To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many outbreaks of each notifiable (a) animal and (b) plant disease there have been in each of the last 10 years. [165201]

The two tables placed in the Library of the House summarise details of outbreaks of each (a) notifiable animal and (b) plant disease/notifiable pests of plants in each of the last 10 years.The first table details animal diseases in Great Britain as notifiable under the Animal Health Act 1981.The second table details outbreaks in England and Wales, as Defra's Plant Health and Seeds Inspectorate are responsible for dealing with outbreaks both in England, and in Wales under a specific plant health concordat.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to her answer of 19 April 2004,Official Report, column 129W, on animal fodder, if she will list the developing countries which exported animal feeding stuffs and cereals into the (a) UK and (b) EU in 2002. [168796]

Tables placed in the Library of the House provide details of exports of cereals and feeding stuff for animals to the UK and the EU from developing countries in 2002 as recorded in the UK Overseas Trade Statistics and the equivalent systems of other member states.Overseas Trade Statistics (and the equivalent systems of other member states are subject to a degree of error. Although the overall level of errors is low, small values are affected disproportionately. Care should therefore be taken when interpreting such data.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of small, domestic-type batteries were recycled in (a) 2001, (b) 2002 and (c) 2003. [164533]

[holding answer 26 April 2004]: As far as we know, all collected batteries are recycled, but the collection rate is very low. We understand that the UK sold 25,100 tonnes of consumer batteries in 2002 and 125 tonnes were collected separately. This equates to a low collection rate of only 1 per cent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to encourage those using disposable batteries to switch to rechargeable ones. [167748]

The environmental case for switching to rechargeable batteries is not straightforward as not all applications are appropriate for rechargeable batteries. The Government are therefore not taking any steps on this matter.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research is being undertaken by or on behalf of her Department on bovine TB. [169744]

The following table shows the TB research projects currently being funded by Defra (April 2004):

Code	Research Project	Contractor
SE3004	Multivariate analysis of risk factors affecting tuberculosis incidence in cattle herds—phase 1	Veterinary Laboratories Agency
SE3008	Detection and enumeration of Mycobacterium bovis from clinical and enviromental samples	Veterinary Laboratories Agency
SE3013	Pathogenesis and diagnosis of tuberculosis in cattle—complementary field studies	Veterinary Laboratories Agency
SE3017	Development and evaluation of strain typing methods for Mycobacterium bovis	Veterinary Laboratories Agency
SE3024	Low dose TB infection in cattle: disease dynamics and diagnostic strategies	Queens University Belfast/Veterinary Laboratories Agency
SE3026	Bovine TB transmission in restocked herds: risk factors and dynamics	Warwick University
SE3027	Pathogenesis and immunology of Mycobacterium bovis infection in cattle	Institute of Animal Health
SE3028	The development of improved tests for the diagnosis of Mycobacterium bovis infection in cattle	Veterinary Laboratories Agency
SE3029	An investigation of potential badger/cattle interactions and how cattle husbandry methods may limit these	Central Science Laboratory
SE3030	Application of postgenomics to reveal the basis of virulence, pathogenesis and transmissability of Mycobacterium bovis	Veterinary Laboratories Agency
SE3032	The long term intensive ecological and epidemiological investigation of a badger population	Central Science Laboratory
SE3033	Housing of naturally infected cattle (field reactors) at VLA for immunological and bacteriological analysis	Veterinary Laboratories Agency
SE3107	Develop innovative methods to estimate badger population density	Central Science Laboratory

Code	Research Project	Contractor
SE3110	A molecular genetic analysis of badger social structure and bovine TB	Central Science Laboratory
SE3116	The economic value in changes in badger populations	Reading University
SE3206	Genome sequence analysis of Mycobacterium bovis	Veterinary Laboratories Agency
SE3208	Generation of vaccine candidates against Mycobacterium bovis	Vererinary Laboratories Agency
SE3209	Testing of vaccine candidates for Bovine Tuberculosis using a low does aerosol challenge guinea pig modal	Veterinary Laboratories Agency
SE3212	Testing TB vaccines in cattle	Veterinary Laboratories Agency
SE3215	Development of immunological assays for the detection of Mycobacterium bovis infection in badgers	Veterinary Laboratories Agency
SE3216	Development and testing of vaccines against badger tuberculosis	Veterinary Laboratories Agency
SE3217	Kinetics of skin test response in bovine TB	Institute of Animal Health
ZF0531	The ecological consequences of removing badgers from an ecosystem	Central Science Laboratory

