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Answering member
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Alun Michael
Type
House
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Year
Department
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Primary member
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Michael, Alun (13)
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The manufacturing strategy has been designed by the Government to encourage manufacturers in all regions to move to high value-added production through the application of science and innovation, world-class practice and skills development. There is a long list of the support given by the Government, directly and through the regional development agency, but to save time I will send that to my hon. Friend.
The manufacturing strategy has been designed by the Government to encourage manufacturers in all regions to move to high value-added production through the application of science and innovation, world-class practice and skills development. There is a long list of the support given by the Government, directly and through the regional development agency, but to save time I will send that to my hon. Friend.
Answered by
Alun Michael
(Labour; Co-operative Party)
Asked by
Jim Cunningham
(Labour)
Answering body
Department of Trade and Industry
Type
Oral answers to questions
What steps his Department is taking to encourage manufacturing and research and development in Coventry, South and the west midlands region; and if he will make a statement.
Subjects
Innovation; Manufacturing industries; Research; Science; West Midlands; Coventry
Date
16 February 2006
Reference
442 c1539
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
I recently met the chief executive of Peugeot, Mr. Folz, to discuss the issues and to stress my concern, which very much reflects that of local Members of Parliament. There was a positive response to the wish of the Government to work closely with the company and an understanding of our concerns and hopes for the future. These are obviously commercial decisions for the company, but we continue to maintain those contacts—for instance, my officials are having a meeting with the company in the next few days.
I recently met the chief executive of Peugeot, Mr. Folz, to discuss the issues and to stress my concern, which very much reflects that of local Members of Parliament. There was a positive response to the wish of the Government to work closely with the company and an understanding of our concerns and hopes for the future. These are obviously commercial decisions for the company, but we continue to maintain those contacts—for instance, my officials are having a meeting with the company in the next few days.
Answered by
Alun Michael
(Labour; Co-operative Party)
Asked by
Jim Cunningham
(Labour)
Answering body
Department of Trade and Industry
Type
Oral answers to questions
I thank the Minister for that answer and I appreciate that there has been considerable investment in the west midlands, but does he understand that we need considerably more, particularly in manufacturing—I am sure that he knows of events with Rover—where there is serious concern about the intentions of Peugeot? What discussions has he had with that company on future investment models?
Subjects
Innovation; Manufacturing industries; Research; Science; West Midlands; Coventry
Date
16 February 2006
Reference
442 c1539
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
Sometimes it is down to a lack of information and of knowledge on the part of companies. We want to promote such information. For instance, the Manufacturing Advisory Service has generated £212 million-worth of added value for companies. We want to spread that knowledge and understanding. Secondly, since its inception, the research and development tax credit has provided £795 million in Government support, the majority of which has been for manufacturers. The hon. Gentleman makes the important point that there is a need for greater knowledge and to ensure that it is applied at the sharp end.
Sometimes it is down to a lack of information and of knowledge on the part of companies. We want to promote such information. For instance, the Manufacturing Advisory Service has generated £212 million-worth of added value for companies. We want to spread that knowledge and understanding. Secondly, since its inception, the research and development tax credit has provided £795 million in Government support, the majority of which has been for manufacturers. The hon. Gentleman makes the important point that there is a need for greater knowledge and to ensure that it is applied at the sharp end.
Answered by
Alun Michael
(Labour; Co-operative Party)
Asked by
Michael Fabricant
(Conservative)
Answering body
Department of Trade and Industry
Type
Oral answers to questions
Notwithstanding the recent announcement of the closure of GKN in Lichfield, the Minister is right to stress that businesses and manufacturing should concentrate on high-value production, but what can he do about the tax credit system for research and development? Although it is a good system in principle, it is very difficult for smaller high-tech industries to claim R and D tax credits. They vary so much from region to region and inspectors make different value judgments on whether a project is an R and D project. The problem is that there is no consistency in the United Kingdom or ease in applying for such a tax credit.
