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Research and Development
Mr. Holloway: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the level of nominal gross domestic expenditure on research and development was in each year since 1997 and how much of each sum was accounted for by (a) Government spending, (b) private spending and (c) overseas investment. [54739]
John Healey:
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
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Letter from Colin Mowl, dated 8 March 2006:
The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what the level of nominal gross domestic expenditure on research and development was in each year since 1997 and how much of each sum was accounted for by (a) Government spending, (b) private spending and (c) overseas investment. I am replying in her absence. (54739)
The attached table shows how research and development in the UK was funded, including from abroad and by EU programmes. Please note that the specified groups are made up of a number of sources as detailed. The period covered is 1997–2003; the 2004 data will be released 24th March.
(17) Funded by overseas inward investment and EU programmes
TRADE AND INDUSTRY
British Oil Consumption
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to reduce British oil consumption; and if he will make a statement. [56839]
Malcolm Wicks: As part of the Government's Climate Change Programme, various policies are in place to promote energy efficiency across the economy, including in the road transport sector where most oil is consumed. These include EU level voluntary agreements with car manufacturers on the fuel efficiency of new cars and company car tax rules. In addition, the Government recently announced the creation of the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation (RTFO) to introduce renewable fuels into the transport system. The RTFO announcement said that, by 2010, oil companies would be obliged to ensure that 5 per cent. of the fuel that they sell is made from renewable bio-sources.
Gas/Electricity Suppliers
Mr. Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which companies in the UK are registered suppliers of (a) gas and (b) electricity. [54888]
Malcolm Wicks: A list of those companies holding electricity and/or gas supply licences can be found on the Ofgem website at the following links:
National Institute for Medical Research
Mr. Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what assessment he has made of the impact of the relocation of the National Institute for Medical Research from Mill Hill to Euston on (a) the Institute's facilities for dealing with animals, (b) the Institute's ability to provide high level containment for dangerous pathogens and (c) the Institute's capability for dealing with the changing threats posed by emerging infections; [55854]
(2) what the original estimate was of the cost of moving the National Institute for Medical Research from Mill Hill to Euston; what the most recent estimate is of the cost of the relocation; and whether he plans to re-examine the question of relocation in the light of cost. [55855]
Barry Gardiner: The proposed move of the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) is a matter for the Medical Research Council (MRC). My noble Friend Lord Sainsbury of Turville has been briefed by MRC's Chief Executive, Professor Colin Blakemore, on MRC's plans for moving the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR). I have asked Professor Blakemore to write to the hon. Member.
Post Office Card Account
Mr. Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received from (a) Royal Mail, (b) Postwatch and (c) sub post offices in response to the Government's decision not to renew the Post Office Card Account contract after 2010. [56788]
Barry Gardiner: I have received representations from the National Federation of Sub-Postmasters.
Water Industry Act
Mr. Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce legislation to amend the Water Industry Act 1991 to prevent water companies from charging surface water drainage charges to those who do not receive the service. [56046]
Mr. Morley: I have been asked to reply.
This subject is dealt with by guidance under the Water Industry Act 1991.
The Secretary of State has issued guidance that customers should broadly only pay for the services received directly by them and their property. The Office of Water Services (Ofwat) requires companies to provide rebates to customers who can demonstrate that they are not connected for surface water drainage.
In billing customers, the companies assume that they are connected for surface water drainage. Customers are usually better placed to identify where that is not the case and the onus is on them to do so.
Water Services
Mr. Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what his assessment is of the number of households that qualify for a rebate on their Surface Water Drainage Charge, but have not applied. [56047]
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Mr. Morley: I have been asked to reply.
No assessment has been made of the number of households that may be eligible for a surface water drainage rebate, but have not applied.
The Government expect water companies to give surface water drainage rebates to qualifying customers whenever these are identified. However, companies do not have drainage records for every part of their area and some property owners and occupiers are unclear about how their properties are drained. It is up to customers to apply for a surface water drainage rebate.
TRANSPORT
A3
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what assessment he has made of the impact on the (a) environment, (b) economy and (c) regeneration of Portsmouth of not progressing the A3 Hindhead Improvement Scheme; [56717]
(2) what assessment he has made of the cost-benefit analysis of not proceeding with the A3 Hindhead Improvement Scheme; [56729]
(3) what assessment has been made of the impact on the number of accidents on the A3 at Hindhead if the A3 Hindhead Improvement Scheme is not progressed. [56787]
Dr. Ladyman: Evidence covering these matters was submitted to the Public Inquiry into the published scheme orders for the A3 Hindhead Improvement Scheme. It would not be appropriate to comment on the evidence submitted to the public inquiry while the inspector's report and recommendations remain under consideration.
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he made of the south-east of England regional assembly's advice on the relative regional priority of the A3 Hindhead Improvement Scheme. [56728]
Dr. Ladyman: We are carefully reviewing the advice from the south-east region on its priorities for major transport schemes, including the proposed improvement of the A3 Hindhead scheme, and plan to announce our response later in the year.
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received (a) opposing and (b) supporting the approval of the A3 Hindhead Improvement Scheme; and what representations he has received on this matter from (i) individuals and (ii) organisations in Portsmouth North constituency. [56776]
Dr. Ladyman: Over 50 representations have been received between 1 January and 3 March 2006 which have been overwhelmingly in favour of the scheme. We have not analysed which constituency the representations have been made from.
Sarah McCarthy-Fry:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what role the (a) South East England Development Agency, (b) South East England Regional
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Assembly, (c) Highways Agency, (d) Environment Agency and (e) local councils will have in plans for the A3 Improvement Scheme at Hindhead. [56777]
Dr. Ladyman: These bodies explained their role at the Public Inquiry and presented evidence to the Inspector accordingly. In addition, the South East Region (which includes the South East England Regional Assembly, the South East England Development Agency and the Government Office South East working with a wide range of partners and stakeholders) has recently provided advice to Government on the timing and funding of the A3 Improvement Scheme at Hindhead as part of its overall advice on priorities for major transport schemes. The Environment Agency is one of four statutory environmental bodies which advise Government on the environmental impacts of road improvements. Improvement schemes which are approved for funding would be developed and delivered by the Highways Agency.
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what advice the Department will take when considering the approval of the A3 Hindhead Improvement Scheme. [56778]
Dr. Ladyman: I am currently considering the Inspector's report and recommendations in relation to the published scheme orders for the A3 Hindhead Improvement Scheme. If new information that is relevant to the decision and that relates to a matter considered at the Public Inquiry comes to my attention, this will also be considered but all those involved in the Public Inquiry will be given the opportunity to make representations on that information. I have also recently received, and am carefully considering, the advice from the South East Region on the prioritisation of this scheme within the indicative funding allocation for major transport schemes in the South East.
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to make the final decision on the affordability of the A3 Hindhead Improvement Scheme. [56779]
Dr. Ladyman: We are currently considering the Inspector's report into the A3 at Hindhead following the Public Inquiry which was held last year. We are also considering the advice from the South East Region on the priority it attaches to this scheme within the indicative funding allocation for major transport schemes in the South East. An announcement on the way forward will be made later in the year.
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the earliest date is on which pre-works could commence on the A3 Hindhead Improvement Scheme if approval is granted. [56786]
Dr. Ladyman: If approval for the A3 Hindhead scheme is granted in spring 2006 then the earliest date on which pre-works could commence would be around the end of the year. However, the actual date would depend on the availability of funds.
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