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8 Dec 2003 : Column 254W—continued
Export Licences
Mr. Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many export licences, and of what value, were approved for the export of main portable air defence systems to governments and others in each year since 1997; and how many such licences were not approved. [141199]
Nigel Griffiths: MAN Portable Air Defence Systems (MANPADS) are rated under both category ML4a and category ML4b. Of course there is other equipment also rated under these categories. To carry out a search of how many licences were approved and refused for export since 1997 would require a search first by category, bringing up in all probability thousands of goods lines, followed by a search, both of computer records and a manual search, of each of those goods lines, to determine whether the goods listed under the relevant category contained any equipment for MANPADS.
Manufacturing
Mr. Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions she has had with representatives of manufacturing industry on levels of manufacturing investment. [140948]
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Ms Hewitt: My colleagues and I meet frequently with representatives of manufacturing industry to discuss a wide range of issues, including levels of manufacturing investment.
In addition we receive regular reports from key industry representatives, such as the CBI and the Engineering Employers Federation, on manufacturing performance including investment trends.
Mobile Telephones
Mr. Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will introduce regulations requiring the providers of mobile telephone-related services to obtain documentary proof of purchase, ownership and identity from clients before taking the item into their temporary possession. [141871]
Mr. Timms: The Government have no plans to do so.
Mr. Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will introduce regulations for the purchase of second-hand mobile telephones placing the onus upon the buyer to obtain documentary proof of purchase, ownership and identity from the seller. [141872]
Mr. Timms: The Government have no plans to do so. Measures already taken by the Mobile Network Operators mean that stolen phones can be blocked. When blocked, they have no resale value. Together with my hon. Friend the Minister of State for crime reduction, policing and community safety, I am in regular discussion with the Mobile Industry Crime Action Forum—which brings together mobile phone networks, manufacturers and retailers—on reducing mobile phone crime.
Motor Industry
Mr. Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which companies manufacturing cars in the United Kingdom have received (a) offers and (b) indicative offers of regional selective assistance since 1 May 1997. [142119]
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Jacqui Smith: In England, the following companies have received offers:
- BMW Hams Hall Motoren GMBH
Ford Motor Co Ltd.
Jaguar Cars Ltd.
Jensen Motors Ltd.
MG Rover Group Ltd.
Nissan Motor Manuf (UK) Ltd.
Peugeot Motor Co Ltd.
Toyota Motor Manuf (UK) Ltd. 1
Vauxhall Motors Ltd.
1 Offer accepted but project did not proceed.
Offers of RSA in Scotland and Wales and of Selective Financial Assistance in Northern Ireland are the responsibility of their respective administrations.
Our database does not contain records of indicative offers since these are not legally binding documents.
Mr. Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the deficit or surplus has been for the UK's trade in motor cars in each of the past six years; and if she will make a statement. [142125]
Jacqui Smith: The information requested is as follows:
| Exports | Imports | Balance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 8,688 | 13,455 | -4,767 |
| 1998 | 8,513 | 13,898 | -5,385 |
| 1999 | 9,515 | 14,756 | -5,241 |
| 2000 | 9,156 | 13,710 | -4,554 |
| 2001 | 7,981 | 16,784 | -8,803 |
| 2002 | 10,347 | 17,903 | -7,556 |
Source:
Overseas Trade Statistics (HM Customs & Excise)
Mr. Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry by how much the United Kingdom motor industry's gross value added has changed since 1997; and if she will make a statement. [142126]
Jacqui Smith: Relevant information available is as follows:
| Standard Industrial Classification (1992) category | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | Percentage change 1997–2001 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34.1 Manufacture of motor vehicles | 5,913 | 5,438 | 4,454 | 3,372 | 4,407 | -25 |
| 34.2 Manufacture of bodies (coachwork) for motor vehicles; manufacture of trailers and semi-trailers | 814 | 799 | 779 | 716 | 746 | -8 |
| 34.3 Manufacture of parts and accessories for motor vehicles and their engines | 3,066 | 3,368 | 3,057 | 3,075 | 3,132 | +2 |
| 25.1 1 Manufacture of rubber tyres and tubes | 625 | 723 | 620 | 497 | 519 | -17 |
| 31.61 Manufacture of electrical equipment for engines and vehicles not elsewhere classified | 393 | 366 | 445 | 429 | 312 | -21 |
| Total Motor vehicles and components | 10,811 | 10,695 | 9,355 | 8,089 | 9,115 | -16 |
Source:
Annual Business Inquiry (National Statistics)
Mr. Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on efficiency in the UK motor industry in terms of vehicles per employee per year; and what plans her Department has to improve this. [142128]
Jacqui Smith: In recent years there has been a steady improvement in efficiency in the UK motor industry in terms of vehicles per employee per year, and it is noted that Nissan's Sunderland plant is the most efficient car plant in Europe by this measure.
