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26 Oct 2006 : Column 2015W—continued
Furniture Industry
Mrs. Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many civil servants in his Department have particular responsibility for promoting the furniture industry. [96601]
Margaret Hodge: A range of staff across the Department work on issues related to the UK furniture industry; staff in Business Relations, UK Trade International and Consumer and Competition Policy Directorate work to help the sector on issues such as productivity, exporting, standards and fair competition.
Heat Pumps
Mr. Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the implications for the UK strategy for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions of more widespread introduction of heat pumps in the domestic sector. [96127]
Malcolm Wicks: Future Energy Solutions produced a report for DTI and DEFRA (“Renewable Heat and Heat from Combined Power Plants—Study and Analysis”) which assessed the carbon saving potential of various sources of renewable heat, including ground source heat pumps. This study suggests that if ground source heat pumps were installed in all off-gas grid residential properties, carbon savings of around 3.9MtC/year could be achieved. No such assessment has been made of the potential of air source or water source heat pumps.
Symposium on International Nuclear Safeguards
Mr. Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what participation his Department had in the Symposium on International Nuclear Safeguards held at the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna 16 to 20 October; and whether the Government provided resources in support of the Symposium. [97208]
Malcolm Wicks: A representative from the Safeguards Office in my Department attended this Symposium. In addition, my Department funded the attendance of the UKAEA co-ordinator of the UK Support Programme (UKSP) to IAEA Safeguards, and the participation of four personnel from industry and academia who gave presentations on work they have conducted under the UKSP.
North West Regional Development Agency
Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the North West regional development agency is providing any funding for a study to establish whether Lancaster Castle prison can become a tourist attraction. [96703]
Margaret Hodge [holding answer 24 October 2006]: No. The North West regional development agency has not received any such proposal.
Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether members of Vision Boards can remain on them without attending meetings. [96635]
Margaret Hodge: This is a matter for the Vision Boards.
Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many vision board managers are employed on a consultancy basis. [96639]
Margaret Hodge: There is one Vision Board manager appointed on a consultancy basis.
Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many vision boards there are in the North West Regional Development Agency. [96640]
Margaret Hodge: The North West Development Agency has encouraged the establishment of three Vision Boards in Preston, Lancaster and Burnley.
Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much has been spent on the vision boards set up by the North West regional development agency. [96701]
Margaret Hodge: The North West regional development agency has encouraged the establishment of vision boards in Preston, Burnley and Lancaster. The agency has provided the following funding to the vision boards:
| £ | |
Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what advice the Northwest Regional Development Agency has given to Lancaster Vision Board regarding funding for a study to establish whether Lancaster prison can be closed and the castle turned into a tourist attraction. [96630]
Margaret Hodge: The Northwest Regional Development Agency has advised the Lancaster and Morecambe Vision Board that any proposal seeking agency funding should be submitted as part of an action plan in support of the Lancaster and Morecambe Vision. All such proposals should also feature in the sub-regional action plans developed by the Lancashire Economic Partnership. This demonstrates sub-regional priority in delivering the Regional Economic Strategy.
The agency has not received a funding proposal in respect of Lancaster Castle.
Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what role the area manager from the Northwest Regional Development Agency plays on the Lancaster Vision Board. [96631]
Margaret Hodge: The Northwest Regional Development Agency’s area manager attended Lancaster and Morecambe Vision Board meetings as an observer and advised the board on matters relating to delivery of the Regional Economic Strategy and agency policy.
Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much the Lancaster and Morecambe Vision document cost to reproduce. [96633]
Margaret Hodge: The Lancaster and Morecambe Vision documents cost a total of £20,819. This covered:
design;
consultation/promotion;
website posting;
5,000 full version copies; and
2,000 abridged version copies.
Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the Lancaster and Morecambe Vision Board was set up. [96634]
Margaret Hodge: The Northwest Regional Development Agency first proposed the idea of a Vision Board for Lancaster and Morecambe to the local authority and key private sector representatives on 22 March 2004. Lancaster and Morecambe Vision Board first met on 26 May 2004.
Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether Lancaster and Morecambe Vision Board is responsible for (a) ensuring that effective delivery vehicles are in place to implement the regeneration strategy for the area and (b) the delivery of the economic vision and strategy for the Lancaster and Morecambe area. [96636]
Margaret Hodge: The Lancaster and Morecambe Vision Board has no responsibility for either ensuring effective delivery vehicles are in place or for the delivery of the economic vision and strategy for Lancaster and Morecambe. Its role is to provide innovative and visionary support and advice with a strong private sector input.
Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry who the representatives are on Lancaster Vision Board; and which sector each represents. [96638]
Margaret Hodge: Lancaster and Morecambe Vision Board members are as follows:
| Name | Organisation | Sector |
Defence
Afghanistan
Mr. Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many troops of the 14th Signal Regiment (Electronic Warfare) are serving in Afghanistan; and how many casualties have been sustained by the regiment in that country. [93558]
Mr. Ingram [holding answer 16 October 2006]: Details relating to the number of troops from the 14th Signal Regiment (Electronic Warfare) serving in Afghanistan since its disclosure would reveal the capability of UK forces operating in theatre, and could have a bearing on operational security.
With specific reference to casualties, it is with regret that I confirm that the regiment has sustained three deaths since our operations commenced in southern Afghanistan this year: Corporal Peter Thorpe and Lance Corporal Jabron Hashmi on 1 July, and Lance Corporal Jonathon Hetherington on 27 August. Our records do not show any members of the 14th Signal Regiment reported as very seriously ill/injured/wounded or seriously ill/injured/wounded. However, it should be noted that these figures do not include individuals who may have required minor treatment or suffered illness.
Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps have been taken by International Security Assistance Force troops to engage with local Jirgas and Shuras in Afghanistan. [94705]
Mr. Ingram: The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) recognises the importance of engaging with local communities, not only to help deliver security but also as a key element of the work of Provincial Reconstruction Teams, who are there to help deliver better governance and support reconstruction and development. Across Afghanistan, Commanders engage with local community leaders, including through Shuras. UK commanders have done, and continue to do, the same in Helmand province.
Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his estimate is of the total number of deaths of combatants and non-combatants in Afghanistan since October 2001; and if he will make a statement. [94879]
Mr. Ingram [holding answer 18 October 2006]: The most accurate figures available for the deaths of coalition and allied troops are on www.icasualties.org/oef. As of 17 October, the total number of deaths of coalition and allied troops was 496.
We have no reliable means of ascertaining the numbers of Afghan combatants or non-combatants killed, but the UK makes every effort to minimise the impact of military action on the Afghan population. Similar principles apply in northern Helmand as for Afghanistan in general.
Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total cost has been to the UK of all military operations in Afghanistan since 2001; and if he will make a statement. [97334]
Des Browne: The costs of operations are calculated on a net additional basis and audited figures are published each year in the MOD’s annual report and accounts. The total annual audited figures for the costs of operations in Afghanistan for the years 2001-02 to 2005-06 were £844 million.
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