Subjects
Innovation; Manufacturing industries; Research; Science; West Midlands; Coventry
Date
16 February 2006
Reference
442 c1540
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
My hon. Friend makes a good point. He is aware that the grant given in recent times has included £32 million to the premier automotive research and development centre at Warwick university. He is right that the important thing is to link research and development work to the sharp end of business. There is a very good story to be told by the automotive industry in the west midlands, and we want to support that and see it continue.
My hon. Friend makes a good point. He is aware that the grant given in recent times has included £32 million to the premier automotive research and development centre at Warwick university. He is right that the important thing is to link research and development work to the sharp end of business. There is a very good story to be told by the automotive industry in the west midlands, and we want to support that and see it continue.
Answered by
Alun Michael
(Labour; Co-operative Party)
Asked by
Richard Burden
(Labour)
Answering body
Department of Trade and Industry
Type
Oral answers to questions
Does my right hon. Friend agree that the west midlands has a really good research base—in Birmingham itself there are three excellent universities? All too often, however, the problem is linking that to development and translating it into products. He and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will shortly be considering the report of the MG Rover taskforce, and the key thing will be to ensure that technology corridors work and that that is translated into regeneration in the Longbridge area and the broader west midlands. That will regenerate local communities as well as attract investment to the area, which it so desperately needs.
Subjects
Innovation; Manufacturing industries; Research; Science; West Midlands; Coventry
Date
16 February 2006
Reference
442 c1540
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
My hon. Friend makes an important point. We are working closely with colleagues at DFES to ensure that there is a proper focus on the development of skills. One way of ensuring that that happens properly is the work to link the regional development agencies with the skills bodies, particularly through the regional skills strategy. We have, too, the manufacturing academy, which is being developed in a positive way to make sure that the skills at every level through industry are appropriate to its needs. That must be done by focusing on the regional and local need in the way that he suggests. That is very much at the forefront of our minds.
My hon. Friend makes an important point. We are working closely with colleagues at DFES to ensure that there is a proper focus on the development of skills. One way of ensuring that that happens properly is the work to link the regional development agencies with the skills bodies, particularly through the regional skills strategy. We have, too, the manufacturing academy, which is being developed in a positive way to make sure that the skills at every level through industry are appropriate to its needs. That must be done by focusing on the regional and local need in the way that he suggests. That is very much at the forefront of our minds.
Answered by
Alun Michael
(Labour; Co-operative Party)
Asked by
Brian Jenkins
(Labour)
Answering body
Department of Trade and Industry
Type
Oral answers to questions
My right hon. Friend will be fully aware that manufacturers move into and expand in an area only if there is a skilled work force to produce their products. He will also be aware that the west midlands work force have the lowest level of qualifications. Has he had discussions with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Skills on plans for joined-up government to improve the qualification base in the west midlands?
Subjects
Innovation; Manufacturing industries; Research; Science; West Midlands; Coventry
Date
16 February 2006
Reference
442 c1540-1
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
What steps his Department is taking to encourage manufacturing and research and development in Coventry, South and the west midlands region; and if he will make a statement.
What steps his Department is taking to encourage manufacturing and research and development in Coventry, South and the west midlands region; and if he will make a statement.
Asked by
Jim Cunningham
(Labour)
Answered by
Alun Michael
(Labour; Co-operative Party)
Answering body
Department of Trade and Industry
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
Tabled on
13 February 2006
For answer on
16 February 2006
Answered on
16 February 2006
The manufacturing strategy has been designed by the Government to encourage manufacturers in all regions to move to high value-added production through the application of science and innovation, world-class practice and skills development. There is a long list of the support given by the Government, directly and through the regional development agency, but to save time I will send that to my hon. Friend.
Subjects
Innovation; Manufacturing industries; Research; Science; West Midlands; Coventry
Date
16 February 2006
Reference
442 c1539; 51995
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
The company is certainly saying that it intends to develop production in the way that has been promised and is publicly maintaining that position.
The company is certainly saying that it intends to develop production in the way that has been promised and is publicly maintaining that position.
