To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she has established the penalties that will apply from the failure of the UK fully to (a) implement and (b) enforce the Animal By-Products Regulations. [158747]

The UK has provided for the administration and enforcement of the EU Animal By-Products Regulation (EC) No. 1774/2002 by the Animal By-Products Regulations 2003. These came into force in England on 1 July 2003, in Scotland on 1 October 2003, in Wales on 31 October 2003 and on 3 December 2003 in Northern Ireland.Had any part of the UK failed to observe our EU obligations, this could have led to enforcement action being taken by the European Commission in the European Court of Justice (ECJ). If a Member State fails to take the necessary measures to comply with the judgment of the European Court of Justice within the time limit specified, the Member State may incur either a lump sum penalty or a daily penalty payment. The penalty payment would be based on a uniform flat rate amount, multiplied by two coefficients, one reflecting the seriousness of the infringement, and the other the duration. This would then be multiplied by a factor reflecting the ability to pay and the number of votes the UK has in Council.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discretion she has under European Union law to delay full (a) implementation and (b) enforcement of the Animal By-Products Regulations. [158748]

As the EU Animal By-Products Regulation (EC 1774/2002) is directly applicable in all Member States, no discretion is available to delay either the implementation or the enforcement of the Regulation. However, where possible the UK secured transitional measures where it was clear that sectors of industry needed further time to comply with the requirements of the Regulation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has made to the European Commission concerning the payment to farmers of consequential losses arising from the imposition of TB restrictions on their farms. [157987]

No such representations have been made.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether live cattle imported from mainland Europe are tested for TB infection prior to being imported into the UK. [158595]

Where the Member State, or the part of the Member State where the herd is situated is recognised as being officially free of tuberculosis (as defined by EU Directive 64/432/EEC), a TB test is not required prior to import to Great Britain. This applies whether for breeding, production or slaughter. All cattle must be tested if they do not come from a officially TB-free area.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what advice was given in (a) 1999 and (b) subsequent years to the Veterinary Investigation Service by the Health and Safety Executive concerning the safety of their laboratories handling TB contaminated material; what action was taken as a result of that advice; and what the cost of that action was. [158671]

The Veterinary Investigation Service merged with the Central Veterinary Laboratory and became the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA) In 1996.VLA in Truro was served with a Crown Prohibition Notice by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) on 16 August 1999. The HSE considered that it was unsafe to work with TB-infected badger carcases without the provision of "local exhaust ventilation".VLA commissioned contractors to construct ventilated down-draught autopsy tables. The prototypes were installed at the Truro Regional Laboratory and were approved for use by the HSE. Subsequently, further autopsy tables were installed at all the remaining Regional Laboratories. The total cost was around £90,000. An additional sum of about £20,000 was spent on refurbishment of the Truro badger autopsy room.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures have been taken to assist farmers suffering multiple breakdowns safely to dispose of milk produced from reactor cows. [158699]

No particular measures are required as, currently, milk from reactor cattle can be sold for human consumption, provided it has been heat-treated.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to what extent reactive culling undertaken in the Krebs trials is comparable with reactive culling trials undertaken previously. [158749]

The randomised badger culling trial is the first culling trial in Great Britain to include scientific controls, allowing a rigorous estimation of the impact of a reactive culling protocol. No other such reactive culling trials have previously been undertaken in Great Britain.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how the Government reconciles its commitment to protect the badger populations with its commitment to maintain biodiversity in indigenous birds and mammals. [158752]

As has been previously explained the badger benefits from legal protection introduced to outlaw cruelty towards animals. For example, the Protection of Animals Act 1911, which among other things, made the baiting of animals illegal, and the Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996, which made certain specified acts of cruelty illegal.There is no reconciliation to be made with our stated commitment to biodiversity. The Department has put in place 391 species action plans, which are designed to help those species whose populations that are endangered or vulnerable.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether all TB hotspots in the UK have been identified. [158754]

There is no universally accepted definition of a "hotspot". Testing cattle herds for TB at regular enough intervals will, combined with other methods of surveillance, allow identification of areas of emerging infection in cattle.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the consequences for the spread of bovine TB are of badger migration into areas which are already colonised by established badger social groups. [158755]

There will be some movement of badgers even within areas of high density where social groups are virtually contiguous. However, rates of movement between groups are likely to be lower at high population density. Wherever movement between groups occurs there is the potential for disease transmission.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of whether the Krebs trials should be halted immediately. [158760]

The Randomised Badger Culling Trial (RBCT) is under constant assessment. The Independent Scientific Group on Cattle TB (ISG) carry out periodic interim analyses of RBCT data. If the ISG's analyses were to reveal any significant findings they would be reported to Ministers. An Independent Review Group, chaired by Professor Charles Godfray, has just completed an assessment of the RBCT and associated work, and the state of progress. The Review Group's report is expected to be published soon.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the PathMan project to which her recent consultation document Preparing for a New GB Strategy on Bovine TB refers is; and when results are expected from it. [158761]

The 'PathMan' project is not referred to in the consultation document "Preparing for a new GB strategy on bovine TB".'PathMan' is a web-based data capture and project management system specifically developed for a complex project involving collection of data from multiple collaborators or sites. It is being used to collect project data (epidemiology, pathology, bacteriology, histopathology and immunology) from the examination of 200 tuberculin skin-test positive and 200 suspected false negative cattle in order to understand the pathogenesis of naturally infected animals. The project is due to end in September 2005.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what assessment she has made of the reasons why the Krebs reactive trials led to an increase in bovine TB; [158793](2) whether the Krebs reactive trial proved conclusively that badgers are involved in the spread of TB among cattle. [158799]

The report of the review group chaired by Sir John Krebs, published in 1998, concluded that "there is strong evidence for an association between TB in badgers and cattle". The result from the reactive element of the Randomised Badger Culling Trial adds to the sum of that evidence. Further research and analysis is under way to investigate the reasons for this finding.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what factors in the Thornbury trial contributed to the success of the trial in reducing bovine TB.[158794]