A full list of Defra's research projects can be found online at: http://www2.defra.gov.uk/research/ project_data/Default.aspDefra is also funding the Randomised Badger Culling Trial and associated research (the Road Traffic Accident Survey in seven English counties and the TB99 Epidemiological Questionnaire), as well as a Gamma Interferon Policy Pilot.A limited survey of wildlife (badgers, and deer with suspicious lesions) killed on the roads in the Furness Peninsula, Cumbria is also underway.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will respond to the Godfrey Report on the Government's tuberculosis strategy. [170134]

On 6 April, Defra announced the publication of a report from an independent scientific panel reviewing the progress of the Randomised Badger Culling Trial and associated Defra research, as part of a wider review of Defra's science. The audit panel was chaired by Professor Charles Godfray FRS, director of the Natural Environment Research Council's Centre for Population Biology at Imperial College London, and comprised experts from the fields of veterinary and wildlife population epidemiology, applied statistics and population biology.The Government will give careful consideration to the complex recommendations of the report. The review's conclusions will inform Defra's wider review of TB strategy. Defra has extended the deadline for the public consultation on the TB Strategy review until 4 June, to allow sufficient time for the assimilation of, and comment on, this report.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when it is proposed that the over-30-month scheme for beef will end; and if she will make a statement. [170625]

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) review of the Over-30-Month rule was completed in July 2003 and recommended that it would be acceptable on public health grounds to replace the rule with BSE testing of cattle in two stages. Cattle born after August 1996 could be allowed into the food chain, after being tested for BSE, with the possibility of complete replacement of the rule from July 2005. Health Ministers are still considering the FSA advice, but it has already been decided that, for practical reasons, cattle born before August 1996 will be permanently excluded from the food chain. We are now unlikely to see any changes to the OTMS before January 2005, due to the legislative process that must take place once a decision has been reached by Ministers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures she (a) has in place and (b) is proposing further to reduce UK emissions of carbon dioxide between 2002 and 2010. [169590]

The Climate Change Programme, published in 2000, sets out an integrated package of policies and measures to reduce the UK's emissions of carbon dioxide from all sectors of the economy. Policies in the programme include the Climate Change Levy which is helping to fund measures to promote better energy efficiency in business and the public sector; the UK emissions trading scheme; targets to provide 10 per cent. of the UK's electricity from renewable sources of energy by 2010; the Energy Efficiency Commitment requiring electricity and gas suppliers to help domestic customers to save energy and cut fuel bills and; reforms to vehicle excise duty and company car taxation to support the aims of the European Union (EU) voluntary agreements with car manufacturers to improve fuel efficiency by at least 25 per cent. on 1995 levels by 2008–09.The Climate Change Programme will be reviewed later this year, which will provide an opportunity to introduce new policies, or strengthen existing ones, if the conclusion is that more needs to be done to keep us on track towards our domestic goal to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 20 per cent. below 1990 levels y 2010.The 2003 Energy White Paper set out an ambitious long-term strategy for UK energy policy and real progress has been made towards implementation of the White Paper's commitments. "Creating a Low Carbon Economy—First annual Report on Implementation of the Energy White Paper", published on 26 April, sets out the progress made to date and summarises the practical steps already taken in pursuit of the longterm goals.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what changes she has made to the carbon dioxide reduction target relative to 1990 levels within the National Allocation Plan to implement the EU Emissions Trading Directive following discussions with the DTI. [167753]

Government are committed to the key principles for setting the total level of allowances to UK installations as set out in the draft National Allocation Plan (NAP) in January. The key principle of the UK allocation methodology is that the total level of allowances for the first phase will be less than the projected emissions of the UK installations covered by the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. This reduction will be set on the basis that these installations would deliver a further 5.5 million tonnes CO₂ savings by 2010.We have always said that there may be changes to the total level of allowances, published in the draft NAP in January, as a result of various factors including continued updating and refinements to the energy projections, reclassification of sectors, identification of additional installations and corrections to historical emissions data. The detail of these changes will be set out in the NAP to be published shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assumptions have been made in respect of potential extra cuts in carbon emissions beyond those already anticipated in a business-as-usual scenario in setting the carbon dioxide reduction target relative to 1990 levels within the National Allocation Plan to implement the EU Emissions Trading Directive. [167754]

