To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many telephone helplines are sponsored by his Department with the prefix (a) 0870 and (b) 0845; and whether alternative geographic numbers are available in each case. (138483)

DEFRA sponsors only one telephone helpline number that has an 0870 prefix. This number is for the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) helpline, which provides advice on travelling with your pet into (or back into) the UK. There is not a published alternative geographic number for this service.

DEFRA sponsors 14 telephone helpline numbers with an 0845 prefix. Only one of these, the DEFRA Helpline, has a published alternative geographic number.