Both the gassing method of culling to thoroughly eliminate the badgers, and the steps taken to prevent recolonization for several years, were factors likely to have maximised the reduction of any effect of badgers on cattle TB in the Thornbury trial area.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which voluntary groups have made representations to her Department on the welfare of badgers.[158795]

Defra periodically receives representations from a range of organisations on issues relating to badgers. Unfortunately, information is not kept in a form that would allow us, without disproportionate effort, to identify which representations specifically concerned badger welfare.However, I can reveal that the following organisations contributed to the recent public consultation exercise on licensing under the Protection of Badgers Act, 1992. The welfare of badgers was a central issue of this exercise.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what (a) establishments and (b) research staff there are to provide the experimental resources needed to develop TB vaccines in badgers. [158796]

Defra funds research projects to develop diagnostic tests and vaccines for TB in badgers. These are collaborative projects between the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA) at Weybridge and researchers in the Republic of Ireland.Four staff are engaged at VLA on these projects.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to create partnerships with farmers by means of granting them licences to kill badgers in TB-infected areas as a means of improving control of strategies for TB in cattle. [158797]

We have no current plans for such partnerships. As the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs made clear at the recent National Farmers Union AGM, we are open to radical solutions. If scientific evidence suggests that badger culling would be effective we will want to consider whether we can develop a practical and cost-effective policy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the likelihood of eradicating bovine TB by concentrating on biosecurity measures in the cattle industry without taking measure; to eliminate the disease in the wildlife reservoir. [158798]

None. The control of TB in cattle is a complex problem and there is no single solution.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she has identified economic benefits to the UK of allowing TB to be present in the national cattle herd. [158800]

No.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the relevance to the UK of the results obtained in the Republic of Ireland following use of BCG vaccine on badgers. [159119]

The Government are aware that there has been recent research in the Republic of Ireland on vaccination of badgers with BCG. However, as this work has not yet been published, we are unable to comment on its significance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the highest density of badgers recorded at any one location in England has been; and where that location was. [159238]

A density of 38 badgers per km₂ has been reported at Wytham Woods near Oxford¹. As far as we are aware this is the highest density of badgers recorded at a location in England.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with her counterparts in the Republic of Ireland about public attitudes to control of TB in wildlife. [159241]

No such discussions have taken place.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures are being taken to improve coastal defences in East Anglia. [163615]

I understand that over the next 10 years the Environment Agency (EA) is planning to spend about £70 million on coastal defence projects on the East Anglian coast to provide increased protection to some 25,000 residential properties.The EA is carrying out significant works at Hunstanton to Heacham; Happisburgh to Winterton; Great Yarmouth; Felixstowe; and Tilbury. Defra is also grant aiding Waveney district council for major works to protect against coastal erosion on Corton seafront, north of Lowestoft, and will consider applications from coast protection authorities for other works that meet the Department's criteria for funding.Five Shoreline Management Plans (SMPs) cover the East Anglian coast. These are all to be reviewed and second generation SMPs produced by 2008. SMPs are high-level plans that recommend policies for flood defence and coastal protection for the future. They take account of erosion and pressures on existing defences and the need to work more in keeping with natural processes. They outline the management policy for each area of the coastline for the next 100 years, and will provide predictions of the implications of these policies over the next 20, 50 and 100 years. The first of these, SMP3b covering the coast from Kelling to Lowestoft Ness, is currently being developed by North Norfolk district council as the lead authority, along with the EA and Great Yarmouth borough council. The draft policies for this SMP will be available for consultation 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 defence in each of the last five years. [163616]

The flood and coastal defence operating authorities promote schemes within the constraints of Defra funding criteria so funds are not specifically set aside for coastal defences as such.The original Defra grant allocations to the operating authorities (Environment Agency (EA), local authorities (LAs) and internal drainage boards (IDBs)) for capital improvement of defences against flooding, both coastal and otherwise, and coastal erosion for each of the last five years, and the outturn are as follows:

£ million
	Allocation	Outturn
1998–99
Environment Agency	31.0	33.5
Local Authorities	21.9	25.0
Internal Drainage Boards	0.25	0.4
1999–2000
Environment Agency	28.8	31.8
Local Authorities	26.9	26.0
Internal Drainage Boards	0.25	0.6

£ million
	Allocation	Outturn
2000–01
Environment Agency	27.0	26.4
Local Authorities	27.0	13.9
Internal Drainage Boards	0.5	0.2
2001–02
Environment Agency	44.0	38.5
Local Authorities	31.0	10.9
Internal Drainage Boards	2.1	1.3
2002–03
Environment Agency	61.0	66.2
Local Authorities	23.0	30.7
Internal Drainage Boards	3.0	1.7

In addition to capital grants, Defra has provided LAs with borrowing cover for the net of grant costs of capital works and EA with contributions to national initiatives and costs incurred in relation to the autumn 2000 floods.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will provide an updated version of the point-scoring system used to decide upon priorities for coastal protection. [163753]

The Department's priority scoring system for the funding of flood defence and coast protection capital works was introduced in 1997 and revised in the light of experience following extensive consultation. The new system became operational from April 2003. There is no intended bias against coastal erosion schemes in the new system. If any unintended bias emerged the Department would be willing to consider changes to the system. Officials have agreed to hold a workshop with representatives of coast protection authorities to consider whether alternative approaches could inform the allocation process in future years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the Risk Assessment for Strategic Planning database held by the Environment Agency has been updated to take account of the performance of demountable flood defences in Bewdley; and when insurers will receive these data. [163111]

The Risk Assessment for Strategic Planning (RASP) method was used to produce the National Flood Risk Assessment 2002. The flood probability data arising from that exercise were provided under licence to the Association of British Insurers (ABI) in July 2003. That database has not been updated to take account of the successful use of demountable defences in Bewdley.The Environment Agency is currently developing the RASP method for use for the National Flood Risk Assessment 2004. This will take into account the demountable defences at Bewdley. The EA's current plans are to make the flood probability data from this analysis of flood risk available to the ABI later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to re-examine policy on the flood protection for mobile homes in flood risk areas, with particular reference to assessment of possible benefits arising from raising the level of these homes; and if she will make a statement. [163219]

