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Written Answers to Questions
Thursday 18 May 1995
TRADE AND INDUSTRY
Defence Role
Mr. Merchant: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are the roles of his Department of Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Defence in regard to the United Kingdom's defence industry. [25667]
Mr. Eggar: The two Departments are in regular contact about the United Kingdom's defence industry.
The Ministry of Defence, as the biggest single customer of UK industry, aims to achieve maximum value for money in procurement, primarily through competition but also, where appropriate, through international collaboration or non-competitive acquisition. It has an interest in ensuring that its supplier base, which includes both specialist defence companies and general companies in most sectors of industry, is efficient, competitive and capable of meeting its needs in both the short and the long term. It works closely with companies to ensure that its requirements are properly understood and to improve the efficiency of the procurement process.
It supports the efforts of UK companies to export defence goods and services.
It funds research and development of technologies needed to meet defence needs. Through the Defence Research Agency it encourages the exploitation of technologies developed for military purposes in civil applications and the exploitation for defence purposes of civil technologies.
The Department of Trade and Industry's objective is to help UK industry compete successfully at home and in world markets. It works closely with the defence industry and related companies, trade associations, universities and other agencies to help improve the industry's international competitiveness. It pursues trade liberalisation world-wide and helps UK industry to take full advantage of market opportunities.
DTI works closely with the Ministry of Defence on issues affecting the competitiveness of the defence industries:
It advises on the industrial implications of MoD procurement policy to ensure that consequences for the competitiveness of the UK defence industrial base are taken into account. On substantial individual defence procurement projects, DTI is consulted well before decisions are taken, to ensure that the industrial implications are considered fully.
Together with MoD it works to promote joint military and civil research activities and adaptation of military technology to civil applications.
It works with MoD to develop a common information base on the defence industries.
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Offshore Licensing
Mr. Merchant: To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will announce the award of licences for the 16th round of offshore licensing; and if he will make a statement. [25668]
Mr. Page: After very careful consideration of applications for exploration licences in the west of Shetlands, we have been able to offer licences for each of the blocks applied for.
Our "fast tracking" of these applications means that over 1,700 sqk of 3D seismic surveys will now be shot this summer with even more to come in 1996. Companies have also committed themselves to drilling 12 wells in the next two years and a further 13 in three years time. This level of commitment demonstrates the keen interest in a very exciting area of the United Kingdom continental shelf.
The blocks attracted a high level of applications with one block receiving eight applications. The competition for some blocks has been intense and some very innovative ideas were presented with a number of very good applications for the same block. A total of 24 applications were received from 17 groups involving 32 companies. When examining applications we were conscious of the need to protect the environment. Although most of the blocks are some distance from the coast, it is important to ensure that the risks of any oil spills reaching the coasts of the Shetlands and Orkneys are understood and steps taken to minimise the risks and prepare contingency plans. The companies which have been awarded licences have all shown a strong commitment to protecting the environment. These awards--and the interest in the other blocks offered in the 16th round--shows the continuing high level of commitment by the international oil and gas companies to the UKCS. The opening up of new areas in the west of Shetlands basin as a result of this round will help maintain the UK's position as an oil and gas producer well into the next century.
I plan to announce the remainder of the 16th round awards--for blocks around the coast of Britain and to the north of Scotland--in the summer.
Copyright Tribunal
Sir Thomas Arnold: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what changes he proposes to make to the procedures of the Copyright tribunal; and if he will make a statement. [24778]
Mr. Ian Taylor: Last year, my Department consulted users of the Copyright tribunal on how far they were satisfied with its performance and on how its procedures might be improved. The overwhelming majority of respondents considered that tribunal procedures were fair, flexible, unintimidating and thorough. However, there were some concerns about the cost and speed of procedures and suggestions for improvement in these and other respects were made. The Department is considering these suggestions in consultation with the chairman of the tribunal and it is likely that a statutory instrument providing for some amendments in procedures will be put forward in due course.
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Technopole Information Networks
Mr. John Battle: To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much funding he expects to receive from the European Union SPRINT programme for research into technopole information networks. [24150]
Mr. Ian Taylor: The SPRINT programme ended on 31 December 1994. The European Commission was responsible for the selection of SPRINT projects based on merit, and for issuing grants to the successful candidates. My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade did not receive any funding from the programme.