Answered by
Alun Michael
(Labour; Co-operative Party)
Asked by
Julie Kirkbride
(Conservative)
Answering body
Department of Trade and Industry
Type
Oral answers to questions
Can the Minister give us any information about the prospects of car manufacturing at Longbridge? He will be aware that the plant is now owned by the Chinese, and they have promised that they will reinstate a car business at Longbridge. However, we heard earlier this week that the first six months' option on the land owned by St. Modwen has lapsed. The Chinese can still produce cars if they take up that option, but does the Minister have any information as to whether they intend to do so and to make good their promises?
Subjects
Innovation; Manufacturing industries; Research; Science; West Midlands; Coventry
Date
16 February 2006
Reference
442 c1539-40
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
The hon. Gentleman seeks to promote misery and misapprehension by his comments. He should be aware that the Government and colleagues in the Department are fully engaged in all these issues to try to achieve the best possible outcome. As I suggested earlier, there is every indication that the company intends to pursue the intended prospects. He referred to employment, and he is surely aware that it is at virtually its highest level for the past 15 years.
The hon. Gentleman seeks to promote misery and misapprehension by his comments. He should be aware that the Government and colleagues in the Department are fully engaged in all these issues to try to achieve the best possible outcome. As I suggested earlier, there is every indication that the company intends to pursue the intended prospects. He referred to employment, and he is surely aware that it is at virtually its highest level for the past 15 years.
Answered by
Alun Michael
(Labour; Co-operative Party)
Asked by
Alan Duncan
(Conservative)
Answering body
Department of Trade and Industry
Type
Oral answers to questions
Following the disastrous intervention of the right hon. Member for North Tyneside (Mr. Byers) in the sale of Rover, which unfortunately sealed its fate, it now turns out that the sale of the Longbridge plant to Nanjing was somewhat botched. There is, however, some potentially good news: there is a serious prospect of moving the plant from Longbridge to Coventry so that car production can resume. What can the Minister tell the House about that? [Interruption.] Is he prepared—now that he has had something whispered in his ear—to engage fully with Nanjing and all the investors involved in trying to make that happen and, in doing so, to encourage the project, give grants where appropriate and attend any meetings that might assist the project?
Subjects
Innovation; Manufacturing industries; Research; Science; West Midlands; Coventry
Date
16 February 2006
Reference
442 c1541
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the impact on gross domestic product of changes to the (a) manufacturing, (b) science and (c) engineering sectors of the domestic economy over the next 10 years.
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the impact on gross domestic product of changes to the (a) manufacturing, (b) science and (c) engineering sectors of the domestic economy over the next 10 years.
Asked by
Keith Vaz
(Labour)
Answered by
Alun Michael
(Labour; Co-operative Party)
Answering body
Department of Trade and Industry
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
26 October 2005
For answer on
28 October 2005
Answered on
7 November 2005
I have been asked to reply.The Government do not produce 10-year forecasts for sectors of the economy, but the Government do have a number of policies to assist the manufacturing, science and engineering sectors. These include the Government manufacturing strategy, which is based on applying science and innovation, world-class practice, raising investment, and a high level of skills to create high-value manufacturing and engineering sectors and drive up productivity. By 2007–08 we will have doubled the science budget, from £1.3 billion in 1997–98 to £3.3 billion, with the long-term objective of increasing overall R&D spend to 2.5 per cent. of GDP by 2014 from its current level of around 1.9 per cent.
Subjects
Finance; Economic situation; Engineering; Forecasts; Manufacturing industries; Science
Date
7 November 2005
Reference
23648; 439 c92W;439 c92W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the (a) staffing and (b) staff costs for her core Department, excluding executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies are for 2004-05, in respect of (i) the environment protection strategy, (ii) environment quality and waste, (iii) climate, energy...
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the (a) staffing and (b) staff costs for her core Department, excluding executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies are for 2004-05, in respect of (i) the environment protection strategy, (ii) environment quality and waste, (iii) climate, energy...
Asked by
Oliver Letwin
(Conservative)
Answered by
Alun Michael
(Labour; Co-operative Party)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
25 May 2004
For answer on
22 June 2004
Answered on
22 June 2004
Mr. Letwin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the (a) staffing and (b) staff
costs for her core Department, excluding executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies are for 2004-05, in respect of (i)
the environment protection strategy, (ii) environment quality and waste, (iii) climate, energy and environmental risk, (iv) water,
(v) European Union and international policy, (vi) economics and statistics, (vii) food industry and crops, (viii) sustainable
agriculture and livestock products, (ix) fisheries, (x) land management and rural development, (xi) the rural delivery review, (xii)
wildlife, countryside, land use and better regulation, (xiii) Haskins policy implementation, (xiv) rural policy, (xv) Government
Offices of the Regions, (xvi) veterinary, (xvii) Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy and zoonoses, (xviii) animal health and
welfare planning, (xix) animal health, (xx) policy and corporate strategy, (xxi) finance, planning and resources, (xxii) delivery
strategy, (xxiii) the State Veterinary Service, (xxiv) e-Business, (xxv) e-nabling DEFRA programme, (xxvi) communications, (xxvii)
corporate services, (xxviii) the Rural Development Service, (xxix) the Science Directorate, (xxx) Legal Directorate A and (xxxi)
Legal Directorate B. [176406]
Alun Michael: The following table shows the number of staff in full-time equivalents as at 1 April 2004 and the expected
staff costs for 2004-05 for each current Defra directorate. This list differs slightly from the information requested due to recent
organisational changes in the Department.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Directorate Staff numbers (FTE) Staff costs (£ 000)
Environmental Protection Strategy 134.80 6,734
Environment Quality and Waste 126.25 6,961
Climate, Energy and Environmental Risk 142.60 6,615
Water 196.37 8,346
EU and International Policy 45.00 2,078
Economics and Statistics 165.51 6,365
Food Industry and Crops 344.39 11,964
Sustainable Agriculture and Livestock 123.10 4,365
Products
Fisheries 196.67 3,400
Land Management and Rural Development 161.58 5,250
Wildlife, Countryside, Land Use and Better 195.33 7,876
Regulation
Rural Economies and Communities 61.72 4,002
Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer 320.36 11,387
TSE and Zoonoses Directorate 115.25 4,385
Animal Health and Welfare DG 62.24 1,480
Animal Health 178.54 5,706
Policy and Corporate Strategy Unit 79.63 1,528
Finance, Planning and Resources 256.88 9,649
State Veterinary Service 1,218.73 41,155
e-Business Directorate 292.01 15,096
Communications 86.80 3,716
Corporate Services and Secretariat 596.15 18,815
Rural Development Service 1,372.50 40,189
Science 54.53 2,613
Legal Services 157.64 8,600
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Subjects
Animal welfare; Agriculture; Costs; Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Finance; Environment; Legal opinion; Livestock; Staff; Rural areas; Science; State Veterinary Service; Rural Development Service; EU environmental policy
Date
22 June 2004
Reference
176406; 422 c1289-90W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how her Department's chief scientific adviser has ensured that the Department's scientific activities are well directed, as recommended in paragraph 7.11 of the Government's science strategy, Investing in Innovation, published in July 2002.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how her Department's chief scientific adviser has ensured that the Department's scientific activities are well directed, as recommended in paragraph 7.11 of the Government's science strategy, Investing in Innovation, published in July 2002.
Asked by
Brian Iddon
(Labour)
Answered by
Alun Michael
(Labour; Co-operative Party)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
16 March 2004
For answer on
1 April 2004
Answered on
1 April 2004
Dr. Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how her Department's Chief Scientific Adviser has
ensured that the Department's scientific activities are well directed, as recommended in paragraph 7.11 of the Government's science
strategy, Investing in Innovation, published in July 2002. [162484]
Alun Michael: Professor Howard Dalton FRS was appointed as Defra's Chief Scientific Adviser in March 2002. He is a full member of
the Departmental Management Board. The Chief Scientific Adviser is responsible to Defra's Management Board and Ministers for the
preparation of the Department's Science and Innovation Strategy. This sets out the vision for Defra science, and identifies the
science needed to underpin and inform Defra policies across the three areas of environment, food and rural affairs. Defra's first
Science and Innovation Strategy was published in May 2003.