The Department has no current plans to re-examine the policy on flood protection for mobile homes in flood risk areas.Defra provides funding to the relevant operating authorities for capital works where an area at risk of flooding is of sufficient national priority, and where it is possible to provide a technically sound, economically viable and environmentally sustainable scheme to reduce flood risk. For mobile home sites, one of the considerations in determining whether the cost of protection is reasonable will generally include whether it would be more cost effective for the site to be moved to a lower risk location. Clearly site owners may choose to implement measures to reduce flood risk at their own expense (subject to necessary consents) and, as landowners, they are ultimately responsible for protecting their property against flooding.Advice to the owners of caravan parks and campsites can be found in "Planning Policy Guidance 25: Development and Flood Risk", published by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. PPG25 emphasises that owners should prepare safe and effective plans for action to be taken in the event of a flood at the site and ensure that any person who resides in a caravan or tent on that site is informed of the degree of risk and the action they should take in a flood event.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether residents of flood risk areas are required to contribute towards the cost of evacuation, including temporary accommodation; and if she will make a statement. [155867]

The costs of evacuation of people from their homes because of flooding or risk of flooding is a matter for local authorities. The provision of temporary accommodation for people who have been evacuated is a matter for individuals and their insurers, although local authorities can assist in cases where there is a need for their further assistance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what help is being given to farmers on the Somerset levels to help with flooding under the mid-term Common Agricultural Policy reform. [161879]

The Somerset levels are a flood plain where flooding is part of the natural cycle.While there is no general right to flood protection and no provision to compensate land owners or occupiers for flood damage, there are existing examples of cases where farmers have received payment for additional intentional flooding that forms a part of justified new flood defence measures. There is no intention to give farmers specific help with flooding under CAP reform.Agri-environment schemes in the area have promoted raised water levels on some farms to enhance the habitat. Whilst this is not a specific flood management tool it can make a contribution and we intend to continue it under Environmental Stewardship from 2005.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the cost-benefit analysis undertaken by her Department regarding the impact on the UK economy of adding each new GM crop. [164021]

As part of the GM Dialogue the Strategy Unit carried out a study of the costs and benefits of GM crops. Their report 'Field Work: weighing up the costs and benefits of GM crops' was published on 11 July last year. The report concluded that GM crops could offer some cost and convenience advantages to UK farmers, although any economic benefit is likely to be limited in the short term as only a narrow range of existing GM crops are currently suited to UK conditions, and weak consumer demand may limit take-up. In the longer term it concluded that future developments in GM crops have the potential to offer more wide-ranging benefits, to both farmers and consumers.We will agree to the commercial cultivation of a GM crop only if we are satisfied that it is safe, and we will provide genuine choice for consumers. Ultimately, it will be for farmers and consumers 10 assess individual GM seeds and products and decide via the normal operation of the market whether they want to buy them.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action she has taken to ensure that the Reading University cattle feeding studies involving Chardon LL fodder maize will be scientifically robust and independent of (a) Government and (b) GM crop technology companies. [163171]

The cattle feeding study carried out by Reading University was privately funded research. It is therefore not a matter for Government. I understand that the researchers intend to submit their study to a peer reviewed journal for publication so others will be able to assess the data when the peer review process is complete.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the Norwegian research on the safety of the CaMV promoter used in Chardon LL transgenic insert. [163205]

The reported new scientific evidence from Norway on the cauliflower mosaic virus promoter has yet to be published. When the details of this research do become available, the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE), which advises the Government on the risks posed by the intentional release of GMOs, will be asked to evaluate these data and advise on their implications for existing consents and future applications.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she gave consent for the harvested Chardon LL forage maize from FSE sites to be taken off-site and used: in cattle feeding studies at the Reading University Centre for Dairy Research; and what conditions were attached to that consent. [163212]

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.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much Chardon LL cattle feeding studies at Reading University has cost public funds. [163214]

There has been no cost to public funds. I understand the study carried out at Reading University was privately funded.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what results she has obtained from the Chardon LL cattle feeding studies completed at the Reading University Centre for Dairy Research in 2002.[163215]

I have not seen the results of this cattle feeding study, which was privately funded research undertaken by Reading University. Publication of the results of studies carried out by the university is a matter for them and those funding the work. However, I understand that the researchers intend to submit their study and the results to a peer-reviewed journal for publication.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what the process will be for the formulation of GM coexistence and liability measures; [164424](2) if it will be permissible for GM Chardon LL maize to be grown commercially in the United Kingdom before liability and compensation measures have been fully established; and whether she intends that such measures will be based on the principle of perpetual liability; [164425](3) whether statutory coexistence and liability measures will be put in place before GM Chardon LL maize can be grown commercially in the United Kingdom; and if she will make a statement. [164426](4) what measures she is taking to ensure that farmers wishing to grow GM crops commercially comply with a code of practice based on the EU 0.9 per cent. labelling threshold for GM content; and if she will give them statutory backing. [164427]

[holding answer 29 March 2004]: The GM maize Chardon LL will not be grown commercially in the UK before spring 2005 at the very earliest. The Government aim to have co-existence measures in place before then. We are proposing that GM growers should follow a code of practice which has statutory backing, based on the 0.9 per cent. EU labelling threshold for GM presence. It is envisaged that the code will include measures such as crop separation distances to minimise GM cross-pollination. We will consult stakeholders on the details of this as soon as possible, on whether a threshold below 0.9 per cent. should apply for organic production, and on options for providing compensation to non-GM farmers who incur a financial loss because a GM presence exceeds statutory thresholds.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the process is for modifying the Part C consent of Chardon LL maize under Directive 90/220/EEC before it can be grown and managed in the United Kingdom. [164428]

[holding answer 29 March 2004]: On 9 March officials wrote to the French Competent Authority, which issued the relevant consents on behalf of the 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. In accordance with Directive 2001/18 the French Competent Authority are required to forward an assessment report to the Commission who will forward it to all the other Member States. A collective EU decision will then be made on the proposal for amending the conditions of the consent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will publish the results obtained from the Chardon LL cattle feeding studies which were completed at the Reading University Centre for Dairy Research in 2002. [162981]