The energy projections used for calculating carbon dioxide emissions are driven by a number of key assumptions, which relate to economic growth, fossil fuel prices and population and industrial output. These assumptions incorporate the projected savings from the UK Climate Change Programme.The total level of allowances set out in the National Allocation Plan also take into account an additional saving of 5.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide which emissions trading was envisage to deliver in the UK's Climate Change Programme by 2010.In May, the Department for Trade and Industry intends to publish a working paper on the updated emissions projections, the energy and other assumptions underpinning them as they stood for use in the National Allocation Plan to be published shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what weight was given to (a) the desired environmental outcome and (b) expected energy trends in determining the carbon dioxide reduction target relative to 1990 levels under the EU Emissions Trading Directive. [167756]

The EU Emissions Trading Scheme is central to our work to move towards a low carbon economy. In the draft National Allocation Plan, published on 19 January, we demonstrated the UK's commitment to tackling climate change and signalled our plans for an ambitious approach to begin from phase one of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. The draft plan committed us to reducing UK carbon dioxide emissions by 5.5 million tonnes beyond those measures already set out in the Climate Change Programme and we have no intention of going back on that commitment.The expected energy trends were incorporated into the baseline for the EU Emissions Trading Scheme and are currently being updated. The total level of allowances to be published in the National Allocation Plan shortly will reflect the most recent energy projections and the UK's commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of the 20 per cent. cut in carbon dioxide emissions by 2010 she expects to be achieved through reductions in carbon dioxide emissions from the transport sector. [160880]

The UK Climate Change Programme, published in November 2000, seeks to reduce emissions from all sectors of the economy. The Programme was intended to be flexible and cost effective and did not set targets for individual sectors.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the progress is of her Department's consultation on proposed crop spray buffer zones. [170010]

The consultation on whether no-spray buffer zones should be introduced between agricultural spray operations and residential areas had a substantial response. I have seen initial papers from officials but all the evidence needs to be considered and the implications of any decision need to be thoroughly thought through. Our priority is to ensure that the right decision is made. It would be counter-productive to rush into making a decision and announce a conclusion as soon as there is something to say.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research her Department has commissioned on the potential impact on household waste volumes of introducing charges based upon the volume or weight of domestic waste produced by each household, with particular reference to disposable nappy volumes; and if she will make a statement. [168778]

The Government have no plans for the introduction of a national tax, or charge, on household waste. The Strategy Unit Report, "Waste not, Want not", recommended that local authorities who wish to take forward household incentive schemes to help reduce waste amounts and increase recycling, should be allowed to do so. In response to this recommendation work has been carried out to examine the impact of household incentive schemes. This work has looked in particular at the practicalities of operating any such schemes and how potential disadvantages might be overcome."Waste Not Want Not" also recommended that the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) should take forward work supporting re-usable nappy schemes. The aim of this work, now under way, is to achieve an average diversion of 225 kg/year per participating household by 2006. The scheme seeks to reach 550,000 households, equivalent to 24 per cent. of households with children aged 0–3 years. This would reduce arisings by a total of 200,000 tonnes over three years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what waste reduction targets have been set for the UK by European directives and regulations; what penalties could be incurred for failure to meet those targets; and what assessment has been made of the contribution of a reduction in the numbers of disposable nappies being sent to landfill to achieving those targets. [168790]

There are no European directives or regulations which set UK waste reduction targets.The UK targets under the Landfill Directive are to reduce the amount of biodegradable municipal waste sent to landfill to 75 per cent. of 1995 levels by 2010, 50 per cent. by 2013 and 35 per cent. by 2020 (using the four-year derogation period). Failure to reach these targets could result in the UK being fined up to £500,000 per day.In its report "Waste not, Want not", the Strategy Unit estimated that in 2000–01 nappies comprised around 2 per cent. of household waste, equivalent to 350,000 tonnes.The report recommended that the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) should take forward work supporting re-usable nappy schemes to aim to reach 550,000 households with the aim of reducing arisings by a total of 200,000 tonnes over three years. This work is currently under way and will help in reducing the amount of waste the UK produces.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether her Department has received a copy of the recent report from the Women's Environmental Network on the environmental and economic cost to the national health service of the use in and promotion through NHS facilities of disposable nappies; and if she will make a statement. [168920]

