HC Deb 25 July 1997 vol 298 cc807-8W
Mr. Paterson

To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) if she will require the Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe to publish a regular report on changes in his shareholdings; [10071]

(2) what shareholdings the Minister for Trade and Competitiveness Europe holds. [10070]

Mrs. Beckett

Apart from his holding in BP, which the Minister has undertaken not to trade before 1 January 1998, he can no longer give a report of his shareholdings, or changes in them, since they have been placed in a blind trust. It would breach the protection against conflicts of interest the trust provides to ask the manager of the trust to publish the composition of the portfolio.

Mr. Redwood

To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what assessment she has made of the effect of gas liberalisation on the competitive position of gas companies relative to other energy companies; [10322]

(2) what assessment she has made of the effect of gas liberalisation on the share price of BP. [10323]

Mrs. Beckett

[holding answers 24 July 1997]: The Government's policy is to press for the completion of the single market in energy, which will offer opportunities for all energy companies, and bring benefits for all of Europe's energy consumers.

Mr. Redwood

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if those matters relating to(a) gas liberalisation, (b) state aids policy and (c) biotechnological inventions currently subject to proposals in the European Community under evaluation by Her Majesty's Government have a bearing on BP. [9653]

Mrs. Beckett

[holding answer 21 July 1997]: Some aspects of these matters or cases—for example, concerning state aids to BP's direct competitors—can have a direct or particular bearing on BP. Arrangements are in place to ensure that no conflicts of interest arise for the Ministers dealing with these matters as all others.

Mr. Redwood

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if a private secretary from the DTI was present at the three meetings the Minister for Trade and Competitiveness has held with BP directors since becoming a Minister; what minutes were taken; and if she will publish them. [10492]

Mrs. Beckett

No. These meetings were related to the handover of Lord Simon's responsibilities at BP or to allow him to say farewell to his colleagues. It would have been wholly inappropriate for the DTI to be represented at such occasions, although the right hon. Member might have enjoyed the minutes of his farewell party.

Mr. Redwood

To ask the President of the Board of Trade in what circumstances the Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe is able to handle matters relating to tax in Brussels. [10427]

Mrs. Beckett

[holding answer 24 July 1997]: The Minister is not normally involved in EU Council negotiations on tax. Like other Ministers, he could present Her Majesty's Government's position if necessary, unless there were a conflict of interest.

Mr. Bercow

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if the Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe will be handling indirect tax and corporate tax proposals under the action plan for the single market in Europe. [10016]

Mrs. Beckett

[holding answer 23 July 1997]: The Minister is not normally involved in EU Council negotiations on tax. Like other Ministers, he could present Her Majesty's Government's position if necessary, unless there were a conflict of interest.

Mr. Hammond

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if the Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe will be handling negotiations on pension funds in Europe under the action plan for the single market. [9788]

Mrs. Beckett

[holding answer 21 July 1997]: The Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe attends the Internal Market Council. Pension funds will be dealt with in ECOFIN, which he does not attend. However, he will continue to play a role in all aspects of the single market, subject to the arrangements which are in place to ensure that no conflicts of interest can arise.

Mr. David Heath

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list the official engagements of the Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe for the month of July. [9990]

Mrs. Beckett

The Minister has a wide range of engagements both at the DTI and the Treasury in fulfilment of his role as Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe.