To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects Mr. Feroz Abbasi, a constituent, will return to the UK; and whether Mr. Abbasi is being offered legal representation. [84334]

We remain in regular contact with the US authorities over the situation of the British detainees at Guantanamo Bay. We have had no indication from the US authorities concerning Mr. Abbasi's return to the UK. Mr. Abbasi is not being offered access to legal representation at Guantanamo Bay.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Governments of India and Pakistan on Kashmir. [84335]

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary regularly raises our concerns in relation to Kashmir with the Governments of India and Pakistan, including during his most recent visit to the region on 18 to 20 July, and in his meetings with Indian Foreign Minister Sinha on 30 and 31 October in London, and with new Pakistani Foreign Minister Kasuri on 2 December in Bonn. Kashmir was also among the range of issues discussed during my visit to India on 16 to 20 October.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he has taken to help the Iranian authorities to improve their human rights record. [84336]

We frequently raise human rights issues with the Iranian authorities at all levels. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed the subject with the Iranian Foreign Minister on 2 December.We support the EU-Iran dialogue on human rights, with the aim of bringing about improvements in Iran's respect for human rights.We support dialogue with practical bilateral assistance (£230,000 since last year) through NGOs, for the judiciary, Prison Service and growth of civil society.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the impact of recent developments in Israel on the peace process. [84337]

We look to the next Israeli Government, whoever leads it, to engage with the Palestinians and the international community in the implementation of the Quartet roadmap within the timeframe set out by President Bush on 24 June.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the roadmap process for peace in the middle east. [84346]

The Quartet (the US, EU, UN and Russia) are agreeing a roadmap for progress towards a comprehensive settlement by 2005. They will be meeting on 20 December to review progress. When the roadmap is published, we will work with the international community to implement it. A conference of the parties involved in the peace process should be a key element of that roadmap.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress is being made towards establishing a Middle East Peace Conference to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. [84328]

The Quartet (the US, EU, UN and Russia) are agreeing a roadmap for progress towards a comprehensive settlement by 2005. They will be meeting on 20 December to review progress. When the roadmap is published we will work with the international community to implement it. A conference of the parties involved in the peace process should be a key element of that roadmap.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what help he is offering to further the reconciliation process in Sudan. [84338]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier in the House today to my hon. Friend the Member for Leeds, North-West (Mr. Best).

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on allied action in the event of Iraqi attack against allied airplanes in the no-fly zone. [84339]

Since late 1998, Iraq has waged a systematic campaign to shoot down allied aircraft patrolling the no-fly zones. This is contrary to international law and inconsistent with UN resolutions. We only take action to protect our aircrew. UK and US pilots are authorised to respond to Iraqi attack in self-defence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on UN plans for a settlement in Cyprus. [84340]

I understand the United Nations has tabled today to the two leaders in Cyprus an adjustment to their proposal of 11 November for a settlement to the Cyprus problem. We fully support the United Nations' efforts to secure a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement in Cyprus.We now have within grasp an historic opportunity to reunite Cyprus, and to invite a reunited Cyprus to accede to the EU at the Copenhagen European Council this week.I urge the two leaders not to let this opportunity slip between their fingers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on the removal of Turkish troops from Cyprus as part of a settlement. [84357]

The Government support the UN proposals for a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus, which allow for there to be between 1,000 and 9,999 troops from both Greece and Turkey on the island. It is of course for the two sides in Cyprus to agree a settlement, but we believe the UN proposals to be workable and fair.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice his Department provides to UK nationals of the Greek Cypriot community wishing to claim compensation for loss of land incurred as a consequence of the 1974 invasion; and if he will make a statement. [85380]

The proposals from the United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan for a comprehensive settlement of Cyprus include arrangements for compensation to those who lost land in 1974. Her Majesty's Government are strongly urging both sides to settle on the basis of the UN plan. When, and if, a settlement has been agreed Her Majesty's Government will ensure that UK citizens who may qualify for compensation are properly informed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is with regard to the granting of compensation to those Greek Cypriots who lost land as a consequence of the 1974 invasion; and if he will make a statement. [85381]

The Government fully support the UN proposal for a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus Problem. Our aim is for a reunited Cyprus to be invited, at the Copenhagen European Council, to accede to the EU. We are urging both sides to come to a settlement before 12 December.The UN proposals contain provisions on the four core issues, including property and territory, which involve difficult compromises on both sides. While it is for the two sides in Cyprus to agree on details, the Government are of the view that the UN Secretary-General's proposals protect the interests of both sides and are a basis for agreement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has held with the Government of the People's Republic of China about Taiwan. [84341]

On 15 July, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary told the Chinese Foreign Minister that our position on Taiwan had not changed. We acknowledged the Chinese position that Taiwan is a province of the People's Republic of China, but we conducted discussions with the Taiwanese authorities on WTO-related trade issues.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Government of France on relations between the UK and France in West Africa. [84342]

In September at the UN General Assembly, the Foreign Secretary and his French counterpart, Mr. Dominique De Villepin, jointly hosted a breakfast seminar on "New Partnership for Africa's Development" (NEPAD) with Foreign Ministers from 10 African countries.My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary last met Mr. De Villepin on 7 October to discuss the strengthening of the St. Malo accord and Franco-British co-operation in Africa. The Foreign Secretary thanked Mr. De Villepin for French assistance in evacuating British nationals caught up in the crisis in Ivory Coast.This discussion also touched on issues such as further practical co-operation in the areas of conflict management, and the implementation of the peace and security aspects of the G8 Africa Action Plan.Furthermore, the Foreign Secretary has regular exchanges with Mr. De Villepin on a range of African issues, either by telephone or correspondence.Our two countries are working together in the United Nations and through the European Union to ensure an holistic and strategic approach by the international community to conflict management in Africa. Indeed, we aim to further cement our co-operation in Africa at the Franco-British summit early next year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in Rwanda, the Congo and the Great Lakes region. [84343]