The Department is working closely with the industry on a number of initiatives to improve productivity, including implementation of the recommendations of the Automotive Innovation and Growth Team, to
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which the Government have committed £45 million. These recommendations, including Supply Chain Groups, the Automotive Academy and Centres of Excellence, will allow the dissemination of best practice, knowledge transfer and improved skills throughout the sector.
Post Office Closures
Mr. Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on how many occasions the Post Office has decided not to close a sub-post office in an urban area following consultation in each of the last three years. [141550]
Mr. Timms [holding answer 3 December 2003]: Decisions on post office closure proposals under the urban reinvention programme following public
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consultation are an operational matter for Post Office Ltd. and I have asked the Chief Executive to reply direct to my hon. Friend.
Projects (Funding)
Mr. Woodward: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) which projects have been (a) wholly and (b) partly funded by her Department in St. Helens since 1997; when each project was announced; when it started or was expected to start; what funding was provided by (i) Government and (ii) a third party; what third party provided funding; what the target group of the project was; what the projected outcome of the project was; and what the name of the project was; [141273]
- (2) how much money the Government has allocated in business support to St. Helens in each year since 1992. [141304]
Jacqui Smith: Project support information is given in the table.
| Project Name | FinancialYear Started | GovernmentGrant (£) | OtherFunding (£) | Source ofOther Funding | Target Group | Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RSA(20) | 2002–03 | (21)1.54 | (21)12.28 | Target businesses(22) | Business applicants(23) | 305 jobs created/safeguarded |
| St. Helens City Growth Strategy | 2001–02 | 375,000 | — | — | Borough of St. Helens | Strategy and implementation plan to provide sustainable business base in St. Helens |
| EnterprisingSt. Helens | 2001–02 | 471,000 | 307,000 | ESF(24) | Disadvantaged communities in St. Helens | Support for business startups in target areas |
| RSA(20) | 2001–02 | 600,000 | (21)4.7 | —(22) | —(23) | 112 jobs created/safeguarded |
| RSA(20) | 2000–01 | 500,000 | (21)3.41 | —(22) | —(23) | 137 jobs created/safeguarded |
| RSA(20) | 1999–2000 | (21)1.68 | (21)10.42 | —(22) | —(23) | 415 jobs created/safeguarded |
| RSA(20) | 1998–99 | (21)2.28 | (21)18.6 | —(22) | —(23) | 895 jobs created/safeguarded |
| RSA(20) | 1997–98 | (21)3.43 | (21)33.27 | —(22) | —(23) | 839 jobs created/safeguarded |
(20) Regional Selective Assistance
(21) Million
(22) Target businesses
(23) Business applicants
(24) European Social Fund
In addition to the support shown in the table, there have been a total of eight offers of R&D/Smart grant support for innovative business projects in the St. Helens area, with a total value of £509,000 since 1997.
Allocations to the Small Business Service, which provides business support across the country, are not broken down by constituency. Since its inception, the Small Business Service in the North West has received allocations as follows.
| Financial Year | Allocation |
|---|---|
| 2001–02 | 17.97 |
| 2002–03 | 18.06 |
| 2003–04 | 17.87 |
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