To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs which magistrates courts have been closed in Greater London since 1997. [163764]

Closures of magistrates' courts are a matter for local Magistrates Courts Committees (MCC). Three magistrates' courts have closed in Greater London since 1997. These were Marlborough Street on 31 March 1997, Clerkenwell on 31 December 1998 and Hampstead 31 March 1997.Ministers may only intervene in the event of an appeal by the Paying Authority. Ministers have allowed appeals against closure of four magistrates' court houses in London, during the period. These are at Kingston Upon Thames on 8 April 2003, Sutton on 8 March 2004, Harrow on 8 March 2004 and Barking and Dagenham on 8 March 2003.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the previous work experience and knowledge of the Department's Chief Scientific Adviser that is relevant to the position. [164040]

The Department for Transport's Chief Scientific Adviser is Professor Frank Kelly, who divides his time between this role and his position as Professor of the Mathematics of Systems at the University of Cambridge. He obtained his doctorate in 1976 from the University of Cambridge, and since then has held positions in the University's Faculty of Engineering and Faculty of Mathematics.Professor Kelly's research interests are in random processes, networks and optimization, and especially in applications to the design and control of networks and the understanding of congestion phenomena. He and colleagues at Cambridge developed, jointly with British Telecom, the routing scheme implemented in BT's main digital telephone network. His current research is directed at understanding methods of self-regulation in large-scale complex networks, which include both transport networks and the communication infrastructures upon which our experiences of transport increasingly depend.Frank Kelly has received several prizes for his work. In 1989 he was awarded the Guy Medal in Silver of the Royal Statistical Society, and in the same year he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. In 1992 hew was awarded the Lanchester Prize of the Operations Research Society of America, he gave the 1995 Clifford Paterson Lecture of the Royal Society, the 1996 Blackett Lecture of the Operational Research Society, and was awarded the 1997 Naylor Prize of the London Mathematical Society. He received an Honorary Doctorate of Science from Heriot-Watt University in 2001.Professor Kelly served as Director of the Statistical Laboratory in the University of Cambridge from 1991 to 1993. He has served on the Scientific Board of Hewlett-Packard's Basic Research Institute in Mathematical Sciences, the Scientific Council of EURANDOM, the Conseil Scientifique of France Telecom, the Council of the Royal Society and the Council of the Royal Statistical Society. He has chaired the Royal Institution/University of Cambridge Mathematics Enrichment Project, and the management committee of the Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the process by which the Department's Chief Scientific Adviser was employed; and if he will publish the application details of the other short-listed candidates. [164041]

This was an open competition to recruit a Chief Scientific Adviser at Senior Civil Servant Pay Band 2 level for the Department.The process was managed and chaired by Alastair Macdonald, the Civil Service Commissioner. The other panel members were Lord Oxburgh, Sir David King, the Government's Chief Scientific Adviser and the previous DfT Permanent Secretary Rachael Lomax and the current Permanent DfT Secretary David Rowlands.The successful candidate was Professor Frank Kelly who took up post on 1 August 2003. It is not the Department's practice to declare the names of the other short listed candidates, as all applications are made in confidence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which former officials of the Department have asked for permission to join (a) PricewaterhouseCoopers, (b) Deloitte & Touche, (c) Ernst and Young and (d) KPMG. [156904]

The Department for Transport formed on 29 May 2002. All information provided dates from 29 May 2002.All civil servants are subject to the Business Appointment Rules, which set out the circumstances in which they must seek permission to accept outside appointments within two years of leaving the Civil Service. A copy of the Rules is available in the Libraries of the House. Information about appointments taken up by the most senior staff is published in the annual reports of the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments. The next annual report will be published shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what funding has been allocated in (a) 2000–05, (b) 2005–06 and (c) total to the Home Zone area-based initiative. [163661]

Local authorities are generally expected to fund Home Zones from mainstream funding, particularly the Single Capital Pot, and allocations are

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many pedestrians were (a) killed and (b) injured in road traffic accidents in each year since 1997 in Greater London, broken down by borough. [163765]

The information requested is shown in the following table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what secondments (a) PricewaterhouseCoopers, (b) Deloitte & Touche, (c) Ernst & Young and (d) KPMG have made to his Department since 2001; for what (i) periods and (ii) tasks the secondments were made; whether secondments of staff from his Department have been made to those firms; and for what (A) periods and (B) tasks. [156923]

Secondments are part of the Interchange Initiative, which promotes the exchange of people and good practice between the Civil Service and other organisations. Before an Interchange can occur all parties must be satisfied that no conflict of interest arises.The Department for Transport was formed on 29 May 2002. All information dates from 29 May 2002.According to Department records, there have been no secondments of staff from Department for Transport to these firms.According to Department records, there has been one secondment into the Department for Transport from these firms:

To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners if he will list those others occupying parts of 1 Millbank indicating in each case (a) the square footage occupied and (b) the rental received. [164051]

Central Lobby Consultants occupy 1,299 square feet at 1 Millbank and Parliamentary Contacts occupy 250 square feet. The whole of the adjacent sites at 2 Millbank and 5 Great College Street are also let.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much public money was spent on the relaunch of Defence Estates prior to April 2003. [163547]