The Great Lakes are dominated by the DRC and Burundi conflicts. The Pretoria Agreement (30 July) has seen Rwandan forces leave DRC. The DRC Government must now deal with the anti-Rwandan militia in DRC, and agree a transitional Government with the rebels (MLC and RCD-Goma).In Burundi, South African and Tanzanian mediation has sought a ceasefire between the Government and the FDD/FNL rebels. Agreement was reached on 3 December with the FDD. Questions remain on how this will be implemented and the implications for the FNL.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on proposals to alter the basic law on Hong Kong, with particular reference to Article 23. [84344]

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has published outline proposals—but not yet draft legislation—on implementing Article 23. We have made clear to them that any legislation should be consistent with the principles of the Sino-British Joint Declaration on Hong Kong and the two UN human rights covenants.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Bangladeshi Government over religious persecution in that country. [84345]

Our High Commission in Dhaka monitor closely reports of human rights abuses in Bangladesh. They have raised allegations of attacks against minorities on several occasions with the Bangladesh Government, both at a senior level in Dhaka and with regional government officials, encouraging them to investigate all allegations fully. This issue was also included in discussions in October between the visiting UK branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and senior members of the Bangladesh Government. The High Commissioner was present.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the way commercial oil interests would be affected by a war against Iraq. [84347]

No decision has been taken to launch military action against Iraq. However, if military action were to occur, we do not believe that the loss of Iraqi oil supplies, even for an extended period of time, would significantly disrupt the fundamental balance of supply and demand in the world market.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the human rights position in (a) Tibet and (b) China. [84348]

We continue to have serious concerns about the human rights situation in Tibet. We welcome, however, the releases this year of several Tibetan prisoners, including Ngawang Choepel, Chadrel Rinpoche, Jigme Zangpo and Ngawang Sangdrol. All of these were on the list of individual cases of concern that we have raised with the Chinese Government. We have also welcomed, along with EU partners, the recent visit of the Dalai Lama's representatives to China. We encourage both sides to continue to use dialogue to find a peaceful resolution to the Tibetan issue.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the new regime in China with respect to progress with changes to the visa regime. [84349]

Although the 16^th Communist Party Congress in Beijing last month appointed a new Party leadership, China's new state leadership will not be elected until the National People's congress in March 2002. We have no plans to change our visa regime for Chinese nationals wishing to enter the UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Nigerian Government in the case of Amina Lawal. [84351]

In September my noble Friend Baroness Amos, the Minister for Africa, raised with President Obasanjo HMG's concerns about the harsh sentences imposed under the Sharia penal codes. She emphasised the strength of feeling against them in the UK and reiterated HMG's opposition to the death penalty in all circumstances. The High Commission, together with EU partners, regularly raises our concerns about the sentences with the appropriate authorities in Nigeria.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to visit Turkey to discuss Turkey's relations with the EU; and if he will make a statement. [84352]

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary visited Ankara on 3 and 4 December and held meetings with the Turkish President, Prime Minister and other leaders.He reaffirmed the UK's strong support for Turkey's membership of the EU and expressed the hope that the Copenhagen European Council would offer a firm date for accession negotiations to begin. He made clear that this would be on the basis of Turkey fulfilling the relevant criteria.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the report of the UN Export Panel in respect of the exploitation of resources of the Democratic Republic of Congo. [84353]

The UK and other members of the Security Council are waiting for information to substantiate the claims made in the panel's latest report. The current panel's mandate expired on 18 October, and there is now no mechanism in place to take forward the panel's work. We are pressing, through discussions at the UN for a speedy resolution to this problem.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the UK is doing to secure international action to help prevent war crimes in the Democratic Republic of Congo. [84356]

The UK has supported the establishment of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The ICC is best placed to consider appropriate action to address accusations of war crimes committed in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the work of the Counter-Terrorism Committee of the United Nations. [84354]

Under UK chairmanship, the UK Counter-Terrorism Committee has now reviewed 180 initial and 100 follow-up reports from states setting out the actions they have taken to comply with UNSCR 1373. The committee has sent 206 letters requesting further information on these points to states and international organisations.The committee has focussed in its initial reviews on states' abilities to counter the financing of terrorism, and their progress in ratifying the 12 UN Counter-Terrorism conventions.The committee has also begun to compile requests from states for technical assistance towards reaching the standards set by UNSCR 1373. The committee continues to discuss such requests with suitable potential donors.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a further statement on EU enlargement. [84355]

I refer my right hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier in the House today to my hon. Friend the Member for Falkirk, West (Mr. Joyce).

