To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list the topics which have been addressed by the Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe within her Department since 1 July. [11641]
I refer the hon. Member to the list of ministerial responsibilities, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.
To ask the President of the Board of Trade on how many occasions the Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe has held discussions with the gas regulator since 1 May. [11644]
None.
To ask the President of the Board of Trade if the Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe will be involved in meetings related to the review of utility regulatory regimes being carried out by her Department. [11643]
Within the DTI, the Minister for Science, Energy and Industry leads on this review. The Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe will continue to deal with issues which fall within his portfolio of ministerial responsibilities, subject to the arrangements in place to ensure that no conflicts of interest can arise.
To ask the President of the Board of Trade if the Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe will continue to answer questions in another place on the review of utility regulatory regimes being carried out by her Department. [11642]
The Minister will continue to answer questions on a range of DTI issues in another place.
To ask the President of the Board of Trade who are the trustees of the blind trust established by the Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe; and what instructions they have been given for the management of the portfolio. [11795]
The Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe has made arrangements for his non-BP shareholdings to be placed in a blind trust in accordance with the guidance in "Questions of Procedure for Ministers". Further details of these arrangements are a private matter for the Minister.
To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for Wokingham (Mr. Redwood) of 23 July, Official Report, column 665, (1) what procedures exist to ensure compliance with "Questions of Procedure for Ministers" by the Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe; and what mechanisms are in place to ensure that, from the date of his appointment, he has not seen any papers or attended any meetings formally or informally, which would have or would have had, a bearing on BP or its competitors; [11968](2) which Minister or civil servant takes the decision on whether a conflict of interests arises in respect of the Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe. [11975]
The Minister decided at the outset that he would not be involved in discussions or decisions directly affecting BP, and civil servants dealing with issues falling within his ministerial responsibilities have acted accordingly since then. The Minister's private office has, in addition, ensured that he does not see papers or attend meetings that directly affect BP. In cases of doubt, the Minister and civil servants consult the permanent secretary for advice.
To ask the President of the Board of Trade on what dates and at what venues the Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe's recent meetings or parties with BP personnel were held. [11633]
The Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe met directors of BP on 9 May, 4 June and 4 July, at BP's offices in Finsbury circus and in a restaurant. The Minister also attended farewell social engagements hosted by BP on 4 June, 25 June and 3 July in a marquee at Finsbury square, at the Barbican and in Manchester square.
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what the Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe has now complied in full with paragraphs 109, 110, 111, 112 and 117 of "Questions of Procedure for Ministers". [11632]
The Minister has complied with the guidance in "Questions of Procedure for Ministers" in full since the day of his appointment.
To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether she took legal advice prior to the Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe signing the explanatory memorandum on European Community document on gas liberalisation to ensure that the Government would not be open to legal challenge. [11634]
The Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe has not signed any such memorandum; the gas liberalisation dossier is the responsibility of my hon. Friend the Minister for Science, Industry and Energy.