The third activity of the EC fourth framework programme for research and development has superseded SPRINT. It brings together under one programme all the Community's efforts on dissemination and exploitation of research results and technological developments. There are provisions in the third activity for support of science parks and networks in support of innovation, though no specific provisions for research into technopole information networks. Projects involving information networks may be eligible for support under other programmes in the fourth framework.
Richard Budge
Mr. Byers: To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 15 May, Official Report , column 25, at what venues the meetings with Mr. Richard Budge took, place and which Government Departments were represented at each of the meetings. [24941]
Mr. Page: Of the seven meetings with Mr. Richard Budge detailed in my previous answer of 15 May, six were conducted in the office of my right hon. Friend the Minister for Industry and Energy. The meeting on 15 April 1993 took place over lunch in central London. No other Government Departments were represented at any of the meetings.
Mr. Byers: To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his reply of 15 May, Official Report , column 25 , which other two directors of A. F. Budge were interviewed. [24939]
Mr. Jonathan Evans: David Thomas Trewick and Martin Connolly were interviewed, together with David Threadkell, a former director.
Mr. Stephen Byers: To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his reply of 15 May, Official Report , column 24 , what was the cost of the Coopers and Lybrand report on the collapse of A. F. Budge. [24944]
Mr. Jonathan Evans: Administrative receivers have a statutory duty to report under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986 and the Department makes no payment in respect of such reports. The administrative receivers and Coopers and Lybrand have carried out further enquiries at the request of the Official Receiver and has submitted invoices to date totalling £51,101.18 plus VAT £8,942.70.
Mr. Byers: To ask the President of the Board of Trade which directors of A. F. Budge were recommended by the Official Receiver for action to be taken against them under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986. [24940]
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Mr. Jonathan Evans: The content of the Official Receiver's report is confidential between the Secretary of State and the Official Receiver.
Water Treatment Equipment, Iraq
Mrs. Clwyd: To ask the President of the Board of Trade if the DTI has received request for export credit licences for sewerage pumps or other water treatment equipment to Iraq; and if these requests have been granted. [24879]
Mr. Ian Taylor: Export Licences for such equipment have been applied for and, in certain cases, issued. Any export of humanitarian goods to Iraq also requires an authorisation from the United Nations Sanctions Committee.
Construction Contracts
Mr. Cox: To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to make a statement on his Department's policy on a construction contracts Bill. [24020]
Mr. Eggar: Matters concerning the construction industry are for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment.
British Coal Land
Mr. Ron Davies: To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will place in the Library a list of all the properties in Wales that British Coal proposes to offer for sale. [24774]
Mr Page: This is a matter for British Coal. I understand that the corporation is still finalising the list of properties to be offered for sale. Details will be made public as the properties become available.
Policy Statements
Mr. Mike O'Brien: To ask the President of the Board of Trade on how many occasions in each of the last five years his Department published policy statements from non-governmental working parties or organisations; and if he will list the name of the document, the organisation which produced it and the cost to the public purse of publishing it. [24007]
Mr. Ian Taylor: This information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Plutonium
Mr. Llew Smith: To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will obtain from his United States counterpart a copy of the US Department of Energy's plutonium working group report on environmental, safety and health vulnerabilities associated with plutonium storage, released in November 1994; and if he will arrange for a copy to be placed in the Library. [24295]
Mr. Page: The report referred to was, I understand, published by the US Department of Energy and is publicly available. It can also be accessed on the Internet.
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OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION
Malaysia
Miss Lestor: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many applications to the aid and trade provision for support for power projects in Malaysia have been rejected during the last 10 years; and if he will list the grounds for rejection, the date of rejection and the names of the United Kingdom companies involved. [22676]
Mr. Baldry: On the basis of information available, between 1984 and 1993, applications relating to 11 power projects were rejected because they did not meet the developmental, commercial and industrial criteria for the ATP scheme; or for budgetary reasons; or because they were not accepted by recipient Governments. Ten British companies were involved as lead contractors for these projects. Information on the names of companies is commercial in confidence. One project was rejected in each of the following years: 1988, 1991 and 1993. Three were rejected in 1990. Information is not readily available concerning the dates of rejection for the other five.
SCIAF
Mr. McMaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he or his Ministers last met
representatives of Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund to discuss overseas development; and if he will make a statement. [24162]
Mr. Baldry: There have been no meetings specifically with the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund--SCIAF--in recent years. My noble Friend, the Minister for Overseas Development, meets non-governmental organisation on a regular basis to discuss emergency and development issues, and has addressed gatherings of NGOs which have included representatives from SCIAF.
