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7 Sept 2004 : Column 1036W—continued
Nuclear Power
Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate she has made of the proportions of expenditure by the planned nuclear decommissioning authority that will be spent on (a) discharging nuclear liabilities, (b) funding nuclear spent fuel reprocessing and (c) power generation. [184397]
Mr. Timms: The 2004 Spending Review announced on 12 July provided funding, subject to the successful adoption of the then Energy Bill (now the Energy Act), for the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) of approximately £2 billion per year including income from trading.
The NDA will set out its spending priorities for 2005–06 in its first annual plan. The draft plan will be subject to public consultation during this autumn. The Secretary of State will approve the plan early next year.
In autumn 2005, the NDA will publish its strategy for the first five years of its operation. This too will provide further information on spending priorities.
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the (a) total costs to date and (b) projected future costs to public funds are of decommissioning nuclear power stations; and if she will make a statement. [184578]
Mr. Timms:
The Government's July 2002 White Paper, "Managing the Nuclear Legacy: A strategy for action", estimated the undiscounted cost of the Magnox decommissioning liabilities at £12 billion and the total cost of treating civil public sector nuclear liabilities at £48 billion. From April 2005, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) will take responsibility for the Magnox power stations, all of which are scheduled to close by 2010.
7 Sept 2004 : Column 1037W
The cost of decommissioning British Energy's nuclear power stations, which are all operational, is covered in its annual report and accounts. Under British Energy's proposed restructuring plan, the company will continue to contribute to a Nuclear Liabilities Fund (NLF) that will meet British Energy's decommissioning liabilities. To ensure safety and environmental protection, the Government will underwrite the NLF to the extent that the company's contributions are insufficient. The treatment of liabilities by British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. (BNFL), including Magnox, is also discussed in BNFL's accounts.
Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment has been made by her office of civil nuclear security in respect of providing guidance to (a) nuclear operators, (b) regulators, (c) other non-departmental public bodies and (d) relevant Government Departments on the release of sensitive nuclear information. [187306]
Mr. Timms: Such guidance has been issued by the Office for Civil Nuclear Security (OCNS) and is available on the DTI website.
Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what additional protection measures have been taken at (a) Sellafield, (b) other nuclear sites operated by BNFL and (c) nuclear installations operated by the UK Atomic Energy Authority since 11 September 2001. [187307]
Mr. Timms: The UK's civil nuclear sites apply stringent security measures regulated by the Office for Civil Nuclear Security (OCNS), the security regulator. The security regulator works closely with the Health and Safety Executive, the safety regulator, which provides advice on the safety implications of events, including external hazards such as plane crashes, at nuclear installations. Security at nuclear sites is kept under regular review in the light of the prevailing threat and has been significantly enhanced since the terrorist attacks in the USA on 11 September 2001. Under Exemption 1—information whose disclosure would harm national security—of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, it is not Government policy to disclose details of these measures which could potentially be of use to terrorists.
Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the report published by the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology on 22 July on assessing the risk of terrorist attacks on nuclear facilities. [187304]
Mr. Timms: The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology report is an excellent overview of the publicly-available information in this field. My Department and the civil nuclear industry were among the many who contributed in providing the public domain information required for the report.
Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the additional requirements for personnel vetting that will arise from the contractorisation of (a) nuclear waste management and (b) nuclear installation decommissioning under the guidance of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority. [187284]
7 Sept 2004 : Column 1038W
Mr. Timms: Security vetting for the civil nuclear industry is conducted by the Office for Civil Security (OCNS). We believe that the initial impact of the formation of the Nuclear Decommissioning Agency (NDA) on vetting requirements will be within existing resources. However, as the NDA moves toward open bidding for contracts, OCNS will monitor the situation closely in order to ensure that the high standards of vetting within the civil nuclear industry are maintained.
PFI/PPP
Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many contracts her Department had with (a) Barclays, (b) the Royal Bank of Scotland, (c) UBS Warburg and (d) the Bank of Scotland for advice on private finance initiative and public private partnership contracts in each financial year since 2001–02; and what fees were paid in each case. [186688]
Mr. Sutcliffe: There have been no contracts for advisory work on PPP or PFI contracts let by the Department with any of the companies mentioned since 2001–02.