A total of £24,066 was spent on the relaunch of Defence Estates, which took place on 1 April 2003.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to promote the establishment of a memorial to the UK's post-1945 National Servicemen.[162874]

The Ministry of Defence receives many requests from individuals, ex-Servicemen's groups and charitable organisations seeking assistance with various projects. The vast majority have worthy goals and can make an equally compelling case for support. It will therefore continue to be our policy not to promote any specific projects, such as that advocated by the hon. Member, as it would be divisive and open to criticism from unsuccessful applicants, if the Government were to pick and choose which to support.A memorial dedicated to all National Servicemen was unveiled last year at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many press officers were employed in his Department in each year from 1990–91 to 2003–04; what the total cost was in each year; and if he will make a statement. [162843]

Information for the years from 1994–95 to 2001–02 was provided in my letter of 14 July 2003 to the hon. Member, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what account he will take of the impact on the community of Innsworth, Gloucestershire, when deciding on the future of RAF Innsworth; and if he will make a statement; [163921](2) what discussions he plans to have with personnel at RAF Innsworth, Gloucestershire, about the future of the base; and if he will make a statement. [163920]

The implications of defence decisions on Service and civilian personnel, and indeed the wider community will be actively considered in the analysis and decision making process.Personnel at RAF Headquarters Personnel and Training Command have been informed of the planned work to examine the possible collocation of the RAF Headquarters and they will continue to be updated at appropriate intervals. A communication strategy, including consultation with Trades Unions, is in place to ensure dialogue between the study team and all staff.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to make a decision on the future of RAF Innsworth, Gloucestershire; and if he will make a statement. [163922]

I expect a report on the findings of the study into the possible collocation of the RAF Headquarters before the end of the year, and will make a decision thereafter.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the purpose, cost and duration of Project Angus. [163970]

Project Angus is the construction of a new Fleet headquarters building at Whale Island, Portsmouth. Construction started in February 2003 and the completed building will be handed over to the Royal Navy in May 2004, at an estimated final cost of £22 million. This is the final step in the Fleet First re-organisation of the Fleet headquarters which has created a better integrated and more effective Fleet headquarters and saved around £10 million a year in running costs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what factors he will take into account when deciding on the future of RAF Innsworth, Gloucestershire; and if he will make a statement. [163923]

In reaching a decision on the future of RAF Headquarters Personnel and Training Command, the operational and financial implications of the options under consideration together with the relevant environmental, social and economic effects, including the impact of other relevant studies will be considered.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when his Department intends to remove its compulsory retirement age of 60. [162902]

[holding answer 22 March 2004]The Department is now reviewing its retirement age policy for all MOD Civil Servants below the Senior Civil Service. The review will also consider when the Department should implement any changes resulting from that review.The Department's current retirement age of 60 does not apply to all grades; some have a retirement age of 65 and others somewhere between 60 and 65.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what secondments (a) PricewaterhouseCoopers, (b) Deloitte & Touche, (c) Ernst & Young and (d) KPMG have made to his Department since 2001; for what (i) periods and (ii) tasks the secondments were made; whether secondments of staff from his Department have been made to those firms; and for what (A) periods and (B) tasks. [156920]

Information available on personnel seconded to the Ministry of Defence from the above named companies from 2001 is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how the performance of Connexions Direct is assessed. [161032]

Connexions Direct is assessed by measuring their performance against indicators which include the service being available 18 hours a day and the promptness of answering. In addition, a pilot user survey has been conducted and a mystery shopping exercise is being undertaken.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what funding is being allocated to Sure Start in the next three years. [161865]

Sure Start was allocated funding of £1,223 million for 2004–05 and –1,510 million for 2005–06 in the last spending review, in summer 2002. Funding for 2006–07 will be confirmed, later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much was (a) allocated to and (b) spent on coastal damage compensation in each of the last live years. [163614]

Defra does not allocate funds to be spent on coastal damage compensation. Except in limited circumstances no compensation is payable to those affected by flooding or erosion, including cases where it is decided not to defend a particular area., or to undertake managed realignment. This approach, adopted by successive governments, is justified by current legislation which provides operating authorities with permissive powers to undertake flood and coastal defence works. There is no general obligation to build or maintain defences at all or to a particular standard. Consonant with this approach, the legislation also makes no provision for compensation from public funds to persons whose property or land are affected by erosion or flooding.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what energy targets she plans to introduce for the Government estate to reduce energy consumption per square metre of buildings floor area over the present decade. [161199]

The government published on 26 February 2004, the energy section of the Framework for Sustainable Development on the Government Estate. This contained all of the energy targets for the central government estate including the following:

"Government Departments to increase the energy efficiency of the buildings on their estate, measured in terms of kWh of (1) fuel and (2) electricity use per square metre of buildings floor area, or estate area¹, by 15 per cent by 2010–11, relative to 1999–2000."

