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27 Apr 2007 : Column 1360W—continued
Departments: Paper
David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of paper used (a) for photocopying and (b) in printed publications by his Department was from recycled sources in each of the last three years. [134053]
Jim Fitzpatrick: Since 2000 all DTI’s publications and photocopying use recycled paper. The in-house reprographics section use 100 per cent. recycled paper for photocopying. Printed publications contain a minimum of 75 per cent. post consumer waste.
OM Energy
John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the status is of the OM Energy projects; and what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of Government support for OM Energy. [134228]
Mr. McCartney: Phase one of the OM Energy project has progressed well with its objectives being fully met including academic validation of the technology; the establishment of a UK company; the securing of private seed capital investment; the filing of a worldwide patent; and the design of a next generation laboratory prototype. Phase two will begin shortly and discussions are under way with top UK engineering firm to evaluate potential market applications and the design of commercial prototype.
Government support has been effective because much of this activity was achieved with assistance from UK Trade and Investment's Global Entrepreneur Programme. This has seen the formation of a pioneering UK company, developing an exciting technology in the renewable energy sector.
John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much has been spent by his Department on assistance to OM Energy Ltd. [134229]
Mr. McCartney: OM Energy is a client of the UK Trade and Investment's Global Entrepreneur Programme (GEP) and an inward investment success having migrated from Russia in 2006. The company has received no financial help from the GEP. The type of assistance provided has been within the terms of the programme, namely advice, signposting, guidance and introductions to key relevant networks, including business angels.
Post Offices
Mr. Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received on the decision to relocate 70 post office branches to WH Smith stores. [134004]
Jim Fitzpatrick: We have received two representations from MP's relating to the decision to relocate 70 post office branches to WH Smith stores. The Government are regularly kept informed of progress with Post Office's business strategy.
Post Office Ltd reached this commercial deal as a way of tackling the losses currently sustained by Crown branches.
Radio: Illegal Broadcasting
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps are being taken to combat pirate radio stations. [134589]
Margaret Hodge:
The matter raised is the responsibility of the independent regulator, the Office of Communications (Ofcom), which is accountable to Parliament rather than Ministers. Accordingly, I have
asked the Chief Executive of Ofcom to reply directly to the hon. Member. Copies of the Chief Executive’s letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House.
Telecommunications: Billing
Anne Snelgrove: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with British Telecom on its additional charges for payment of bills by cheque or cash. [133935]
Margaret Hodge: I have not held discussions with British Telecom on this issue. However, I have raised the matter with the chief executive officer of the independent regulator, the Office of Communications (Ofcom). Ofcom is considering whether any of the changes BT has recently made raise any regulatory issues and is coming back to me on this in May.
I understand that, BT has applied a price differential between customers who pay their accounts by direct debit and those who pay by other means for a number of years. This reflects the increased processing and debt management costs associated with payments not made by direct debit. Such differentials are common practice among communications providers and utility service providers.
From 1 May 2007, BT is changing how it presents this differential from a discount for those customers paying by direct debit, to a charge for those paying by other means for a number of years. BT has combined this change with an increase of £1.50 a quarter in the charge (from £3 to £4.50).
The Light User Scheme and In Contact Plus will not be affected by the increased charge. These are the special tariff schemes offered to vulnerable customers by BT as a result of the Universal Service Obligation placed on the company.
Trade
Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what (a) progress was made on the reduction of agricultural subsidies and (b) deadline was set to complete the Doha round of talks at the World Trade Organisation at talks in New Delhi between the United States, the European Union, Brazil and India; [132632]
(2) what reports he has received from Commissioner Mandelson following trade talks in New Delhi; and if he will make a statement; [132633]
(3) what progress was made towards a successful conclusion of the Doha round of talks at the World Trade Organisation in New Delhi between the United States, the European Union, Brazil and India. [132634]
Mr. McCartney: Following these discussions, Trade Ministers representing the EU, the US, Brazil, India, Australia and Japan (the G6 countries) issued a statement reaffirming their commitment to reach convergence and conclude the Doha round by the end of this year. This has been the clear message relayed to all EU member states by the Commission in subsequent Council meetings.
The UK Government welcome this statement: we remain fully committed to securing an ambitious, pro-development outcome to the DDA. We will continue to press all WTO members to show the flexibility needed to reach agreement.
Wood: Russia
Mr. Pelling: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the compatibility of recent increases in timber export tariffs from Russia with the standstill agreement Russia signed with the EU prior to its accession to the World Trade Organisation. [133349]
Mr. McCartney: The European Commission represents the EU and negotiates on WTO accession applications.
Russia’s planned increases in export duties on timber are, in the Commission’s view, incompatible with the bilateral market access agreement signed between the EU and Russia in May 2004. The Commission is in the process of intense discussion with Russia on this issue with the aim of seeing EU imports preserved.
Transport
Eurotunnel
Richard Ottaway: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 19 April 2007, Official Report, column 775W, on Eurotunnel, what assessment he has made of the potential impact on the operation of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link should Eurotunnel go into receivership. [133928]
Mr. Tom Harris: In the event of receivership, the Concession Agreement allows for a change of ownership of the Concession, which need not have any impact on the operation of the CTRL.
Galileo Project
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the timetable is for completion of the Galileo global navigation system. [134360]
Dr. Ladyman: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Blackley (Graham Stringer) on 26 March 2007, Official Report, column 1244W.
