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Business: Information TechnologyPilot Projects
The Earl of Northesk asked Her Majesty's Government:
- In light of the recent survey from Intel Service Solutions indicating that 88 per cent of United Kingdom businesses experience significant barriers to implementing information technology pilot projects, what measures they are taking to encourage United Kingdom businesses to take appropriate advantage of such pilots.[HL2947]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Sainsbury of Turville): Through UK Online for Business, a DTI-led programme, the Government seek to support businesses in their use of information and communications technologies (ICTs). The delivery of the programme is built around raising awareness of the business case for adopting ICTs and providing
independent and impartial advice and content in order to help companies develop their e-business strategies.DTI advisers, based in the Business Link Network, give ICT advice and assistance to over 100,000 businesses each year. These advisers are well placed to advise on issues such as whether and how a business might implement information technology initiatives, including pilot projects. Advisers can also propose ways of overcoming barriers to ICT adoption.
The Government are working hard across the board to create the right conditions for ICT adoption. Last year's international benchmarking study by Booz Allen Hamilton showed the UK to have the second-best environment in the world for e-commerce.
3.4GHz Fixed Wireless Access Licences
The Earl of Northesk asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What is their response to the applications received for the 3.4GHz broadband fixed wireless auction, with particular reference to the apparent involvement of the Hong Kong-based company, Pacific Century Cyberworks, in bids for all 15 regional licences.[HL2943]
Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The Radiocommunications Agency received a number of applications on 14 April to take part in the forthcoming auction of 3.4GHz fixed wireless access licences. All of the applicants have gone through the pre-qualification process and in accordance with paragraph 11.B.4.1 of the Wireless Telegraphy (Public Fixed Wireless Access Licences) Notice 2003 the names of the qualified bidders have now been published. The Government welcome the encouraging level of interest in bidding in the auction.
e-Europe
The Earl of Northesk asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What is their response to recent comments by Andrea Servida, head of sector for the information society unit at the European Commission, that the two main enablers for guaranteeing delivery of European and national objectives for Information and Communications Technology by 2004 are broadband and security.[HL2945]
Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The Seville European Council last June endorsed the objectives of the Commission's e-Europe 2005 Action Plan. This aims to "stimulate secure services, applications and content based on a widely available broadband infrastructure". This February, the Commission produced a paper on addressing perceived weaknesses in the telecoms markets called The Road to Knowledge Economy. Its overall conclusion was that no new EU-level action is required, as long as there is full, timely and effective implementation of both the new
regulatory framework and the e-Europe 2005 Action Plan, as well as the adoption by the end of 2003 of effective national strategies for broadband in each member state. The UK fully supports this position. The UK national strategy for broadband was first set out in UK online: the broadband future published in February 2001. Since that time it has continued to evolve, drawing on the advice of the Broadband Stakeholder Group. Security and broadband are key components to realising e-Europe and form an essential part to realising the Lisbon strategy of making the European Union the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy with improved employment and social cohesion by 2010.Businesses : Data and Information Technology System Security
The Earl of Northesk asked her Majesty's Government:
- What assessment they have made of any regulatory and financial burdens to be placed on United Kingdom businesses in respect of data and information technology system security, given the coming into force of the Higgs Report on corporate governance on 1 July; and, if such an assessment has been made, what are their projections for increased costs per annum to business. [HL2946]
Lord Sainsbury of Turnville: The combined code is to be amended in the light of the recommendations in the report by Derek Higgs on the role and effectiveness of non-executive directors. The Financial Reporting Council is responsible for changes to the combined code.
Olympic Games 2012
Lord Jopling asked Her Majesty's Government:
- In the event that London secures the 2012 Olympic Games, what preferential arrangements will be made to London residents, who have been surcharged to pay part of the costs of the games, to obtain tickets for various events. [HL2971]
The Minister of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport (Baroness Blackstone): The ticketing policy, should London stage the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012, has not yet been determined. This will be a matter for the bid organisation to consider in due course, within the constraints of any relevant IOC criteria.
Lord Jopling asked Her Majesty's Government:
- In the event that London secures the 2012 Olympic Games, whether a secure fence or wall will be constructed around the Olympic village to ensure the safety of competitors; and how long it will be. [HL2972]
Baroness Blackstone: While the details of security arrangements in the event of a successful London Olympic bid are not yet known, security for competitors, officials and spectators will be of the highest priority. The Government, the bidding organisation and, in the event of hosting the games, the organising committee will ensure full attention is given to these matters, and that appropriate arrangements are in place.
Overseas Commercial Industrial Investment
Lord Marlesford asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they will estimate the value, at constant prices, of total overseas commercial industrial investment in the United Kingdom for each of the last 10 years, showing separately the investment from within the European Union and from outside the European Union.[HL3049]
Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
Letter to Lord Marlesford from Karen Dunnell the Director of the Surveys and Administrative Sources Directorate, Office for National Statistics, dated 4 June 2003.
The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question asking about the estimated value, at constant prices, of total overseas commercial industrial investment in the United Kingdom for each of the last ten years, showing separately the investment from within the European Union and from outside the European Union. I am replying in his absence. (HL3049)
The value of foreign direct investment in the UK is not estimated at constant prices. Current price estimates are published in the Office for National Statistics Monitor MA4 and are available on the National Statistics website at: http://www.statistics. gov.uk/CCI/SearchRes.asp?term=MA4&x=21&y=20
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Lord Jenkin of Roding asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Why the figures for greenhouse gas emissions published by the Office for National Statistics are estimated on a basis which differs from that used to monitor progress against the Kyoto protocol target for the reduction of greenhouse gases; and whether they will now publish the latest figures for such emissions estimated on the Kyoto protocol target basis.[HL3039]
Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
Letter from John Pullinger, Executive Director, Office for National Statistics, dated 4 June 2003.
The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question concerning the ONS (Office for National Statistics) estimates of UK greenhouse gas emissions. I am replying in his absence. (HL3039)
ONS publishes estimates of UK greenhouse gases emissions on a National Accounts basis i.e. it includes all emissions made by UK residents regardless of where the emissions take place and excludes emissions made in the UK by non-residents. The estimates published by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), which are used for monitoring against the Kyoto protocol target, record all emissions taking place in the UK regardless of the nationality of the source and exclude emissions made by UK residents abroad.
ONS will continue to publish green house gas emissions on a National Accounts consistent basis so that users can compare emissions by economic sector against sectoral breakdowns of measures such as gross output and gross value added.
Hepatitis C
Lord Morris of Manchester asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What figures they have for the number of hepatitis C-infected people who entered the United Kingdom in each of the last three years as legal immigrants.[HL2982]
Baroness Andrews: We do not hold the information requested as immigrants to the United Kingdom are not routinely screened for hepatitis C infection.
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