¹ Due to the diversity of the Government Estate, Departments can report using either the floor area of tilt it buildings, or the total estate area.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many grants to aid domestic energy efficiency there were in (a) Staffordshire and (b) the Burton constituency in each of the last three years; and what the total cost of such grants was. [161840]

A number of programmes exist to improve the energy efficiency of a household including schemes run by local authorities and work of the Energy Saving Trust. The Department does not collect data on the number of grants awarded and their cost through these schemes.Under the Warm Front scheme, which is the main Government scheme for tackling fuel poverty and is funded by the Department, between June 2000 and December 2003, 3,764 grants were awarded in the Staffordshire area with a total cost of around £2 million. Of these, 1,653 grants were awarded in the Burton area with a cost of £390,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many homes in Buckingham have benefited from the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme. [161570]

The New Home Energy Efficiency Scheme is now marketed as Warm Front. Between the launch of the scheme in June 2000 and the end of December 2003, 341 households in the Buckingham constituency received assistance from the scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the (a) total budget and (b) budget for administration for the Advisory Committee on Packaging was in financial year 2002–03. [162171]

The Advisory Committee on Packaging does not have a dedicated budget, but the ACP and its activities are supported by the Defra Waste Management Division's Producer Responsibility Unit.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what subsidy will be given to farms on the Somerset levels in the financial years (a) before and (b) after the mid-term Common Agricultural Policy reform. [161883]

The subsidy provided to farmers in the Somerset area for the EAGGF 2003 year (16 October 2002 to 15 October 2003) was £29,753,136.13. This includes any receipts under the following schemes: Arable Area Payments, Beef Special Premium, Sheep Annual Premium, Suckler Cow Premium, Slaughter Premium, Extensification Payment and Hill Farming Allowance. We have made no projections of receipts at a county level in future years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will establish an inquiry into the part played by her Department in the liquidation of Asgard Systems Ltd. of Bedford. [156718]

I do not consider it appropriate for the Department to hold such an inquiry. Advice was given to Asgard Systems Ltd. primarily by the Environment Agency, which has a well established "Complaints and Commendations Procedure" for any complaints against it.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures can be taken against obviously diseased badgers observed in areas outside the current Krebs trials areas. [158376]

Badgers are a protected species and the terms of their protection, including the restricted circumstances when action might be taken against them, are set out in the Protection of Badgers Act 1992.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answers of 26 January 2004, Official Report, column 1W, and 12 February 2004, Official Report, column 156W, on badgers, whether increases in badger population have occurred in areas in which the 1990 badger survey predicted that it was unlikely that further significant increases would occur. [158383]

There has been no national survey of badgers since the mid-1990s¹ and therefore, the necessary information to answer this question is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what information she has collated on the effectiveness of reactive culling of badgers in TB breakdown areas as a mechanism of control when applied as part of an overall control package. [158384]

On the basis of current scientific evidence, reactive culling as carried out in the Randomised Badger Culling Trial is not viable as a policy option. There are circumstances in which localised culling of badgers might be considered in the future, for example in combination with a vaccine or live test for bovine TB, but neither of these is currently available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the presence of TB in the badger population presents a risk of infection to other wildlife. [158385]

Theoretically, it is possible for badgers to pass TB to other wildlife species, but the low level of incidence of the disease in species such as foxes (which can share sett space with badgers) and small rodents suggests they are not a significant risk.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the value of (a) percussion guns and (b) snares as a means of controlling badger populations. [158387]

The information is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what advice has been given by her Department to farmers in the Peak District when repairing stone walls and stiles regarding contact with badger latrines; and what advice has been given to members of the public. [158390]

The Rural Development Service (RDS) of Defra provide grants under the England Rural Development Programme (ERDP) to farmers and land managers in the Peak District National Park to restore drystone walls and construct stiles. These grants are made through the Countryside Stewardship Scheme (CSS) or the Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs) scheme.Technical guidance is provided concerning the choice of materials used and methods of construction. However, CSS and ESA Project Officers do not give advice to landowners, land managers, drystone wall contractors or members of the public over the health implications of contact with badger latrines. Where farms are open under the educational access component of the CSS, biosecurity measures are required including facilities for hand washing. However, this general guidance is not specific to contact with badger latrines.Any one seeking advice on badgers should contact my Department's National Wildlife Management Team (Tel: 0845 6014523; e-mail: enquiries.southwest@defra.gsi.gov.uk). I am informed that the Team has not received any recent queries regarding badger latrines from farmers or members of the public in the Peak District.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the latest average cost is of carrying out a full post-mortem examination of a badger carcase to determine its TB status, including the cost of microbiological testing. [158392]

The average cost per carcase of the post mortem examination, as used for badgers taken in the randomised culling trial, including both the TB culture costs and the small number of associated histopathological tests, is currently £87.22.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answers of 6 January Official Report, column 250W and 20 January 2004, Official Report, column 1186W, on badgers, what assessment she has made of the reliability of the live test for TB in badgers; and what assessment she has made of the risk that translocated badgers released after testing are not free from TB infection. [158412]