[holding answer 23 March 2004]: I understand this cattle feeding study was privately funded research undertaken by Reading university. Publication of the results of studies carried out by the university is a matter for them and those funding the work. However, I understand that the researchers intend to submit their study and the results to a peer-reviewed journal for publication.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether parliamentary approval will be required to allow the commercial growing of GM maize. [163509]

No. The procedures for assessing individual applications to grow GM crops are set out in EU Directive 2001/18 and in the implementing UK legislation. These were subject to parliamentary scrutiny at the time. The legislation provides for decisions to be taken on individual applications by Government. Final decisions on commercial approvals for GM crops are taken collectively by EU member states.The Government's policy on the commercial growing of GM crops was set out in the statement to Parliament on 9 March.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what proposed timetable she has been given for the Parrett sluice; [161885](2) what recent submissions she has received concerning the Parrett Catchment Project. [161886]

We have not been given a timetable for the Parrett Sluice.The Environment Agency are currently investigating and developing options for flood risk mitigation in Bridgewater. Until all options have been evaluated it will not be possible to propose a valid timetable for the Parrett Sluice.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to ratify the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels; and if she will make a statement. [163558]

The UK will ratify this Agreement on 2 April.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what secondments (a) PricewaterhouseCoopers, (b) Deloitte & Touche, (c)Ernst & Young and (d) KPMG have made to her Department since 2001; for what (i) periods and (ii) tasks the secondments were made; whether secondments of staff from her Department have been made to those firms; and for what (A) periods and (B) tasks. [156916]

Since 2001 no secondments have been made to Defra from the companies shown at (a) to (d) in the question, nor were there any secondments to those companies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) if she will place in the Library a copy of the W.S. Atkins' research into the scale and problems of private sewers; [162889](2) if she will make a statement on the steps taken since the end of the consultation period on the scale and problem of private sewers and drains in England and Wales. [162890]

The research on private sewers carried out by W. S. Atkins, was contained in our consultation paper published in July 2003. A copy of that consultation paper, together with a summary of responses, has already been placed in the Library.Since the consultation period ended, we have analysed responses and worked with stakeholders to identify the issues which will need to be resolved before a decision on the way forward can be made. We intend to publish our findings in early summer.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will estimate the total amount of solid waste which entered the sewage network in England and Wales in 2003, broken down by (a) household and (b) other sources. [162891]

Information on the total amount of solid waste entering the sewerage network in England and Wales is not collected for regulatory purposes. Ofwat obtains information on the total actual sewage from the ten water and sewerage companies in England and Wales. Aggregate figures for 2002–03 are as follows:

Sewage—Volumes	Megalitres per day
Unmeasured hosehold sewage	6,468
Unmeasured non-household sewage	167
Unmeasured sewage	16,635
Measured domestic sewage	2849
Trade effluent	757
Waste water returned	210,242
1 This is the sum of unmeasured household and non-household sewage.
2 This is the sum of unmeasured sewage, measured domestic sewage and trade effluent.

Volume	Megalitres
Septic tank waste	1,343
Cesspool waste	940

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many incidents of flooding have occurred in the last three years where raw sewage was involved in the contamination of people's homes and property; and if she will make a statement. [162892]

The Director General of the Office of Water Services has provided the following figures.

	2000–01	2001–02	2002–03
Number of incidents
Overloaded sewers (hydraulic)	3,946	2,468	2,809
Other causes	4,213	3,116	3,219
Total	8,159	5,584	6,028
Number of properties
Overloaded sewers (hydraulic)	3,228	2,108	2,318
Other causes	3,875	2,849	3,009
Total	7,103	4,957	15,327
1 Of these nearly 1,100 resulted from heavy summer storms that affected the north of England and for 1,159 propereties the flooding affected only uninhabited cellars.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment has been made of the (a) cost and (b) environmental impact per volume of sewerage from (i) main sewers, (ii) unadopted sewers, (iii) private sewers, (iv) septic tanks and (v) other non-sewer network-based systems for sewerage disposal; and if she will make a statement. [162896]

Information on sewage disposal/ treatment costs has been acquired during the W.S. Atkins research into existing private sewers and drains in England and Wales. The information obtained was mainly in relation to operational data i.e. maintenance and repair costs. W.S. Atkins has suggested that private treatment facilities would on average cost more per property per year to properly maintain than if the property was connected directly to a public sewer. If private treatment facilities are not properly maintained then there is a potential for them to cause pollution of their surrounding environment. In such cases, applications can be made under Section 101Aof the Water Industry Act 1991 for connection to the public sewer network.The Environment Agency (EA) regulates many activities that have an impact on the environment, including those that have the potential to cause pollution of water. In this respect, the EA has responsibility under the Water Resources Act 1991 (WRA) for the regulation of discharges to controlled waters through the consenting system. If there is no consent, or consents are breached by causing or knowingly permitting any poisonous, noxious or polluting matter to enter controlled waters, this is an offence and the polluter is liable to prosecution under the WRA 1991.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the current state of sewerage infrastructure, including the (a) physical extent of the maintenance and repair backlog and (b) expected cost of these repairs. [162897]

I am informed by the Director General of Water Services, that the current serviceability of the sewerage network is stable.Sewerage companies are under a statutory duty under section 94 of the Water Industry Act 1991, enforceable by the Secretary of State or the Director General of Water Services, to ensure the effectual drainage of their area.Sewerage Undertakers will shortly be submitting to the Director General of Water Services, final business plans for the period of 2005–10. These plans will include capital maintenance to maintain the serviceability of their assets, and to sustain levels of service to their customers. The draft business plans submitted by the companies in August 2003 propose costs of £1.2 billion to maintain sewerage infrastructure in the period 2005–10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the (a) usefulness and (b) costs of sheep tagging; and if she will make a statement. [163571]

