HC Deb 30 March 1999 vol 328 cc568-9W
Dr. Tony Wright

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list for all task forces and policy reviews with external members established by his Department since May 1997(a) their dates of establishment, (b) those which have issued final reports and their dates of publication, (c) those which have been terminated and their dates of termination and (d) for those bodies still in existence, expected reporting and termination dates. [79286]

Mr. Byers

The information requested is set out in the table.

Review/Task Force Date established Actual or expected date of final report Actual or expected termination date
Review of Company Law 4 March 1998 Spring 2001 Spring 2001
DT/HMT review of company rescue mechanisms 29 January 1999 July 1999 July 1999
President's Advisory Group 23 July 1997 No written report—advice given orally at meetings. 30 June 1998
Competitiveness Working Parties 1 December 1997 6 April 1998 6 April 1998
Tech Stars Steering Group December 1997 Not expected to produce written report Anticipated to be Summer 1999
Oil and Gas Industry Task Force 17 November 1998 Summer 1999 September 1999

Dr. Tony Wright

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list all those task forces and policy reviews with external members established by his Department since May 1997 which have set up(a) subgroups, (b) working parties and (c) other subsidiary committees. [79264]

Mr. Byers

Two task forces and policy reviews with external members established by my Department since May 1997 have set up working groups

The Review of Company Law's independent Steering Group has set up six working groups, looking at the purpose of company law and the needs of small and closely-held firms; company formation, capital maintenance and regulation and boundaries of the law; international issues and information and communications technology; vehicles and structure; corporate governance (directors); and corporate governance (shareholders).

The Oil and Gas Industry Task Force has set up seven working groups, looking at long-term vision; competitiveness; fiscal issues; regulation and licensing; skills and training; innovation and technology; and sustainable development.