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance his Department's posts have given to British companies seeking to export to South East Asia in the last six months. [84358]

During the period of 1 June 2002 to 30 November 2002, commercial staff in posts in South East Asia met and briefed 1,091 individual British business visitors; responded to 57 chargeable inquiries from British companies; received, briefed and provided support to 285 participants in 22 trade missions and 339 participants in 22 events under the Support for Exhibitions and Seminars Abroad scheme; visited 370 local companies to introduce British goods and services; issued 606 sales leads to British customers of Trade Partners UK's Sales Leads Service; lobbied on behalf of 44 British companies and organised 36 seminars and other promotional events to introduce British exporters to markets in South East Asia.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Sierra Leone. [84359]

Good progress has been made in restoring peace to Sierra Leone. Disarmament was completed and the war declared over in January 2002. Credible and peaceful elections were held in May. Nonetheless, much remains to be done to consolidate the fragile peace. The UN peacekeeping mission, UNAMSIL, remains deployed throughout the country. It has begun to withdraw, in a phased process, which should last 18–20 months.The UK continues to play a leading role in building a lasting peace. Key post-conflict challenges include helping the Government of Sierra Leone to:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the status of the ceasefire talks between CNDD-FDD and the transitional Government of Burundi. [84645]

A ceasefire agreement was signed on 2 December 2002 in Arusha between the CNDD-FDD and the Transitional National Government of Burundi.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the evidential basis is for his statements on pages 4, 8 and 9 of his document "Saddam Hussein: Crimes and Human Rights Abuse", concerning the treatment of women. [85625]

[holding answer 5 December 2002]: There is no statement about Iraqi women on page 4 of the report. Statements on pages 8 and 9 of the report are from sources including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and other NGOs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what PFI/PPP projects each of the security services has been engaged in; and if he will make a statement. [86231]

The only PFI project involving the security and intelligence agencies is the provision and servicing of new accommodation for GCHQ.

To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners if he will ask the Church Commissioners to benchmark the employment rights of UK clergy in comparison to those in other EU countries. [85515]

This would be a matter for the Archbishops' Council's Ministry Division. The Council has no plans to do so. Such a benchmarking exercise would be difficult to devise in view of the very wide range of employment rights applicable to clergy in other EU countries. Some clergy have little formal protection while others are employed on the equivalent of civil service terms.

To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners if he will make a statement on the tenancy rights of clergy who live in church properties. [85179]

Incumbents have ownership as a corporation sole of their parsonage houses, although their power to dispose of their houses is qualified. Their ownership ends on resignation, retirement or with pastoral reorganisation, or on removal from office for disciplinary offences, pastoral breakdown or if they become too infirm to continue in ministry. The rights and responsibilities of incumbents with respect to their houses are laid down in the Repair of Benefice Buildings Measure 1972.Team rectors have the same security as incumbents for the term of years for which they are appointed. Unless they resign or reach retirement age, they can only he removed from office during the period of their licences for disciplinary offences, on grounds of serious pastoral breakdown or infirmity.Other clergy, about 40 per cent., do not have freehold of office. They include priests in charge and assistant curates. They may occupy their accommodation by virtue of licences under which they themselves would ordinarily make no rental payment. In these circumstances an occupier would not be entitled to remain in possession after the licence came to an end.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will name those persons she appointed to public bodies in October. [84925]

The names of the individuals appointed to DTI public bodies during the course of October, the bodies to which they were appointed and the effective date of the appointments have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the application of Nolan Rules to the appointment of (a) a city councillor and (b) deputy chairman of a regional assembly as a full-time DTI regional broadband advisor. [85244]

The 12 men and women appointed as regional broadband advisers or coordinators, who form part of the UK Broadband Task Force, are contract employees or secondees from industry and not civil servants. They were selected on merit through open competition and a range of backgrounds was sought to give the Task Force the necessary mix of skills and experience. In the case of the South West region, the political activities of the successful candidate were set out in full in his application.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what funding has been allocated by the Carbon Trust; and who has received allocations. [83436]

I have been asked to reply.The Carbon Trust was launched in April 2001 to support UK business and the public sector in reducing their Carbon emissions while maintaining competitiveness. The Carbon Trust is a private nonprofit company that receives funding of around £50 million per annum from Defra and the Devolved Administrations. About two-thirds of its current funding comes from recycled receipts from the Climate Change Levy. As a private company the management of its programmes and decisions on the allocation of funding, are a matter for the Carbon Trust Board.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many (a) prosecutions and (b) convictions there have been for trading counterfeit goods, broken down by type, under the Trademarks Act 1994, in each year since 1994. [85308]

Information about the number of prosecutions under the Trade Mark Act 1994 is not currently collated centrally and would cost a disproportionate amount to collect.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many (a) prosecutions and (b) convictions there have been for trading counterfeit goods, broken down by type, under the Trade Descriptions Act 1968, in each of the last ten years. [85309]

Annex Dl of the Office of Fair Trading's Annual Report 2001 contains details of local authority prosecutions under the Trade Descriptions Act 1968 for 1 January 2001 to 31 December 2001 (www.oft.gov.uk/News/Annual + report/annexes.htm). These tables are compiled from information supplied voluntarily by the local authority trading standards service and environmental health departments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many ethnic minority persons are employed at each grade in her Department. [84924]

We monitor ethnicity through a voluntary survey of staff. The latest data show that 659 persons have indicated that they are of ethnic minority origin. The table gives a breakdown of that number according to DTI ranges.