Eartags are an important means of identification for sheep. They allow the holding on which an animal was born and where it has moved from to be identified. This is important when dealing with the tracing and control of animal disease.The Department produced a Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) to look at the costs involved with implementing EU proposals on sheep and goat identification which was lodged in the House Library. EU Regulation 21/2004 was adopted in December and the Department will be producing a further RIA on the new EU requirements before they are implemented in July 2005.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on gold plating of the standard form for single tax payments. [156506]

Our policy is to keep administrative burdens to a minimum and to avoid gold plating. Defra and the RPA are working closely on the development of the new Single Farm Payments Scheme and will ensure that application forms contain only the information necessary to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements in line with Government policy on better regulation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects (a) Bolton Fell Moss and (b) Solway Moss to be designated as candidate Special Areas of Conservation. [163642]

Public consultation has been completed for both sites but there remain unresolved objections which require further consideration. Discussions are currently taking place with the objectors. The Secretary of State will decide whether to submit these sites to the European Commission, as candidate Special Areas of Conservation, when the discussions are concluded.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many replies her Department received in response to the consultation document that preceded the ban on swill feeding; and what percentage of respondents favoured a ban. [162497]

The final total number of responses, including the late responses, received was 357. Responses were not clear cut as the consultation asked a number of questions but, taking account of all the responses, there were 37 per cent. against the ban, 32 per cent. in favour and 31 per cent. expressing no preference. Those in favour included major organisations representing widespread interests. They included, among others, the British Pig Association, the National Farmers Union, the National Consumer Council, and the Meat and Livestock Commission.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the extent is of British companies' involvement in the reconstruction of Iraq. [164131]

British companies are playing an important role in the reconstruction process of Iraq. In the recent tranche of contracts worth a total of $5 billion, British companies in joint venture with US companies have won substantial contracts in the Electricity and Public Works and Water sectors, worth in excess of $1.5 billion.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Governments of countries neighbouring Iraq about the cross-border movements of terrorist groups. [164134]

We have regular contacts with Iraq's neighbours about cross-border movements of terrorist groups. The Coalition Provisional Authority is currently working on a phased plan to tighten border security, beginning with the Iranian border.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the distribution of the Iraqi Oil for Food money and accrued interest. [163532]

UN Security Council Resolution 1483 established the Development Fund for Iraq (DFI) as a single account to handle all proceeds from the sale of Iraqi oil, all remaining monies from the Oil For Food (OFF) programme. and all unencumbered Iraqi overseas assets. The DFI is used to fund the Iraqi Budget and additional emergency expenditures authorised by the joint Coalition-Iraqi Programme Review Board.In addition to the $1 billion transferred from OFF accounts to the DFI at its inception, all uncommitted OFF monies were transferred to the DFI following the hand-over of responsibility for ongoing OFF contracts to the Iraqi Ministry of Trade and the Coalition Provisional Authority on 21 November 2003. The accounts of the DFI as of 5 March 2004 show that this transfer amounted to $2,192,314,373.89.The DFI is an interest-bearing account held at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and all interest earned by the account is re-invested. The accounts of the DFI, the Iraqi Budget and minutes of the Program Review Board are available on-line at the CPA website: www.cpa-iraq.org.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will set out the basic constitutional rules and decision making systems for the Iraqi Transitional National Assembly; and if he will make a statement. [163990]

The principles of the transitional political structures in Iraq, including the Transitional National Assembly are set out in the Transitional Administrative Law (TAL), which was signed by the Iraqi Governing Council on 8 March. A copy of the TAL has been placed in the Library of the House. The signing of the TAL was a major step forward for the political process in Iraq.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will set out the membership of the Iraqi Transitional National Assembly, including the members' ethnicity; and if he will make a statement. [163995]

The Transitional Administrative Law (TAL) was signed by the Iraqi Governing Council on 8 March. The TAL establishes the principles of the transitional political structures and sets out the timetable for the elections processes, including membership of the National Assembly. Article 30 states:

C "The National Assembly shall be elected in accordance with an electoral law and a political parties law. The electoral law shall aim to achieve the goal of having women constitute no less than one quarter of the members of the National Assembly and of having fair representation for all communities in Iraq, including the Turcomans, Chaldo-Assyrians and others."

D "Elections for the National Assembly shall take place by 31 December 2004 if possible and in any case no later than 31 January 2005."

The Iraqis have invited the UN to re-engage in Iraq and assist with the elections processes. We welcome the return to Iraq of the Head of the UN Elections Assistance Division, Carina Perelli, to advise on the establishment of an Independent Elections Commission by May.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Iraqi Governing Council's proposals to replace the country's civil family laws with Islamic Sharia Law. [164026]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Lewisham, Deptford (Joan Ruddock) on 9 March 2004, Official Report, column 1435W.Governing Council Resolution 137 on family law has been withdrawn by the Governing Council. lit has no legal status.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures are being taken by the international bodies involved in the reconstruction of Iraq to protect the interests of the Mandaean religious community. [164255]

The Coalition is working hard with the Iraqis to strengthen the Iraqi security and judiciary sectors to provide law and order and to protect the rights of all Iraqis. The fundamental rights of all Iraqis are laid out in Article 12 of the Transitional Administrative Law (TAL), which was agreed by the Iraqi Governing Council on 8 March 2004. A copy of the TAL has been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions his Department has had with the new Spanish Government: and if he will make a statement. [164132]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs spoke with Prime Minister-elect Zapatero's principal Foreign Affairs Advisor, Miguel Angel Moratinos, on 15 March to congratulate him on the PSOE's election victory. Officials have also been in contact with members of the government-elect.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the measures taken in the EU on the struggle against terrorism. [164133]

In the wake of the 11 September attacks, the EU adopted an action plan on counterterrorism, which last week's European Council updated and extended.Much of the old action plan had been achieved. A Framework Decision on Terrorism has tightened counter terrorist legislation in those countries which had not previously faced a terrorist threat. A European Arrest Warrant allows quicker extradition from one member state to another. A system has been established collectively to freeze terrorist assets. Last week's Council decided that we need rapidly to complete implementation of the measures already agreed, approved a wide ranging package of measures designed to enhance further our citizens' security, and endorsed the creation of an EU counter-terrorism co-ordinator.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on prospects for the proposed Constitution for the European Union.[164136]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Aldridge-Brownhills (Mr. Shepherd).

