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22 Feb 2005 : Column 554W—continued
Targets
Mr. George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many targets have been set in each year since 1997 by the Department; and, of these, which have been (a) met, (b) nearly met, (c) not met, (d) changed and (e) dropped. [215837]
Ms Hewitt: Since the 1998 comprehensive spending review the Department's key objectives have been set out in public service agreements (PSA), which include high-level performance targets. Progress against these targets has been reported every year since then in the Department's annual expenditure plans and departmental reports.
The Department's annual reports also cover progress against a range of other departmental targets, for example in relation to diversity in public appointments and the Department's environmental performance.
Since December 2002 the Department has provided further mid-year updates on progress towards delivering its PSA targets in annual autumn performance reports.
Details of these reports are given as follows:
Textiles
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions the Department has had with the Ministry of Defence about the procurement of textiles. [216235]
Nigel Griffiths: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State chairs an inter-departmental committee on public procurement on which the Ministry of Defence is represented and at which a range of public procurement issues are discussed. This Department's officials also have regular contact with officials in MoD on procurement issues, including textiles.
Training and Development
Mr. George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the costs of departmental (a) staff training days and (b) staff development days held away from the Department were in each year since 1997. [213795]
Ms Hewitt: DTI is committed to providing access to learning and development for its staff. This will ensure they have the right skills and expertise to enable them to meet their customer's needs and deliver the Department's business objectives effectively.
The cost for staff learning during FY 2003–04 (and the budget for 2004–05) was around £4.8 million. To provide more detailed information would be possible only at disproportionate cost.
UK-based Companies (Complaints)
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many complaints were received by her Department in each year since 1997 regarding the actions of UK-based companies abroad; what procedure has been established to deal with such complaints; and if she will make a statement. [210639]
Mr. Alexander: The primary locus for my Department in dealing with complaints regarding the actions of UK-based companies abroad is the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. A National Contact Point (NCP) was created when the Guidelines were revised in 2000 for discussions with the parties concerned on all matters covered by the Guidelines so that it can contribute to the solution of problems that may arise in this connection.
The number of cases (specific instances) that has arisen from complaints since 2000 is as follows:
| Number | |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 0 |
| 2001 | 0 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 7 |
| 2004 | 0 |
The NCP issued Statements on two of these cases, and one was resolved by the parties. The remainder are on-going.
22 Feb 2005 : Column 556W
Working Time Directive
Mr. Laxton: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions her Department has had with trade unions on compliance by businesses with the Working Time Directive. [216131]
Mr. Sutcliffe: DTI Ministers and officials regularly meet representatives of both trade unions and business. We discuss many different employment issues, including how to ensure the Working Time Regulations made under the Working Time Directive are not abused.
Mr. Laxton: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps her Department is taking to ensure that businesses comply with the Working Time Directive. [216132]
Mr. Sutcliffe: Enforcement of the working time regulations is undertaken on DTFs behalf by a number of different authorities: the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), local authorities, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). These authorities follow up complaints about the regulations and, if necessary, have the power to initiate prosecutions. During the 12 months to 31 March 2004, the HSE Infoline received over 5,000 enquiries on working time issues. All those requiring further action were followed up. The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) also provides advice and, if necessary, conciliation on matters relating to the working time regulations. Employees can pursue working time entitlements through employment tribunals.
World Trade Organisation
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what basis the World Trade Organisation's Dispute Settlement Body rests its authority; and if he will make a statement. [215402]
Mr. Alexander: The Dispute Settlement Body is established under the provisions of the WTO Dispute Settlement Understanding which is set down in Annex 2 to the WTO Agreement.
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment his Department has made of the (a) role, (b) composition and (c) work of the World Trade Organisation's Appellate Body; and if he will make a statement. [215403]
Mr. Alexander: The Appellate Body is provided for in Article 17 of the Dispute Settlement Understanding (DSU) which is an integral part of the WTO Agreement. Its function is to address appeals by WTO members of WTO panel rulings. Its mandate is limited to consideration of issues of law covered in the Panel report and legal interpretations developed by the Panel.
The composition of the Appellate Body is determined by the provisions of Article 17 of the DSU. It is composed of seven members who are selected because of their recognised authority and demonstrated expertise in law, international trade and the subject matter of the WTO agreements.
22 Feb 2005 : Column 557W
The Government considers that the Appellate Body has and continues to perform its task well and plays a valuable role in the resolution of disputes within the WTO and ensuring consistency in the interpretation of the multilateral trade agreements.
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment his Department has made of the (a) function, (b) foundation and (c) make-up of the World Trade Organisation's Dispute Settlement Body; and if he will make a statement. [215418]
Mr. Alexander: The Dispute Settlement Body meets as often as is necessary to carry out its functions under the Dispute Settlement Understanding. Among its main functions are:
to maintain surveillance and implementation of rulings and recommendations of Panel and Appellate Body reports, and
The DSU is an integral part of the WTO agreement and has been accepted by all members of the WTO. It has the advantage of providing one dispute settlement process covering all of the agreements falling under the WTO umbrella.
The Government considers that overall the WTO dispute settlement system has performed well since it entered into force in 1995.
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