Motor Vehicles: Air Pollution
Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the full life cycle analysis of the pollution caused by (a) hybrid, (b) fuel-cell and (c) conventional petrol powered vehicles; and if he will make a statement. [132077]
Dr. Ladyman: There have been various studies of lifecycle carbon dioxide emissions for cars (although they have not compared different fuel technologies). These suggest that a clear majority—around 80 per cent.—of CO2 emissions arise during the operational phase of a vehicle’s life rather than during construction and disposal. We therefore consider that focusing on in-use emissions remains an appropriate approach to reducing the CO2 footprint of vehicles. At the same time, manufacture and disposal are important, and we welcome measures by industry to address emissions created during these phases. With respect to fuel cell vehicles, life cycle CO2 emissions are likely to be largely dependent on the energy source used to manufacture the hydrogen for the fuel cell.
The picture is different for pollutants that may affect local air quality, such as volatile organic compounds, oxides of nitrogen and sulphur, and particulate matter. Industry figures suggest that over half of such emissions are created during manufacture and disposal of vehicles. For fuel cell vehicles, almost all the local air pollution emissions are created during manufacture and disposal.
The picture is different for pollutants that may affect local air quality, such as volatile organic compounds, oxides of nitrogen and sulphur, and particulate matter. Industry figures suggest that over half of such emissions are created during manufacture and disposal of vehicles. For fuel cell vehicles, almost all the local air pollution emissions are created during manufacture and disposal.
Railway Stations: Smoking
Mr. Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will develop a joint strategy with the Secretary of State for Health to inform rail passengers about the imminent introduction of the ban on smoking on station premises; [133936]
(2) what steps he is taking to ensure that (a) Network Rail and (b) train operators make an early start in informing their passengers of the forthcoming ban on smoking at railway, coach and bus stations. [133937]
Mr. Tom Harris: The Department of Health (DoH) is conducting a significant communications campaign aimed at the public to ensure maximum awareness of the smoke free legislation before its implementation on 1 July. The Department for Transport has discussed the issue of communication with rail passengers with the Association of Train Operating Companies and Network Rail and provided advice to DoH on issues such as enforcement and signage arrangements on the rail and bus networks.
Railways: South East Region
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 27 March 2007, Official Report, columns 1384-5W, on railways: South East region, what definition he uses of overcrowding as a percentage of available capacity; and if he will consult train user groups on this issue. [134513]
Mr. Tom Harris: The overcrowding measure is derived from the number of passengers travelling in excess of capacity on all services divided by the total number of people travelling, expressed as a percentage.
The High Level Output Specification (HLOS), to be published in summer, will set out the additional rail capacity the Government propose to buy to meet the recent and forecast growth in demand for rail travel. It is too early to say precisely where the additional rolling stock will be used: the rail industry’s October 2007 response to the HLOS will identify this.
Roads: Construction
Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much was spent on road building in each year since 1997, including funding through private finance initiative projects. [134638]
Dr. Ladyman: I refer to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Rochdale (Paul Rowen) on 10 January 2007, Official Report, column 603W.
Smith Institute
Mr. Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which Smith Institute events he has (a) attended and (b) spoken at in an official capacity in the last two years. [133425]
Gillian Merron: The Secretary of State for Transport has not attended a Smith Institute event in his departmental capacity in the last two years.
Tolls: Greater London
Mr. Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with the Mayor of London on the (a) gross and (b) net income from congestion charging in London. [134204]
Gillian Merron: Under the provisions of the GLA Act 1999, Transport for London are required to submit their future spending plans for net proceeds of the London Congestion Charging Scheme every four years. In November 2006 the Secretary of State approved their plans for doing so through to April 2010. There have been no recent discussions between the Secretary of State and the Mayor of London on the specific subject of congestion charging income.
West Coast Railway Line
Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the status of seven day per week train services on the West Coast Main Line following the completion of track upgrade in 2008. [133589]
Mr. Tom Harris:
The West Coast Main Line upgrade will be substantially completed in time for the introduction of an enhanced passenger timetable in
December 2008. From that date, Network Rail intends to introduce revised arrangements for infrastructure maintenance works which will sharply reduce the number of occasions when weekend journeys are disrupted by route blockages.
Treasury
Bank Services
Mr. Touhig: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps have been taken to promote and advertise the basic bank account to (a) the unemployed, (b) people with disabilities and (c) the elderly. [134068]
Ed Balls: The Government's goal is that everyone should be able to manage their money effectively and securely through having access to a bank account, and the confidence and capability to get the most from it.
This goal was set out in the Government's strategy to tackle financial inclusion, “Financial Inclusion—the way forward”, published in March 2007. Since 2004 the banking industry has shared with the Government a goal to halve the number of adults living in households without access to a bank account, mainly through promotion of basic bank accounts. Latest Family Resources Survey data shows the number of unbanked adults had fallen from 2.8 million in 2002-03 to 2 million in 2005-06.
Encouraging benefit recipients and pensioners to open bank accounts and make greater use of them is a key element of the Government's strategy to increase access to banking. Since the move to Direct Payment started in 2003, 98 per cent. of DWP benefits are now paid directly into an account. The Government provide information on basic bank accounts to benefit customers and pensioners to help them decide which account to have their benefit paid into.
In January 2007, the Government launched the "now let's talk money campaign". The campaign is working with trusted intermediaries in regular contact with financially excluded people such as housing associations and charities, to provide information on the availability of bank accounts and other mainstream financial products and services. The campaign is advised by a stakeholder forum, which includes charities representing the elderly and those with learning disabilities.
Departments: Tribal Group
Mr. Francois: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what contracts his Department awarded to (a) Geronimo Communications Ltd. and (b) its parent company Tribal Group plc. in each of the last three years; and what the cost was of each contract. [133742]
John Healey: The information is as follows:
(a) HM Treasury have awarded no contracts to Geronimo Communications Ltd. within the last three years
(b) HM Treasury contracts with Tribal Group companies within the last three years:
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