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Lloyd's
Mr. Cousins: To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will review the decision of the last Government not to hold an independent judicial inquiry into the financial affairs of Lloyd's of London. [2962]
Mrs. Roche [holding answer 11 June 1997]: I have given careful consideration to the question of an enquiry into the past problems of Lloyd's of London ("Lloyd's").
I recognise the hardship suffered by many underwriting members of Lloyd's ("Names") as a result of the losses at Lloyd's in the late 1980s and early 1990s, despite suggestions that for the most part, the losses can be attributed to a series of natural and man-made disasters. Moreover, a number of adverse rulings in the courts in the United States extended the scope of policies underwritten at Lloyd's to cover certain asbestosis and pollution risks which were never envisaged when the policies were written. The position was worsened by the so-called "LMX" spiral, where syndicates and reinsurance companies in the London Market repeatedly reinsured one another at a time of poor market conditions. The various losses have been thoroughly investigated in some 27 independent reviews. Under the circumstances, it seems unlikely that further investigations will identify any information beyond that which is already known.
Some Names have suggested that they were the victims of fraud. None of the independent loss reviews, or the investigations carried out by my Department and the Serious Fraud Office, has uncovered any evidence sufficient to justify the institution of proceedings. Although people have claimed to have such evidence, they have consistently refused to make it available to my Department for examination. Of course, if anyone provides any new evidence to me, I shall consider it very carefully and act accordingly.
There are a number of other practical considerations which I have taken into account.
As the Companies Acts are not relevant to the Society of Lloyd's, the only powers available to instigate an investigation are powers under the Tribunals of Enquiry (Evidence) Act 1921. This is an extremely costly procedure which cannot be justified on the basis of the hearsay evidence available to me and when previous investigations, conducted much nearer the time, failed to produce any proper evidence. I also note that, given the complexity of the Lloyd's market, it could take many years to complete the process. The alternative would be an administrative enquiry which would have no powers to
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require the production of evidence and would therefore have to rely on the goodwill of the people against whom the allegations have been made.
With regard to improved regulatory standards for the future, I note there have been substantial changes to the regulatory arrangements since the events in question. The Government will be considering further the future regulatory arrangements for Lloyd's but I am afraid I do not believe that a further enquiry into past events will materially help that consideration.
Under the circumstances, I do not, therefore, propose to establish a public enquiry.
Mr. Gummer:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade how she plans to counteract the effect on fuel consumption and emissions of the promised reduction in VAT on fuel. [2677]
Mr. Battle:
We have already announced a review of policy to see what would be necessary and practicable to achieve 10 per cent. of UK's electricity needs from renewables by the year 2010. We have also announced a fundamental transport policy review and the need to promote energy conservation. We are reviewing the United Kingdom's Climate Change Programme, looking at policies and measures across all sectors which could contribute to a 20 per cent. reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from 1990 levels by 2010.
Mr. McDonnell:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade for what reasons Her Majesty's Government are not bringing forward legislation to vary the qualifying period for unfair dismissal in the current session of Parliament. [2997]
Mr. Ian McCartney:
The Government has no plans at present to change the qualifying period for unfair dismissal. The House of Lords has referred to the European Court of Justice questions relating to whether the qualifying period for unfair dismissal is indirectly discriminatory against women.
Mr. Pike:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations her Department has received about one day sales; what plans she has to introduce regulations to control such sales; and if she will make a statement. [2279]
Mr. Nigel Griffiths:
My Department has received representations about one day sales from trading standards departments, chambers of commerce, the Association of Metropolitan Authorities and LACOTS (the Local Authorities Co-ordinating Body on Food and Trading Standards). I know they cause considerable concern and have instituted an urgent review. My officials will shortly be meeting representatives of LACOTS to discuss proposals they have made for tackling the problem.
12 Jun 1997 : Column: 526
Mr. Gordon Prentice:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what powers she has to order a fresh investigation into the dealings in Anglia Television shares by Lord Archer. [2994]
Mr. Nigel Griffiths:
The Secretary of State may appoint inspectors if there are circumstances suggesting that an insider dealing offence may have been committed. As inspectors have already been appointed and reported in this case a fresh investigation would be appropriate only if new information came to light.
Mr. Alan Simpson:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimates she has made of the numbers of people in one year who would be eligible for parental leave from their employer and of the average duration of such leave taken at any one time. [2968]
Mr. Ian McCartney:
Research shows that many companies offer some form of parental leave to their employees, but we do not know how many people are covered by such arrangements in any one year or the average length of leave taken.
The Government intends to accept the Social Chapter including the Parental Leave Directive, which entitles employees to a minimum of three months' unpaid parental leave. The precise effects of the directive will depend on how it is implemented and we are not yet able to give estimates of the kind requested.
Mr. Whitehead:
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to introduce a standard pint measure mark as a requirement for glasses in which beer is served in public houses; and if he will make a statement. [3293]
Mr. Nigel Griffiths:
My Department is discussing this matter with interested parties and I hope to make a statement shortly.
Mrs. Clwyd:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement about the extent to which her Department will carry out human rights appraisal, monitoring and evaluation in respect of all aid projects; and what account her Department will take of human rights reports in carrying out such appraisal, monitoring and evaluation. [2277]
Clare Short:
My Department's goal is the achievement of human rights for all and we will adopt a human rights based approach to development which may include, political, social and economic rights.
DFID's distinct contribution will be to focus on those rights which are important for the eradication of poverty and the dignity of the disadvantaged and will be related to the circumstances of the country and its people.
12 Jun 1997 : Column: 527
Mr. Vaz:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the current level of United Kingdom aid to (a) the Palestine National Authority and (b) Sierra Leone. [3057]
Clare Short:
UK bilateral assistance to the Palestinian National Authority is expected to total nearly £10 million in the current financial year, in addition to our one-sixth share of the European Union's 50 million ecu (£35 million) programme. Spending on aid to Sierra Leone in the UK financial year 1996-97 was an estimated £10.3 million and £1.4 million to UN organisations. Spending in the current financial year will depend on developments following the military coup on 25 May.
Mr. Burnett:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans he has to review the role of rural community hospitals; and if he will make a statement; [2489]
Mr. Boateng:
I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the right hon. Member for Devizes (Mr. Ancram) on 2 June, Official Report, column 41.
Mr. Burnett:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list the bed-types on which the efficiency of hospitals is assessed, with particular reference to community hospitals; and what plans he has to increase the variety of bed-types used in that assessment; [2486]
Mr. Boateng:
We measure the efficiency of health authorities, not hospitals, centrally. Activity is at present measured by the number of episodes of care, not the number or type of bed used. Where a health authority commissions inpatient care from a community hospital then this activity will at present be measured in the efficiency index for that authority.
(2) if he will make a statement on the policy of Her Majesty's Government with regard to rural community hospitals; and if he will make a statement. [2488]
(2) if he will list the criteria used by his Department in assessing the efficiency of hospitals, with particular reference to rural community hospitals. [2487]
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