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Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what funding the Medical Research Council has made available in each year since 1997 for research into complex regional pain syndrome. [230]

Alan Johnson: The MRC has not directly funded any research into complex regional pain syndrome in the period since 1997. However, in 2002–03, the Council spent £1.4 million on research into pain and pain management, which may lead to further understanding of the mechanisms involved.

Government do not prescribe to individual research councils what research they fund. Research excellence and importance to health are the primary considerations in MRC's funding decisions. Research proposals received by MRC undergo full peer review and assessment by one of the MRC's research boards.

Crude Oil

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage change in crude oil production from the UK occurred between January and March 2004 and January and March 2005; and what assessment the Department has made as to whether were this trend to continue throughout 2005, the UK would produce more or less oil than it consumed. [3731]

Malcolm Wicks: Provisional data for 2005 suggest that crude oil production fell by 12 per cent. between the first quarter of 2004 and the first quarter of 2005. A more detailed analysis is due to be published on 30 June in the June edition of Energy Trends, which will be available in the Libraries of the House.

Since peaking in 1999, indigenous oil production has been gradually declining as UKCS reserves deplete. New fields are expected to start production from the latter half of 2005 and consequently the decline in UK crude production is projected to plateau before
 
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reverting back to its gradual decline from 2008. The UK is still anticipated to become a net importer of crude oil and petroleum products by around 2010.

Discrimination Law Review

Vera Baird: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the terms of reference are for the Discrimination Law Review; who is on the reference group for the review; when the review will start; who will lead the review; and what consultation the review will hold with (a) hon. Members, (b) the public and (c) relevant pressure groups. [3756]

Meg Munn: Today the terms of reference for the Discrimination Law Review and the terms of reference and list of the members of the Reference Group have been laid in the Libraries of the House.

We are currently recruiting a team to commence work on the review, which will be led by the Women and Equality Unit in the Department of Trade and Industry. The Women and Equality Unit will be working closely with the other key equality Departments, for example, DWP, Home Office and DCA.

We will consult as appropriate with relevant bodies and stakeholders on the very wide range of interests concerned throughout the review.

Energy White Paper

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what timescale he is applying to thereview of the Energy White Paper, with particular reference to nuclear fission. [1501]

Malcolm Wicks: The Government remain committed to the framework for energy policy set out in the Energy White Paper in 2003. However, we keep progress towards our energy policy goals under review. One example is the Climate Change Programme Review, which is already showing that we will need to do more to reach our domestic goal for carbon reductions and we will be considering the options for correcting this shortfall.

The Energy White Paper set out our policy in relation to nuclear fission. It did not make proposals for building new nuclear power stations but did not rule out the possibility that at some point in the future new nuclear build might be necessary if we are to meet our carbon targets.

Paddy Tipping: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to publish the annual review of the Energy White Paper. [1604]

Malcolm Wicks [holding answer 7 June 2005]: The Government expect to publish their second annual report on implementation of the Energy White Paper in the summer.

Exhibitions and Seminars Abroad Scheme

Mr. Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with (a) clothing manufacturers, (b) clothing exporters, (c) the Scottish Executive and (d) Scottish Enterprise regarding UK small and medium enterprises participating in exhibitions and missions in export
 
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markets under the Support for Exhibitions and Seminars Abroad Scheme; and if he will make a statement. [1181]

Ian Pearson: UK Trade and Investment has had discussions on the future of exhibition support with representatives of the clothing and many other sectors and with Scottish Development International. Their views are being taken into account in work on the revision of the scheme.

Export Control Organisation

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to make an announcement on the future of the Export Control Organisation. [2333]

Malcolm Wicks: The matter is still under consideration. An announcement will be made as soon as practicable.

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what (a) information and (b) training the Export Control Organisation has provided for UK defence exporters concerning bribery and corruption. [2344]

Malcolm Wicks: None. Awareness activities on this subject are carried out by other branches of Government.

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether companies applying for a licence to the Export Control Organisation are required to provide details of agent's commission that will be paid on the contract for which a licence is sought. [2555]

Malcolm Wicks: No. DTI requires information relating only to the potential export.

Export Credits Guarantee Department

Mr. Arbuthnot: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the Export Credits Guarantee Department Pilot Trading Fund was launched; what reviews of the Pilot Fund will be undertaken; and if he will make a statement. [2655]

Ian Pearson [holding answer 9 June 2005]: The Export Credits Guarantee Department's (ECGD's) Pilot Trading Fund was launched on 4 April 2005.

The Secretary of State will consider the suitability of trading fund status as a means of financing ECGD's operations, taking into account a review of the experience gained operating as a pilot trading fund, including ECGD's performance against statutory requirements, and the results of a formal public consultation.

If a decision is taken for ECGD to move to a statutory trading fund, a Trading Fund Order will be laid before the House in 2007.

Mr. Arbuthnot: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many submissions have beenprovided to the consultation on Export Credits Guarantee Department anti-bribery and corruption procedures since December 2004; and if he will make a statement. [2656]

 
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Ian Pearson [holding answer 9 June 2005]: One written and two oral (to be followed by written) representations have thus far been received. The consultation closes on 18 June 2005.

Mr. Arbuthnot: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much in costs he estimates will be paid to the plaintiffs, the Corner House, in respect of his Department's settlement of the case relating to consultation on Export Credit's Guarantee Department forms. [2811]

Ian Pearson [holding answer 9 June 2005]: ECGD has not at the present time reached agreement with the Corner House as to the amounts claimed.

Fuel Poverty (Yorkshire)

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many (a) children and (b) elderly people were living in fuel poor households in the East Riding of Yorkshire in each of the past five years. [3588]

Alun Michael: Fuel poverty statistics are only available at Government office region level. Latest available figures are sourced from the 2001 English
 
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House Condition Survey and show that in 2001, 238,000 households in Yorkshire (11 per cent. of all households in Yorkshire) were in fuel poverty. This statistic cannot be broken down further.

In England as a whole in 2001, 210,000 households with children were in fuel poverty (3 per cent. of all households with children), while 904,000 households with someone over 60 were in fuel poverty (15 per cent. of all households with someone over 60).

Statistics giving information for 2003 will be published in the Third Annual Progress Report on the Fuel Poverty Strategy. This information is not available for any other of the past five years.

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