HC Deb 20 January 1995 vol 252 cc760-1W
Mr. Harvey

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the policies and legislation initiated over the past three years that were based on proposals from(a) the Overseas Projects Board, (b) the Offshore Industry Liaison Committee, (c) the Energy Advisory Panel and (d) the Advisory Committee on Coal Research.

Mr. Heseltine

The information requested is as followsa) Overseas Projects Board No legislation has resulted from the work of the Overseas Project Board over the past three years. However it has acted as a valuable source of advice to Ministers on how Government resources including aid and trade provision, overseas projects fund and ECGD cover should best be directed. It has also set up sector working groups, co—opting wider industry representation with appropriate experience, to identify project opportunities overseas and develop tactics, jointly with government, to maximise the United Kingdom's chances of winning contracts. So far, seven groups have been set up covering airports; railways and mass transit; power; water industries; telecommunications; healthcare; education and training. b) Offshore Industry Liaison Committee OILCO does not initiate policies or legislation. It has advised Ministers on issues arising from activity on the United Kingdom Continental Shelf and has facilitated a dialogue on matters such as construction demand, forecast of activity and training. A working group set up under OILCO's auspices reported to UKCS competitiveness in February and November 1993. c) Energy Advisory Panel There have been no proposals from the energy advisory panel for policies and legislation as its principal role is to assist in the preparation of the Government's annual energy report. d) Advisory Committee on Coal Research No legislative proposals have been initiated by the advisory committee on coal research in the last three years. Policy was initiated by the Government under the advice of the coal task force, who were the predecessor to the ACCR. A summary of the policy is published in Energy Paper 63, which is held in the Library of the House of Commons.

Mr. Harvey

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the programme of work for(a) the Overseas Projects Board, (b) the Offshore Industry Liaison Committee, (c) the Energy Advisory Panel and (d) the Advisory Committee on Coal Research.

Mr. Heseltine

The information requested is as followsa) Overseas Projects Board The Overseas Projects Board will continue to provide expert advice to Ministers and their officials on issues affecting UK industry's ability to compete effectively for major project business overseas. The seven sector groups of the Board have produced action plans and have identified a number of opportunities. These are being pursued. b) Offshore Industry Liaison Committee OILCO does not have a programme of work. The committee is free to consider and give advice on all issues which fall within its terms of reference. c) Energy Advisory Panel The principal role of the energy advisory panel lies in assisting in the preparation of the Government's annual energy report. This involves regular meetings with officials to discuss the structure and content of the energy report. d) Advisory Committee on Coal Research (ACCR) The programme of work for the ACCR is as outlined in Energy Paper 63 (annex B) which is held in the Library of the House of Commons.