Pharmaceutical Services
Mr. Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry by what date she has been advised she will receive the Office of Fair Trading report on pharmaceutical services; and if she will make a statement. [186321]
Mr. Sutcliffe: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Industry received the Office of Fair Trading report on pharmaceutical services on 17 January 2003.
I made a statement to the House of Commons setting out the Government's response to the OFT report on 17 July 2003.
My colleague, the Minister of State at the Department of Health responsible for Pharmacies, announced on 18 August the implementation of the Government's response to the OFT report.
Post Offices (Disabled Access)
Mr. Tony Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many post offices in Northampton, South have disabled access. [186584]
Mr. Timms: This is an operational matter for Post Office Ltd. and I have therefore asked the Chief Executive to reply direct to the hon. Member.
Postal Service
Mr. Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what change there has been in the number of delays in the postal service in (a) urban and (b) rural areas since 1997; and if she will make a statement. [187113]
Mr. Timms:
The issue of the postal service is an operational matter for Royal Mail Group plc and I have therefore asked the Chief Executive to reply direct to the hon. Member.
7 Sept 2004 : Column 1039W
Regional Development Agencies
Miss Kirkbride: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which regional development agencies have (a) an office and (b) representatives outside the UK. [183537]
Jacqui Smith: The answer to the question updates answers previously given to the hon. Member for Essex north on 26 January 2004, Official Report, columns 73–76W and 5 February 2004, Official Report, columns 999–1000W.
I have been advised of the following answers by England's Regional Development Agencies (RDAs).
Advantage West Midlands has offices in France, Germany, Sweden and Belgium.
In north America, Advantage West Midlands shares representation with their partner agency, EMDA, under the British Midlands' brand. Together they have a total of five offices and seven full-time staff based in Washington, Boston, Chicago, San Jose and Toronto; they also employ the services of a telemarketing agency in north America. The British Midlands is also represented on a full-time basis in Japan with two staff. In south east Asia, India and Australia, the British Midlands has part-time representation with offices in Singapore, Mumbai and Sydney and a total of six part-time agents.
The cost incurred by AWM in maintaining these offices in 2003–04 was:
| £ | |
|---|---|
| Australia | 63,259 |
| Belgium | 107,625 |
| Canada | 29,863 |
| France | 71,082 |
| Germany | 102,784 |
| India | 49,817 |
| Japan | 101,780 |
| Singapore | 44,386 |
| Sweden | 85,198 |
| USA | 468,574 |
| Total | 1,124,367 |
East of England Development Agency
The East of England Developments Agency (BED A) has an inward investment office in San Jose (Silicon Valley) a joint project between EEDA and Invest East of England. There are no representatives as the office is co-ordinated by the vice-president for business development at Invest East of England.
EEDA also subscribes to the East of England partnership office in Brussels and the Essex and East of England International Trade office in Jiangsu Province China (but does not have offices or representatives).
7 Sept 2004 : Column 1040W
The cost incurred by EEDA in maintaining these offices in 2003–04 was:
| £ | |
|---|---|
| Belgium | 56,500 |
| China | 63,000 |
| USA | 250,000 |
| Total | 369,500 |
East Midlands Development Agency
The East Midlands Development Agency (EMDA) is represented in Europe by part-time agents in Germany (Munich-two staff) and Scandinavia (Malmo-one person);
EMDA also employs a telemarketing agency in France.
In north America, EMDA shares representation with their partner agency, Advantage West Midlands, under the British Midlands' brand. Together they have a total of five offices and seven full-time staff based in Washington, Boston, Chicago, San Jose and Toronto; they also employ the services of a telemarketing agency in north America. The British Midlands is also represented on a full-time basis in Japan with two staff. In south east Asia, India and Australia, the British Midlands has part-time representation with offices in Singapore, Mumbai and Sydney and a total of six agents.
EMDA is also a partner in the East Midlands European Office (EMEO), based in Brussels. The partnership also includes the region's strategic local authorities, the Regional Assembly and the East Midlands Regional Local Government Association. In addition, EMDA line manages EMEO on behalf of the regional partnership.
