§ Mr. SwayneTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he decided to visit the United States of America. [73008]
§ Mr. MichaelIn January I agreed to undertake an inward investment mission to North America fulfilling a promise given by my predecessor. Dates in March were decided upon following advice from officials and from the Welsh Development Agency. I took the decision to do so in January.
Title Reports published to date Reviews Audit of the Foresight programme "The Report on the Whitehall Audit of the Foresight Programme"; published 22 October 1997 Review of the Utilities regulation "A Fair Deal for Consumers: Modernising the Framework for Utility Regulation". A Green Paper, published 25 March 1998 "A Fair Deal for Consumers: Modernising the Framework for Utility Regulation—The Response to Consultation". A White Paper, published 27 July 1998 "A Fair Deal for Consumers: Modernising the Framework for Utility Regulation—Public Consultation Paper on Consumer Councils", published 30 September 1998 "A Fair Deal for Consumers: Modernising the Framework for Utility Regulation—Public Consultation Paper on the Future of Gas and Electricity Regulation", published 21 October 1998 Review of energy sources for power regeneration The outcome of the review was reflected in the White Paper, "Conclusions of the review of energy sources for power generation and the Government's response to the Fourth and Fifth Reports of the Trade and Industry Committee" (Cm 4071), published on 8 October 1998 Review of electricity trading arrangements "Review of electricity trading arrangements: Proposals"; published on 29 July 1998 Review of the Post Office No published reports, but the outcome of the review was summarised in a Parliamentary statement on 7 December 1998, Official Report, columns 21–39 Review of clean coal technology The outcome of the review was reflected in the White Paper, "Conclusions of the review of energy sources for power generation and the Government's response to the Fourth and Fifth Reports of the Trade and Industry Committee" (Cm 4071); published on 8 October 1998 Review of the Technical Help for Exporters Scheme None Review of company law None Review of new and renewable energy None Joint DTI/Treasury review on company resuce mechanisms None Review of the effect of insolvency law on enterprise None Review of Assisted Areas None Review of the framework for overseeing developments in biotechnology (joint review by the Cabinet Office and the Office of Science and Technology) None Review of metrication None Review of UK weights and measures legislation None Task forces and advisory groups President's Advisory Group None Competitiveness Working Parties None Interdepartmental Task Force on Competitiveness in Europe None Tech Stars Steering Group None Oil and Gas Industry Task Force None