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2 Feb 2004 : Column 647W—continued
National Business Angel Network
Mr. Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the National Business Angel Network in matching entrepreneurs with private investors. [151433]
Nigel Griffiths [holding answer 27 January 2004]: An external evaluation of the National Business Angels Network took place early in 2003 that examined all aspects of its operation, including its matchmaking activities. It was on the basis of the evaluation's findings
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that the Department decided not to continue funding this element of the National Business Angels Network's operations.
Overseas Investment
Mr. Arbuthnot: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what investment has been made in (a) China, (b) India, (c) Japan and (d) South Korea by United Kingdom small and medium-sized enterprises in each year since 2000; [151242]
- (2) what investment has been made in (a) Pakistan, (b) Sri Lanka, (c) Brunei and (d) Cambodia by United Kingdom small and medium-sized enterprises in each year since 2000; [151243]
(3) what investment has been made in (a) Indonesia, (b) Laos, (c) Macao and (d) Malaysia by United Kingdom small and medium-sized enterprises in each year since 2000; [151244]
(4) what investment has been made in (a) Philippines, (b) Singapore, (c) Taiwan, (d) Thailand and (e) Vietnam by United Kingdom small and medium-sized enterprises in each year since 2000. [151245]
Mr. Mike O'Brien [holding answers 27 January 2004]: This information is not collected by HMG and there would be a disproportionate cost to obtaining the information.
Pneumoconiosis Benefit
Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many applications for benefit under the Coalworkers Pneumoconiosis Scheme have been received in each of the last six years from claimants from (a) England, (b) Scotland and (c) Wales. [151495]
Nigel Griffiths: The information is as follows:
| Number of claims received (UK) | |
|---|---|
| 1998 | 746 |
| 1999 | 809 |
| 2000 | 550 |
| 2001 | 646 |
| 2002 | 1,014 |
| 2003 | 1,767 |
A geographical breakdown of claims is not kept.
Power Supply (Wales)
Mr. Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the security of the power supply in Wales. [151771]
Mr. Timms: The Government attach great importance to maintaining reliable energy supplies—it is one of the four key goals of energy policy identified in our Energy White Paper, published last year.
As the transmission licensee in England and Wales, National Grid Transco (NGT) is under an obligation to operate and maintain an efficient, economic and coordinated electricity system.
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In its Winter Outlook, NGT assessed the risks to gas and electricity security of supply for England and Wales during the winter of 2003–04. The report predicted a generating plant margin of just over 16 per cent. for the winter and stated that,
- "Under most scenarios network security can be maintained without any interruption of firm gas supplies or electricity demand."
Since the report, more generating plant has been returned from mothballs, and the projected plant margin for England and Wales has increased to just over 20 per cent., a similar level to last year.
To monitor developments in the electricity market in the medium to long term, the Department of Trade and Industry is working, with Ofgem, through the Joint Energy Security of Supply working group (JESS). The latest JESS report was published on 12 November and copies have been placed in the Libraries of the House.
Quality Mark Scheme
Phil Sawford: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many businesses in the construction industry have joined the Quality Mark scheme; and what action she is taking to promote the scheme. [151127]
Nigel Griffiths: To date 512 firms have joined the Quality Mark Scheme. 702 firms are going through the formal application process. DTI is also working with representative trade bodies and local authority schemes to align membership requirements with Quality Mark. The most recent in a series of launches to the trade was in the north-west in October/November 2003.
Discussions are being held with industry representatives about the best way to promote the benefits of Quality Mark.
Regulatory Impact Assessments
Mr. Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many (a) partial and (b) full regulatory impact assessments have been undertaken in relation to EU legislation for each year since 1998; and if she will make a statement. [151364]
Nigel Griffiths: Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIAs) are produced for all policy proposals that have a cost to or benefit for business irrespective of the origins of the policy. Copies of full RIAs are placed in the Libraries of the House. Records of the origin of each policy proposal are not held centrally.
Mr. Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the quantification of the costs and benefits of regulations on (a) consumers, (b) small and medium-sized businesses and (c) the Government in the course of regulatory impact assessments. [151365]
Nigel Griffiths: The costs and benefits of a policy proposal are collated in consultation with stakeholders and recorded in the Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA). All RIAs are required to include a small firms impact test to ensure that policy proposals do not have a disproportionate effect on small businesses. The assessments also include a competition assessment to
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ensure that any policy proposals do not have negative effects on competition. Costs to Government, including enforcement costs, are included in the RIA.
Copies of full RIAs are placed in the Libraries of the House.
Small and Medium-sized Companies
Mr. Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps her Department is taking to promote the use of the internet among small and medium-sized companies. [152044]
Mr. Timms: Since 2000, DTI has sought to promote the use of the internet among SMEs through the UK online for business programme. As a result of a decision to restructure business support within DTI, the activities of UK online for business will be integrated into the wider activities of the Department and the Business Link organisation. The decision to restructure has been a direct response to feedback from stakeholders and the aim will be to rationalise the wide range of schemes run by the Department into a small number of coherent and focused products.
The strategy for DTI will be to underline the business benefits that can be achieved through effective use of the internet and other information and communication technologies. Businesses need to become more sophisticated users of the technologies and address issues relating to people and processes as well as the technology itself. DTI will continue to put forward examples of best practice of ICT usage, through websites, publications and events, working closely with industry partners.
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action she is taking (a) to improve access to investment capital and (b) to provide other support to small businesses; and if she will make a statement. [150215]
Nigel Griffiths: Since coming to office, the Government have taken a number of steps to improve SMEs' ability to access investment capital. These include the development of Regional Venture Capital Funds, the UK High Technology Fund, Early Growth Funds, The Community Development Venture Fund (known as the Bridges Fund), Community Investment Tax Relief and Investment Readiness demonstration projects. We are currently also developing Enterprise Capital Funds following the 'Bridging the Finance Gap' consultation announced in Budget 2003.
In addition, the changes proposed by the Chancellor in his pre-Budget report to enhance the already effective Venture Capital Trust and Enterprise Investment Scheme tax incentives will further improve the availability of investment capital.
The Government have provided, and continue to provide, a system for practical help and advice to small businesses via Business Link, providing easy access to objective information and support across a wide range of initiatives and financial packages. Business Link provides help and advice for those wishing to start a small business or who are already in a small business. Full details are available on the website (www. businesslink.gov.uk)
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Recently, the Government have taken action to support small business via a wide range of initiatives, as outlined in "The Government Action Plan for Small Business" published on 8 January 2004 and available on the Small Business Service website (www.sbs.gov.uk). It provides a comprehensive account of the significant Government help being made available to small businesses.
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