The cost incurred by EMDA in maintaining these offices in 2003–04 was:
| £ | |
|---|---|
| Australia | 60,000 |
| Belgium | 50,000 |
| France | 20,000 |
| Germany | 70,000 |
| India | 50,000 |
| Japan | 90,000 |
| North America | 402,000 |
| Scandinavia | 60,000 |
| Singapore | 75,000 |
| Total | 877,000 |
The London Development Agency is a partner in the London European Office, a staffed Greater London Authority partnership office in Brussels. The cost incurred in maintaining this office in 2003–04 was £50,000.
The North West Development Agency (NWDA) has an office with two members of staff (one full-time and one part-time) in Japan (in conjunction with Yorkshire Forward).
7 Sept 2004 : Column 1041W
As part of a north of England collaboration (a joint venture with One NorthEast and Yorkshire Forward) there are offices in Australia (Sydney) and north America: Chicago (five people), Boston (two people), Atlanta (one person) and Los Angeles: (one person full-time and one person part-time).
The NWDA with the North West Regional Assembly (NWRA) jointly fund an office and one member of staff in Brussels.
The cost incurred by NWDA in maintaining these offices in 2003–04 was:
| £ | |
|---|---|
| Australia | 55,000 |
| Belgium | 103,000 |
| Japan | 135,000 |
| USA | 392,000 |
| Total | 685,000 |
One NorthEast has offices in China (Shanghai), Japan (Tokyo) and Korea (Seoul). Until the end of 2003–04 it also operated an office in Taiwan.
As part of a north of England collaboration (a joint venture with North West Development Agency and Yorkshire Forward) there are offices and representatives in Australia (Sydney) and north America (Chicago, Boston, Atlanta and Los Angeles).
The cost incurred by ONE in maintaining these offices in 2003–04 was:
| £ | |
|---|---|
| Australia | 50,000 |
| China | 66,525 |
| Japan | 185,086 |
| Korea | 73,208 |
| North America | 396,000 |
| Taiwan | 51,855 |
| Total | 822,673 |
South East England Development Agency
The South East of England Development Agency (SEED A) shares an officer post with the Regional Assembly operating from South East England House in Brussels, co-located and working with other partners from around the Region. SEEDA is also represented in Washington DC by Odell Simms and Associates and has a representative in each of the following cities: Berlin, San Diego, Boston, Shanghai, Seoul, Tokyo,Osaka and Sydney, the latter post being part-time.
The cost incurred by SEEDA in maintaining these offices in 2003–04 was:
| £ | |
|---|---|
| Australia | 56,006 |
| Belgium | 131,658 |
| China | 26,331 |
| Germany | 101,683 |
| Japan | 127,655 |
| Korea | 33,699 |
| USA | 558,735 |
| Total | 1,035,766 |
7 Sept 2004 : Column 1042W
South West of England Regional Development Agency
The South West of England Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) has an office in Japan. There are two representatives in north America—one in Boston and one in Sonoma, California.
It also has just opened an office in Guangdong province in southern China and taken on a new representative in Melbourne, Australia. No costs were incurred for these in 2003–04.
The cost incurred by SWRDA in maintaining these offices in 2003–04 was:
| £ | |
|---|---|
| Japan | 394,364 |
| USA | 468,514 |
| Total | 862,878 |
Yorkshire Forward has an office and representatives in China and in Japan (the latter joint with the North West Development Agency).
As part of a north of England collaboration (a joint venture with North West Development Agency and OneNorth East) there are offices and representatives in Australia (Sydney) and north America (Chicago, Boston, Atlanta and Los Angeles). Yorkshire Forward also provide a contribution of £60,000 towards the running costs of the Yorkshire and Humber European Office, managed by the Yorkshire and Humber Assembly.