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his Department's policy is on reform of the United Nations. [164137]

I refer my hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh, North and Leith (Mr. Lazarowicz).

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on United Nations reform. [164140]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh, North and Leith (Mr. Lazarowicz).

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the situation in Eritrea. [164138]

The internal situation in Eritrea is stable. However, we do have concerns about the human rights situation in the country. We have made this clear to the Eritrean authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the latest security situation in Afghanistan. [164141]

The security situation in Afghanistan remains fragile, particularly in the South and East. Sporadic attacks continue against both international and Afghan forces, as well as the UN and NGOs. Fighting between Afghan forces also occurs, as seen in a recent incident in Herat that resulted in the death of the Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister.The international community, including the UK, is responding with increased commitments of troops and resources, including by extending the network of Provincial Reconstruction Teams. In the long-term, Afghanistan must be able to maintain its own security, through an effective national army and police force. Work to recruit and train those has been under way for some time, with the UK's active support and involvement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the current situation in Serbia and Montenegro. [164142]

Following recent elections, the new Serbian Government are focussing on their domestic reform programme. We welcome their commitment to closer European integration through the state union with Montenegro.We continue to put pressure on Belgrade to engage constructively over Kosovo and renew co-operation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Israeli Government regarding continued incursions onto Palestinian land. [164143]

Phase One of the roadmap provides for a progressive withdrawal of the Israeli security forces from areas occupied since 28 September 2000. We have urged the Israeli Government on many occasions to meet their obligations under the roadmap without delay. Israel is entitled to take steps to ensure its security, and safeguard itself against terrorism, but only within international law.We regard the construction of the Israeli barrier on Palestinian land as unlawful and have made this clear both to the Israeli Government and at the UN. Most recently, following the assassination of Sheikh Yassin on 22 March, my noble Friend, the Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean made it clear to the Israeli Ambassador, Zvi Shtauber, that the excessive use of force in the Occupied Territories does nothing to improve prospects for peace.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans the Government have to take forward work on arms control as part of the UK's (a) chairmanship of the G8 and (b) presidency of the European Council in 2005. [163356]

The United Kingdom will assume the chairmanship of the G8 in January 2005, and the Presidency of the EU in July 2005. The Government have yet to finalise their priorities for the assumption of these key roles. We will, however, wish to continue work already under way on arms control issues and, in particular, to take forward work on implementing coherent strategies on arms control and counter-proliferation in both fora. As was made clear by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary in his statement of 25 February, counter-proliferation issues remain a high priority for the Government (Official Report, columns 46–49WS).

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the total value of British arms exports to (a) Israel and (b) the occupied territories was in each of the last five years. [163680]

I have been asked to reply.Since May 1997, the Government have published an annual report on strategic export controls containing details of all goods, including components, authorised for export from the UK and to which destinations. The total value of SIEL licences issued for each destination is recorded in these reports. Copies of the annual report (up to and including 2002) are available from the Libraries of the House. Details of export licences approved in 2003 will be published later this year in the 2003 annual report.Concerning quantities exported, HM Customs and Excise and DTI compliance officers check that the terms of the licence have been respected but do not store data on volumes of actual exports which have been vetted and licensed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what (a) renovation and (b) maintenance projects on buildings (i) owned and (ii) rented by his Department were undertaken in each of the last five years; and what the associated costs were of each. [163955]

There have been no renovation projects carried out on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in the UK during the past five years. The cost of individual maintenance projects can be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, the total cost of maintenance of the FCO UK Estate during the last five years was:

£
	Owned	Rented
1999	7,366,086	161,904
2000	5,360,579	375,679
2001	8,882,212	746,222
2002	6,035,173	325,632
2003	6,579,242	608,547

The details given relate only to the FCO estate in the UK. Details of renovation and maintenance of the overseas estate are held at the individual posts concerned and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what Britain's preferred location for the headquarters of the new EU Border Management Agency is.[164251]

The UK is still considering options for the location for the headquarters of the new EU Border Management Agency.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what his Department's involvement was in the 2002 European Initiative for Human Rights and Democracy projects on (a) the prevention of torture in Georgia and (b) the campaign against torture in Ukraine; and what assessment he has made of each project; [163863](2) what his Department's involvement was in the 2002 European Initiative for Human Rights and Democracy project on

Decisions about the individual projects funded by the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights are made by the European Commission and by local EC delegations. They are also responsible for managing and evaluating the projects. The EU Committee on Human Rights and Democracy allocates EU budget resources to projects in third countries and is responsible for evaluating the impact of the fund. The UK is represented on the Committee by officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the UK Permanent Representation to the EU.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the 2002 European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights micro projects in (a) Georgia, (b) Russia and (c) Ukraine were; how his Department was involved in the micro projects; and what assessment he has made of them. [163866]

The European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights micro projects scheme is for projects between 10,000 and 100,000 euros (£6,689 and £66,890). These are selected through calls for proposals conducted locally by EC delegations who manage and evaluate the projects.Priority themes and budget allocations are set by the EU Committee on Human Rights and Democracy on which the UK is represented by officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the UK Permanent Representation to the EU. Local British Embassies also keep in touch with the local Commission delegation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the latest assessment of Iran's capability to produce weapons of mass destruction. [163976]

We continue to have concerns about Iran's work on uranium enrichment, which, under the agreement signed by Iran and the Foreign Ministers of France, Germany and the United Kingdom on 21 October 2003, Iran undertook to suspend. We welcome Iran's recent decision to allow inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency to have access to Iranian nuclear facilities, and hope that Iran will cooperate fully with them.We judge that Iran also has the capability and the facilities to produce both chemical and biological weapons. Iran is a State Party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention. Upon accession to the CWC, Iran declared that it had produced chemical weapons in the past and that it had destroyed them.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on human rights in Iran, with reference to the recent election. [163977]

