Staffordshire; and what the outcome of each bid was. [122591]
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Jacqui Smith: Advantage West Midlands has not received any formal proposals from any body operating in North Staffordshire with respect to an Urban Regeneration Company.
Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much Objective Two and Three European funding Advantage West Midlands (a) has secured and (b) anticipates it will raise in 2003–04; and how much it plans to spend on projects in North Staffordshire. [122592]
Jacqui Smith: Advantage West Midlands is not directly responsible for Objective 2 investment in the sub-region. Government Office for the West Midlands administers these programmes on behalf of the region. (a) There are no Objective 3 offers to AWM. Objective 2 offers made to AWM are worth £86.84 million (ERDF and ESF combined). There are £15.85 million worth of bids currently under appraisal. (b) It is impossible to tell what level of ERDF and ESF AWM might secure in 2003–04 since this is dependent on the number of bidding rounds available and how many successful applications AWM achieve. Regarding spend in North Staffordshire, again this is impossible to say as the majority of the resources available to AWM are under an Action Plan which any of the sub regions can bid into.
Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what Advantage West Midland estimated grant-in-aid spending will be in 2003–04; and how much will be spent on projects in North Staffordshire. [122593]
Jacqui Smith: Estimated grant-in-aid for 2003–04 is £260 million, £18 million of which is indicatively allocated to North Staffordshire through the existing SRB programmes and the North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone.
Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress Advantage West Midlands has made in setting up a company to manage the North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone under the North Staffordshire Partnership Zone Implementation Plan. [122594]
Jacqui Smith: The corporate governance structure for the North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone is developing in line with other Regeneration Zones across the region. The North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone has established a Shadow Board chaired by the private sector; has an interim manager and is about to recruit a permanent secretariat to deliver the programme over the next 10 years.
Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the causes are of the delay in Advantage West Midlands (a) determining and (b) approving a delivery vehicle for regeneration within the North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone. [122595]
Jacqui Smith: Advantage West Midlands has not received a formal proposal for the establishment of an Urban Regeneration Company. However discussions are ongoing with stakeholders to determine the potential for such an arrangement.
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The corporate governance structure for the North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone is developing in line with other Regeneration Zones across the region and the interim arrangements as described above are already in place.
Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which delivery vehicles for regeneration are being considered by Advantage West Midlands within the North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone. [122596]
Jacqui Smith: Work has been commissioned by Advantage West Midlands, with agreement by local stakeholders, to scope the potential form and function of a special purpose vehicle to deliver physical investment in the North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone. Local consultation is taking place initially to be followed up with detailed dialogue with ODPM during August/September. Early indications suggest that a radical solution is required more in line with the approach taken by Government in the Thames Gateway rather than the traditional Urban Regeneration Company adopted elsewhere in the region.
Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for what reasons Advantage West Midlands has not approved an Urban Regeneration Company for North Staffordshire. [122597]
Jacqui Smith: Advantage West Midlands has not received any formal proposals from any body operating in North Staffordshire with respect to an Urban Regeneration Company.
Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when bids were first received by Advantage West Midlands for an Urban Regeneration Company from (a) Sandwell, (b) North Staffordshire, (c) Walsall and (d) other districts, boroughs and sub-regions in the West Midlands. [122598]
Jacqui Smith: Formal submissions were received from Sandwell and Walsall in April 2001. Advantage West Midlands has not received any other formal proposals with respect to an Urban Regeneration Company.
Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what progress Advantage West Midlands has made in appointing a clerical assistant for the Secretariat of the company to manage the North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone; [122599]
- (2) what progress Advantage West Midlands has made in the establishment of a finance and monitoring officer by Stoke-on-Trent Partnership for the North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone; [122600]
(3) what progress Advantage West Midlands has made in the appointment of (a) a regeneration zone manager and (b) the four pillar managers for North Staffordshire under the North Staffordshire Partnership Zone Implementation Plan. [122601]
Jacqui Smith: Advantage West Midlands has allocated a secretariat budget for the Zone and to date, an Interim Regeneration Zone Manager has been put in place through the North Staffordshire Partnership, employed by Stoke on Trent City Council.
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Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) which consultants have been used by (a) Advantage West Midlands and (b) the North Staffordshire Partnership to advise on regeneration in North Staffordshire; how much they were paid; and when; [122602]
- (2) what the role of KPMG is in advising Advantage West Midlands on regeneration in North Staffordshire; when the firm was appointed; and how much it will be paid. [122603]
Jacqui Smith: Advantage West Midlands commissioned KPMG in May 2003 to work with stakeholders ,and the day to day management responsibility for the consultancy contract with KPMG lies with Stoke on Trent city council. Details of the contractual arrangements are commercial in confidence.
Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for what reasons Advantage West Midlands did not notify local hon. Members of the meetings on 2 and 3 June to discuss the progress of regeneration in North Staffordshire; which priority projects were discussed at these meetings; and how these projects relate to the Zone Implementation Plan of the North Staffordshire Partnership. [122604]
Jacqui Smith: The arrangements for the Stakeholders event on 2 and 3 June were determined by local partners from the public sector. The objectives for the day were to discuss and review local regeneration activity that lies within the statutory responsibility of public sector bodies and the local strategic partnerships.
Greater dialogue will now take place directly between Advantage West Midlands and local Members of Parliament in the next stage of discussions, which relate to national policy.
A report outlining the key outcomes of the event will be available from AWM from 2 July.
Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry with which aspects of the North Staffordshire Partnership Zone Implementation Plan Advantage Waste Midlands plans to proceed. [122605]
Jacqui Smith: Advantage West Midlands has approved the Zone Implementation Plan for 2003–04. However this is currently being updated by the Regional Zone Partnership to reflect recent developments. Delivery of the Plan will be the responsibility of the Zone Partnership.
Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much Advantage West Midlands has allocated to the West Midlands Region under (a) SRB4, (b) SRB5 and (c) SRB6; and how much is being applied under each single regeneration budget round to (i) Stoke-on-Trent, (ii) Newcastle-under-Lyme, (iii) Staffordshire Moorlands and (iv) Stafford. [122606]
3 Jul 2003 : Column 425W
Jacqui Smith: SRB allocations for 2003–4 are as follows:
- SRB 4 Total Allocation to the West Midlands is £8 million of which £1.87 million is allocated to Stoke SRB 4. There were no SRB 4 allocations to other areas in the sub-region.
SRB 5 Total Allocation to the West Midlands was £19 million of which £4.4 million was allocated to Stoke SRB 5; £0.9 million was allocated to SRB 5 in North East Staffordshire.
SRB 6 Total Allocation to the West Midlands was £24 million of which £4.8 million was allocated to Stoke SRB 6 and £1.3 million to SRB 6 in Stafford.
Jacqui Smith: The delivery arrangements for the SRB programmes are detailed in the delivery plans for each of the schemes, which are available to the public through the local partnership.
Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information Advantage West Midlands has received on the number of projects under way or planned by Stoke-on-Trent city council under (a) SRB4, (b) SRB5 and (c) SRB6; and if she will list the (i) cost, (ii) start date and (iii) expected finish date of each project. [122608]
Jacqui Smith: Advantage West Midlands has signed off the Delivery Plans for the SRB 4, 5 and 6 for 2003–04.
Advantage West Midlands does not have detailed lists of individual projects planned, as the SRB is a delegated programme. Information on these is available in the public domain from the partnership delivery plans.
Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the role is of Mr. Jim Beeston of Heartlands in advising Advantage West Midlands on regeneration in North Staffordshire; what advice he has provided; and when his advice will be finalised. [122609]
Jacqui Smith: Jim Beeston is now a Director of Invigour Consulting, who has been commissioned by Advantage West Midlands with agreement by local stakeholders to scope the potential form and function of a special purpose vehicle to deliver physical investment in the North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone. Local consultation is taking place initially to be followed up with detailed dialogue with Office of the Deputy Prime Minister during August and September 2003. Invigour will report back to the North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone and North Staffordshire Housing Market Renewal Board during July and August 2003.
Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the awards of grant in-aid under the skills development and rapid response category that have been made to North Staffordshire by Advantage West Midlands in the last three financial years; and the amount of each award. [122674]
Jacqui Smith: The Department of Work and Pensions is responsible for the administration of the Rapid Response Fund.
3 Jul 2003 : Column 426W
Skills Development Funding to North Staffordshire over the last three financial years amounts to £6.83 million.
Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions Advantage West Midlands has had with RIBA over an urban design vision for Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire. [122675]
Jacqui Smith: Advantage West Midlands is aware of on-going discussions taking place between local partners regarding an urban design vision for Stoke-on-Trent. Advantage West Midlands has not had any direct discussions with RIBA on this issue outside of general partnership meetings.
Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how Advantage West Midlands intends to incorporate the Housing Pathfinder programme in its most appropriate delivery vehicle for regeneration in North Staffordshire. [122676]
Jacqui Smith: Advantage West Midlands is working closely with the Housing Market Renewal Board to put in place joint delivery arrangements for regeneration in North Staffordshire. Several discussions have taken place at the Housing Market Renewal Board. However no decision has yet been made on firm delivery proposals.
