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6 Oct 2003 : Column 1075W—continued
Near Earth Objects
Lembit Öpik: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures the Government has taken to fulfil each of the recommendations in the September 2000 Report of the Task Force on potentially hazardous Near Earth Objects; and if she will make a statement. [130857]
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Ms Hewitt: The Government issued their response to the Task Force Report in February 2001 and an update to the response was issued in January 2002. My noble Friend the Minister for Science will be meeting the former members of the Task Force in the autumn. A further update will be issued before the end of the year.
Postal Services
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what criteria are used to distinguish between rural and urban post offices. [130798]
Mr. Timms: The decision to classify a post office branch as urban or rural is an operational matter for Post Office Ltd. The company classifies as rural any post office within a community of less than 10,000 inhabitants. Above that the post office is classified as urban. I understand that the company has a geographical mapping model that enables it to adopt a consistent approach to classification across the country.
Mr. Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consultations have been undertaken by (a) Postwatch and (b) Postwatch Scotland since 2001; and how much each of these has cost. [129901]
Mr. Timms: This is a matter for Postwatch and I have therefore asked the Chairman of Postwatch to reply directly to the hon. Member.
Mr. Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the latest posting time is from each parliamentary constituency which will achieve first delivery of first class mail to the House the following day; and what the latest posting time is at the hon. Members' post office which will achieve next day first delivery of first class mail to each parliamentary constituency. [131059]
Mr. Timms [holding answer 18 September 2003]: This is an operational matter for Royal Mail Group plc. I have therefore asked the Deputy Chairman of Royal Mail to reply direct to the hon. Member.
Renewable Energy
Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures she has put in place to develop the electricity grid to support the development of renewable energy resources. [131262]
Mr. Timms: The Government are clear that the electricity grid network needs to be developed to support more renewable generation. It is working closely with Ofgem to ensure that the costs of this required work is spread across the whole of the GB consumer base. An important part of this process will be the British Electricity Trading and Transmission Arrangements (BETTA), and these are currently under development.
The Government are committed to bringing forward legislation in time to implement BETTA in April 2005. Through the Transmission Issues Working Group, Government meet with Ofgem, the Scottish Executive, the Wales Assembly Government and the Transmission Assets Owners to review the progress of this important work. Already an early success is the start of the
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required planning work required to strengthen transmission lines in Scotland to accommodate an initial 2 GW of new renewable generation.
Mr. David Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make proposals concerning the renewable obligation under the renewable energy policy to (a) change the wording defining biomass and (b) exclude raw material from this definition. [131308]
Mr. Timms: We have no plans to change the definition of biomass in the way suggested.
A Statutory Consultation, "The Renewables Obligation (Amendment) Order 2003", was published on 29 August 2003. Its main focus is a set of modifications to the co-firing rules to enhance the prospects for energy crops without a radical change to the Obligation. Consultation closes on 21 November 2003.
Mr. David Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made towards the 2010 targets of electricity sales from licensed electricity suppliers coming from eligible renewable sales. [131309]
Mr. Timms: In 2002, 1.7 per cent. of electricity sales from licensed electricity suppliers came from sources eligible for the Renewables Obligation; the comparable figure for 2001 was 1.5 per cent.
In 2002, 3.0 per cent. of electricity generated in the UK came from all renewable sources; the comparable figure for 2001 was 2.6 per cent.
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if she will make a statement on the implications for the future of renewable obligation certificate trading following the recent demise of TXU; [130519]
- (2) if she will make an assessment of the performance of renewable obligation certificate trading. [130520]
Mr. Timms [holding answer 17 September 2003]: Renewables Obligation Certificate trading is a matter for the electricity industry.
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We are aware of the electricity industry's concerns regarding the consequences of TXU going into administration and the implications of a potential shortfall in the Renewables Buy-out Fund for the value of Renewables Obligation Certificates and the level of confidence in the renewables market.
My officials are in discussion with the industry at present to discuss the implications of the potential shortfall and consider options for resolving the issue. I understand that officials from Ofgem are in discussion with the TXU administrator on compliance with the obligation.
Road Traffic Management
Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she will answer the questions, references 117718 and 117719, on road traffic management proposals, tabled by the hon. Member for Twickenham for written answer on 5 June 2003. [131258]
Mr. Timms: I have answered the Member's questions today.
Royal Mail
Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the effect on rail employment of the decision of Royal Mail to abandon the use of rail for post distribution. [129210]
Mr. Timms: I refer to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Baillieston (Mr. Wray) on 15 September 2003, Official Report, column 541W.
Small Businesses
Mr. Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the start up rate was for small businesses in (a) the Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside, (c) Tyne and Wear, (d) the North East and (e) the UK in each year since 1997. [130735]
Nigel Griffiths: Business start-ups are measured officially by VAT registrations. The latest year for which VAT registration data are available is 2001. Data are not available for parliamentary constituencies.
