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24 May 2004 : Column 1443W—continued
Energy Efficiency
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps she is taking to promote the use of more energy efficient electrical motors within industry. [174763]
Mr. Sutcliffe: Proposals to develop more efficient engines and vehicles through the design and application of electric power drives and systems, where they are used in the development of environmentally friendly transport, are being considered under the collaborative research and development arm of the DTI Technology Programme. The Technology Programme seeks to promote innovative technologies to help companies bring products to market. Calls for outline proposals from industry are requested by 21 June.
A further call for proposals is planned for later this year and ideas for new priority areas to be covered are welcomed from business and should be submitted to the, industry led, Technology Strategy Board through the DTI.
Additionally the Enhanced Capital Allowance (EGA) Scheme allows businesses investing in designated energy saving products published in the approved Energy Technology List (ETL) to claim 100 per cent. first-year capital allowances on their investment. Motors and Variable Speed drives were included in the first wave of technologies published in 2001. Currently there are over 2,800 products listed under Motors and Drives section of the approved ETL Product List. The full list of energy saving products eligible for Enhanced Capital Allowances can be found at www.eca.gov.uk.
Fireworks
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made in tackling the issue of noisy night-time fireworks. [174848]
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Mr. Sutcliffe: The Department launched a formal consultation on 23 April 2004, which details proposed regulations to be made under the provisions of the Fireworks Act 2003. One of the proposed measures is to create a curfew on the use of fireworks between the hours of 11 pm and 7 am, with the exception of November 5, New Years Eve, Chinese New Year and Diwali.
We expect that the police will enforce this measure—and that the police will have the power to issue Fixed Penalty Notices for infractions of the curfew.
National Minimum Wage
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many young people in Hull, North have benefited from the introduction of the minimum wage for 16 and 17 year olds. [174795]
Mr. Sutcliffe: It is not possible to provide an estimate specifically for the constituency of Hull, North because of small sample size. However, the number of people in the UK who stand to benefit from the new rate for 16 and 17 year olds is likely to be in the low tens of thousands.
Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how many people have legitimately not been paid the minimum wage in each year since its introduction; what the reason was in each case; what estimate she has made of the number of people not being paid the minimum wage for illegitimate reasons; and she will make a statement; [170311]
(2) how many employees have been affected by employers not complying with the National Minimum Wage in each year since its introduction. [170464]
Mr. Sutcliffe [holding answers 4 May 2004]: The Office for National Statistics publishes an estimate of the number of jobs paying below the National Minimum Wage—See table 1, which reproduces this estimate for the years since the National Minimum Wage was introduced).
| As at spring each year | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 2000(96) | 240,000 | 1.0 |
| 2001(97) | 250,000 | 1.0 |
| 2002(98) | 330,000 | 1.3 |
| 2003(99) | 260,000 | 1.0 |
(96) Rate was £3.00 per hour (aged 18–21) or £3.60 per hour (aged 22 and over).
(97) Rate was £3.20 per hour (aged 18–21) or £3.70 per hour (aged 22 and over).
(98) Rate was £3.50 per hour (aged 18–21) or £4.10 per hour (aged 22 and over).
(99) Rate was £3.60 per hour (aged 18–21) or £4.20 per hour (aged 22 and over).
Source:
Office for National Statistics' central estimates of low pay.
However, these figures do not constitute an estimate of non-compliance since there are certain circumstances where the usual minimum wage rates do not apply, in which case it may be legitimate for an employer to pay below National Minimum Wage rates.
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There are two main instances when individuals may legitimately earn less than the appropriate minimum wage for their age. Firstly, individuals may be on certain Government training programmes or apprenticeships, in which they are exempt for the first year up to the age of 26. Also, employees aged over 21 who receive accredited training (such as those doing NVQs) may be exempted from receiving the full adult national minimum wage for the first six months of training in a new job with a new employer. Secondly, employees may be exempted if they are receiving accommodation that is tied to their employment. Such employees do not have to be paid all of their minimum wage entitlement in cash terms because employers can legitimately reduce rates to take into account the cost of accommodation provided; from October 2003 this has amounted to a daily offset of £3.50, leading to a maximum weekly offset of £24.50.
Using the Labour Force Survey, the DTI estimates the maximum number of workers whose job characteristics mean they can be paid less than the National Minimum Wage.
| As at spring each year | Number |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 320,000 |
| 2001 | 250,000 |
| 2002 | 260,000 |
| 2003 | 220,000 |
Source:
Labour Force Survey.
In practice, the number of workers who can legitimately be paid below minimum wage rates is likely to be substantially lower than these figures. This is because a significant proportion of people receiving free accommodation as part of the job, holding apprenticeships or taking part in Government training programmes are likely to be earning in excess of the minimum wage.
Maternity Leave
Mr. Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many and what percentage of women in Oldham, West and Royton have taken 26 weeks' maternity leave since 1997. [170938]
Mr. Sutcliffe: Data on maternity leave is not available by constituency. However, a DTI survey of working parents in Autumn 2000 showed that of mothers who had taken maternity leave in the previous five years, 51 per cent. had taken 18 weeks or less and 79 per cent. had taken 19 to 29 weeks or less.
Regional Development Agencies
Mr. Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of the budget of each of the nine regional development agencies has been spent on administration in each year since their inception. [174697]
Jacqui Smith:
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Cotswold (Mr. Clifton-Brown) on 11 May 2004, Official Report, column 247W.
24 May 2004 : Column 1446W
Regulations
Mr. Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for what reasons she rejects the British Chambers of Commerce estimation of the costs to businesses of regulations introduced since 1997. [173260]
Mr. Sutcliffe: The British Chambers of Commerce estimation of the burden does not appear to offset the benefits accrued. Objective measurement of regulation must consider the total impact, taking account of associated benefits.
Scottish Power
Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to her answer of 12 May to question reference 171781, if she will list the issues discussed at the meeting with representatives of Scottish Power on 11 March. [173696]
Ms Hewitt: The specific issue relating to electricity supply discussed at the meeting was wind farms and their interaction with radar. Also discussed was security of supply.
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