Afghan Refugees
Mr. Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of Pakistan regarding the Afghan refugees now living in refugee camps in Pakistan; and if he will make a statement. [24147]
Mr. Baldry: We regularly discuss with the Government of Pakistan a wide range of issues including Afghan refugees. This issue was raised last month in talks between officials of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Pakistan high commission, who expressed appreciation of our support for Afghan refugees.
AIDS Programme
Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government on the issue of the withdrawal of the AIDS programme from the World Health Organisation. [24506]
Mr. Baldry: We support the establishment of the joint United Nations programme on AIDS--UNAIDS--which will replace the World Health Organisation's global programme on AIDS--WHO/GPA--on 1 January 1996. UNAIDS will be co-sponsored by six United Nations agencies, including the World Health Organisation. The
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other co-sponsors are: United Nations Population Fund, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, United Nations Development Programme, the World Bank and the United Nations Childrens Fund.DEFENCE
Air Training, Germany
Dr. David Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what air training activities are allowed for Royal Air Force aircraft based in Germany. [24801]
Mr. Soames: The supplementary agreement to the NATO status of forces agreement of 3 August 1959, governs the way in which the RAF conducts air training in Germany. In general no fixed-wing flying activity is allowed below 1,000 ft above ground level. However, aircraft may be cleared to fly at 50 ft for limited periods during specific exercises. Medium level training is carried out in temporary restricted areas. Weapons training is primarily conducted at the air weaponry range at RAF Nordhorn, although limited use is also made of other ranges from time to time. The rules governing helicopter training activities in Germany are similar to those in operation in the UK.
UN Peacekeeping Support
Dr. David Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many British helicopters were operating in support of United Nations operations in each of the last 10 years; [24798]
(2) how many British troops were operating in support of United Nations operations in each of the last 10 years; [24799]
(3) how many British Hercules aircraft were operating in support of United Nations operating in each of the last 10 years. [24800]
Mr. Soames: The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The United Kingdom has contributed troops to United Nations peacekeeping operations in each of the last ten years. In recent years there has been a rapid increase in the level of peacekeeping undertaken by the UN and the UK's contribution has increased substantially. Some 4,600 British personnel are serving in operations under UN command, and about 3,500 more in operations in support of UN Security Council resolutions. Where necessary British personnel are supported by helicopters and Hercules aircraft. Important support is also provided to other elements of UN operations.
Air Force Personnel
Dr. David Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many Royal Air Force maintenance and support personnel there were in each of the last 10 years; [24796]
(2) what was the total Royal Air Force manpower in each of the last 10 years; and what is the estimated Royal Air Force manpower strength in 1997 98. [24797]
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Mr. Soames: The total manpower strength of the Royal Air Force and the RAF's maintenance and support element, as at 1 April in each of the years in question is as follows:
|Total RAF
|maintenance and
|Total RAF strength|support personnel
|(trained and |(trained and
Date |untrained) |untrained)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1986 |93,237 |84,861
1987 |93,627 |85,172
1988 |93,291 |84,890
1989 |91,443 |83,385
1990 |89,685 |81,786
1991 |88,371 |80,505
1992 |85,962 |78,183
1993 |80,909 |73,392
1994 |75,681 |68,642
1995 |70,754 |64,056
For the purposes of this question "maintenance and support" personnel has been defined as all personnel other than those employed on general duties (air) and airmen aircrew duties. It is not our practice to provide estimates of manpower strength more than a year in advance, and the forecast total strength for 1 April 1996 is around 66,500.
Market Testing
Dr. David Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what Royal Air Force activities have been market tested over the last five years. [24795]
Mr. Soames: Full details of market-testing activities in the Royal Air Force over the last five years are not available centrally. However, in the three year period from April 1992 to March 1995 six Royal Air Force activities have been market tested, and a further 16 subjected to other CFQ processes, which resulted in either contractorisation or efficiency measures being taken. Detail of the six market-tested activities are as follows:
(a) Those contractorised following market test :
Inspectorate of Recruitment Exhibition Production Flight, RAF Henlow
Air Weapon Range, RAF Holbeach
Flight checking, 115 Squadron, RAF Benson
Nimrod Major Serving Unit, RAF Kinloss
(b) Those won by in-house bid team following market test : Air Weapon Range, RAF Cowden
Support Services, Gateway House, RAF Brize Norton
Information to Members
Dr. David Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 2 May, Official Report , column 201 , what considerations led him not to list the hon. and right hon. Members who have been notified of contracts by his special advisor. [24508]
Mr. Rifkind: I do not think listing over 300 contracts, of local rather than national significance, in the Official Report would usefully add to the answer I gave to the hon. Gentleman on 2 May, Official Report , column 201 .