The VAT registrations threshold has risen during this period from £48,000 to £54,000. There is no accurate estimate of the number of companies that would be added to this total if the £48,000 threshold had not risen by more than the rates of inflation.
| 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number | |||||
| United Kingdom | 182,570 | 186,250 | 178,460 | 183,325 | 175,455 |
| North East Government Office Region | 4,170 | 4,215 | 4,230 | 4,280 | 4,050 |
| Tyne and Wear Metropolitan county | 1,825 | 1,750, | 1,785 | 1,800 | 1,675 |
| South Tyneside | 190 | 185 | 205 | 180 | 175 |
| Rate per 10,000 resident adults(15) | |||||
| United Kingdom | 40 | 40 | 38 | 39 | 37 |
| North East Government Office Region | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 20 |
| Tyne and Wear Metropolitan county | 21 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 19 |
| South Tyneside | 15 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 14 |
(15) Mid-year resident adults (aged 16 and over)
Source:
Business Start-ups and Closures: VAT Registrations and De-registrations 1994–2001
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Mr. Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what support the Government offers to new small businesses in the North East. [130736]
Jacqui Smith: Government support for new businesses comes in a variety of forms. The Business Link Operators (BLOs) put together programmes for start-up businesses, working with Enterprise Agencies and other partners, which are funded from a variety of sources, including: SBS core funding, residual SRB monies, RDA "single programme" funds, and European funds. In total, in the North East, the BLOs are spending around £3.6 million on start-up programmes (such as BL Tees Valley's "Start Right in Business" programme), and are contributing around £1.7 million to supporting incubation projects.
Support programmes vary in content between sub-regions, but essentially offer a programme of advice and assistance in key areas where new businesses require help, eg producing business plans to help access finance; developing marketing programmes, managing finance and cash flow, etc. They may be able to offer subsidies directly, or secure funding through other partners.
Help for start-up businesses does not end with the start-up programmes. LSC-funded workforce development, DTI-funded TPUK activities, and DTI's new products such as the R&D) grant are part of the wider range of services available via BLOs which may be appropriate for young businesses.
Access to Finance initiatives, such as the SBS-funded Regional Venture Capital fund (Capital North East) and Investor Readiness programmes (operated by Northern Enterprise and Entrust respectively), and the BL Tyne and Wear-operated regional Micro Loan fund can also benefit businesses in the early stage of operation, and lead to a more mature approach to business finance being inculcated into new businesses in a region where a grant culture has persisted. This is essential for the future growth prospects of businesses.
Start-up programmes in the North East are becoming better co-ordinated, with closer working between BLOs, Enterprise Agencies and other partners. Examples include the new start-up consortium in Tyne and Wear, closer working relationships in County Durham, and the "Start Right In Business" programme in Tees Valley. The on-going RDA-led review of business support process will develop these co-operative approaches further.
An RDA-led initiative "Strategy for Success" should lead, through the creation of centres of excellence and an DPR exploitation company, to the spin out of more businesses through the HEI sector.
At national level, SBS is co-ordinating the development of a cross-Government national strategy for start up businesses. This will draw on the experience and research from partners around the country to create a consistent, evidence-based start-up proposition, to which local variations may be added. It will also develop a co-ordinated between DWP, DFES and other Government Departments which will result in easier access and interface with entrepreneurs. An early result of such co-operation is the "No-nonsense Guide" to
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Government rules and regulations for setting up your business. This has been well received by start-up companies and by business support intermediaries.
Mr. Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action the Government is taking to encourage entrepreneurs to set up their own businesses in the North East. [130737]
Jacqui Smith: The information is as follows:
- Enterprise Centres in six FE colleges in Tyne and Wear.
Sponsoring "Start a Business a day" initiative by the Chronicle Newspaper Co-operative working with People into Enterprise and Women into the Network to run events helping budding entrepreneurs turn hobbies into businesses.
Specialised programmes in decentralised advice centres in rural Northumberland, including motivational workshops and de-mystification sessions.
A three-day rural enterprise event.
Initiatives to encourage social enterprise such as "School for Social Entrepreneurs" and "Regen School" in Tyne and Wear and the work of the Community Enterprise team at BL County Durham. Co-operation being developed through NESEP (North East Social Enterprise Partnership) "Women get into Enterprise" programme, one of a number of initiatives to encourage enterprise in under-represented groups.
Linking in with incubation projects to provide co-ordinated start-up support and advice.
- A major event last April, organised by BL Tyne and Wear and funded by the RDA and SBS, in which the regions' BLOs and Enterprise Agencies ran Start up shows in Tyne and Wear and Teesside and which would-be entrepreneurs could speak directly with advisers, other entrepreneurs, etc.
This was followed by several local outreach events earlier this year supported by a regional enterprise PR campaign.
The "Enterprise Island" programme in which progress of 10 would-be entrepreneurs was charted in a film.
Initiatives are also being developed to boost graduate enterprise (building on programmes the universities have developed through HEFCE funding), and to further promote enterprise in schools building on "Enterprise Insight", Young Enterprise, and other programmes.
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