Results 1-20 of 1,578 for speaker:Ian Lucas

Business, Innovation and Skills: High-Speed Broadband (12 Nov 2009)

Ian Lucas: The "Digital Britain" White Paper, published on 16 June, outlined the Government's plans for a next-generation fund, which will help to deliver at least 90 per cent. coverage of next-generation broadband for homes and businesses by 2017. The fund will be created through a levy of 50p per month on all fixed telecommunication lines.

Business, Innovation and Skills: High-Speed Broadband (12 Nov 2009)

Ian Lucas: I am surprised and disappointed that the Opposition are setting their face against a policy that will extend broadband to rural communities and create an inclusive broadband system. The Government have a firm and decisive position, and I would be very interested to hear what alternative proposals the Opposition have for delivering broadband to the rest of the country.

Business, Innovation and Skills: High-Speed Broadband (12 Nov 2009)

Ian Lucas: With respect, the Government have set out clear policies to intervene, where appropriate, to take the market position forward. Of course, a great deal of investment must be made by the private sector to take forward the extension of broadband across the UK, but the Government must also play their part. We are doing that by making it very clear indeed that we will support the development of...

Business, Innovation and Skills: High-Speed Broadband (12 Nov 2009)

Ian Lucas: Of course, it is not acceptable that individuals and businesses are excluded from access to broadband. It means that they cannot develop as they would like. For that reason, the Government have set out a clear policy and are determined to act to extend broadband coverage across the country.

Business, Innovation and Skills: High-Speed Broadband (12 Nov 2009)

Ian Lucas: It is extremely important that we recognise the huge impact that illegal file-sharing is having on creative industries, such as the music and film industries, in which we excel in the UK. Any suggestion of removing access from individuals would be very much a last resort, but there is a real issue that we need to confront and deal with, and we shall look closely at the available solutions.

Business, Innovation and Skills: High-Speed Broadband (12 Nov 2009)

Ian Lucas: The hon. Gentleman will be aware that Labour Members never like giving in to Murdoch and we are, therefore, very keen indeed to create and take forward a competitive business model. We are not in anyone's pocket. We want to create a level playing field in the UK and we shall work with business to achieve it.

Business, Innovation and Skills: Free Trade Agreement (Colombia) (12 Nov 2009)

Ian Lucas: With permission I should like to answer this question in conjunction with Questions 15 and 16.

Business, Innovation and Skills: Free Trade Agreement (Colombia) (12 Nov 2009)

Ian Lucas: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Business, Innovation and Skills: Free Trade Agreement (Colombia) (12 Nov 2009)

Ian Lucas: Negotiations between the European Union and the Community of Andean Nations were launched in 2007. The mandate was last revised in December 2008 when, because the Andean nations could not agree a common position— [ Interruption. ]

Business, Innovation and Skills: Free Trade Agreement (Colombia) (12 Nov 2009)

Ian Lucas: The mandate was last revised in 2008 when, because the Andean nations could not agree a common position, Colombia and Peru asked the European Commission to negotiate a multi-party trade agreement with interested Andean countries. Ecuador remains an observer.

Business, Innovation and Skills: Free Trade Agreement (Colombia) (12 Nov 2009)

Ian Lucas: Of course, free trade unions are a fundamental tenet of any civilised society. That is why we have successfully pressed the European Commission to include a human rights clause in the agreement with Colombia and Peru, which, if breached, would enable the agreement to be suspended.

Business, Innovation and Skills: Small Businesses (12 Nov 2009)

Ian Lucas: My noble Friend is providing valuable advice to the Government and is passionately committed to helping small businesses.

Business, Innovation and Skills: Small Businesses (12 Nov 2009)

Ian Lucas: I have many interesting discussions with the Secretary of State, but I certainly would not give him that advice.

Business, Innovation and Skills: Topical Questions (12 Nov 2009)

Ian Lucas: My hon. Friend raises a serious and grave issue. It is my understanding that the type of foul behaviour to which he referred is unlawful under current legislation and that action is being taken under it to counter that behaviour. The digital economy Bill will address issues relating to the infringement of copyright.

Written Answers — Business, Innovation and Skills: Car Scrappage Scheme (12 Nov 2009)

Ian Lucas: It is not possible to make an accurate estimate of the impact on production of the extension of the scrappage scheme because of unknown commercial factors such as the levels of existing stocks and production time lags.

Written Answers — Business, Innovation and Skills: Regional Development Agencies (12 Nov 2009)

Ian Lucas: The RDAs have helped more than 50,000 businesses to survive the recession, and are bringing forward regeneration projects worth more than £100 million in order to boost the economy. They have also provided transition loans to 300 companies, protecting more than 10,000 jobs.

Written Answers — Business, Innovation and Skills: Free Trade Agreement: Colombia (12 Nov 2009)

Ian Lucas: Negotiations between the EU and the Community of Andean Nations were launched in 2007. The mandate was last revised in December 2008 when, as the Andean nations could not agree a common position, Colombia and Peru asked the European Commission to negotiate a multiparty trade agreement with interested Andean countries. Ecuador remains an observer.

Written Answers — Business, Innovation and Skills: Business: Government Assistance (12 Nov 2009)

Ian Lucas: I have received no representations from the brick manufacturing industry on these matters. My officials are however in regular contact with the Construction Products Association (the umbrella trade association for nearly all construction products), of which the brick industry is a member, and have met members of the brick industry.

Written Answers — Business, Innovation and Skills: Exports: White Phosphorus (12 Nov 2009)

Ian Lucas: As previously stated the Export Control Organisation in BIS had identified 67 licences for munitions designed to create illumination or act as an incendiary. These munitions may have contained white phosphorous but because the export licence application does not require the exporter to provide the chemical composition of munitions to be exported, it is not possible to say how many—if...

Written Answers — Business, Innovation and Skills: Inward Investment (12 Nov 2009)

Ian Lucas: I have arranged for separate listings of UKTI's (and its predecessors') recorded inward investment successes by UK regions for each of the last 20 years to be placed in the Libraries of the House. Figures for London are available only from when an RDA for London was established in 1994/95. These figures are based on information provided by companies at the time of the announcement of the...