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9 Sept 2003 : Column 359W—continued
Insider Trading
Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations she has received on insider trading. [127783]
Since 1 December 2001 the Financial Services Authority has been the primary enforcer of the insider dealing legislation.
Nanotechnology
Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations she has received on the progress of nanotechnology development in the UK. [127792]
Ms Hewitt: Since the beginning of this year, the Minister responsible for nanotechnology in my Department, my noble Friend, the Minister for Science and Innovation, has received 14 letters and has held 8 meetings concerning the progress of nanotechnology development in the UK. In addition, there has been continuous dialogue between my Department's officials in the Innovation Group and the Office of Science and Technology with industry and science based representatives across a wide range of nanotechnology related issues.
Offshore Wind Power
Mr. Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what criteria were used to select the second round sites for offshore wind licensing; and by what process companies interested in developing offshore wind in areas not cited in round two of offshore wind licensing can proceed with their plans. [127192]
Mr. Timms: The round two strategic areas, within which developers are invited to apply for site leases for offshore windfarms, were identified primarily as areas with the greatest concentration of potentially suitable
9 Sept 2003 : Column 360W
sites on the basis of sea depth and proximity to the electricity grid network. A particularly sensitivity coastal strip was excluded following strategic environmental assessment of the three areas. Developers interested in developing offshore windfarms in areas outside of the round two areas should inform DTI of their plans, as indicated in the DTI's consultation paper "Future Offshore—A Strategic Framework for the Offshore Wind Industry". This information will feed in, along with the results of DTI's current review of the UK offshore marine renewable resource, to the planning of the future strategic environmental assessment programme that will determine the programme of future site leasing rounds.
Mr. Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment has been made of the offshore wind potential off the north coast of Scotland. [127194]
Mr. Timms: In 2001 Garrad Hassan and Partners Ltd. completed a study for the Scottish Executive entitled "Scotland's Renewable Resource 2001". This included tidal stream and wave in addition to offshore wind. It can be viewed on the web at http://www. Scotland.gov.uk/enterprise/energy (click on More Information on Renewables). DTI is commissioning a survey of marine energy resources across all UK waters, which should be completed early in 2004. The results of this survey will be used to inform the programme of future strategic environmental assessments. Strategic environmental assessment of an area is necessary before that area can be offered to developers to tender for site leases for offshore renewable development.
Mr. Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when round three of licensing for offshore wind farms will commence. [127195]
Mr. Timms: No date has yet been set for a third site leasing round for offshore wind farms. The DTI is commissioning a review of the potential UK marine renewable resource, which will inform the programme of future strategic environmental assessment work.
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Strategic environmental assessment of an area proposed for a future round of offshore renewable development is a requirement before a competition can be announced to invite tenders for site leases.
Postal Services
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment her Department has made of the impact of the European Commission proposal to apply value added tax to all suppliers of postal services in the EU and end the exemption from VAT for Royal Mail and other national universal service providers of postal services under the 6th VAT Directive (77/388/EEC). [128529]
Mr. Timms: This is a matter for the Treasury. I understand that the European Commission proposal (9060/03 COMM(2003)234) for a Council Directive amending Directive 77/388 as regards value added tax on services provided in the postal sector was the subject of an Explanatory Memorandum deposited and sent to Scrutiny Committees by the Paymaster General on 19 May. As indicated in the Explanatory Memorandum, a Regulatory Impact Assessment for the Commission proposal will be submitted as soon as possible.
Public Service Contracts
Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many public service contracts were awarded by her Department (a) in total and (b) to SMEs in each year since 1997; and if she will make a statement. [127801]
Nigel Griffiths: Governments have not collected information on the division between contracts awarded to SMEs and large businesses.
The Small Business Service is undertaking an annual survey of Government procurement to ensure this information is available.
(a) Central records indicate that the following numbers of contracts in total were awarded.
| Number | |
|---|---|
| 1999(6) | 6,924 |
| 2000 | 20,329 |
| 2001 | 24,267 |
| 2002 | 25,946 |
| 2003(7) | 7,391 |
(6) From 1 April
(7) To 4 April
Data for earlier years are not readily available and can only be provided at disproportionate cost.
Source:
Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics 2003 and earlier years
9 Sept 2003 : Column 362W
Regional Assistance Schemes
Dr. Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans there are to assess the effectiveness of regional assistance schemes with particular reference to Regional Selective Assistance and Enterprise Grants; and if she will make a statement. [128672]
Jacqui Smith: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 9 July 2003, Official Report, column 796–97W.
Technology Sector
Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on Government initiatives to encourage growth in the technology sector. [127782]
Ms Hewitt: There is a wide range of supporting initiatives to encourage growth in technology intensive sectors. These range from support for fundamental research and education in the science base via Office of Science and Technology through targeted collaborative research schemes and grants for Research and Development delivered through Business Links and the Small Business Service. Further support is given across the economy through the R&D tax credits administered by the Inland Revenue. Further details relating specifically to supporting technology and innovation will be made later this year when I publish the results of the Innovation Review.
WALES
Wanless Review
Mr. Jon Owen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the Welsh Assembly Government on the need for primary legislation in order to implement the recommendations of the Review of Health and Social Care in Wales advised by Derek Wanless; and which of the four options proposed by the Review to solve the problem of bed-blocking would require primary legislation. [126458]
9 Sept 2003 : Column 363W
Mr. Touhig [holding answer 17 July 2003]: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 17 July 2003, Official Report, column 447W.
I have regular discussions with the Assembly Minister for Health and Social Services and we have of course covered the Wanless Report and its implications. However, it would be inappropriate to comment on the likely need for primary legislation to solve that issue at this time. The Assembly have yet to publish their detailed response and action plan which is due for publication in November.
Mr. Jon Owen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether his Department has had discussions with the Welsh Assembly Government about implementing the four options proposed by the Review of Health Care in Wales to solve the problem of bed-blocking. [126459]
Mr. Touhig [holding answer 17 July 2003]: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 17 July 2003, Official Report, column 447W.
I have regular meetings with the Assembly Minister for Health, Jane Hutt AM, during which she updates me on health policy initiatives launched by her administration.
I am aware that the Assembly will be publishing a detailed response and action plan in the autumn and it is therefore premature to comment on implementing the recommendations of the report before then. I will of course keep the matter under review.
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