DTI Range	Number of persons
2	44
3	60
4	180
5	67
6	122
7	39
8	69
9	29
10	30
11	14
Senior civil servant	5
Total	659

DTI Ranges	Civil Service Grade Equivalent
2	AA
3 and 4	AO
5 and 6	EO
7 and 8	HEO
9	SEO
10	Grade 7
11	Grade 6
Senior civil servant

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the recent comments of the Chief Executive of British Trade International, regarding the effect on foreign investment of regulation. [85408]

Sir Stephen Brown's comments on regulation were seriously misrepresented by The Times. Sir Stephen stated that inward investors liked the UK's light regulatory regime and low taxation compared with our continental neighbours. The UK is the number one location in Europe for inward investment. We aim to keep it there.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what plans she has to meet representatives of the building, construction and roofing industries to discuss the level of insurance premiums; [85824](2) what assessment she has made of the impact of changes in insurance costs on construction and building

Earlier this year my hon. Friend the Minister for Construction met my noble Friend Lord Pendry and a delegation from the National Federation of Demolition Contractors (NFDC) to discuss rising insurance premiums and the impact on the demolition industry. There have also been a number of meetings between construction industry trade associations and my officials to discuss concerns about increased premiums in the Industry. We are keen to have the views of all affected industries, including building, construction and roofing, on the forthcoming review of the Employer Liability Insurance scheme being led by the Department of Work and Pensions. This review was announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his pre-budget report and further details will be announced shortly.There is no simple answer to the impact of changes in insurance costs on construction and building profitability or levels of training.The rise in insurance premiums is due to a number of factors, including the rise in the use of litigation, insurance companies clawing back losses from previous years (September 11 effect); a change in risk profiles within industries (effect of asbestos risk and other occupational injuries within construction); and better modelling of individual company risk. We do not yet know, however, which of these effects predominates.The impact on profitability and training will depend on which of these effects predominates.There has been no change to the current 5 per cent. rate of insurance premium tax (IPT) since July 1999. I am not aware of any impact on employment in the construction industry as a result of changes to the IPT rate before that date.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what facilities exist for the promotion of trade between the UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand; which Australian companies have over £10 million invested in the UK; and which UK companies have over £10 million invested in Australia. [85696]

Trade Partners UK (TPUK) organises a wide range of activities designed to promote trade between the UK and Australia, Canada and New Zealand. These include assisting British companies through schemes like the Outward Mission Support Scheme, the Inward Mission Support Scheme, and the Support for Exhibitions and Seminars Abroad Scheme. Much of this assistance is aimed at helping companies to prepare for and enter these overseas markets for the first time.An example of this is Export Canada. This is specifically aimed at SMEs that are new or inexperienced exporters; it is a mentoring programme which outlines the current state of the market for companies' products/services, and offers advice on marketing in North America and exhibiting at trade fairs.The TPUK network delivers services coordinated by British Trade International, the organisation set up in May 1999 to take lead responsibility within Government for trade development and promotion.The DTI has been notified of the following Australian companies that have indicated that they would invest £10 million or more over a three year period in the UK. These are AMP, Amcor Packaging (Europe) Ltd., Colonial Ltd., Hamilton Oil Company Ltd., Lend Lease Corporation Ltd., QBE Insurance Group Ltd., Medical Imaging Australia Ltd., Sims McIntyre Metals Ltd., Sky Television Plc, Spotless Group Ltd., and Wine Planet.Numerous British companies have significant investment in Australia. However the DTI does not collate such information and no comprehensive record of investment by UK companies in Australia is held centrally. According to figures from the Office of National Statistics, the book value of UK investment in Australia at the end of 2000 was £10 billion.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the installed capacity for combined heat and power in the UK is; and how many combined heat and power plants in the United Kingdom (a) currently operate and (b) are due to become operational before 2010. [85109]

The DTI's UK Digest of Energy Statistics gives a figure of 4,801 MWe at the end of 2001 for good quality CHP capacity in 1,573 plants. The number of plants currently operational is largely unchanged. There is no Government estimate of the number of plants due to become operational before 2010.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will announce the funding for the Horticultural Research Institute for the next five years. [85214]

We are now studying the results of a public consultation exercise on the Quinquennial Review of Horticulture Research International which was published on 23 September. We hope to be able to make an announcement shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research she has evaluated into the effect of the three-year-old cod recovery programme in the Irish Sea on cod stocks. [84451]

The Government have reviewed the information collected for the annual assessment of stocks by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea and groundfish surveys conducted this year. There is some evidence that fishing mortality has reduced and that there has been a small increase in cod spawning stock biomass— although the latter is still well outside safe biological limits. There is, however, no definitive evidence that these are due solely to the recovery plan nor that they can be sustained without further significant action.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will raise the coffee rescue plan at the forthcoming International Coffee Organisation meeting. [85548]

[holding answer 5 December 2002]: Oxfam launched its report "Mugged: poverty in your coffee cup", which included their coffee rescue plan, at the International Coffee Organisation on 18 September 2002. The plan has, therefore, already been raised in that forum. The UK is currently engaged in dialogue with interested parties about the Oxfam report.DEFRA will represent the UK at the meeting of the ICO on May 2003, as part of the EU delegation. The UK will use its input into the meeting to continue to press for greater sustainability in coffee production.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the grants funded by her Department for which individual members of the public and organisations may apply; and if she will make a statement as to (a) the total of such funding in the last financial year, (b) the total number of awards and (c) their administrative costs. [82184]

Across the whole range of DEFRA's responsibilities there are a considerable number of grants available to individuals and groups and their size and scope varies enormously. For that reason the information requested is supplied by subject area as follows

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs who sets the annual Environment Agency budget in the Wessex region; and who is responsible for controlling budgets in regions. [86221]