The Department has received a copy of the Women's Environmental Network report.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to develop co-ordinated strategies with officials from the Department of Health and the national health service for the reduction in the number of disposable nappies going to landfill; and if she will make a statement. [168935]

In its report, "Waste not, Want not", the Strategy Unit estimated that in 2000–01, nappies comprised around 2 per cent. of household waste, equivalent to 350,000 tonnes.The report recommended that the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) take forward work supporting re-usable nappy schemes to aim to reach 550,000 households with the aim of reducing arisings by a total of 200,000 tonnes over three years. This work is currently under way.As well as supporting new re-usable nappy businesses, the WRAP programme will also undertake work with health trusts, hospitals and professionals on re-usable nappies. It is a matter for the individual maternity units and trusts, in consultation with women and their families using the services, to decide on the practicalities of adopting real nappy schemes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when officials of her Department last met representatives of the Nappy Alliance to discuss disposable nappies; what action suggestions arose from that meeting; and what progress has been made in implementing them. [168944]

Officials from the Department has not met representatives of the Nappy Alliance to discuss disposable nappies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much money was spent on grants to aid energy efficiency in (a) Lancashire, (b) Chorley and (c) the North West in each of the last three years. [161243]

Defra currently provides grant funding for energy efficiency through four main routes. These organisations or programmes undertake work at a national or UK level often demand led and with no specific levels of funding attributed to particular regions.

The Carbon Trust—to support and promote energy efficiency and low carbon innovation for business and public sector.

The Energy Saving Trust—to support and promote energy efficiency in the domestic sector.

The Community Energy programme—capital and development funding to refurbish existing and install new community heating schemes.

The Warm Front programme—to provide energy efficiency measures to the vulnerable.

The funding made available by my Department to support and promote efficiency measures in each of the last three years is of the scale set out as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for what reason she has not met the commitment given in paragraph 3.49 of the Energy White Paper of February 2003 to publish an implementation plan on energy efficiency within one year. [165277]

The principal reason for the delay in publication of the Energy Efficiency Implementation Plan was to allow it to be published alongside the First Annual Report of the Energy White Paper.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what studied she has undertaken on the numbers of new jobs which implementing in full the energy efficiency targets contained within the Energy White Paper would provide by 2020. [165278]

No specific studies have been undertaken by the Department on the numbers of new jobs that might be created through the implementation of the energy efficiency goals set out in the Energy White Paper. However, in order for the White Paper goals to be met, a significant expansion of energy efficiency industry capacity would be required.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many homes in Wirral, South have benefited from the Warm Front and Home Energy Efficiency schemes. [170272]

The Home Energy Efficiency Scheme is now marketed as Warm Front. Between the launch of the scheme in June 2000 and the end of March 2004, approximately 1,600 households in Wirral, South received assistance from the scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures her Department is undertaking to reduce the level of domestic energy consumption in the United Kingdom. [169771]

'Energy Efficiency: The Government's Plan for Action' published on 26 April 2004, sets out how the Government aims to cut carbon emissions by an 12 million tonnes through energy efficiency measures across all sectors by 2010.In UK households, we have announced a new aim to deliver annual savings of 4.2 million tonnes of carbon by 2010. Measures to achieve this include:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many homes in Wigan have benefited from the home energy efficiency scheme, Warm Front. [169366]

The Home Energy Efficiency Scheme is now marketed as Warm Front. Between the launch of the scheme in June 2000 and the end of March 2004, approximately 2,400 households in Wigan received assistance from the Scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many homes in Preston have benefited from the home energy efficiency scheme, Warm Front. [169684]

Between the launch of the scheme in June 2000 and the end of March 2004, approximately 4,000 households in Preston received assistance from the scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many homes in Heywood and Middleton have benefited from the home energy efficiency scheme, Warm Front. [168436]

The Home Energy Efficiency Scheme is now marketed as Warm Front. Between the launch of the scheme in June 2000 and the end of March 2004, approximately 2,400 households in Heywood and Middleton received assistance from the scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many homes in Warrington South have benefited from the Home Energy Efficiency and Warm Front Schemes. [168705]

