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26 May 2005 : Column 197W—continued
Employment Rates
Bill Wiggin: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the net change in the number of jobs in the (a) agricultural and (b) manufacturing industry in Wales was in 2004. [1084]
John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
Letter from Colin Mowl to Mr. Bill Wiggin, dated 26 May 2005:
The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about net change in jobs in agriculture and manufacturing in Wales in 2004. I am replying in his absence. (1084)
The attached table provides estimates of the net change in employee jobs in 'agriculture, hunting, forestry and fishing' and 'manufacturing' in Wales, between December 2003 and the latest available date, December 2004.
| Thousand | ||
|---|---|---|
| As at December: | Agriculture, hunting, forestry and fishing | Manufacturing |
| 2003 | 13 | 180 |
| 2004 | 13 | 177 |
| Net change | 0 | -3 |
Source:
Employee jobs, ONS
Mr. Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the 10 local authority areas in the UK with the (a) lowest employment rate and (b) highest unemployment rate; and if he will make a statement. [808]
John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
Letter from Len Cook to Mr. David Laws, dated 26 May 2005:
As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about employment. (808)
The attached tables give estimates respectively of the lowest and the highest employment rates for Unitary Authorities and Local Authority Districts in United Kingdom, for the twelve-month period ending February 2004.
These estimates from the Labour Force Survey are, as with any sample survey, subject to sampling variability.
(8) People in employment as a percentage of all men aged 16 to 64 and women aged 16 to 59.
Source:
ONS Annual local area Labour Force Survey
(9) People in employment as a percentage of all men aged 16 to 64 and women aged 16 to 59.
(10) Based a very small number of cases sampled in the survey.
Source:
ONS Annual local area Labour Force Survey
26 May 2005 : Column 199W
Entry Processing Units
Derek Wyatt: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reasons Chatham entry processing unit has been closed. [162]
Dawn Primarolo [holding answer 23 May 2005]: Chatham entry processing unit has not been closed. Customs are considering alternative ways of discharging their responsibilities and these will be discussed with the trade prior to implementation.
Derek Wyatt: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what environmental impact assessment was prepared before the selection of Dover entry processing unit (EPU) over Chatham EPU. [163]
Dawn Primarolo [holding answer 23 May 2005]: No environmental impact assessment has been carried out as our proposals do not require any additional lorry journeys to Dover.
Derek Wyatt: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the criteria that led to the selection of Dover entry processing unit over Chatham EPU. [164]
Dawn Primarolo [holding answer 23 May 2005]: Import and export entry clearance can now be handled, via electronic means, from any location. Given this, it is sensible to locate clearance activity where the best service can be provided to UK trade. Dover has three times as many staff as Chatham and, unlike Chatham, can provide a 24-hour service, seven days a week. Preliminary soundings among trade representatives has confirmed that this level of service will meet their operational needs.
Derek Wyatt: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what criteria were used in making the decision that (a) Felixstowe, (b) Tilbury and (c) Dover would keep its entry processing unit. [268]
Dawn Primarolo
[holding answer 23 May 2005]: Felixstowe, Tilbury, Dover, Southampton, Manchester and Heathrow have been identified as the locations with the greatest volumes of activity. Together they currently handle around 85 per cent. of all UK imports and exports, have substantial numbers of trained staff who can handle the remaining 15 per cent. and are strategically located throughout the UK. The future of non location critical activity at these locations is being considered as part of a major international trade project. The trade are being consulted during this project.
26 May 2005 : Column 200W
EU Committees
Angus Robertson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the (i) Customs Code Committee—counterfeit and pirated goods, (ii) Customs Code Committee—single administrative document and (iii) Customs Code Committee—movement of air or sea passengers' baggage (technical problems) met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if he will make a statement. [638]
Dawn Primarolo: The information is as follows.
(i) Customs Code Committee—counterfeit and pirated goods.
(ii) Customs Code Committee—single administrative document
All these meetings were held in Brussels and the UK was represented by HM Customs and Excise.
(iii) Customs Code—movement of air or sea passengers baggage.
I am not aware of the Committee meeting in this period.
Gershon Report
Mr. Soames: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his timetable is for the implementation of the Gershon report in respect of the Ministry of Defence. [1136]
Mr. Des Browne: The Government fully accepted the recommendations contained within Sir Peter Gershon's report and embedded these efficiency targets into the 2004 Spending Review settlements. Like all Government Departments, the Ministry of Defence is committed to deliver its agreed efficiency targets by 2007–08,
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