The cost incurred by Yorkshire Forward in maintaining these offices in 2003–04 was:
| £ | |
|---|---|
| Australia | 58,000 |
| Belgium | 60,000 |
| China | 28,000 |
| Japan | 201,000 |
| USA | 412,000 |
| Total | 759,000 |
Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what offices outside the United Kingdom are maintained by regional development agencies; and what the cost of maintaining each one was in the last financial year for which figures are available. [184984]
Jacqui Smith: The answer to the question updates answers previously given to the hon Member for Essex North on 26 January 2004, Official Report, columns 73–76W and 5 February 2004, Official Report, columns 999–1000W.
I have been advised of the following answers by England's Regional Development Agencies (RDAs).
Advantage West Midlands has offices in France, Germany, Sweden and Belgium.
In North America, Advantage West Midlands shares representation with their partner agency, EMDA, under the British Midlands' brand. Together they have a total of five offices and seven full time staff based in
7 Sept 2004 : Column 1043W
Washington, Boston, Chicago, San Jose and Toronto; they also employ the services of a telemarketing agency in North America. The British Midlands is also represented on a fulltime basis in Japan with two staff. In South East Asia, India and Australia, the British Midlands has part time representation with offices in Singapore, Mumbai and Sydney and a total of six part-time agents.
The cost incurred by AWM in maintaining these offices in 2003–04 was:
| £ million | |
|---|---|
| Australia | 63,259 |
| Belgium | 107,625 |
| Canada | 29,863 |
| France | 71,082 |
| Germany | 102,784 |
| India | 49,817 |
| Japan | 101,780 |
| Singapore | 44,386 |
| Sweden | 85,198 |
| USA | 468,574 |
| Total | 1,124,367 |
East of England Development Agency
The East of England Developments Agency (BED A) has an inward investment office in San Jose (Silicon Valley) a joint project between EEDA and Invest East of England. There are no representatives as the office is co-ordinated by the vice-president for business development at Invest East of England.
EEDA also subscribes to the East of England partnership office in Brussels and the Essex and East of England International Trade office in Jiangsu Province China (but does not have offices or representatives).
The cost incurred by EEDA in maintaining these offices in 2003–04 was:
| £000 | |
|---|---|
| Belgium | 56,500 |
| China | 63,000 |
| USA | 250,000 |
| Total | 369,500 |
East Midlands Development Agency
The East Midlands Development Agency (EMDA) is represented in Europe by part time agents in Germany (Munich—two staff) and Scandinavia (Malmo—one person); EMDA also employs a telemarketing agency in France.
In North America, EMDA shares representation with their partner agency, Advantage West Midlands, under the British Midlands' brand. Together they have a total of five offices and seven full time staff based in Washington, Boston, Chicago, San Jose and Toronto; they also employ the services of a telemarketing agency in North America. The British Midlands is also represented on a fulltime basis in Japan with two staff. In South East Asia, India and Australia, the British Midlands has part time representation with offices in Singapore, Mumbai and Sydney and a total of six agents.
7 Sept 2004 : Column 1044W
EMDA is also a partner in the East Midlands European Office (EMEO), based in Brussels. The partnership also includes the region's strategic local authorities, the Regional Assembly and the East Midlands Regional Local Government Association.
In addition, EMDA line manages EMEO on behalf of the regional partnership.
The cost incurred by EMDA in maintaining these offices in 2003–04 was:
| £000 | |
|---|---|
| Australia | 60,000 |
| Belgium | 50,000 |
| France | 20,000 |
| Germany | 70,000 |
| India | 50,000 |
| Japan | 90,000 |
| North America | 402,000 |
| Scandinavia | 60,000 |
| Singapore | 75,000 |
| Total | 877,000 |
The London Development Agency is a partner in the London European Office, a staffed Greater London Authority partnership office in Brussels. The cost incurred in maintaining this office in 2003–04 was £50,000.
The North West Development Agency (NWDA) has an office with two members of staff (one full time and one part time) in Japan (in conjunction with Yorkshire Forward).
As part of a North of England collaboration (a joint venture with One North East and Yorkshire Forward) there are offices in Australia (Sydney) and North America: Chicago (five people), Boston (two people), Atlanta (one person) and Los Angeles: (one person full time and one person part time).