The Home Energy Efficiency Scheme is now marketed as Warm Front. Between the launch of the scheme in June 2000 and the end of March 2004, approximately 1,600 households in Warrington South received assistance from the Scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many homes in Stalybridge and Hyde have benefited from the Home Energy Efficiency and Warm Front Schemes. [168768]

The Home Energy Efficiency Scheme is now marketed as Warm Front. Between the launch of the scheme in June 2000 and the end of March 2004, approximately 2,000 households in Stalybridge and Hyde received assistance from the Scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the contribution the Are you doing your bit campaign has made to the Government's efforts to achieve its target of a 20 per cent. reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2008 to 2012. [168807]

The Are you doing your bit campaign was a successful stage in the Government's effort to raise the general level of public awareness of environmental issues. Research in 1998 showed initial campaign activity had proved effective. Further research in 1999 showed that 9 out of 10 people recognised the campaign and 7 out of 10 understood that everyone should do their bit. A further 9 out of 10 people said they already carried out the simple actions promulgated by the campaign.It did not, nor was it designed to, radically change behaviour or business practice across society and in any case it would not be possible to positively link the impact of any one information source with levels of carbon dioxide emissions for the UK as a whole.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much Government funding was available in each of the past three years to the (a) Energy Saving Trust and (b) Going for Green charity. [168811]

The information requested is in the tables.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the decision not to renew the Government's Are you doing your bit campaign: and what funding was provided for the www.doingyourbit.org.uk website, since the campaign began. [168812]

The Secretary of State will not be making a statement on the Are you doing your bit campaign.Detailed consideration is being given to the options for future communications activity in this area. Thinking will be informed by the current sustainable development consultation, 'Taking it on', launched 21 April 2004.The campaign website was funded from within the overall campaign budget. No specific records were kept for the website element of the campaign.

:to ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the farm income levels for farmers in Preston in the past five years. [169685]

Due to the small number of farms in Preston, there is no robust data available on farm incomes for farmers in that area over the last five years. Net farm income for farms in the EU north region and for England over the last five years are show in the following table.

Net Farm Income
	EU north region	England
1998–99	8,272	10,359
1999–2000	8,659	7,981
2000–01	12,456	9,886
2001–02	16,457	13,558
2002–03	18,512	16,435
Source:
Farm Business Survey

Net farm income is the return to the principal farmer and spouse for their manual and managerial labour and to the tenant-type capital of the

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on farm income for farmers in South Ribble in the past five years. [171286]

Due to the small number of farms in South Ribble, there is no robust data available on farm incomes for farmers in that area. Net farm income for farms in the EA North Region and for England over the last five years are show in the following table.

Net Farm Income
	EU north region	England
1998–99	8,272	10,359
1999–2000	8,659	7,981
2000–01	12,456	9,886
2001–02	16,457	13,558
2002–03	18,512	16,435
Source:
Farm Business Survey

Net farm income is the return to the principal farmer and spouse for their manual and managerial labour and to the tenant-type capital of the business

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much the average (a) severely disadvantaged area (SDA) and (b) non-SDA payment will be in Cumbria in each year from 2005 to 2013. [169096]

No estimates are available for the allocation of historic subsides to Single Farm Payment regions at county level. So it is not possible to determine the historic element of the payment during the transition period.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 28 April 2004 reference 166842, what assessment she has made of the alternative fertilisers used in countries that have banned ammonium nitrate fertilisers. [170585]

The soil and climatic conditions in the countries that have banned ammonium nitrate (AN) fertilisers—China, Colombia, Algeria and the Philippines—are very different from those experienced in the UK. One of the principal alternative fertilisers used in these countries is urea. Urea-based fertilisers give rise to greater ammonia emissions than AN. A switch to urea could, therefore, put at risk the UK's ability to meet internationally-agreed ammonia reduction targets. Crops cannot use urea directly. It must first be converted to ammonium and to nitrate nitrogen in the soil before being taken up by plants. As a result, urea can, in cold conditions, be slower acting than AN. The loss of ammonia from urea can also reduce crop yields, thus adding to the cost of crop production. As mentioned in my previous answer, we have an ongoing dialogue with industry to compare how well other nitrogen fertilisers perform in our soil and climatic conditions and their potential environmental impacts.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to her written statement of 20 April 2004, Official Report, columns 7–8WS, on flood defences, what options she is assessing for further reforms to improve accountability and effectiveness. [169850]