The Agency does not have a Wessex region. That region of the former National Rivers Authority (the Agency's predecessor body) was subsumed within the Agency's south west region on its establishment in 1995.With the exception of its flood defence functions, the Environment Agency determines its own regional budgets. The delivery of local plans within budget are managed by the appropriate Agency regional management team led by the Regional Director.Budgets for the Agency's flood defence function are set by local executive flood defence committees who also receive progress reports. Although the Wessex region disappeared, a Wessex region flood defence committee remains.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) if she will calculate the total percentage reduction in the number of days at sea proposed by the European Commission for 2003 for vessels capturing and landing (a) over 100 tonnes of cod and (b) less than 100 tonnes of cod in the (i) North Sea, (ii) Irish Sea, (iii) West of Scotland Waters, (iv) ICES Area VIId and (v) ICES Area VIIe; [85504](2) if she will calculate the percentage reduction in the number of days at sea proposed by the European Commission for 2003 for vessels capturing and landing

The Commission has now adjusted its proposal and no longer envisages a distinction between vessels landing over 100 tonnes of cod or hake and others. We are seeking clarification of the Commission's proposals before undertaking the calculation requested.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what arrangements are proposed by the European Commission for 2003 to restrict fishing effort for the capture of cod and landing of cod using static gear as a method of capture in the (a) North Sea, (b) West of Scotland Waters, (c) Irish Sea and (d) ICES Area VII. [85505]

The Commission proposal for effort control envisages limitation of vessels by kilowatt/days. However, the Commission has also indicated that as part of its proposals to reduce discards, it will bring forward proposals next year for technical measures aimed specifically at limiting effort by static gear.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what restrictions are being proposed by the European Commission to the number of days at sea during 2003 for vessels under 10 metres in overall length capturing and landing cod in the ICES Sea Areas (a) North Sea, (b) Irish Sea, (c) West of Scotland Waters, (d) Area VIId and (e) Area VIIe. [85506]

The Commission proposals envisage cuts in the total number of kw/days for each Member State whose vessels fish cod or hake. However, the Commission proposes that it should be left to Member States to determine which vessels should be restricted in their time at sea and thus whether under 10 metre vessels should be subject to controls.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what restrictions are being proposed by the European Commission for 2003 for vessels capturing and landing cod within the UK 6—mile and 6–12 mile limit in the sea areas (a) North Sea, (b) Irish Sea, (c) West of Scotland Waters, (d) Area VIId and (e) Area VIIe [85507]

The measures include the annual TACs—and quotas regulations, the cod and hake recovery plans and the discard action plan.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which sections of the Fisheries Act 1981 and its amendments and attachments will be used to continue the present fisheries management system if no new system is put in place by 1 January 2003. [85509]

If no new system is put into place on 1 January 2003, the existing CFP arrangements will roll over automatically with one exception. The arrangements providing for restricted access to the six and twelve mile zones will lapse. The Fisheries Act 1981 has no relevance in this regard.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many tonnes of (a) sand eel and (b) Norway pout Norway has been allowed to catch in European Union waters in each of the last five years. [85510]

The data requested are set out in the table.

tones
	Norway pout	Sand eel
1998	20,000	30,000
1999	20,000	30,000
2000	20,000	30,000
2001	10,000	30,000
2002	5,000	35,000

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she intends to take to prevent the killing of dolphins in UK waters as a result of fishery bycatch. [86255]

Reducing the incidental bycatch of small cetaceans will require action on the part of all member states involved in the fisheries concerned, not just the UK. Defra has already committed some £140,000 for trials into the use of exclusion devices developed by the Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU) to reduce the bycatch of cetaceans in pelagic trawl fisheries. The trial has been resumed in order to refine the system and further assess the grid's effectiveness in protecting dolphins and maintaining fish catch rates. If SMRU's trials are not successful, we will look at other mitigating measures and I do not rule out any approach at this stage—including arguing for restrictions on fishing, gear or seasonal closures.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many incidents of flooding have occurred in the last three years where raw sewage was involved in the contamination of people's homes and property; and if she will make a statement. [85871]

OFWAT collects information on the number of properties which have been subject to internal sewage flooding. In 2001–02, there were 4,957 properties flooded in this manner, in 2000–01 7,120 properties, and in 1999–2000, 7,126 properties. The dry winter in 2001–02 contributed to the lower figure in this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the United Kingdom greenhouse gas emissions were in (a) 1990 and (b) in each year since 1997; what percentage of these emissions came from the electricity supply industry in (i) 1990 and (ii) in each year since 1997; and what her most recent estimate is of how annual UK greenhouse gas emissions in 2010 will differ from 1990 levels. [85421]

[holding answer 5 December 2002]: The table shows the UK's total greenhouse gas emissions in 1990 and from 1997 to 2000, the last year for which data are available, and also the percentage of these emissions that came from the electricity supply industry. The rise in emissions between 1999 and 2000 were mainly due to an increased use of coal in the energy mix because of maintenance and repair at nuclear and combined cycle gas turbine stations and higher gas prices.We estimate that the policies and measures outlined in the climate change programmes may help us reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 23 per cent. below 1990 levels by 2010, which would be equivalent to about 160 million tonnes of carbon.

