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8 Jun 2004 : Column 383W—continued

Social Chapter

Mr. Benton: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the effects of the EU Social Chapter on the residents of Bootle. [177000]

Mr. Sutcliffe: The residents of Bootle have benefited from the EU Social Chapter by having their employment rights extended to include:

the right to parental leave, which gives parents the right to 13 weeks unpaid leave at the birth or adoption of a child;

the entitlement of part-time workers to the same pro-rate terms and conditions of employment as full-time workers, thereby removing any discrimination and improving the quality of part-time jobs;

the provision that once a prima facie case has been made in an employment tribunal claim, the burden of proof is placed on the defendant (usually the employer), who will need to demonstrate that sex discrimination has not occurred;

rights under the Fixed Term Work Directive that provide for the fair treatment of fixed term workers and prevent abuse of fixed term contracts; and

rights under the European Works Council Directive, which requires companies with at least 1,000 employees in total and at least 150 workers in each of the two member states, to establish structures for consulting workers on issues that affect them.

 
8 Jun 2004 : Column 384W
 

In addition, the Information and Consultation of Employees Directive to be implemented in the UK by March 2005, establishes a right to new minimum standards for workforce communication and involvement in large firms.

Wind Farms

Mr. Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the visual impact of wind farms in operation; and if she will make a statement. [175000]

Mr. Timms: The visual impact of proposed wind farm developments is considered on a case-by-case basis by the relevant planning authorities.

The Government's national planning policy with regard to wind farms and renewable energy is set out in Planning Policy Guidance note (PPG) 22: Renewable Energy, which gives local planning authorities guidance on a range of issues that affect the siting of wind turbines—including visual impact.

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the composition was of the working group responsible for the ETSU-R-97 report entitled the Assessment and Rating of Noise from Wind Farms. [175562]

Mr. Timms: The working group responsible for the ETSU-R-97 report entitled the Assessment and

Rating of Noise from Wind Farms was:

Name
Mr. R. Meir—Chairman	DTI
Dr. M. L. Legerton—Secretary	ETSU
Dr. M. B. Anderson	Renewable Energy Systems
Mr. B. Berry	National Physical Laboratory
Dr. A. Bullmore	Hoare Lea and Partners
Mr. M. Hayes	The Hayes McKenzie Partnership
Mr. M. Jiggins	Carrick District Council
Mr. E. Leeming	The National Power Company Ltd.
Dr. P. Musgrove	National Wind Power Ltd.
Mr. D. J. Spode	North Cornwall District Council
Mr. H. A. Thomas	Isle of Anglesey County Council
Ms E. Tomalin	EcoGen Ltd.
Mr. M. Trinick	Bond Pearce Solicitors
Dr. J. Warren	National Wind Power Ltd.

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