The indirect ELISA for badgers (known as the live test) was evaluated using blood samples collected from 1982 badgers killed during statutory badger removal operations in 1991 to 1993. The sensitivity of the test was 40.7 per cent. and the specificity 94.3 per cent. The positive predictive value (the percentage of positive test results where the animal was confirmed as infected) of the test was 67.5 per cent. the negative predictive value (the percentage of negative test results where the animal was confirmed as uninfected) 84.6 per cent. A project (development of immunological assays for the detection of Mycobacterium bovis infection in badgers), funded by the Department, is investigating this area. The project is due to end in March 2005 and the final report should be available shortly afterwards.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to her consultation document, "Preparing for a new GB strategy on bovine tuberculosis", page 23, figure 3, what the forecast public expenditure for each year from 2004–05 to 2012–13 is, broken down by main cost centres. [157938]

Figure 3 on page 23 of the document "Preparing for a new GB strategy on bovine tuberculosis" represents a projection of the costs of current policies. The forecast for G B public expenditure for the next three years is shown in the following table by main cost centres.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received on the awarding of grants to farmers to upgrade isolation facilities for bought-in cattle to improve TB controls. [157957]

No formal representations have been received regarding grants to upgrade isolation facilities for bought-in cattle.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what funds are available from European Union sources to assist the financing of TB (a) testing and (b) monitoring schemes. [158371]

The EU Veterinary Fund, which aims to ensure financial support to member states for expenditure to help control or eradicate certain diseases, is set down in Council Decision 90/424. The total budget is set annually and allocations to disease control programmes in member states are made according to priorities proposed by the Commission and agreed by member states.In 2004,

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) how many additional staff she estimates will be required by local authorities to enforce her proposed Tuberculosis (England) Order 2004 over the first five years of its application;[158372](2) what consultations she has had with local authorities and their representative bodies on the resource implications arising from the enforcement of her proposed Tuberculosis (England) Order. [158373]

Consideration of the costs to local government will be considered fully in the final Regulatory Impact Assessment for the proposed new Tuberculosis (England) Order 2004.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average time has been between a TB reactor being reported, the carrying out of microbiological confirmation tests and the reporting of results back to farms in areas other than the Krebs areas since the trials began. [158389]

The information requested is kept on individual files for each TB breakdown and cannot be provided except at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what she estimates the resource implications are of seeking a full regime of pre-and post-movement testing of cattle from one and two year testing herds to all three and four year receiving herds in terms of (a) additional veterinary hours required, (b) time inputs required by livestock owners and managers and (c) the costs of testing. [158391]

None. The proposal as set out in the consultation document 'Preparing for a new GB strategy on bovine TB' is for pre-movement testing of cattle moving from one and two year testing herds to other herds. The resource implications of this proposal will be estimated as part of the consultation process which will involve discussions with veterinary and farming interests.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what the average cost was to livestock farmers, per head of stock examined, of facilitating the conduct of official TB tests in their herds; [158393](2) what the average cost to a cattle herd owner of the application of a TB2 restriction notice was in the last period for which figures are available; [158668](3) pursuant to her answer of 8 December 2003,

The cost of TB to farmers in Great Britain is currently being assessed. Defra has commissioned Reading University to carry out research into the economic impacts of TB and alternative control policies in Great Britain. A report is expected shortly and a summary of the findings will be published on the Defra website in due course.It is for the individual farmer to decide if his or her business is economically sustainable or not.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on the TB testing of badger carcases from road traffic accidents outside TB hotspot areas. [158394]

On advice from the Independent Scientific Group on Cattle TB (ISG), a limited Road Traffic Accident (RTA) survey is being conducted in seven counties in England (Cornwall, Devon, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Shropshire and Dorset). The objective of the survey is to determine, with the ISG's help, if RTA data can provide an accurate indication of the prevalence of "M. bovis" (the causative organism for bovine TB) in badgers by comparing it with the data from the randomised badger culling trial. The Central Science Laboratory (CSL) has been employed to collect badger carcasses for the project since 1 June 2002.In addition, Defra is carrying out a survey of badgers killed in road accidents in the Furness peninsula following an unexplained rise in bovine TB incidents in south west Cumbria.We are awaiting the results of the validation of the survey in the badger culling trial areas before taking any decisions about extending the survey area further. There are also logistical and budgetary problems in extending the RTA survey.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many applications for section 10 licences under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992, permitting the killing of badgers, have been made by (a) farmers and (b) other private landowners; and how many have been issued to each for the express purpose of preventing the spread of disease, in each year since the Act has been in force. [158395]

When members of the public approach my Department with a badger problem, most come seeking our advice on how they can resolve their problem. Only a small number have a clear idea of what action they want to take. Because of this it is not possible to distinguish between applications on the basis of whether the applicant wanted to kill the badgers, relocate them or simply close a problem sett. Thus, we cannot provide figures for the first part of this question.The number of licences issued to farmers and other private landowners for the express purpose of preventing the spread of disease in each year for which there are computer records, is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent instructions have been given to state veterinary officials regarding the interpretation of the skin test for TB in cattle. [158396]