Subjects
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Government departments; Innovation; Science
Date
1 April 2004
Reference
419 c1555-6W;419 c1557-8W; 162484
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she has taken to enhance science in her Department since the publication of the Government's science strategy, Investing in Innovation. - Including figure.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she has taken to enhance science in her Department since the publication of the Government's science strategy, Investing in Innovation. - Including figure.
Asked by
Brian Iddon
(Labour)
Answered by
Alun Michael
(Labour; Co-operative Party)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
15 March 2004
For answer on
29 March 2004
Answered on
29 March 2004
Dr. Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she has taken to enhance science in her
Department since the publication of the Government's science strategy, Investing in Innovation. [162251]
Alun Michael: Science plays an essential, and increasingly important role in underpinning and informing Defra's policies across the
three areas of environment, food and rural affairs. Defra is therefore strongly committed to maintaining and enhancing its science
capabilities, in line with our Science and Innovation Strategy (Delivering the Evidence) published in May 2003. Our R&D budget is
ring fenced at over £150 million per annum, and are aiming to protect this in real terms across the SR2002 period and beyond.
We also spend in excess of £170 million per annum on a wide range of other types of science, including scientific advice,
field trials, knowledge transfer, surveillance and monitoring.
Defra is committed to developing its scientific capabilities and performance, building on the recommendations of the SR2002 Cross
Cutting Review of Science and Research and the Government's Investing in Innovation strategy. Defra's Chief Scientific Adviser is
the corporate sponsor for a number of on-going science initiatives designed to ensure that: we are carrying out the right scientific
activities to underpin current and future policy needs and to anticipate emerging risks and opportunities; the scientific advice we
obtain, and the science activities supporting it, is of a high quality; we have access to the right expertise and skills to procure
and interpret scientific information, and that scientific advice is used appropriately in the policy making process; and Defra
science is open and transparent, and its aims and results are effectively communicated.
Our rural affairs approach in both policy and delivery is informed by high quality research and analysis. The publication ("Social
and economic change and diversity in rural England") in January was the first of a series from the Rural Research Centre led by
Birkbeck College but including academics from other institutions.
Defra's next Science and Innovation Strategy (due to be published spring 2005) will, among other things, address innovation in
support of policy priorities and sustainable wealth creation, including technology foresight and horizon scanning, and support for
technology transfer and innovation.
Subjects
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Government departments; Science
Date
29 March 2004
Reference
419 c1206-7W;419 c1208-9W; 162251
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many people from science and technology backgrounds have been seconded into the Civil Service in her Department in each of the last five years for which data are available.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many people from science and technology backgrounds have been seconded into the Civil Service in her Department in each of the last five years for which data are available.
Asked by
Brian Iddon
(Labour)
Answered by
Alun Michael
(Labour; Co-operative Party)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
11 November 2003
For answer on
20 November 2003
Answered on
20 November 2003
Dr. Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many people from science and technology
backgrounds have been seconded into the Civil Service in her Department in each of the last five years for which data are available.
[138624]
Alun Michael: Since the creation of Defra in June 2001, the Department has seconded personnel from both the public and private
sectors as follows: 15 in the period June 2001 to March 2002 19 in the period April 2002 to March 2003 21 in the period April 2003
to date.
The majority have been seconded from organisations from science and technology sectors. In addition, the Department has provided for
opportunity and experience postings from its Laboratory Agencies and the Research Councils, of varying durations, to work on science
and technology matters, such as the development of science policy and strategies. Data is not held centrally. Finally, the
Department's Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor Howard Dalton, FRS, was appointed on secondment from Warwick university in 2001 and
is working on a range of continuing professional development issues, including secondments into and out of the Department.
Defra is committed to playing its part in developing a modern, flexible, outward focused Civil Service that works in partnership
with all sectors of society. Interchange is seen as a key tool in meeting this commitment. Defra continues to promote and encourage
the interchange of personnel between the Department and a range of organisations to help fulfil its business objectives.
Subjects
Civil servants; Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Government departments; Technology; Secondment; Science
Date
20 November 2003
Reference
138624; 413 c1243W;413 c1239-40W
House
House of Commons