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Sandia National Laboratories
Mr. Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all projects his Department is working on jointly with Sandia National Laboratory. [24783]
Mr. Freeman: Under the 1958 UK/US mutual defence agreement, the Atomic Weapons Establishment works closely with Sandia National Laboratory on a number of areas of research. These include: Neutron Sources
Irradiation Effects on Materials and Components
Non-nuclear Components
Independent Assessment of Nuclear Weapon Safety
Nuclear Weapons Engineering
Nuclear Weapons Physics
Nuclear Accident Response Technology
Mr. Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what specific support is being provided by Sandia National Laboratory in support of the Trident programme. [24782]
Mr. Freeman: Sandia National Laboratory provides engineering support services associated with certain US-supplied components of the United Kingdom Trident system. Further details are classified.
Latham Report
Mr. Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what policy his Department has put to the working groups on the Latham report as to the desirability of a single exclusive register for public sector work. [24355]
Mr. Freeman: My officials are actively involved in the follow up work to the Latham report, which is being co-ordinated by the Department of the Environment, and also the efficiency scrutiny into construction procurement. Together, these will form the Govnerment response to Latham's recommendations, including the desirability of a single register for public sector work.
Ground Training
Mr. Devlin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the future of ground training in the Royal Air Force. [25563]
Mr. Soames: Following issue of the consultative document on 22 March 1995 recommending the closure of RAF Locking and the transfer of its training task to RAF Cosford, representations have been made by the hon. Member for Weston-super-Mare (Sir J. Wiggin), and local authorities. My Department has consulted thoroughly with the trade unions and relevant local authorities, and full and careful consideration has been given to all of the representations that we have received.
Following this work I am satisfied that no issues have been raised which call into question the viability of the proposals, which satisfactorily meet our future ground training needs and save £6,000, 000 per annum. I have therefore decided that RAF Locking should close by1 April 1998.
We will, of course, continue to consult the trade unions about the detailed implementation of the closure and transfer of work to RAF Cosford.
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High Velocity Missiles
Mr. Devlin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will place an order with Shorts for high velocity missiles; and if he will make a statement. [25564]
Mr. Freeman: An order for the development and initial production of high velocity missiles was placed with Shorts Missile Systems Ltd. in 1986. In the light of progress on the project, I have given approval for an order for 1,000 missiles to be placed with Shorts, subject to satisfactory contractual conditions being agreed.
Defence Accounts Agency
Mr. Devlin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what performance targets have been set for the Defence Accounts Agency for 1995 96. [25565]
Mr. Freeman: The chief executive of the Defence Accounts Agency is responsible for providing accounting services for the Ministry of Defence as defined in the agency framework document. During 1995 96, the DAA will be reorganised and its successor organisations will be set new targets. The chief executive of the DAA will however report progress against the DAA targets during the year in a final annual report.
DAA has been set the following challenging key performance targets in 1995 96:
(a) To complete the following workload within the funds allocated for this purpose:
Manage 89,350 non-industrial pay accounts
Manage 41,5000 industrial pay accounts
Complete 130,000 pensions awards/transactions
Approve 500,000 claims for travel or transfer expenses
Pay 17,000 fees claims
Pay 20,000 miscellaneous personal payments claims
Pay 3,205,000 bills
Process 45,000 invoices
Make 396,500 personal payments
Manage 13,000 imprest accounts
Process 35,000 HQ receipts
Process 2,750 banknote orders
Process 2,250 bank fundings
(b) To meet the agency's quality of service standards in service level agreements and performance targets.
(c) To make efficiency savings with a value of at least 2.5 per cent. of the initial cash allocation.
(d) To compete for payroll and pension awarding business offered through the Government's market testing programme.
(e) To implement the DAA quality strategy by 30 June 1995. (f) To implement the findings of the agency's first three year review.
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