The interpretation of the single intradermal comparative cervical test (skin test) used in GB for the diagnosis of bovine TB is laid down in Annex B of Council Directive 64/432/EEC (as amended). The existing TB manuals for the State Veterinary Service and Local Veterinary Inspectors reflect this. No changes have been made recently to the interpretation of the skin test for TB in cattle.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of (a) programmes in countries other than the UK which have successfully controlled TB in cattle by controlling the disease in wildlife reservoirs and (b) the application those programmes might have for the UK. [158397]

Defra officials remain in contact, and continue to exchange information, with colleagues in other countries that are experiencing problems with the control of TB in cattle where there is a wildlife disease reservoir.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the most recently calculated rate of repeat TB breakdowns in cattle herds is in (a) England and (b) Scotland. [158414]

The most recent information on recurrent (repeat) TB incidents dates back to 2002. This shows that the number of confirmed new TB incidents (CNIs) in herds that had a history of CN I in the previous three years increased by 72 per cent. between 2000 and 2002. This increase was not significantly different from the overall percentage increase in CNIs. In England, approximately 25 per cent. of herds with a CNI in 2002 had a history of CNI in the previous three years. In contrast, none of the 27 Scottish herds affected by CNIs in 2002 had experienced a CNI in the previous three years.Because of the distorted pattern of TB incidents (breakdowns) caused by the suspension of TB testing during 2001, bovine TB statistics for 2002 may not be representative of a typical year. Similar data on repeat TB breakdowns for2003 has not been collated yet.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether badgers can acquire TB from infected members of other species on which they predate. [158415]

The consumption of infected carcases, prey or otherwise, is a potential route for M. bovis infection in badgers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether adverse effects have been observed in cattle subject to continuous 60-day TB testing. [158429]

No adverse effects have been observed in cattle subjected to 60-day (short-interval) tuberculin testing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she has carried out an assessment of the measures necessary to gain public acceptance of large-scale badger culling. [158805]

No such assessment has been carried out.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of whether her containment policy for bovine TB will also contain the spread of M. bovis in badgers. [159121]

No such assessment has been made.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to her answer of 30 January 2004, Official Report, column 538W, on badgers, what the source of her definition of epidemic is. [159130]

Definitions of the term 'epidemic' that are consistent with that given in the answer on 30 January 2004, Official Report, column 538W, can be found in standard epidemiological textbooks, such as:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether cats resident on farms on which a TB breakdown has occurred are routinely tested for TB infection. [158379]

Cats resident on farms on which a TB breakdown has occurred are not routinely tested for TB infection.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many herds are participating in gamma-interferon testing. [158388]

By the end of February 2004, 88 herds had been recruited to the gamma-interferon field trial.In addition, between 1 January 2003 and 29 February 2004, ad-hoc gamma-interferon tests were approved in 19 herds that did not qualify for the field trial. Formal instructions were issued to the State Veterinary Service in November 2003, which provide for the use of the gamma-interferon test in the following circumstances:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the implications of the Common Agricultural Policy mid-term review for the development of a TB strategy. [158386]

In developing policies on bovine TB Government will take into account the structure and economics of the cattle farming industry, including the impact of the 2003 CAP reform agreement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the level of duty on bio-ethanol. [162029]

The Department is in regular contact with Treasury Ministers to discuss a whole range of matters related to energy and environmental policy. In addition, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, meets regularly with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on a wide range of matters that affect the business of the Department. As with all tax matters, decisions on tax incentives rest with the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures her Department has put in place to contain the recent outbreak of brucellosis in Cornwall. [163150]

[holding answer 23 March 2004] The cow which gave rise to confirmation of the brucellosis outbreak had been immediately subject to movement restrictions following her abortion on 9 March. No movements of cattle onto or off the premises of the infected herd were permitted from the time that indications of possible Brucella infection were first reported on 12 March. The four cows and one bull which tested seropositive for brucellosis during investigations were slaughtered on 18 March following confirmation of brucellosis that day; the remainder of the herd was slaughtered on 19 March. Precautionary movement restrictions have also been placed on seven neighbouring herds which are currently undergoing further tests and on the herd which supplied two bulls to the farm during the preceding 12 months; no other cattle apart from seven calves from a neighbouring premises have been brought onto the farm during that time. In the last year there have been only a small number of movements off the farm, other than movements direct to slaughter. These animals are being traced and will be tested. Cattle not born in Great Britain and imported into Cornwall and Devon are also being traced.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will review the use of chlorpyrifos as an insecticide. [163080]

The use of chlorpyrifos has been under review since 1998 as part of the UK review of anticholinesterase compounds. The human health aspects were completed in June 2003 and the review of environmental effects is on-going.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the impact of chlorpyrifos on riparian bird life. [163081]

The Advisory Committee on Pesticides (ACP) has assessed the effect of chlorpyrifos on birds as a part of an ongoing review of this active substance. The ACP concluded that there is a negligible risk of chlorpyrifos accumulating in fish, and that as a result the risk to birds that eat fish is acceptable.Risk assessments were also made for other potential routes of bird exposure. Further data have been requested to confirm that chlorpyrifos used on grass and cereals does not pose an acute or short term risk to grazing birds, or to birds eating small insects in orchards. Information has also been requested on granular forms of chlorpyrifos to address any acute and short-term risk to birds consuming chlorpyrifos in this form. These data must be submitted by August 2006.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the impact of chlorpyrifos on fly fishing. [163082]

