is, at present, no indication of likely future involvement in the project.
Sports Clubs: Applications for Charitable Status
Baroness Anelay of St Johns asked Her Majesty's Government:
What conclusions they reached in their discussions with John Stoker of the Charity Commisson on 12 February with regard to the potential implications for sports clubs which may decide to apply for charitable status under the Charity Commission's proposals outlined in Promoting Sport in the Community.[HL3062]
Baroness Blackstone: Following the Minister for Sport's meeting with Mr Stoker, a number of significant improvements are to be made to the Charity Commission's guidance to sports clubs which are considering applying for charitable status. The commission will circulate the improved guidance for comments shortly.
Charitable status will make a number of financial benefits available to local amateur clubs, including mandatory 80 per cent rate relief. The Government expect that this improved guidance together with further practical measures, which are presently being discussed with the commission, will greatly help local clubs in making successful applications.
Huw
NHS Hospitals: Board and Lodging
Baroness Barker asked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the definition of hospital board and lodging, excluding food and laundry.[HL2664]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Baroness Hollis of Heigham): There is no hospital board and lodging charge. Maintenance and treatment in a National Health Service hospital are provided free, regardless of a person's financial situation.
Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations
Lord Morris of Manchester asked Her Majesty's Government:
What evidence they have of evasions of the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations made under the Consumer Protection Act 1998; and what action the Department of Trade and Industry is taking to address any breaches of the legislation.[HL2934]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Sainsbury of Turville): The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1998 are enforced by local
12 Mar 2002 : Column WA73
authorities, which have powers to suspend the supply of products which do not meet the requirements of the regulations, to seize such products, and to prosecute suppliers. This department collates statistics on prosecutions under the regulations every five years and publishes them in a statutory report on consumer safety. The most recent report, published in 1998, records that 404 prosecutions were brought under the regulations between April 1993 and March 1998, of which 398 resulted in conviction.
Energy Generation: Nuclear and Renewable Sources
Lord Campbell of Croy asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will increase the proportion of energy generated from nuclear and renewable sources in order to reach their targets for reducing emission of carbon dioxide in the United Kingdom.[HL2985]
Lord Sainsbury of Turville: My department is looking to accelerate the development of renewables in a wide range of sources and technologies. The renewables obligation for England and Wales due to come into effect from 1 April 2002 (subject to parliamentary approval) and the comparable Scottish renewables obligation represent the Government's main mechanism for achieving our target of obtaining 10 per cent of licensed electricity supplies from eligible renewable sources by 2010. This is a very challenging target but one we are determined to see met. It is intended to act as a stimulus to industry and to provide a milestone for monitoring progress.
Nuclear power provides about one-quarter of the UK's electricity supplies. It is for the private sector to bring forward proposals for new plants. We are not aware of any such plans.
Overall, the department's energy and emissions projections indicate that the UK is on track to meet its Kyoto targets. On central assumptions, the policies and measures set out in DEFRA's Climate Change Programme are projected to reduce the UK's CO2 emissions by at least 19 per cent by 2010 from a 1990 baseline.
Lynne
Scotland: Renewable Energy
The Duke of Montrose asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the comments about Scotland by the Lord Sainsbury of Turville in the debate on wind energy on 25 February (HL Deb, col. 1305), what arrangement will be required to unblock renewable projects in Scotland; and how many projects are currently blocked.[HL3006]
Lord Sainsbury of Turville: My remarks on 25 February were in relation to NFFO locational flexibility, which is applicable to projects in England
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and Wales. The Scottish Executive is currently in the process of putting regulations in place to facilitate locational flexibility for SRO (Scottish Renewables Order) projects in Scotland. Subject to approval by the Scottish Parliament, these will be in place by the end of March 2002, bringing Scotland into line with the position in England and Wales.
Scotland is well on the way to achieving its SRO target of 150 MW of installed renewables capacity by 2003. The Scottish Executive is aware of only one project that will benefit from the locational flexibility provisions being put in place, compared to the 100 or so projects that stand to benefit from the new flexibility in England and Wales.
Sound Recording: Copyright Exception
Baroness Anelay of St Johns asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Sainsbury of Turville on 2 July 2001 (WA 33), which parties were consulted on the possibility of changes to the scope of the exception to copyright governing the playing or showing of broadcasts in public places where the public has not paid for admission; and what were the results of this consultation exercise.[HL3026]
Lord Sainsbury of Turville: Those consulted included organisations representing right holders, particularly the owners of rights in sound recordings and music, and users of sound recordings, such as broadcasters, small businesses and background music providers. Right-holder interests wanted the exception to copyright in Section 72 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be repealed or modified. Those providing background music by dubbing wanted Section 72 to be modified too but another user group wanted Section 72 to remain unchanged. A dialogue with some of the key interests is continuing.
Labelling Policy: Lead Department
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer asked Her Majesty's Government:
Which department they identify as the lead department for co-ordinating labelling policy.[HL3059]
Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The lead department for co-ordinating product labelling policy is the Department of Trade and Industry, which provides the secretariat for an Interdepartmental Group on Product Labelling.