Over the last 10 years Iran has made progress towards greater political freedom. But the flawed parliamentary elections held on 20 February were a clear setback.On 23 February, EU Foreign Ministers expressed their deep regret and disappointment that large numbers of candidates, including many sitting deputies, had been prevented from standing, thus making impossible a genuine democratic choice by the Iranian people. For elections in any country to be regarded as free and fair, electors must have a chance to vote for candidates with a range of views.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had in Pakistan regarding talks to resolve the Kashmir issue and continue the work on improving Indo-Pakistan relations. [164129]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Mid-Worcestershire (Mr. Luff) earlier today.We warmly welcome the recent talks between India and Pakistan where they agreed an agenda and timetable for substantive talks, including on the issue of Kashmir. During my recent visits to India and Pakistan, I congratulated President Musharraf, Deputy Prime Minister Advani and Foreign Ministers Kasuri and Sinha on this breakthrough and assured them of our full support as they take this process forward. We recognise that these talks, due to begin after the Indian general election, will be a step in a long and difficult process. We hope that they will, in due course, lead to a durable settlement of all the outstanding issues, including Kashmir.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has held with his Chinese counterpart on nuclear proliferation on the Korean Peninsula. [163894]

We have a regular dialogue, at both ministerial and official level, with the Government of China on a range of issues of mutual concern. This includes discussion of proliferation on the Korean Peninsula.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the removal of funds by the Israeli Government from Palestinian and Jordanian banks in Ramallah in raids in February. [163915]

The Government have received accounts of the Israeli action against banks in Ramallah in February from both the Israeli and Palestinian authorities. The Government understand the need to stop the financing of terrorist groups but are concerned that this action may undermine steps being taken on this issue by the Palestinian Authority.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress his Department is making in meeting the target of cutting poppy production in Afghanistan.[164144]

The UK is supporting the Afghan Government in their efforts to eliminate poppy production in Afghanistan.We have committed £70 million over three years and have a dedicated counter narcotics team in Kabul. According to the United Nations annual poppy crop survey in Afghanistan, the level of opium cultivation in Afghanistan in 2003 increased to 80,000 hectares from 74,000 hectares in 2002. While unwelcome, this is not unexpected. Experience of counter-narcotic policies in other countries, such as Pakistan and Thailand where production started from a much lower level and where there was greater central state control, shows production tends to increase before it decreases.Increasing security and governance remains key to progress.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what progress his Department has made to manage the changeover from the Bank Automated Clearing System to the new BACSTEL-IP system for electronic payments. [164320]

The Cabinet Office is working with software suppliers and is drawing up a migration plan as recommended in the guidance issued by the Office of the Paymaster General (OPG) to change over the Bank Automated clearing system to the new BACSTEL-IP system by December 2005.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Lichfield (Michael Fabricant) of 8 March 2004, Official Report, column 1293W, on Digital Television when she plans to undertake a public consultation on the timetable for switching off analogue television services. [164680]

We are working with stakeholders including consumer groups, to have a better understanding of the process of switchover and the options available and we will make an announcement about consultation in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to her answer of 17 March 2004, Official Report, column 316W, on Sports (Honours), what the reasons are for the differences between the number of honours awarded over the last five years for sporting involvement in rugby league and rugby union; and if she will make a statement.[163960]

Decisions made by the honours committee are made on the basis of individual merit. I cannot comment on individual cases.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps have been taken in response to the National Audit Office Report by the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts, to improve the distribution of Lottery money across the regions; and if she will make a statement. [164631]

NESTA has recruited a National and Regional Co-ordinator to develop and implement a strategic approach to ensuring equality of access to NESTA's programmes across the UK.NESTA has commissioned research to examine how its processes might be refined to address regional imbalance and the report options for action will be considered by NESTA's Board of Trustees in April.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture,Media and Sport what proportion of schoolchildren in Taunton participated in two or more hours of quality physical education and exercise in each week in the latest six months for which figures are available. [164560]

The information is not held in the format requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The Impact of School Sport Partnerships' (published in March 2004 by DfES and DCMS) set out the early funding of the 2003–04 PE, School Sport and Club Links survey. Overall 61 per cent. of pupils in phase 1 school sport partnership schools spend at least two hours in a typical week on high quality PE and school sport within and beyond the curriculum. A copy of the report has been placed in the House of Commons Library. The results of the full survey will be published in April.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on how many occasions the cross-departmental Sport and Physical Activity Board has met. [164571]

The Activity Co-ordination Team, formerly the Sport and Physical Activity Board, which I jointly chair with my hon. Friend the Minister for Public Health has met on five occasions since July 2003.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Challenger 2 tanks he plans to sell; and to which countries. [163853]

There are currently no plans to sell Challenger 2 tanks.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the reason is for the cancellation of the plan to develop a Royal College of Defence Medicine Centre at Selly Oak, Birmingham; and what alternative plans there are to provide for the centre. [164052]

We remain committed to developing the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine in the Birmingham area. Use of the Selly Oak site for this purpose has not been ruled out and remains one of a number of options currently under consideration.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to carry out checks on results following the publication of the research study of miscarriages and birth defects amongst the children of Gulf War veterans; and if he will set up an independent inquiry into all reports of serious health problems amongst veterans. [164190]

[holding answer 29 March 2004]: I refer the hon. Member to the statement I made on 24 March 2004, Official Report, column WS44. In addition, the researchers have identified some additional work that is being undertaken within the scope of the original research. With regard to miscarriage the researchers are looking into measures of infertility as this often relates to early miscarriage. On renal anomalies, a more in-depth study of the diagnosis within this group is being conducted.The Government are not convinced that an independent inquiry would help. The possibility that we may look again at this matter has not been ruled out but, in the present circumstances, it is only through the programme of research initiated by the Government that we are ever likely to be able to establish the causes of Gulf veterans' illnesses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what HIV/AIDS programme is in place for British armed forces who spend time in sub-Saharan African countries. [164419]