No specific assessment has been made of the impact of chlorpyrifos on fly fishing.However the Advisory Committee on Pesticides (ACP) is assessing the effect of chlorpyrifos on aquatic life (including fish) as a part of an on-going review of this active substance. At the ACP's request, approval holders have submitted a strategy (including a timetable for the provision of further data) to help complete this assessment. The ACP is currently awaiting further detailed study protocols for agreement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions she has had with her EU counterparts on reform of the Common Agricultural Policy.[162081]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State regularly meets her counterparts from the other member states to discuss CAP reform, most recently she met with the Italian and Dutch Agriculture Ministers. Aspects of the CAP reform package agreed in June 2003 were discussed at the Council meeting on 24 February. At its meeting on 23 March the council discussed reforms of sectors that were not included in last year's reforms: olive oil, table olives, tobacco, cotton and hops. My right hon. Friend also recently had various discussions with Commissioner Fischler on CAP reform issues, both bilaterally and as part of meetings of the Agriculture Council. CAP reform is very important domestically and internationally and we continue to press our case with the Commission and other member states at Ministerial bilateral and Council meetings, as well as at official level meetings.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average cod by-catch recorded from Scottish vessels fishing in ICES (a) IVa and (b)IVb areas was during 2003. [161992]

There is no significant by-catch of cod known in the trawl fisheries targeting pelagic species like herring in the North Sea, but between 3.5 per cent. and 7 per cent. of all U K cod landings from the North Sea are taken from the Haden fishing grounds, where the fishery predominantly targets Nephrops (prawns).However, the by-catch of cod varies between different fisheries: there is no meaningful fleet or area average. A further complication is that catch composition may differ from recorded landings because of discarding at sea for example: catch composition is only observed in a sample of fishing trips.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many rod fishing licence applications have been made since the introduction of the online facility; and how many of these were made online. [162809]

The figures on rod fishing licence applications are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much money was given to the Wessex Flood Defence Committee in (a) 2002–03 and (b) 2003–04. [161880]

The Environment Agency is required to arrange for its flood defence functions, except for certain financial ones, to be carried out by Regional Flood Defence Committees (RFDCs). The RFDC may arrange for all or an) of these functions to be carried out by Local Flood Defence Committees (LFDCs) under a scheme approved by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State.I understand from the Agency that the total of Defra grant and levies on local authorities for the three local flood defence committees under the Wessex RFDC was £23.2 million in 2002–03 and is estimated to be £25.5 million in 2000–04.Other funding is obtained from developers and district councils for specific projects.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs under which powers the Environment Agency is charging for maps of flood risk areas; and if she will make a statement. [161961]

Where charges are made to certain businesses for specific requirements, the Environment Agency's power to charge derives from the Environmental Information Regulations 1992 (as amended) and from sections 37 and 43 of the Environment Act 1995.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many businesses in (a) Devon and (b) cornwall are owed money by the Department for carrying out work during the foot and mouth outbreak in 2001; how much is owed for (i) Devon and (ii) Cornwall; and what the largest amount owing to each business is [162714]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Weston-super-Mare (Brian Cotter) on 6 January, 2004, Official Report, column 261W.The Department is in dispute with one contractor in Devon over charges arising, or which are claimed to have arisen, from the 2001 foot and mouth disease outbreak. It would be inappropriate to comment on a case that is the subject of alternative disputes resolution procedures and, possibly, litigation in due course.Currently, the Department has no disputes with contractors in Cornwall.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research is being conducted into inter-species gene flow between GM maize and other plants.[162062]

I am not aware of any research in the UK on inter-species gene flow between GM maize and other plants.The Department has commissioned a project looking at intra-specific gene flow between non-GM maize crops in existing maize crops in the UK using naturally occurring molecular markers. A small part of the project includes an examination of the likelihood of maize cross-pollinating with rye grass, a distantly related species. Maize originates in the Americas and there is no evidence that it can cross-pollinate with any UK species under natural conditions.More research has been conducted in central America where cultivated maize varieties grow alongside sexually compatible wild relatives, but the findings have no relevance to UK conditions.The GM science review recently assessed the evidence for inter-species gene flow (www.gmsciencedebate.org.uk, First report, Chapter 7.3). They concluded that in the UK, for crops including maize, that gene flow to wild relatives was 'not an issue'.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) whether she has communicated the shortcomings of the farm scale evaluation maize trials to the lead competent authority in France in accordance with Directive 2001/18/EC; and whether she has requested a variation in the conditions attached to the Part C consent for Chardon LL fodder maize; [162923]

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she gave consent for harvested Chardon LL forage maize from farm-scale evaluation sites to be taken off-site and used in cattle feeding studies at the Reading University Centre for Dairy Research. [163076]

[holding answer 23 March 2004]I am not aware of any shortcomings of the farm-scale evaluation (FSE) maize trials, the results have been endorsed by both the Scientific Steering Committee overseeing the evaluations and the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE).Officials sent the results of the Farm Scale Evaluations, together with the non-specialist and scientific summaries, to the European Commission and the Competent Authorities of the Member States for their information on 20 and 21 October 2003. ACRE published its advice on the FSE results on 13 January 2004, and this advice was also sent to the Commission and the Competent Authorities on that date. On 9 March 2004 officials wrote to the French Competent Authority, which issued the relevant consent on behalf of all EU Member States, seeking amendments to the consent for Bayer T25 GM maize (Chardon LL) to limit herbicide use with the crop in line with ACRE'S advice.Neither the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment nor the Advisory Committee on Animal Feeding stuffs (ACAF) has requested cattle feeding studies involving Chardon LL fodder maize. ACAF has advised, on the basis of the data already submitted, that it is content that the T25 maize grain and its products pose no more risk as animal feed than non-GM maize varieties.The GM maize used in the farm scale evaluations has Europe wide marketing consent for use in animal feed so no consent was required to use the harvested crop in the cattle feeding study carried out at the University of Reading.Although there is no legal requirement to withhold the milk or meat from the food chain the protocol for the Reading University study required that the milk from the dairy cows did not enter the food chain during the period of the study.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will ensure that, if Chardon LL is placed on the National Seeds Register, it will only be grown in the UK in the future with a herbicide regime exactly the same as that c employed in the farm-scale evaluation programme. [162924]

On 9 March 2004 officials wrote to the French Competent Authority, which issued the relevant consent on behalf of all EU Member States, seeking amendments to the consent for Bayer T25 GM maize (Chardon LL) to limit herbicide use with the crop in line with ACRE'S advice on the FSE results.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she was informed of the recommendation of Professor David Beever that no new maize variety should be placed upon the National Seeds Register unless it achieves a whole-plant target of 32 per cent. [163169]

The dry matter content achieved for maize crops depends on location, climate and variety. Views on the optimum value vary and the realistic situation is that it falls within a range of around 28–32 per cent., depending on local factors. The importance of dry matter content is taken into account in the National List system, but it is only one of a number of factors which are assessed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the involvement of Grainseed in the conduct of the National List trials for Chardon LL in 1998 and 1999, on behalf of the British Plant Breeders Society, and their impact on the research findings. [163206]

A thorough evaluation of all the data used for the assessment of Chardon LL in National List trials was conducted by the independent experts on the Herbage Value for Cultivation and Use (VCU) group. The group recommended that the 1998 Grainseed data were acceptable as part of a valid assessment of the performance of Chardon LL. However, the group recommended that the 1999 Grainseed data should be excluded because of substandard plant populations. This was done and data from a reserve site used instead.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what evidence she has collated, in the absence of ruminant feeding studies, that Chardon LL has added value for cultivation and use in the United Kingdom. [163213]

The criterion for adding a variety to the UK National List is that it should, taking its qualities as a whole, represent a clear improvement compared with other forage maize varieties already on the UK List. Chardon has been assessed on this basis and found to meet the performance standards set to indicate a clear improvement in value for cultivation and use. The evidence for this is that in National List trials, Chardon's results met the improvement standards for several important characteristics. Animal feeding studies are not required for this assessment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will publish the results of the Reading University Chardon LL feeding studies involving broiler chickens. [162980]

[holding answer 23 March 2004]I am unaware of any feeding studies undertaken by Reading University involving broiler chickens and GM maize Chardon LL Publication of the results of studies carried out by the University is a matter for them and those funding the work.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action she is taking to ensure that illegally logged timber on board MV Greveno does not enter the United Kingdom. [163172]

[holding answer 23 March 2004]The UK is pressing for a new EU import Regulation as part of the EU Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) process. This Regulation would apply to timber imports from FLEGT partner countries. Until this Regulation is in force, Customs have no powers to prevent illegally logged timber from being imported into the UK.The UK is working closely with the Government of Indonesia to control illegal logging and its associated trade. The UK Government have drawn the shipment of timber on the MV Greveno to the attention of the relevant Indonesian authorities, who will look into the issue immediately.As requested by the Council of the European Union, the UK Government are also currently examining the feasibility of using national legislation, such as that related to money laundering, to deal with imports of timber that have been produced in contravention of the laws of the producer country.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for what reason she did not announce the publication of the 4^th Annual Report on UK Progress Towards Sustainable Development by means of a oral statement to the House. [162881]

[holding answer 22 March 2004]: If too many announcements are made by oral statement at the end of Questions, Parliamentary business could be hindered.I announced the publication of this annual report by means of a written statement to the House on 16 March.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list parishes and towns VN which have been awarded Parish Transport Grant in each year since the scheme's inception. [162829]

The following list of town and parish councils have been awarded a Parish Transport grant since the start of the scheme in 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what emissions were recorded for each power station in each year from 1998 to 2002; and what formula was used to allocate emission permits to each power station. [156102]