	1990	1997	1998	1999	2000
Greenhouse gases	207.8	191.0	190.7	180.8	181.1
Percentage of emissions from electricity supply industry	27.7	21	21.6	21.8	23.6

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on her strategy for horticultural renewal and development. [85216]

We plan to publish early next year for public comment, a draft Science and Innovation Strategy. This will be accompanied by more detailed proposals for programmes of research including horticulture.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will publish Professor Sir Colin Spedding's "Vision for Horticulture". [85217]

Sir Colin Spedding's report "A Vision for Horticulture" was published in draft for consultation on 29 January. The final version of the report, which was substantially unchanged from the draft, was submitted to the Department in March and is available on the Defra website and in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the cost was of the East Mailing Organic Horticultural Research Unit; and when it was completed. [85215]

The Organic Research Centre cost £2.761 million of which £2.261 million was provided, following a competition for projects, by the Treasury's Capital Modernisation Fund; and £500,000 by the East Mailing Trust for Horticultural Research. The Centre was completed in August 2002 and opened on 20 September 2002.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the (a) cost and (b) annual salary will be of restructuring HRI after its quinquennial review. [85218]

The costs of restructuring HRI will depend on the options chosen for successor organisations. We are considering these and hope to make an announcement shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her answer of 20 November 2002, Official Report, column 166W, on organic farming schemes, if she will list the beneficiaries under the Organic Farming Scheme and the Organic Aid Scheme as a proportion of the total number of (a) farms and (b) farmers, broken down by region. [85344]

[holding answer 3 December 2002]: Information on the Organic Farming Scheme and the Organic Aid Scheme is held by beneficiary. The latest numbers that we have by beneficiary are as at November 2002 and are as follows:

Region	Total
East Midlands	178
Eastern	160
London	1
North East	51
North West	149
South East	285
South West	873
West Midlands	256
Yorks/Humber	120
Grand Total	2,073

The latest information that we have for the total numbers of

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will set out (a) financial resources against PSA targets and (b) staff numbers against PSA targets in her Department. [86274]

Defra cannot provide information on financial resources and staffing against each its PSA targets and these will include an analysis of the financial resources and staffing required to deliver each target. We expect the Delivery Plans to be ready for implementation by April 2003 following the confirmation of internal budgets for 2003–4.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for what reason raw sewage was pumped into the River Wylye Special Area of Conservation and SSSI at Hanging Langford near Salisbury on 2 December; who authorised it; if she will set in hand immediate research on the environmental impact; and if she will make a statement. [85496]

The emergency discharge of sewage into the river was made to avoid sewer flooding of properties, resulting from inundation of the sewerage system, following exceptionally high levels of rainfall. Such discharges are permitted under the Water Resources Act 1991 and do not require prior authorisation.The Environment Agency was informed of the discharge by the water company and inspected the site on 2 December. They found that the water company had provided a screen to minimise the aesthetic effects of the discharge, that the discharge was extremely dilute owing to the volume of water in the system and further diluted by high flow in the river. The Agency is satisfied that the discharge caused no significant environmental impact.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will publish her Rural Checklist for other Government departments; and if she will list those rural officers in other Government departments responsible for Rural Proofing. [86441]

The Countryside Agency's rural proofing checklist is used across Government for rural proofing and can be viewed on the Agency's website at http://www.countryside.gov.uk/ruralproofing/checklist.htm. Hard copies are also available from the Agency's Rural Proofing Studies Unit at Dacre House, Dacre Street, London, SW1H 0DH. This is also the first point of contact for inquiries regarding rural issues. If necessary, inquiries will be referred by the unit to appropriate contacts across Whitehall. A list of names of departmental rural contacts, who meet regularly, is not published as personnel and machinery of Government changes mean that any published list would be out of date fairly quickly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what rural transport projects have been funded by the Countryside Agency in each of the last three years; what the average time was between the submission of funding proposals for such projects and a decision being made; what the average wait has been for allocation of funding for such projects which have been approved; and how many of these projects which have been approved are awaiting the release of funds. [85246]

The Countryside Agency has funded five transport grant programmes in the past three years on behalf of Defra. The Rural Transport Development Fund merged with the Rural Transport Partnership scheme in March 2001. The Parish Transport Grant has been running since April 2001. These three projects solely fund transport projects in rural areas. Two other schemes, the Wider Welcome and Market Towns programme, fund some transport related projects, but in the following table the data are integrated within the Rural Transport Partnership and Parish Transport Grant figures. This is due to the way the data is collected by the Countryside Agency.

Scheme	Period	Number of projects supported	Average time for decision	Number of projects awaiting release of funds
Parish Transport Grant	2001–02	41	10 days	0
	22002–03	76	10 days	109
Rural Transport Development Fund1	2000–01	111	3—	0
Rural Transport Partnership	2000–01	69	3—	0
	2001–02	278	19 days	0
	22002–O3	221	10 days	581
1 Rural Transport Development Fund was merged with the Rural Transport Partnership in April 2001.
2 Data from 1 April 2002 to 1 November 2002.
3 Not available.

The Countryside Agency send out grant award letters immediately upon approval. All the projects currently being delivered are awaiting release of some funds, as no more than 90 per cent. of project funding can be released until the project is complete.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) pursuant to her answer of 20 November 2002, Official Report, column 169W, on slurry contamination, how many fines were issued for slurry contamination and what the average fines were, broken down by region, in each of the last 15 years; [85369](2) how many cases of slurry contamination have occurred in each region in each of the last 15 years. [85350]

[holding answer 5 December 2002]: The table as follows shows the number of water prosecutions involving all types of agricultural pollution (including slurry pollution), by Environment Agency region, for the years 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002. It is to not practicable to assemble enforcement data before 1 April 1999, when the Agency's National enforcement Database went live. In my answer of 20 November I explained that from the beginning of 2003 the Agency's database will be able to provide information on specific pollutants such as slurry, but information is not currently held at this level of detail.

£
Region	Number of fines	Average fine
Year 1999
Anglian	4	4,875
North-West	3	2,667
Southern	1	1,500
Welsh	1	2,500
Year 2000
Anglian	3	5,333
Midlands	3	15,333
North-West	1	5,000
South-West	4	1,913
Southern	1	2,000

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make it the policy of the Government to outlaw (a) industrial trawling and (b) pair trawling for pelagic species. [84464]

Reducing the incidental bycatch of small cetaceans will require action on the part of all member states involved in the fisheries concerned, not just the UK. Defra has already committed some £140,000 for trials into the use of exclusion devices developed by the Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU) to reduce the bycatch of cetaceans in pelagic trawl fisheries. The trial will be resumed as soon as the commercial fishery restarts, in order to refine the system and further assess the grid's effectiveness in protecting dolphins and maintaining fish catch rates. If SMRU's trials are not successful, we will look at other mitigating measures, and I do not rule out any approach at this stage—including arguing for restrictions on fishing, gear or seasonal closures.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with the RSPCA and other animal welfare groups on the release of captured urban foxes into the countryside; and if she will make a statement. [84624]

The Department holds discussions from time to time with the RSPCA and other animal welfare organisations on managing wild mammals, including foxes, where they are perceived to be a problem.It is not an offence to capture foxes and release them elsewhere, provided the person concerned does not contravene the legislation that provides general protection for wild mammals against cruelty and ill-treatment. The Department does not recommend the use of re-location as a method of managing foxes. This is well understood by groups like the RSPCA who are opposed to this practice. We are not aware of any other established welfare groups who favour relocation as a method of managing foxes. Because of their territorial nature, foxes moved to another area would be likely to fight with any others already established there. This could lead to injury and death among the foxes. Anyone experiencing problems with urban foxes should contact Defra for advice on 0845 601 4523 (local rate).

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimates she has made of the use of (a) waste incineration, (b) landfill dumping and (c) recycling of household waste in (i) Lancashire, (ii) the north-west of England and (iii) the UK. [85328]

Municipal waste tonnages and percentages for the disposal methods requested are in the table.

Thousand tones/percentages
	Incineration	Landfill	Recycling/composting
Lancashire	0.3	685	123
	<0.1%	84%	15%
North West Region	47	3,722	386
	1%	90%	9%
England	2,499	22,072	3,443
	9%	78%	12%

Household waste makes up approximately 90 per cent. of municipal waste in England. Comparable figures for the UK are not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to what extent she intends the proposed Water Bill to include a duty on abstractors to use water efficiently, as required by the EC Water Framework Directive. [84739]

[holding answer 3 December 2002]: Article 11(3)(c) of the EC Water Framework requires a programme of measures to promote efficient and sustainable use of water. It does not require a duty on abstractors to use water efficiently. The Water Bill will not place such a duty on abstractors because the Government believe the Environment Agency already has sufficient powers to ensure abstractors use water efficiently.However, the Water Bill will place a duty on water companies to conserve water in the carrying out of their functions, as one of the measures to meet the requirements of that Article.

To ask the President of the Council what recent discussions he has had with private institutions and organisations on the award of degrees. [86116]

I have had none. The Privy Council has received applications from some private organisations for the granting of degree-awarding powers and these are currently being considered.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what recent representations he has received concerning security at small airfields in the UK; and if he will make a statement; [85521](2) what measures the Government are taking to improve security at small airfields in the UK; and if he will make a statement. [85520]

Although we received few representations regarding the security of smaller aerodromes in the UK in the immediate aftermath of September 2001 attacks, we immediately tightened the security regime for commercial flights by small aircraft. I have received no more recent representations.Prior to those attacks, commercial aircraft of less than 15 tonnes (maximum take off weight) were outside the requirements of the National Aviation Security Programme. That exemption has been removed, and aircraft of any weight are now subject to the programme.The operators of such aircraft and the managers of the aerodromes from which they operate have been issued with the relevant directions and guidance, and Department for Transport Inspectors monitor compliance and undertake enforcement, prioritising those locations where the risks are judged greatest. As with all aspects of the regime, these measures are kept under review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will hold a public exhibition of the proposals for an additional runway at Heathrow in Spelthorne during the extended period of consultations. [85225]

[holding answer 3 December 2002]: As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport announced to Parliament on 28 November 2002 Official Report, columns 474–75, the consultation on airports capacity will be kept open until we have consulted on options in relation to Gatwick. We will publish a further consultation document in the new year.We will set out our plans for the remaining stage of the consultation process when we publish the further consultation paper in the new year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment has been made by his Department of the role, process and standards of advanced level training for motorcyclists; what discussions have taken place; what representations have been received; and what steps have been taken by his Department as a result. [86088]

The Government have commissioned independent research into the current provision of motorcycling training. The study included the identification of training organisations, a postal survey questionnaire of all organisations identified, and follow-up face-to-face and telephone interviews. The findings will be considered by the research sub-group of the Advisory Group on Motorcycling, which includes riding and training interests. A report of the research findings should be published in the New Year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will set out the (a) terms of reference and (b) results of the Advisory Group on Motorcycling. [85861]

The information is as follows:

(a) The terms of reference for the advisory group are:

(i) the safety record of motorcyclists and to agree on measures to be taken to improve safety, including general road user behaviour and consideration of training and licensing arrangements;

(ii) the environmental impact of motorcycles and to agree what measures, if any, should be taken in light of the conclusions reached by the group; and

(iii) the role of powered two wheelers of all sorts in an integrated transport policy including the scope for traffic management measures that are beneficial to motorcyclists and contribute to that policy.

(b) The work of the advisory group is not yet finished. An "Interim Report of the Advisory Group on Motorcycling" was published in April 2001. Copies were placed in the Libraries of the House. The advisory group has still to complete some key work streams, including safety research, congestion research and environmental assessment. Some of this will only conclude during 2004. It will be at that stage that the Government will be able to reach conclusions on the work of the advisory group.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which five airports in the United Kingdom had the (a) highest and (b) lowest growth of passenger traffic in the last five years. [85615]

Comparing passenger numbers in 2001 with those in 1996 the information is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many responses to the National Consultation on the Future of Air Transport in the UK he had received, broken down by region, by 30 November. [85734]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Carshalton and Wellington (Mr. Brake) on 9 December 2002, Official Report, columns 32–33W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what gas pipelines are routed through the location of the Midlands New Site set out in the National Consultation on the Future of Air Transport in the UK: Midlands; and what plans there are to move them should this option be selected; [85740](2) what assessment he has made of the compatibility of the Midlands New Site Option, contained within the National Consultation on the Future of Air Transport in the UK: Midlands, with PPG25; [85739](3) what plans the Department has to deal with the risk of bird strike from the major gull roost at Draycote Water in Warwickshire in the event of proceeding with the Midlands New Site Option contained within the National Consultation on the Future of Air Transport in the UK: Midlands; [85737](4) what investigation his Department had made of the potential flooding in the Avon Valley caused by the Midlands New Site Option contained within the National Consultation on the Future of Air Transport in the UK: Midlands; and what further investigations his Department will carry out before this option would be proposed. [85738]

In light of the current consultation on air transport, we will set out in the White Paper our policies on how much airport development is necessary, where this should be located and on what main terms and conditions such development could be taken forward No decisions have been taken.We will be looking carefully at all the issues raised by consultees in response to the options set out in the Midlands consultation document. Many important issues of detail will need to be addressed by a developer should there be any development and will be for later determination during subsequent statutory planning procedures.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport with reference to the air transport consultation process, if he will place in the Library the extrapolated passenger figures for Birmingham Airport for the period 2031 to 2060 referred to in the document Regional Air Services 3: Midlands Part B Appraisal Final Report section Core Economic Appraisal 2.9.4. [85862]

The passenger throughputs which could be accommodated at Birmingham International Airport, under the options presented in the consultation document, were appraised under two scenarios, the RASCO Reference Case and SERAS, the South East Constrained Case. The figures for Birmingham Airport are as follows.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to compensate homeowners for the loss in value of their homes, should new airports be built. [86165]

The principal Acts covering compulsory purchase and compensation are the Land Compensation Acts of 1961 and 1973, the Compulsory Purchase Act 1965 and the Acquisition of Land Act 1981.For people whose property is required to allow for a proposed development, compansation is payable on the basis that they should be no worse off in financial terms after the acquisition that they were before. This means that they receive compensation for the value of their property based on its open market value if there had been no proposal to acquire their property compulsorily plus the reimbursement of any actual costs and losses incurred as a result of having to move.In addition, both owner-occupiers and tenants who are displaced from their home as a result of a compulsory purchase, and have occupied the property as their main residence for a year or more, will be entitled to a home-loss payment. In the case of tenants this is currently £1,500 while owner-occupiers receive 10 per cent. of the value of their property subject to minimum and maximum thresholds which are currently set at £1,500 and £15,000. However, both the flat rate payable to tenants and the thresholds for owner-occupiers are currently being reviewed, including proposals for increasing the payments above the present £15,000 ceiling. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister published a consultation document about this on 27 September, inviting comments by 6 January 2003.People whose property does not need to be demolished may be entitled to compensation to cover depreciation in the value of their land due to physical factors caused by the use of a development, such as noise, smell, smoke and fumes. In this case, compensation for the loss in value would be based upon prices current on the first claim day, which is 12 months after the first use of the public works.In addition to these rules, the consultation on The Future Development of Air Transport in the South East is seeking views on additional mitigation and compensation measures for people who might suffer noise impacts as a result of an airport development option. These measures are outlined in paragraphs 16.49—16.58 of the main consultation document.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he will take to ensure that the eventual recommendations for aviation based on Birmingham Airport will be consistent with the Government's policies for protection of the environment (a) locally, (b) nationally and (c) internationally. [86232]

The challenge for next year's White Paper is to ensure that airport development is sustainable, that is to say that it achieves a proper balance between economic, social and environmental considerations. Delivering any additional airport capacity will be within the framework of local, national and international policies to protect the environment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimates his Department has made of the number of residents that would be subjected to levels of pollutants above EU limits, were three additional runways to be built at Stansted. [86262]

As reported in "The Future of Air Transport in the United Kingdom: South East" (page 70), it is estimated for three new runways at Stansted that no one would be exposed to an exceedence of the limit for PM₁₀ ; and that just over 300 people could be exposed to an exceedence of the limit for NO₂ by 2030. It is likely that this impact could in practice be prevented.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessments his Department has made of the viability of an offshore airport. [86263]