To ask the Leader of the House if he will take steps to ensure that the texts of ministerial letters sent to hon. Members in respect of written answers are printed in the Official Report. [156641]

I have recently written to the Speaker assuring him that, following representations from hon. Members, my office is actively engaged with the House authorities and departments in exploring how we can best reduce the number of "will write" answers and make any subsequent ministerial letters more accessible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many days on average his Department took in Session 2002–03 to give a substantive answer to a parliamentary Question for Ordinary Written Answer; and what the greatest number of days taken to answer such a Question was. [155932]

In the Session 2002–03, the Department for Transport received 2,785 parliamentary questions for Ordinary Written Answer, of which 2,522 (91 per cent.) were answered on time. Records on average processing times for parliamentary questions are not collected and to compile such data would incur disproportionate cost. The greatest number of days taken to answer an Ordinary Written Question was 44 sitting days.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the relative effectiveness of (a) inconspicuous speed cameras accompanied by high-profile advertising and road signs and (b) single brightly-coloured speed cameras. [153021]

[holding answer 10 February 2004]: The objective of the safety camera programme is to reduce injuries and crashes by deterring excessive speed at places with a history of speed related accidents. Visible cameras, clearly signed, help achieve this. Drivers can also obtain information on the location of cameras from local safety camera partnerships' websites.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much money raised in fines from speed cameras during the last year for which records are available was spent in (a) West Sussex and (b) the East Worthing and Shoreham constituency. [154400]

Information on all the "Safety Camera Partnerships" expenditure for the financial year 2002–03 is being prepared and will be published shortly. This was the first year in which the West Sussex Safety Camera Partnership was operating.We do not hold statistical revenue information broken down by parliamentary constituency areas. The hon. Member may wish to contact the West Sussex safety camera partnership for more detailed information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what changes to (a) emission levels, (b) fuel consumption, (c) accident rates and (d) severity of accidents he estimates would result from an increase in the motorway speed limit to 80mph. [155498]

[holding answer 23 February 2004]: Although no detailed estimates are available for such an increase, there is evidence to indicate that emission levels, fuel consumption, accident rates and severity of accidents would all rise.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of the trunk road network has been (a) re-surfaced and (b) re-surfaced with lower noise surfacing in each of the last three years. [155070]

Government policy is to encourage the implementation of technologies that reduce the noise arising from road traffic wherever these are cost effective and do not have adverse consequences on safety. Categorisation of sites for low noise surfacing is primarily based on maintenance need. In addition, we have criteria for categorisation for noise reduction of roads with concrete surfaces. We announced these criteria on 17 October 2001; they are:

1. that wherever possible the application of quieter surfaces will fit in with normal maintenance needs;

2. that priority will be given to those sites where treatment would benefit the greatest number of people;

3. that the works will be carried out in such a way as to minimise disruption to general public and users of the network;

4. that priority will be given to roads, opened since June 1988, where actual noise levels have turned out to be significantly higher than predicted at the time of Public Inquiry.

Priority is given to road surfaces that are deteriorating and to locations where road safety is an issue. Where the resurfacing is specifically for noise reduction purposes priority will be given to those cases in which the actual noise levels exceed those predicted by at least three decibels, or where more than 100 properties per kilometre are affected by excess noise.During 2000–01 4.3 per cent. of the Highways Agency's core network was resurfaced including 3.5 per cent. with quieter surfacing. During 2001–02 the figures were 4.2 per cent. and 3.8 per cent. respectively, and in 2002–03 5.5 per cent. and 5.0 per cent. respectively. In the current year, 2003–04, the Highways Agency estimate these figures will be 5.0 per cent. and 4.6 per cent. respectively.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures his Department is taking to reduce the number of motor vehicles on the roads (a) without insurance and (b) without road taxation. [155791]

The Department is determined to take effective action to tackle the problem of uninsured driving,. To that end, we commissioned last August an independent review of motor insurance with uninsured driving as a key consideration. The reviewer, Professor David Greenaway of Nottingham University, is expected to report in April. We shall take a keen interest in his recommendations, with a view to taking appropriate action as soon as practicable.We have considerably tightened the enforcement of Vehicle Excise Duty through the "continuous registration" package of measures. By introducing continuous registration and using modern technology, we are improving the accuracy of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency's vehicle register to the benefit of law enforcement and the honest motorist. To deal with short term Vehicle Excise Duty evasion, we have introduced fines for those over a month overdue with relicensing their vehicle. We are tackling those vehicles already outside the system of registration and licensing with enhanced enforcement using wheel clamping and ANPR cameras. By enhancing the quality of the vehicle register these measures are intended to assist the police in the fight against crime, and to assist local authorities in tracking down and enforcing costs against those who abandon vehicles.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures he plans to take to reduce the number of uninsured drivers. [155888]

The Department is determined to take effective action to tackle the problem of uninsured driving. To that end, we commissioned last August an independent review of motor insurance with uninsured driving as a key consideration. The reviewer, Professor David Greenaway of Nottingham University, is expected to report in April. We shall take a keen interest in his recommendations, with a view to taking appropriate action as soon as practicable.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with the Treasury on matching the funds of Objective 1 payments. [155774]

I have regular discussions with the Treasury on a wide range of subjects.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received about the crime figures in North Wales. [155776]

My right hon. Friend and I regularly discuss crime figures with various interested parties.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with the National Assembly for Wales Government on the funding of the NHS in Wales. [155777]

I regularly meet the Assembly Health Minister to discuss the NHS and health provision in Wales including funding.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make representations to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to provide fiscal incentives to support the manufacture of renewable energy products in Wales. [155778]

The Government attaches great importance to the renewable energy industry and will continue to support the development of all forms of alternative energy producing technology as outlined in our Energy White Paper.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many Welsh residents are in English prisons. [155780]

Information on a prisoner's place of residence prior to sentence or remand in custody is not held centrally.At 30 November 2003, there were 1,580 prisoners in English prisons who had been committed or sentenced by courts in Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the transfer of toxic waste from Wales to England. [155781]

I understand that the Assembly intends to consult later this year upon amendments to the existing legislation controlling the movement of hazardous wastes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with the First Secretary regarding the Dee Cockle Regulation Order. [155782]

My right hon. Friend has regular meetings with the First Secretary and I meet the Assembly Secretary for Environment, Planning and Countryside to discuss a variety of issues, including the Welsh cockle industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the Home Office on the use of legislation to tackle anti-social behaviour in Wales. [155779]

My right hon. Friend and I have regular discussions with Ministerial colleagues about matters affecting Wales.Last October, the Government published its "Tackling Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan", setting out priority areas for reducing anti-social behaviour over the next two or three years. Key areas for intervention include: nuisance neighbours, environmental crime and begging.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has held with the First Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales on flooding in Wales. [155969]

I have regular discussions with Assembly Ministers about issues affecting Wales. It is for flood and coastal defence authorities to bring forward proposals to improve flood defences where required. The Assembly offers financial assistance towards the cost of these works via grant schemes On 6 February, I visited homes in Ynysmeudwy and Pontardawe which were affected by a flash flood and saw, at first hand, the effects of flooding on families.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what his Department's expenditure on recruitment advertising was in each of the last three years, broken down by publication; and what proportion of such expenditure was (a) to advertise vacant posts and (b) in the form of other general recruitment advertising. [155519]

None.

To ask the Prime Minister what (a) opinion polling and (b) market research projects have been carried out by the Government on the issue of military action against Iraq since 2001, broken down by financial year; what the (i) title and (ii) nature of these projects were; how much each of these projects cost; what the findings of each project were; where the findings have been published; and if he will make a statement.[153466]

I have been asked to reply.No opinion polling or market research projects have been centrally commissioned by the Ministry of Defence specifically on the issue of military action against Iraq.

To ask the Prime Minister (1) what assessment he has made of whether Iraq could launch a chemical, biological or nuclear attack against the UK mainland before publication of the September 2002 dossier; and if he will make a statement; [155975](2) what assessment he has made of whether Iraq had considered using chemical or biological agents in terrorist attacks before military action was taken against Iraq; and if he will make a statement; [155976](3) what assessment he made before military action was taken against Iraq, of Iraq's ability to produce chemical and biological weapons while the UN inspection team was in Iraq; and if he will make a statement. [155977]

I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave to the hon. Member for Worthing West (Mr. Bottomley) in my statement on 24 September 2002, Official Report, column 23 and to my hon. Friend, the Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell), at Prime Minister's Questions on 4 June 2003, Official Report, columns 155–156 and in a written answer on 15 October 2003, Official Report, column 234W.

To ask the Prime Minister (1) what assessment he made of whether Iraq (a) had provided chemical and biological weapons to al-Qaeda and (b) intended to conduct chemical and biological terrorist attacks before military action was taken against Iraq; and if he will make a statement; [156006](2) what assessment he made of the effect of regime collapse in Iraq on the risk of transfer of chemical and biological weapons materials to terrorists; and if he will make a statement; [156007](3) what assessment he made of the effect of military action against Iraq on the threat posed by al-Qaeda before taking such action; and if he will make a statement. [156008]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend, the Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell), on 15 October 2003, Official Report, column 234W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many British Service personnel (a) have committed suicide in Iraq or since returning to the UK from Iraq and (b) have been returned to the UK from Iraq early because of mental stress. [153691]

[pursuant to his reply, 12 February 2004, Official Report, c.1636W]: Further information has come to my attention. The corrected answer to the question is:During the period 10 January 2003 to 20 December 2003 no member of British service personnel committed suicide in Iraq. Among Service personnel who have since returned to the United Kingdom from Iraq; two have since died and been recorded by a coroner with a suicide or open verdict. An additional five cases have been referred to a coroner for a verdict but the inquests have not yet been heard. There is no change to part

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will investigate the concerns expressed by Justin Bowen, a Royal Army Medical Corps Private, and Vicky Bowen, a member of the Queen Alexandra Royal Army Nursing Corps, that their son, Scott, has suffered from Gulf War Syndrome symptoms after both parents served in Operation Telic in the Gulf. [153514]

I am unable to comment on individual cases for reasons of medical confidentiality. However, the Ministry of Defence takes the health concerns of Service and former Service personnel very seriously. I therefore urge any personnel who served on Op TELIC who have concerns about health matters to consult their Service medical officer or general practitioner, who will investigate thoroughly. Service and ex-Service personnel are also entitled to be seen at the Gulf Veterans' Medical Assessment Programme (GVMAP) on referral from their doctor. The GVMAP provides as full a diagnosis as possible to veterans, assesses patients and recommends treatment.The arrangements for dealing with individual health concerns are complemented by a comprehensive package of research into the health of those returning from Op TELIC, announced on 7 May 2003,

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department's expenditure on recruitment advertising was in each of the last three years, broken down by publication; and what proportion of such expenditure was (a) to advertise vacant posts and (b) in the form of other general recruitment advertising. [155524]

This information is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will reassess the eligibility criteria for the award of gallantry medals in relation to operations in Iraq. [144012]

[holding answer 15 December 2003]: The eligibility criteria for the award of gallantry medals are a matter for the Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals. The Committee advises Her Majesty the Queen on all matters to do with honours and awards. The Committee has not been asked to consider any changes to the eligibility criteria.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the outcome was of the ECOFIN Council held on 10 February; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including its voting record; and if he will make a statement. [154893]

I attended ECOFIN on 10 February.ECOFIN discussed preparation for the Spring Council on 25–26 March. There was broad agreement that further action was needed to reduce the European regulatory burden, promote investment and innovation and improve European labour market flexibility. ECOFIN therefore mandated the Economic Policy Committee (EPC) and the Economic and Financial Committee (EFC) to produce a key issues paper for the spring European Council for adoption at the 9 March ECOFIN.It was agreed that the next ECOFIN would start with a breakfast discussion of the four Presidencies regulatory reform initiative. I presented the Government's White Paper on the European Economic Reform

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on its use of derivatives and related financial instruments. [155560]

The Government uses derivatives to manage interest rate and foreign exchange risk associated with some of its activities. These instruments may include equity swaps, FRAs, exchange rate forwards, currency and interest rate swaps, as well as interest rate futures. the Government does not use these instruments to speculate in the financial markets.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people (a) have taken-up and (b) are entitled to tax credit in (i) the North West, (ii) Lancashire and (iii) Chorley. [156130]

The estimated number of families receiving the Child and/or Working Tax Credits in (i) the North West, (ii) Lancashire and (iii) Chorley at 5 January 2004 is shown in "Child and Working Tax Credit Statistics, Geographical analyses—January 2004", which is on the Inland Revenue website at www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/menu.htm. The estimates are based on a sample of cases, and are subject to sampling uncertainty.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many abandoned vehicles have been recovered in South Yorkshire in each of the last three years. [155017]

The information requested for the local authorities in South Yorkshire is given in the following table.

	Number of abandoned vehicles collected in the financial year
Local authority	2000–01	2001–02
Barnsley	248	549
Metropolitan
Borough Council
Doncaster	410	1,313
Metropolitan
Borough Council
Rotherham	150	410
Metropolitan
Borough Council
Sheffield City Council	100	1,421
Total	908	3,693

Information on the number of vehicles abandoned was collected for the first time in the 2000–01 Municipal Waste Management Survey. 2001–02 is the most recent year for which data is available from the survey.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what aircraft pollution monitoring arrangements are in place in the vicinity of Heathrow airport; and who operates each site. [154472]

[holding answer 11 February 2004]: The following three air quality monitoring stations in the vicinity of Heathrow airport ate part of Defra's Automatic Air Quality Urban and Rural Monitoring Network (AURN):

London Hillingdon is owned by Defra and has operated since July 1996. It is in a suburban location (Grid Reference: TQ 069786) and monitors ozone, oxides of nitrogen, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide and particulate matter (PM₁₀).

Brentford Roadside is owned by the London borough of Hounslow and has operated since June 2003. It is in an urban roadside location (Grid Reference: TQ 175781) and monitors oxides of nitrogen and carbon monoxide. (During the period 1997–02, this site operated a short distance from its present location and was named Hounslow Roadside.)

Harlington is owned by BAA and has operated since April 2003. It is in an urban background location (Grid Reference: TQ 083778) and monitors ozone, oxides of nitrogen, carbon monoxide and PM₁₀.

These stations measure pollution arising from all sources not just aircraft and provide information on the overall pollutant concentrations to which residents in the area are exposed. Data from all three of these stations are quality assured to national standards.Further information on these stations, data summaries and hour-by-hour pollutant concentrations can be found at www.airquality.co.uk (the site at Harlington is in the process of being incorporated into this system).In addition, BAA and local authorities in the vicinity of Heathrow airport operate the following air quality monitoring stations at: Slough Town Hall; Slough, Colnbrook; Hillingdon, South Ruislip; Hillingdon Hospital; Hounslow, Cranford; Hounslow, Chiswick High Rd; and BAA Heathrow, LHR2 site close to northern airport runway.Information about air quality in the vicinity of Heathrow airport can also be found at www.heathrowairwatch.org.uk

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what guidance her Department offers on the use of asbestos cement pipes to carry drinking water. [155786]

Asbestos pipes have been used extensively by the water industry without giving rise to any quality problems. However, the Drinking Water Inspectorate issued an information letter on behalf of the Secretary of State, which reminded water companies of the Asbestos (Prohibitions) (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (SI 1999 No. 2373). These Regulations effectively precluded the use of new asbestos cement pipes to carry drinking water, because of health and safety issues associated with cutting the material, not because of any concerns about possible effects of asbestos pipes on drinking water quality.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of the Government's target figure of carbon dioxide emissions in 2050 she estimates will be taken up by aviation emissions. [151195]

The Government estimate that domestic and international aviation emissions could account for 20–25 per cent. of UK carbon dioxide emissions by 2050. This calculation assumes that the 60 per cent. goal specified in the Energy White Paper for the domestic economy is achieved. If international aviation were to be included in the 60 per cent. goal emissions from other sectors would have to be around 15–20 per cent. below their Energy White Paper target to compensate.This calculation is based on an assumption of three new runways in the south east and does not reflect the impact of any economic instruments. It further assumes that emissions from all international departures from the UK are allocated to the UK inventory, as there is as yet no international agreement on ways of allocating international aviation emissions.The above figures do not include the radiative forcing effect which emissions from aviation have at altitude, which are 2–4 times greater than that from carbon dioxide alone.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the environmental benefits accruing from the ability of (a) sugar beet and (b) other crops to act as carbon sinks. [155664]

Separate estimates for sugar beet are not available but research sponsored by the Department suggests that an upper limit of 0.14 million tonnes carbon per year (Mt C/year) is accumulating in crop biomass as a whole in the UK, mainly as a result of increases in crop yield. This is small compared with the amount of carbon that is sequestered by forests, which is currently around 3 Mt C/year.Agriculture and forestry sectors probably contribute most effectively to reductions in greenhouse gas emissions through the production of energy crops and wood fuel by displacing use of fossil fuels.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to achieve the Government's targets of (a) ending child poverty by 2020, (b) halving it by 2010 and (c) reducing it by a quarter by 2004–05; and if she will make a statement. [154368]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Mr. Pond) on 12 February 2004, Official Report, column 1590W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on Common Agricultural Policy reform and help provided to poorer farmers under the policy. [153439]

The EU agreed on 26 June 2003 to a radical shift in the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). In future, the bulk of subsidies will no longer be linked to production, freeing farmers to produce the safe, high quality food which people want and bringing environmental improvements.On 12 February my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, announced how she proposed to implement key features of that groundbreaking reform in England. We will decouple fully in 2005 and move over an eight year transition period towards a flat rate Single Farm Payment to farmers. England will be split into two regions—land in the severely disadvantaged areas (SDAs) of the less favoured areas (LFAs) and all other eligible land. Different rates will apply in these regions. This represents a decisive irreversible and forward-looking shift consistent with the direction that we have already set in the Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy (SFFS) and in the June 2003 CAP reform negotiations.If farmers seize the market opportunities offered by these reforms, it is estimated that UK farm incomes could increase by around 5 per cent. relative to the 2003 Total Income from Farming, and farmers will be freed from some of the bureaucracy associated with the old subsidy schemes. For some of the poorer farms this change in support represents a chance to get off the treadmill of small scale and unprofitable commodity production.There are also Defra led initiatives already available to help poorer farmers. These include the Farm Business Advice Service to help farmers adjust and respond to the difficult trading conditions of recent years and a number of benchmarking initiatives to help struggling farmers see how they can bring their performance up to the level of more successful businesses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will respond to the letter from the hon. Member for Spelthorne of 6 January 2004 regarding Mr. M. Gillard of Staines. [154345]

My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State responded on 16 February 2004.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with reference to her reply to the hon. Member for Pendle of 6 November 2003 on the dedication of land tinder section 16 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, how she followed up correspondence to Government Departments; what has been the response; what further steps will be taken to promote dedication to public and private landowners; and whether incentives will be made available. [155557]

I was pleased to issue non-statutory guidance to accompany the regulations on dedication in January this year. The Forestry Commission is currently in the process of using the guidance to make the first few dedications across its freehold estate.I will be writing to a number of other large landowners in the public and private sectors soon to ask them to confirm their plans for dedicating land and am optimistic that this will lead to further successes. My officials are also considering ways to encourage dedications more widely.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the Government's policy on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. [154617]

We will maintain the UK's position as a leading supporter of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) in co-operation with EU member states and other contracting parties. CITES aims to ensure that where trade is carried out, it is done in a sustainable way that ensures the long-term survival of all species. It has been very successful in this respect and is widely respected for its ability to produce effective regulatory measures that are based on sound science. We will, therefore, continue to support CITES both practically and financially.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to promote English (a) beef and (b) lamb. [153441]

The promotion of English beef and lamb is a matter for the industry. The Meat and Livestock Commission's English Beef and Lamb Executive (EBLEX) is considering whether to introduce an English brand for beef and lamb produced in England, but any promotion of this would need to be in accordance with the EU's rules on state aids.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the spend of her Department is on the promotion of English (a) beef and (b) lamb in the current financial year. [153890]

EU co-funding is available for promotion and information campaigns carried out by industry bodies such as the Meat and Livestock Commission. We work closely with such bodies and the EU Commission with a view to maximising the benefit to the UK industry. We also encourage the marketing and branding of local and regional produce. A processing and marketing grant is also available within the England Rural Development Programme. Our approach, in keeping with the Treaty of Rome and our policy to help create a sustainable future for farming and food, is about helping the farming industry to move away from dependency on subsidies. This also fits well with our policy for reforming the Common Agricultural Policy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what assessment she has made of the impact of the proposal that veterinary surgeons complete silhouettes for equine passports on the practice of commoning in the New Forest; and if she will make a statement; [155267](2) which organisations were consulted on proposals that veterinary surgeons complete silhouettes for equine passports; and for what reasons the New Forest Commoners Defence Association was not included in the consultation. [155268]

We have never said that only veterinary surgeons can complete and sign the silhouette in horse passports. The passport must be signed either by a vet or the competent authority—which is the passport-issuing organisation—in accordance with European rules.When concerns were expressed to Defra that in some cases the person completing some silhouettes on behalf of the competent authority had no proven competency and that there was no independent verification of the details, I agreed to provide further guidance to all passport-issuing organisations. I explained this to a meting of all passport issuing organisations on 4 November 2003. The New Forest Verderers have informed Defra officials how they intend to meet the requirements in respect of silhouettes for animals in the New Forest, and officials have confirmed that these are within the guidelines issued.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the effect on farm diversification of pre-1983 agricultural tenancy conditions which refer to earnings from agriculture. [150885]

Ministers have become increasingly concerned that agricultural tenancy legislation, together with the terms contained in agricultural tenancy agreements, combine to prevent some tenant farmers from participating in diversification and agri-environment activities. Income from diversified activities might also affect succession rights under the Agricultural Holdings Act 1986. In view of these concerns, we reconvened the Tenancy Reform Industry Group in November 2002. The Group was asked to make recommendations to improve the health of the tenancy sector, and in particular, to encourage greater participation in farm diversification among tenant farmers.The Tenancy Reform Industry Group presented its report to Government in June 2003. The report, which has the support of all Group members, made a number of wide ranging recommendations for increasing flexibility within agricultural tenancies. These include updating the statutory succession provisions in the Agricultural Holdings Act 1986 to allow income derived from farm diversification projects undertaken with the consent of the landlord to be taken into account in assessing eligibility for succession to an agricultural tenancy. The Group also recommended a code of practice on diversification within agricultural tenancies, backed up by an independent adjudication scheme to which disputes can be referred when they cannot be settled between parties.The Government responded to the Report of the Tenancy Reform Industry Group shortly before Christmas. The Government accepted all of the Group's recommendations for amendments to the existing tenancy legislation and the proposed code of practice. It is anticipated that changes to the legislation will be effected by means of an Order under the Regulatory Reform Act. It is hoped that a formal consultation document on the Regulatory Reform Order will be issued later in the year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the total amount of Common Agricultural Policy subsidy paid to English farms in 2003, broken down by county; and what the (a) highest, (b) lowest and (c) average individual payment in each county were. [151352]

The following table shows the total amount and average individual payments made for each county¹ in England. However, we are unable to supply

County	Total amount (£)	Number of claims	Average payment (£)
Tees Valley and Durham	33,823,029.86	1,763	19,184.92
Northumberland and Tyne & Wear	66,327,723.89	1,872	35,431.48
Cumbria	72,822,877.45	4,852	15,008.84
Cheshire	16,210,308.85	2,110	7,682.61
Greater Manchester	4,320,959.33	560	7,715.99
Lancashire	23,156,928.16	2,639	8,774.89
Merseyside	2,762,820.68	188	14,695.85
East Riding and North Lincolnshire	56,488,361.31	2,166	26,079.58
North Yorkshire	111,619,984.91	6,108	18,274.39
South Yorkshire	14,762,236.39	809	18,247.51
West Yorkshire	14,179,485.69	1,469	9,652.47
Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire	55,531,457.94	3,596	15,442.56
Leicestershire, Rutland and Northamptonshire	78,391,446.46	3,232	24,254.78
Lincolnshire	98,095,650.80	3,432	28,285.65
Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire	74,282,940.97	5,158	14,401.50
Shropshire and Staffordshire	78,969,277.49	6,222	12,691.94
West Midlands	2,380,209.55	210	11,334.33
East Anglia	186,325,648.48	8,097	23,011.69
Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire	35,191,734.37	1,243	28,311.93
Essex	51,179,181.00	1,746	29,312.25
Inner London	1,482,857.45	100	14,828.57
Outer London	1,964,304.69	145	13,546.93
Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire	77,024,191.94	2,987	25,786.47
Surrey, East and West Sussex	48,432,661.98	2,615	18,521.09
Hampshire and Isle of Wight	38,625,646.00	1,747	22,109.70
Kent	38,054,781.42	1,808	21,047.99
Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and North Somerset	88,933,774.97	5,315	16,732.60
Dorset and Somerset	65,335,288.74	5,570	11,729.85
Cornwall and Isles of Scilly	45,469,578.91	3,892	11,682.83
Devon	91,593,508.63	7,613	12,031.20

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many Common Agricultural Policy payments were made to farmers in each English county in 2003; and what the total area was that the subsidy related to, broken down by county. [151353]

The number of Common Agriculture Policy payments made to farmers in each English county and the areas the subsidy related to are set out in the following tables. The county split for the number of claims paid is in line with NUTS 2 (Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics) regional analysis.

County	Claims paid
Tees Valley and Durham	1,763
Northumberland and Tyne and Wear	1,872
Cumbria	4,852
Cheshire	2,110
Greater Manchester	560
Lancashire	2,639
Merseyside	188
East Riding and North Lincolnshire	2,166

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the reliability of catch landing figures obtained by her Department is in determining fish stocks in British fishing waters; what her estimate is of the margin of error in estimations based on this information; what other information her Department uses to determine fish stocks; and what the estimated margins of error are using this information. [150305]

Fish stock assessments are undertaken by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) and are linked to the sea areas in which individual fish stocks are mainly found. They will often embrace the waters of more than one country as well as the high seas. Account is taken of data contributed by all of the main countries exploiting each stock and comprises officially recorded information on landings and fishing effort, plus scientific data on size and age structure, growth rate, maturity, and discard rates (when available). Most assessments also use the year to year trend in relative abundance estimated as catch per effort from independent national and international research vessel surveys. The absolute accuracy of assessments is difficult to estimate at the present time but judgments on the robustness of the underlying data will be reflected in the scientific advice provided regarding future levels of stock exploitation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the effect is of the removal of large cod from a fishery on the overall levels of recruitment to a fishery. [150480]

Removing adult cod is expected to have relatively little effect on the survival or growth rates of juvenile cod, but could significantly affect the production of eggs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the EU (a) Necessity and (b) Recovery research programme on selective gear is scheduled to start; what the cost of each project is; and what the United Kingdom contribution to each project is. [152170]

The Necessity project begins on 1 March 2004 and is budgeted to cost Euro 2,806,946. The UK contribution is Euro 443, 420. The Recovery project began on 1 November 2002 and was budgeted to cost Euro 7,725,285. The UK contribution is Euro 378,325.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will estimate how many properties have benefited from flood defence funding since 1997 broken down by constituency. [155087]

Defra grant aids capital projects and related studies that meet specified economic, technical and environmental criteria and achieve the threshold priority score for the year in which they start. Decisions regarding which flood and coastal defence projects to promote, their timing and appropriate solutions are matters for the operating authorities—the Environment Agency (EA), local authorities and (in areas with special drainage needs) internal drainage boards.The Department estimates that 290,000 houses have benefited from flood defence projects (excluding those for flood warning or primarily to protect against coastal erosion) approved between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 2003. The programme is a rolling one and other houses will have benefited from projects approved prior to 1997 which will have been funded in the period. There is likely to be an element of double-counting in these figures where different projects (for example for annual beach recharge) have benefited the same houses. Such double-counting could not be removed, and neither could the total be broken down by constituency, without incurring disproportionate cost. The Department has agreed Service Delivery Agreement (SDA) Target 27 with HM Treasury to reduce flood risk to a further 80,000 houses (with no double—counting) during the Spending Review 2002 period—2003–04 to 2005–06.Because of the measurement method used for the SDA target (counting houses at project completion rather than approval) this figure will include some of the houses included in the 290,000 figure above.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what flood defences were funded by her Department, broken down by constituency, since 1997. [155089]

Defra grant aids capital projects and related studies that meet specified economic, technical and environmental criteria and achieve the threshold priority score for the year in which they start. Decisions regarding which flood and coastal defence projects to promote. their timing and appropriate solutions are matters for the operating authorities—the Environment Agency (EA), local authorities and (in areas with special drainage needs) internal drainage boards.The list which has been placed in the Libraries of the House, shows capital flood defence works projects (excluding those for flood warning or primarily to protect against coastal erosion) approved for grant since 1 April 1997. Of course the programme as a whole is a rolling one and some projects approved prior to 1997 will also have received funding in the period. I regret that I am unable to break the list down by constituency without incurring disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to protect houses that have been built on flood plains. [150380]

We recognise that there are around 1.9 million properties in England in flood risk areas that are at some risk of flooding.Defra provides grant aid to the flood and coastal defence operating authorities to support their capital schemes to reduce flood risk, including through the improvement of flood warnings. These projects must meet specified criteria and an appropriate priority score to attract Defra funding but decisions regarding which projects to promote and their timing rest with these authorities. The principal operating authority for flood risk is the Environment Agency (EA) but local authorities (LAs) and, in areas with special drainage needs, internal drainage boards (IDBs) also carry out works on a much smaller scale overall.The effective management of flood and coastal erosion risk is a priority for Government. This is demonstrated by the substantial increase in funding in recent years and for the SR2002 period. For example, total Government expenditure on flood and coastal defence was £310 million in 1996–97, £439 million estimated in 2003–04 and is planned to be £564 million in 2005–06.Defra has two relevant SDA targets under SR 2002. One relates to the delivery of the enhanced flood and coastal defence capital programme over the SR2002 period, reducing the risk to life, to major infrastructure, environment assets and to some 80,000 houses. The other is to implement the outcomes of the flood and coastal defence funding review, including funding the Environment Agency's flood defence service through a single stream of Defra grant in aid and transferring to the Agency responsibility for all rivers creating the greatest flood risk.In addition, Defra has initiated work on a major new Government strategy for flood and coastal erosion risk management, including consideration of possible new funding streams.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the recommendations of the Fuel Poverty Advisory Group in its second annual report to increase resources for energy efficiency programmes by 50 per cent. [155873]

I am grateful to the Fuel Poverty Advisory Group for their report.We are considering their report as we prepare our Fuel Poverty Implementation Plan and will respond to their recommendations in the Government's annual progress report on fuel poverty. We plan to publish both documents after the Easter recess.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to encourage employees to be proactive in preventing illegal working, as stated in paragraph 24 of her Department's response to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee's Fourteenth Report of Session 2002–03, HC 691, on gangmasters; and what data protection requirements inhibit her response to requests for assistance. [154662]

Paragraph 24 of the Government's reply to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee's report on gangmasters actually refers to the role of employers, not employees. My reply assumes that this is the meaning intended in your question.The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs is unlikely to be in a position to provide direct assistance to employers seeking advice on illegal working. However, My hon. Friend, the Minister for Citizenship, Immigration and Counter Terrorism, chairs the Illegal Working Steering Group which comprises representatives of the commercial sectors where illegal work is most prevalent. The steering group has examined ways in which employers can be encouraged and supported in carrying out checks under section 8 of the Asylum and immigration Act 1996. Following discussions with the steering group the Government have consulted on measures to strengthen the document checks of prospective employees that employers must make under section 8. The Government are now planning to bring forward revised measures.The Government are not aware of any circumstances where the Data Protection Act would inhibit the disclosure of data held by a Government Department or employers necessary for the prevention of illegal working or the apprehension of offenders.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations the Devolved Administrations in (a) Wales and (b) Scotland have made to her Department regarding the growing of Chardon LL maize in the UK. [154705]

The transformation event T25, contained in Chardon LL, already has a Part C marketing consent under Directive 2001/18/EC. Ministers are currently considering the advice of the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment on the commercial cultivation of T25 maize in light of the results of the Farm Scale Evaluations. The UK's position will be decided in consultation with the Devolved Administrations. Discussions with the Administrations in Wales and Scotland are on—going on this matter.The question of the possible addition of Chardon LL to the UK National Seed List is a matter for joint decision with the Devolved Administrations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the acceptable threshold under EU law is for the contamination of non—GM crops planted in the UK with GM traits. [154706]

The EU has agreed a general threshold of 0.9 per cent. for tracing and labelling the adventitious presence of approved GM traits in non—GM crops and food. The European Commission's guidance to member states is that co—existence arrangements should not go beyond what is necessary to ensure that adventitious traces of GMOs stay below the tolerance thresholds set out in Community legislation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make it her policy to refuse permission for the planting of GM crops before bringing laws into effect on (a) co-existence and (b) liability. [154707]

We are currently considering our policy on co-existence and liability in the light of the report on these issues by the Agriculture and Environment Biotechnology Commission. We will set out our response in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she will make in the Council of Ministers regarding the European Commission's decision to support a proposal to permit BT11 GM maize to be imported as food into Europe; and if she will make a statement. [152773]

This application has already been referred to our advisory body who have raised no objection on food and safety grounds. It will be discussed in Council in the normal way.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what the population of hen harriers in the UK was (a) at the latest date for which figures are available and (b) in each of the previous 10 years; [154710](2) how many breeding pairs of hen harriers

The most recent estimate of the hen harrier population is based on the results of the 1998 survey of hen harriers in the UK. A total of between 450—591 territorial pairs were found in the UK with a best estimate of 521 pairs. The full results were published in the journal Bird Study 48:341–353 in 2001. There are no directly comparable data for any of the previous 10 years but there is thought not to have been any overall change in the size of the population since the last estimate was published in 1993, for the period 1988–1989 (Bird Study 40: 1–11).The information regarding breeding pairs of hen harriers is not available for the whole of the UK. However, there were 17 known breeding attempts by hen harriers in England in 2003. Just eight of these were successful. A further five attempts failed before it could be established whether eggs had been laid.There are currently no steps being taken to encourage the reintroduction of breeding hen harriers to lowland England. The conservation effort for hen harriers in England is focused in upland moorland areas in northern England where hen harriers have nested regularly in recent decades. We believe that a cessation of illegal persecution in England, and elsewhere in the UK, would allow the population to recover naturally, obviating the need for any reintroduction programme. Furthermore, we believe that, in contrast to the Red Kite programme, the reintroduction would not be in accordance with IUCN guidelines, insofar as we cannot be certain that the factors which brought about their loss from the English lowlands (almost certainly habitat loss and persecution) no longer pertain.The Government have not specifically conducted an analysis of the impact of agricultural changes on the breeding success of hen harriers. However, agricultural change and persecution are widely held to have been responsible for the historical decline, to currently low levels, of the UK population. Currently, illegal persecution appears to be the main factor limiting hen harrier population size and breeding success over much of its range.This contrasts with Orkney, where the population has declined dramatically since the end of the 1970s. The decline here is thought to relate to declining prey availability, resulting from changes in agriculture, particularly a decrease in the area of rough grazing and an increase in sheep densities. Full details were published in Biological Conservation 111: 377–384 in 2003

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) when she last met (a) English Nature and (b) the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds to discuss hen harriers; [154719](2) what representations she has received from

With Regards to English Nature there has been no formal meeting to discuss, or specific representations received, on the position of hen harriers in England. However, we have received representations on habitats, including upland heathland, which support hen harrier populations, in relation to the condition of sites of special scientific interest. English Nature has also provided briefing on the establishment and progress of their Hen Harrier Recovery Project.The RSPB met with my hon. Friend, the Minister of State for Environment, (Mr. Morley), in late 2002 to discuss Hen Harriers. Ministers met with the Game Conservancy Trust in May 2000, after the publication of the Raptor Working Group final report. Discussions focussed on the issues and recommendations surrounding this report. A further meeting is in the process of being arranged, for which the agenda has not yet been determined.I met with BASC in November last year, though we did not discuss hen harriers. I have been invited to meet with the Countryside Alliance. However, due to other pressing diary commitments I have had to decline. This meeting was not to specifically discuss the issue surrounding Hen Harriers. Ministers have not met with the Moorland Association regarding the position of hen harriers in England.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with the Joint Nature Conservation Committee on (a) hen harriers and (b) Operation Artemis; [154722](2) what involvement she had in planning Operation Artemis; [154723]

The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has had no direct discussions with JNCC concerning Operation Artemis, nor the position of hen harriers in England.Operation Artemis is a police-led initiative aimed at combating the illegal persecution of hen harriers in the United Kingdom. Defra officials have had no direct involvement planning the Operation but outline proposals were presented at the Police and Customs Wildlife Enforcement Conference at Exeter in October 2003. This annual event is organised by Defra as part of its support for the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime (PAW).Chief Constable Richard Brunstrom (North Wales Police and co-chair of PAW) is due to launch Operation Artemis at the forthcoming PAW Open Seminar to be held in London on 24 February 2004. In the absence of full details of the range of activities planned by the Police Service and other partners, it is too early to assess whether or not this initiative is likely to offer a long—term solution to the issue of illegal persecution of hen harriers in England.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to ensure that the proposed sales of ivory stockpiles do not conceal illegal trade. [154618]

The decision to allow this one-off sale of ivory stockpiles was taken at the Conference of Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) in Chile in November 2002. One of several very strict pre-conditions which must be met before any sales can take place is that the CITES Secretariat must be satisfied that the importing countries are able to effectively regulate their domestic ivory trade to prevent any illegal ivory from entering into these markets. We will therefore be working in co-operation with the EU member states and other CITES parties to make sure that this, and all the other strict conditions, are met in full before any sales are allowed to go ahead.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how she will implement the Large Combustion Plant Directive; and if she will make a statement. [155005]

[holding answer 25 February 2004]: We have received a range of comments on the Regulatory Impact Assessment that was published in June 2003 with other consultation documents regarding the implementation of the Directive. We are continuing to assess the potential economic impact on UK industry of the introduction of the Directive, using both internal analyses and independent research. We are also in detailed dialogue with industry to help us to understand their views as expressed in response to consultation.We expect to make an announcement about our plans for implementation of the Directive as soon as possible after the further analysis has been completed and evaluated.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much (a) beef and (b) lamb was imported into the United Kingdom from countries outside the EU in each of the last three years. [155096]

The following table shows the level of (a) beef and (b) lamb/sheep meat and meat products imported into the United Kingdom from countries outside the EU in each of the last three years for which 12 months data is available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to tackle the illegal exploitation of

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is one of the departments which participates in Operation Gang master. This multi agency initiative which also includes the Home Office Immigration Service, is designed to collate intelligence and to sponsor joint operations against those gang masters who break the law while operating in the informal economy. This includes the provision of labour to the cockle industry.Government Departments also undertake individual compliance activity against illegal working. In this context the Immigration Service has conducted three operations with other agencies since June 2003 targeted at illegal working in the cockle industry in the Morecambe Bay area.The Government are currently considering the details of the Gang master (Licensing) Bill presented by the hon. Member for West Renfrewshire (Jim Sheridan) as a private members bill. This provides for a licensing scheme which would, if introduced, regulate the activities of gang labour providers in the agriculture and related sectors.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of milk imports to the UK came from Poland in the latest period for which figures are available; and what percentage of UK consumption this represents. [154892]

Trade information up to November 2003 has been received by Defra from Customs and Excise. From January 2001 to 30 November 2003, there are no recorded imports of liquid milk from Poland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much milk was imported in the last three years. broken down by country of origin; and what percentage of the total milk processed in the UK this was in each case. [155332]

The following table shows (a) UK imports of milk and (b) percentage of total new UK supply, split down by country of despatch for the years 2000, 2001 and 2002.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she last visited a grouse moor in an official capacity. [154724]

Within the last year I have visited three grouse moors; Ilkley Moor, in August, Brendon Hills in September and the Chilterns in December. I have also accepted an invitation to visit another moorland estate later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many organic farms there were in (a) Lancashire and (b) Chorley in each of the last three years. [151204]

As of March 2003, there were 44 organic farms in Lancashire, of which two were located in Chorley. It is not possible to comment on the number of organic farms in each of these areas prior to this date since the Department has only just started to collate this information.The following table does however show the number of organic farms who were benefiting from aid under the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) in each of the years 2001, 2002 and 2003:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs who the members of the (a) Joint Nature Conservation Committee and (b) Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee were on 1 January; what their term of office is in each case; and whether they are remunerated. [151803]

The information requested is as follows:

(a) Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Name	Term of Office	Remuneration (£)
Acting chair
Professor David Ingram	1 April 2002 to 31 March 2005	34,765
Members
Professor Peter Doyle	1 April 2003 to 31 March 2006	8,536
Professor Richard Pentreath	1 April 2003 to 31 March 2006	8,536

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of (a) the impact of the UK Raptor Working Group and (b) the health of the raptor population; and what plans she has to reconvene the working group. [155177]

Ministers welcomed the final report of the Raptor Working Group, in 2000, as providing Government a consensus view from organisations representing statutory and non-governmental conservation, game-management and racing pigeon interests as to desirable actions to reduce conflicts with birds of prey. The statutory nature conservation agencies and others, co-ordinated through various fora, are taking the detailed recommendations of the Working Group forward. Monitoring of raptor populations provides feedback as to the status of different populations. To this end, the extent and scale of illegal persecution of birds of prey continues to give cause for concern, as does, in particular, the population status of the hen harrier in the UK.There are no immediate plans to reconvene the Working Group.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what means of control are available to a landowner where biodiversity on his land is endangered by an excess population of raptors. [154715]

Birds of prey are an important part of the natural biodiversity of the UK and the health of their populations is widely recognised as a key measure of ecosystem health. While we recognise that some specific conflicts occasionally arise with human interests, notably on grouse moors, with racing pigeons, and with lowland gamebirds, we are not aware of any land in the UK where biodiversity more generally is endangered by raptors. The legal means of control for raptors are limited. Government established a Raptor Working Group in 1995, involving a wide range of stakeholder interests, to advise, interests, "on statutory and other mechanism for the resolution of problems". The UK Raptor Working Group's report, published in 2000, recommends "enhanced enforcement of existing legislation to seek to eliminate illegal killing of birds of prey". A copy of their final report is in the House of Commons Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the current estimated population is of (a) buzzards, (b) peregrine falcons, (c) hobbies, (d) merlins, (e) ospreys, (f) goshawks and (g) marsh harriers; and what the population of each was in each of the previous 10 years. [154716]

Annual population statistics do not exist for buzzard, peregrine or merlin. The most recent UK population estimates are set out as follows. The estimate for buzzard is known to be a significant under-estimate, but there has been no formal survey of its current UK population size.

Species	Year of most recent UK survey	Population estimate
Buzzard	1983 (Northern Ireland) and 1988–91 (Great Britain)	12,000–17,000 pairs
Peregrine	2002 (UK and Isle of Man)	1,402 pairs
Merlin	1993 and 1994	1,300±200 pairs

Annual UK population estimates are available for the following species, based on the collation of best available information by the Rare Breeding Birds Panel. Collated national totals are not yet available for the 2002 or 2003 breeding seasons.

	Hobby (confirmed and possible breeding pairs)	Osprey (occupied territories)	Goshawk (confirmed and possible breeding pairs)	Marsh harrier (breeding females)
1991	469	73	229	91
1992	582	76	243	107
1993	493	88	299	110
1994	500	95	225	129
1995	430	99	319	156
1996	454	104	213	136
1997	624	111	347	132
1998	675	131	249	138
1999	553	136	293	145
2000	711	151	322	206
2001	697	158	255	195

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what systems her Department has for monitoring the (a) numbers and (b) impact of raptors in the U K; [154717](2) what analysis she has made of the impact of raptors on

Raptor populations in the UK are monitored through a number of schemes. Information on these schemes is comprehensively summarised in table 2.4 of the final report of the UK Raptor Working Group, a copy of which is in the House of Commons Library. There is no national provision for monitoring the impact of raptors in the UK.There have been no studies conducted on the impacts of raptors on the brown hare population. But the impact of raptors on game birds was studied and reviewed in the report of the UK Raptor Study Group.With regards to lambs the Scottish Executive and Scottish Natural Heritage, commissioned a study of the interaction between white-tailed eagles and lambs on Mull, in 1999 and 2000.The results showed that the diet of 11 pairs of white—tailed eagles during the breeding season was species-diverse but included lambs. While most pairs took few lambs, one pair took twice as many lambs as any other pair under study. A lack of alternative prey (rabbits) and the proximity of the nest to a lambing area in 1999 may have been responsible for higher lamb predation then. There was no information as to whether lambs killed by eagles would otherwise have survived.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the (a) cost and (b) efficacy of English Nature's raptor programmes. [154725]

Raptor conservation projects form a small element of English Nature's conservation work. The two significant projects currently ongoing are the Red Kite Reintroduction Programme and the Hen Harrier Recovery Project, with costs to English Nature in 2003–04 of approximately £10,000 and £90, 000 respectively.The Red Kite Reintroduction Programme is a partnership between English Nature, RSPB and a wide range of other organisations and funding bodies. The majority of funding for this programme comes from external sources, including the Heritage Lottery Fund and sponsorship from private companies. The Red Kite re-establishment programme in England, together with a similar programme in Scotland and effective conservation measures for the species in Wales, has increased Red Kite numbers to a level where they constitute a small but significant proportion of the European total. As was intended at the outset, the project has helped enhance the international status of Red Kite, a species whose global distribution is restricted to Europe.English Nature's Hen Harrier Recovery Project is now entering its third year. It is staffed by a project coordinator and three seasonal fieldworkers. It has so far been successful in improving our understanding of the status of the hen harrier in England and of the factors affecting breeding numbers and success.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the outcome of the red kite reintroduction programme in England. [154714]

The on-going red kite reintroduction programme is widely recognised as one of the most successful projects of its kind. It has already resulted in the re-establishment of self-sustaining red kite populations in three areas of England, with estimates of about 200 breeding pairs in the Chilterns, 30 in the Midlands and 16 in Yorkshire in 2003. Despite the success of the programme, less than 5 per cent. of the bird's potential British range has been recolonised. Further releases are anticipated, and from spring 2004, birds will be released in north-east England in order to encourage recolonisation of this part of the bird's former range.The red kite programme has also been instrumental in raising public awareness of conservation by focusing interest on a flagship species such as the red kite. It has also highlighted issues that still adversely affect birds of prey more generally in Britain. This includes the use of illegal poison baits in the open countryside and accidental secondary poisoning by modern, highly toxic rodenticides. The high profile of the red kite project has been utilised to help promote effective measures to tackle these issues, which will benefit a wide range of wildlife in addition to the red kite.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects the first Single Farm Payments to be made. [155098]

The Single Payment Scheme will be introduced in 2005; the earliest date provided for in the June 2003 CAP reform agreement. The payment window for 2005 payments will open at the start of December 2005 and run to the end of June 2006. We will endeavour to commence payments as soon as possible within that period.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the Government's policy on trophy-hunting. [155256]

Many of the species that are hunted for trophies are listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which is implemented in the EU under Council Regulation 338/97. Under these Regulations, the import of hunting trophies is allowed only where it has been established that this will not be detrimental to the populations concerned. We shall not hesitate to use the powers that are available to refuse the import of hunting trophies where there is evidence that these have been taken illegally, or that such hunting is itself unsustainable.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action she is taking to improve the effectiveness of the Warm Front programme following the recommendations of the Fifth Report of the Public Accounts Committee of Session 2003–04. [155117]

We are currently considering options for the future format of Warm Front. We expect to publish our conclusions as part of the Fuel Poverty Implementation Plan which we plan to publish after the Easter Recess.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research she plans to commission into the effects on health of low frequency noise from wind turbines. [154765]

Defra is not currently researching the effects of low frequency noise from wind turbines on health. However, as part of Defra's research programme on noise and nuisance issues, research has been let to better understand the assessment, management and effects of low frequency noise as a whole.