The Government has used the Department of Trade and Industry's updated energy projections (UEP) as a basis for calculating sectoral and installation level allocations for the power generation sector. The sector allocation is based on UEP projections of carbon dioxide less the amount the Government has decided power stations are to contribute to meeting national climate change targets and a portion to be set-aside for the New Entrants Reserve. This sectoral allocation is then allocated pro-rata to individual power stations according to historical emissions.The power generation sectoral allocation was calculated using the following formula:Average annual phase 1 allocation =Average annual phase 1 emissions projections (147.8 MtCO2)—Annual contribution to achieving EU ETS saving (5.5 MtCO2 by 2010^)—Annual contribution to the New entry reserve (8.2%) i.e. Average annual phase 1 allocation= 147.8–(1.8

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will meet representatives of angling associations to discuss the assistance which they can provide in the monitoring of invertebrates in rivers. [163078]

[holding answer 24 March 2004]No. However, the Government are aware of concerns over invertebrate numbers in rivers. The Environment Agency has undertaken evaluation of invertebrate data collected for General Water Quality monitoring; this analysis continues and is moving to establish definitive research to identify the causes in the decline of invertebrate numbers. The Environment Agency is engaged with angling organisations as to how anglers may help in developing this work. The Government will continue to encourage the Environment Agency to proceed with the research and collaboration with anglers and other interested bodies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether it is her policy to improve the liaison between local authorities and sewerage undertakers to control the rat population in sewers and drains more effectively. [162400]

[holding answer 22 March 2004]Yes. In 1999, we worked with the Local Government Association and WaterUK to prepare and publish a joint protocol, which contained arrangements for closer working relationships between water companies and local authorities in respect of rodent infestations in sewers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has made to her European counterparts on a common European approach to the monitoring of toxins in shellfish; and if she will make a statement. [163234]

None. This is the policy responsibility of the Food Standards Agency.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking with the Food Standards Agency to minimise shellfish bed closures due to atypical positive results. [163236]

The decision on whether to close shellfish beds is the policy responsibility of local Food Authorities, advised by the Food Standards Agency. The Department continues to stay in close contact with the Agency on a whole range of issues relating to the atypical positive results to ensure the problem is fully investigated and the appropriate actions are taken.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to help preserve the Sumatran tiger. [162898]

The Government are taking action through our participation in multilateral environmental agreements, notably the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, which help safeguard the Sumatran tiger and other endangered species. The Government also provides funds to support "21^st Century Tiger", a wild tiger conservation partnership between the Zoological Society of London and Global Tiger Patrol, which has undertaken three projects on the Sumatran tiger over the last four years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has had from (a) the fuel industry and (b) environmental groups on the manufacture of road fuel from waste plastics. [162283]

The Department is not aware of receiving any recent representations, on the manufacture of road fuel from waste plastics, from either the fuel industry or environmental groups. The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) has, in the past, received inquiries on this issue. However, because WRAP'S remit is to develop markets for recycled materials, and the manufacture of road fuel from plastics does not meet the definition of recycling in the Packaging Directive (2004/ 12/EC), the issue has not been pursued.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will end the statutory monopoly of the Waste Management Industry Training and Advisory Body to issue certificates of technical competence. [162441]

The Department is currently reviewing the permitting of waste recovery and disposal activities. Informal consultation with stakeholders has shown strong support for continuing to require applicants for permits to demonstrate technical competence, which is a feature of the current waste management licensing system. However, there was also a view that other ways of demonstrating technical competence should be introduced in addition to certificates of technical competence issued by the Waste Management Industry Training and Advisory Board. We are considering how to deliver this as part of a new permitting regime and expect to formally consult on proposals in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the hon. Member for West Chelmsford will receive a reply to his letter of 27 August 2003 to the Department of Trade and Industry transferred to the Home Office on 4 September 2003 concerning Mrs. S. Hawkard.[152929]

[holding answer 5 February 2004]Baroness Scotland of Asthal QC replied to the hon. Member on 22 March 2004.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the (a) staffing and (b) cost changes have been over the last two years of the units headed by the crime reduction advisers based in regional Government Offices; and what measurable benefits have accrued from the increases. [163328]

The Home Office transferred 169 staff to the Government Offices (GO) in June 2002 to work on the Crime Reduction agenda, along with funding of £6.104 million. This included 24 research staff who remained on the Home Office payroll but who were co-located in the GOs. The staffing levels have remained the same in 2003–04, though the funding increased to £8.143 million to reflect the full year's cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has appointed a Programme Board for the National Offender Management Service in accordance with the rules of the Office of Government Commerce. [161165]

The implementation of the National Offender Management Service will be overseen by the Chief Executive of the Service and by the National Offender Management Board, chaired by me as Minister for correctional services, with senior representatives from the Home Office, Department for Constitutional Affairs and the Treasury.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the question from the hon. Member for West Chelmsford tabled on 2 February, reference 152929; and if he will make a statement on the reasons for the time taken to respond to the hon. Member's letter of 27 August on behalf of his constituent Mrs. S. Hawkard. [162397]

[holding answer 22 March 2004]I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 26 March 2004.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many cases of computer misuse there were in his Department in (a) 1997 and (b) 2003, broken down by category of misuse; and how many of those cases resulted in disciplinary action. [163287]