Guidance on HIV/AIDS for members of the Armed Forces is based on guidelines issued by the UK Chief Medical Officer's Expert Advisory Group on AIDS. The prevention and management of HIV infection is part of a general strategy for the promotion of good sexual health and for the protection of personnel against blood borne viruses.Before deployment to sub-Saharan Africa Service personnel receive a health brief and are warned that the HIV/AIDS virus is a major medical threat. The educational message for operational deployments makes it clear that sexual abstinence is the only safe form of action with risk reduction only as a last resort.Service personnel are instructed in the use of condoms as a means of protection against STDs, including HIV/AIDS, as well as a form of contraception. On occasions where condoms are not readily available, they may be distributed to Service personnel.Service personnel who think they have been at risk are encouraged to consult their medical officer for discussion about the virus and possible referral for testing. Alternatively, Service personnel can also go directly to an NHS STI clinic for testing and/or counselling.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what efforts are being made by the Iraqi Survey Group to use the serial numbers on weapons found in Iraq to trace (a) where and (b) when the weapons were made. [163383]

The Iraqi Survey Group (ISG) is responsible for the assessment of Iraqi Weapons of Mass Destruction programmes. In general, the ISG does not have a requirement to use serial numbers to establish the origins and age of weapons.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Iraqi security personnel have been trained by British forces; and how many Iraqi army personnel are operational in the British sector of control. [162952]

As at 25 March 2004 there were around 36,800 Iraqi security personnel in the Multinational Division (Southeast) area, of whom 750 are members of the New Iraqi Army.Some 14,600 personnel have completed at least basic training.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many operational (a) Challenger 2 tanks, (b) warrior vehicles, (c) FU430, (d) Sabre, (e) Spartan and (f) AS90 vehicles there are; what percentage of the fleet this represents in each case; and what percentage of target availability this represents in each case. [163626]

I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the changes to stock reduction targets for slow-moving stock and consumables have been, following the undertaking by his Department in its response to the 13th report of the Committee of Public Accounts in Session 2002–03, MoD: Progress in Reducing Stocks, to revisit them. [163933]

[holding answer 29 March 2004]: Since June 2003, stock reduction targets for slow-moving stock and consumables have been re-visited. As a result of this work, financial provision targets have been replaced by actual stock disposal targets at gross book value. These revised targets were disaggregated and issued in January 2004 to individual budget holders and are being monitored to ensure that the progress required is being made.The new targets are detailed in the table:

Million
	Disposal targets
2003–04	259.4
2004–05	180.9
2005–06	153.0
Total	593.3

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the purchases of wood originating from Tasmania the Department has made in each year since 1997. [164050]

[holding answer 26 March 2004]: The Ministry of Defence requires suppliers of timber to obtain evidence that the timber supplied complies with Government policy. The country of origin is not recorded separately and therefore the information requested is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence where the search records of the (a) 7 City of Belfast battalion of the Ulster Defence Regiment, (b) 10 City of Belfast battalion of the Ulster Defence Regiment, (c) 3 County Down battalion of the Ulster Defence Regiment and (d) regular military units operating in their tactical area of responsibility for the night of 17 February 1978 are held; by what method they are stored; and whether they are a matter of public record. [164431]

The search records of all military units in Northern Ireland are held manually in paper format in the Northern Ireland Search Report Archive at 25 Engineer Regiment, Antrim. Reports of any searches, which did not produce a find, are routinely destroyed after six years when the statute of limitation for claims runs out. Records of productive searches may be held indefinitely in the archives and are subsequently reviewed in accordance with the terms of the Public Records Act, 1958 and 1967. However, I can confirm that there are no search records held prior to 1990.

To ask the Leader of the House what the requirements are on officials in his Office to declare current interests; and what register of interests is kept for his officials.[164698]

The Civil Service Management Code sets out the requirement for civil servants declaring any conflict of interest (http://www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/ civilservice/managementcode/index.asp).Details of individual interests declared and of approvals to undertake activities outlined in these codes of conduct are held on personal files.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (a) how many speed cameras there were and (b) what amount of revenue was raised, in each region in each year since 1997. [143347]

My Department holds information on speed cameras operated under the Speed Camera Programme for funding of approved cameras from fixed fine receipts, which began with seven Safety Camera Partnership areas in England and Wales in April 2000, increasing to 14 in 2001 and to 28 during 2002. The numbers of approved fixed and mobile speed camera sites for those partnership areas are:

As at end of year	Fixed camera sites	Mobile camera sites	Total
2000–01	311	242	553
2001–02	706	541	1,247
2002–03	1,387	1,528	2,915

My Department plans shortly to publish information on the number of safety camera locations for all Safety Camera Partnerships in England and Wales together with collision and casualty information.Prior to the Safety Camera Programme, police and highway authorities have used cameras since 1991, under the Road Traffic Act 1991 and the Department of Transport Circular 1/92 "Use of technology for traffic enforcement: Guidance on deployment". My Department does not hold information centrally on cameras which arc not part of the Safety Camera Programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many speed cameras have been erected in each county in England in each year since 1997. [163804]

My Department plans shortly to publish information on the safety camera sites in all Safety Camera Partnerships, which currently cover 38 of the 43 police authority areas in England and Wales. Information is not held centrally on safety cameras operated by police and highway authorities which do not participate in the partnership scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assistance his Department and its predecessor Departments have given to the Bicycle Helmet Initiative Trust in each of the last five years; upon what conditions such assistance was given; and if he will make a statement. [164164]

We work closely with the Bicycle Helmet Initiative Trust (BHIT), including the provision of grant aid for initiatives which contribute to the Government's cycling objectives. I helped launch the BHIT's "Guidelines for Setting up Community Based Bicycle Helmet Programmes" in May 2002. They are the result of three years work funded by a joint package with the Department of Health of £100,000. BHIT also received funding to produce a similar School Based set of Guidelines, which were sent to all schools in July 2003.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what figures he uses for the cost of (a) a bendy bus and (b) a conventional double decker bus when calculating grants to local authorities for their transport plans. [164833]