Advantage West Midlands is not responsible for the Housing Pathfinder Programme but it is its intention to integrate its activities fully with it where possible to maximize resources and avoid duplication.
Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what support Advantage West Midlands has given to the North Staffordshire Urban Design Forum. [122677]
Jacqui Smith: Advantage West Midlands has supported the development of the North Staffordshire Design Initiative through their Business Growth Fund. There has been no specific support for the Urban Design Forum to date, although proposals are being put forward through the North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone.
Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what submissions Advantage West Midlands has received (a) directly and (b) via the North Staffordshire Partnership in respect of (i) funding and (ii) other assistance for the (A) North Staffordshire Urban Design Forum, (B) an urban design vision for North Staffordshire and (C) a proposed new architecture centre for North Staffordshire. [122678]
Jacqui Smith: Both Advantage West Midlands and North Staffordshire Partnership have received the same proposal from the North Staffordshire Urban Design Forum. In practice, the proposal will be channelled through the North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone for consideration and possible support.
The North Staffordshire Urban Design Forum proposal requests funding of £48,733 in 2002–03, £154,289 in 2003–04 and £179,834 in 2004–05, a total of £382,856 over this three-year period.
3 Jul 2003 : Column 427W
The development of an Urban Design vision for North Staffordshire and an architecture centre are included as part of the urban design activities in the proposal.
Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions Advantage West Midlands has had with Stoke-on-Trent city council in respect of the future of Stoke's current partnerships with the St. Modwen property company in the context of the regeneration of North Staffordshire. [122679]
Jacqui Smith: Advantage West Midlands has had no specific discussions with Stoke-on-Trent city council in respect of the future of Stoke's current partnerships with the St. Modwen property company in the context of the regeneration of North Staffordshire.
Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much Advantage West Midlands has spent on the staffing and administration of the North Staffordshire Partnership in the last three years; and how much is anticipated in the current year. [122680]
Jacqui Smith: Advantage West Midlands has spent the following on the staffing and administration of the North Staffordshire Partnership.
| £ | |
|---|---|
| 2001–02 | 33,190 |
| 2002–03 | 76,965 |
Estimated contribution for 2003–04 is £135,000.
Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what has been the total amount of grants received by Advantage West Midlands in the region from the European Regional Development Fund in
3 Jul 2003 : Column 428W
each financial year since the RDA's inception; and of that how much has been spent in each year in (a) Stoke-on-Trent, (b) Newcastle-under-Lyme, (c) Staffordshire Moorlands and (d) Stafford. [122681]
Jacqui Smith: The total amount of grant received by Advantage West Midlands from the European Regional Development Funds during each financial year since 1 April 1999 was:
| Financial period | Amount of grant claimed and paid (£) |
|---|---|
| 1 April 1999 to 31 March 2000 | 1,258,727 |
| 1 April 2000 to 31 March 2001 | 942,643 |
| 1 April 2001 to 31 March 2002 | 2,032,160 |
| 1 April 2002 to 31 March 2003 | 3,073,058 |
| 1 April 2003 to 30 June 2003 (to date) | 259,002 |
It is not possible to say how much European Regional Development grant has been spent in each year in (a) Stoke-on-Trent, (b) Newcastle-under-Lyme, (c) Staffordshire Moorlands and (d) Stafford, as the majority of the projects for which Advantage West Midlands received European Regional Development Fund grant were cross-regional projects and the grant expenditure claimed in respect of those projects was not broken down by sub-region.
Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what has been the total amount of grant-in-aid utilised by Advantage West Midlands in the region under the heading applied to income and expenditure in each financial year since its inception; and of that how much has been spent in each year in (a) Stoke-on-Trent, (b) Newcastle-under-Lyme, (c) Staffordshire Moorlands and (d) Stafford. [122682]
Jacqui Smith: Expenditure is as follows:
| 1999–2000 | 2000–01 | 2001–02 | 2002–03 | Totals | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AWM GiA utilised | 105 | 110 | 123 | 205 | 543 |
| Spend: | |||||
| Stoke-on-Trent | 11.198 | 9.603 | 14.109 | 13.298 | 48.208 |
| Stafford | 0.096 | 0.013 | 0.424 | 1.003 | 1.536 |
| Newcastle-under-Lyme | 2.16 | 1.078 | 3.257 | 1.593 | 8.088 |
| Staffs Moorlands | 0.212 | 0.378 | 1.573 | 2.409 | 4.572 |
| North Staffs Regeneration Zone | 0.018 | 0.052 | 0.379 | 1.648 | 2.097 |
| 13.684 | 11.124 | 19.742 | 19.951 | 64.501 |
Note:
Figures are estimates only.
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