HC Deb 19 October 1998 vol 317 cc1029-30W
Mr. Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the Governments' policy on business competitiveness. [54070]

Mr. Mandelson

The issue of business competitiveness is being considered within the context of the Competitiveness White Paper which I intend to publish later this year.

Mr. Chope

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the current membership of the competitiveness working party for encouraging innovation; when it last met; what matters were discussed; and when it will next meet. [54505]

Mr. Mandelson

[holding answer 31 July 1998]: The Competitiveness Working Party for Encouraging Innovation is chaired by my hon. Friend the Minister for Energy and Industry and has the following members.

  • Bevan Braithwaite OBE, Chairman, TWI
  • Dr. Peter Doyle CBE, FRSE, Director, Zeneca Group plc.
  • John Golding, Chairman, Hewlett-Packard Ltd
  • Anthony Greener, Joint Chairman, Diageo plc
  • Jan Hall, Partner, Spencer Stuart and Associates Ltd
  • Dr. Sue Ion, Director, Technology and Operations, BNFL
  • Stephen Lusty, Managing Director, Airmaster Engineering Ltd
  • Sir Roy McNulty, Chairman, Short Brothers plc
  • Dr. George Poste, Chief Scientific and Technology Officer, SmithKline Beecham plc
  • Professor Sir Gareth Roberts, Vice Chancellor, Sheffield University
  • Jonathan Sands, Managing Director, Elmwood Design Ltd
  • Dan Sequerra, Chief Executive, Kirklees Metropolitan Borough Council
  • John Sorrell, Chairman, Interbrand Newell and Sorrell, and Chairman, Design Council.

The Working Party last met on 13 July to discuss improving the competitiveness of UK industry through innovation. Discussion focused on the importance of the exchange of best practice.

No date has been arranged for any further meetings of the Working Party.

Miss McIntosh

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations she has received on the impact of legislation on competition in the media. [54857]

Dr. Howells

During the passage of the Competition Bill, the Department has received a number of representations concerning the Bill and pricing practices in the newspaper industry. These representations have been from members of the public, newspaper companies and members of both Houses. The Department has also received a small number of representations regarding the newspaper merger provisions of the Fair Trading Act 1973 and also general representations on individual merger cases involving the media.