The NWDA with the North West Regional Assembly (NWRA) jointly fund an office and one member of staff in Brussels.
The cost incurred by NWDA in maintaining these offices in 2003–04 was:
| £000 | |
|---|---|
| Australia | 55,000 |
| Belgium | 103,000 |
| Japan | 135,000 |
| USA | 392,000 |
| Total | 685,000 |
One NorthEast has offices in China (Shanghai), Japan (Tokyo) and Korea (Seoul). Until the end of 2003–04 it also operated an office in Taiwan.
As part of a North of England collaboration (a joint venture with North West Development Agency and Yorkshire Forward) there are offices and representatives in Australia (Sydney) and North America (Chicago, Boston, Atlanta and Los Angeles).
7 Sept 2004 : Column 1045W
The cost incurred by ONE in maintaining these offices in 2003–04 was:
| £000 | |
|---|---|
| Australia | 50,000 |
| China | 66,525 |
| Japan | 185,086 |
| Korea | 73,208 |
| North America | 396,000 |
| Taiwan | 51,855 |
| Total | 822,673 |
South East England Development Agency
The South East of England Development Agency (SEEDA) shares an officer post with the Regional Assembly operating from South East England House in Brussels, co-located and working with other partners from around the Region. SEEDA is also represented in Washington DC by Odell Simms and Associates and has a representative in each of the following cities: Berlin, San Diego, Boston, Shanghai, Seoul, Tokyo, Osaka and Sydney, the latter post being part-time.
The cost incurred by SEEDA in maintaining these offices in 2003–04 was:
| £ million | |
|---|---|
| Australia | 56,006 |
| Belgium | 131,658 |
| China | 26,331 |
| Germany | 101,683 |
| Japan | 127,655 |
| Korea | 33,699 |
| USA | 558,735 |
| Total | 1,035,766 |
South West of England Regional Development Agency
The South West of England Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) has an office in Japan. There are two representatives in North America—one in Boston and one in Sonoma, California.
It also has just opened an office in Guangdong province in Southern China and taken on a new representative in Melbourne, Australia. No costs were incurred for these in 2003–04.
The cost incurred by SWRDA in maintaining these offices in 2003–04 was:
| £000 | |
|---|---|
| Japan | 394,364 |
| USA | 468,514 |
| Total | 862,878 |
Yorkshire Forward has an office and representatives in China and in Japan (the latter joint with the North West Development Agency).
As part of a North of England collaboration (a joint venture with North West Development Agency and One North East) there are offices and representatives in Australia (Sydney) and North America (Chicago, Boston, Atlanta and Los Angeles). Yorkshire Forward also provide a contribution of £60,000 towards the
7 Sept 2004 : Column 1046W
running costs of the Yorkshire and Humber European Office, managed by the Yorkshire and Humber Assembly.
The cost incurred by Yorkshire Forward in maintaining these offices in 2003–04 was:
| £000 | |
|---|---|
| Australia | 58,000 |
| Belgium | 60,000 |
| China | 28,000 |
| Japan | 201,000 |
| USA | 412,000 |
| Total | 759,000 |
Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether regional development agencies are required to meet performance indicators for central Government. [185772]
Jacqui Smith: I refer the Member to my answer given on 22 July, Official Report, columns 514–515W.
Mr. Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what funding from her Department in 2004–05 is devoted by regional development agencies specifically towards promoting the development of minority ethnic businesses. [186350]
Jacqui Smith: Through the framework provided by their Regional Economic Strategies (RES), RDAs work with a range of local partners, to contribute to the development of ethnic minority businesses. Examples of this are in the document "RDA Activities supporting Ethnic Minority Businesses" which provides a list of RDA supported activities that stimulate ethnic business growth. I have placed this document in the House of Commons Library. Unfortunately, information about costs cannot be easily disaggregated and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
The East Midlands Development Agency (emda) have a lead role to co-ordinate policy on ethnic minority businesses on behalf of all the RDAs. They have jointly established with De Montfort University the Centre for Research into Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship (www.crème-dmu.org.uk). As part of their work emda are also organising the eighth Ethnic Business Conference in Leicester in September 2004.
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