§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the ratio of imports to exports of environmental protection technologies in(a) 1980 and (b) the latest year for which figures are available.
§ Mr. EggarEnvironmental protection technology is not a stand-alone technology but a term that can be applied to elements of a wide range of technological processes and products. As trade statistics are compiled by product area, it is not currently possible to identify separately the value or quantity of environmental import and export.
§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the proportion of the worldwide market for environmental protection technologies supplied by each of the Organisation for Economic Protection and Development nations; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EggarEnvironmental protection technology is not a stand-alone technology but a term that can be applied to elements of a wide range of technological processes and products. Trade statistics are prepared on a product basis throughout the OECD countries; it is therefore not possible to identify separately the proportion of environmental protection technology supplied by each of the OECD nations. Similarly, it is not possible to identify the size of the world market for such technology with any accuracy.
§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions he has held with the Advisory Committee on Business and the Environment concerning exports of environmental protection technologies; what assessment he has made of the Advisory Council on Science and Technology report on the worldwide market for environmental protection technologies; what plans he has to promote exports of environmental protection technologies; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EggarI have recently received the second report from the Advisory Committee on Business and the Environment (ACBE) which contained a number of valuable and constructive ideas aimed both at business and Government. One recommendations was that a joint environmental markets unit should be established to catalyse planning and marketing of environmental opportunities, both at home and overseas, to companies. The Advisory Committee on Science and Technology report also intensified the need to help industry to exploit its environmental expertise more effectively. I was therefore happy to accept the ACBE recommendation and the unit, staffed jointly by DTI and DoE officials, has already been set up.
820WIn addition to the new unit, the DTI is hosting a technology partnership initiative conference in March 1993. This conference is designed to enable developing countries to share the benefits of technology in partnership with British Companies.