Implementation of the conclusions of the Flood and Coastal Defence Funding Review represents a significant reorganisation and streamlining of the service. Following the introduction of Flood Defence grant-in-aid to the Environment Agency on 1 April 2004, we are developing output and performance measures to monitor the efficiency and effectiveness of the Agency in reducing flood risk and to ensure optimal allocation of funding. In addition, the Agency are developing targets for reducing overheads associated with processing flood defence projects, which will be included in the Agency's Corporate Plan. We are also developing new procedures for monitoring the effectiveness of Internal Drainage Boards.As announced in March 2003, we will be undertaking a formal review of the effectiveness of the funding review conclusions after three years effective operation. We intend to commence this review in 2007, at which time we will consider whether any further reforms to the service should be considered. We will keep stakeholders fully involved in this work.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to meet hon. Members representing areas where properties or agricultural land are or might become at risk from flooding from the sea or from tidal inland waterways to discuss the Government's policy on global warming. [169583]

The recently published Foresight Report on flood and coastal defence will provide guidance for policy development in relation to managing increasing flood risk in the longer term, including the impact of climate change. I held briefing for hon. Members on the 22 April for this purpose. I will also be meeting the All Party Parliamentary Flood Prevention Group on 26 May. The Foresight Report is on the agenda.Since the 1980s the Department has provided guidance to operating authorities to make allowance for climate change in the planning and appraisal of new and replacement flood and coastal defence works. This guidance has been regularly reviewed in the light of the latest research findings and supplementary guidance was most recently issued in 2003. The aim is to take a suitably precautionary approach whilst not diverting funds unnecessarily from the solution of problems that affect people today. The approach and guidance will be further reviewed for the new Strategy for Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management which is expected to be completed by early next year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the progress of the Government's commitment to end fuel poverty by 2010. [167769]

The UK Fuel Poverty Strategy Second Annual Progress Report was published recently, providing an update of progress during the last year. The most recent estimates show a fall in the number of households in fuel poverty in the UK to 2.25 million in 2002, from around 3 million in 2001. The number of fuel poor households in England in 2002 is estimated to have fallen to around 1.4 million.The Fuel Poverty Implementation Plan, due to be published in the summer, will set out proposals for achieving our target to eradicate fuel poverty, as far as reasonably practicable, by 2010 for all vulnerable households in England and 2016 for all households in England.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what evaluation she has made of experiments to use oceans to absorb more carbon dioxide by spraying them with iron filings and the impact this will have on global warming. [169239]

Experimental studies of iron fertilisation have so far been carried out on a relatively small scale, and computer models are needed to estimate the consequences of large scale fertilisation. Modelling studies of iron fertilisation are currently performed as part of Defra's Climate Prediction Programme at the Hadley Centre.Iron fertilisation encourages extra growth of phytoplankton, which increases the uptake of carbon dioxide from the water and subsequently the atmosphere. Preliminary studies have indicated that even wide spread and continuous iron fertilisation would reduce levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide by only a small fraction, making it unlikely that there would be a significant impact on global warming. In addition, the consequences of such fertilisation on marine ecosystems could be severe.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans the Department has to propose amendments to the law with regard to the reference by a county council of its decision to dispose of all or part of its smallholdings. [170137]

The operation and management of county council smallholdings estates by local authorities is regulated by the Agriculture Act 1970. I can confirm that we have no plans to amend this Act.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to what extent the requirements of the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Directive with regard to energy efficiency have been taken into account in the design of the UK's National Allocation Plan. [167761]

The energy projections, used as the basis for calculating the allocation of allowances under the National Allocation Plan, take into account carbon dioxide emission reductions resulting from the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Directive. Therefore the allocation methodology used reflects the reductions in carbon dioxide emissions resulting from the requirements of the directive. A working paper on the updated energy projections will be published by the Department for Trade and Industry in May.Under the directive, member states may choose not to impose Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control energy efficiency provisions on installations covered by the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. We are currently deciding how we intend to use this provision in the UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the number of (a) animal and (b) plant species that will be affected by the loss of traditional orchards. [168158]

Defra regards traditional orchards as an important habitat for a wide range of species including wild flowers, lichens, insects and birds, and funds their conservation through the Countryside Stewardship Scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which (a) parish and (b) town councils have achieved the status of Quality Parish Councils, in the last year broken down by area. [170579]

(a) There are 17 parish councils that have achieved Quality Status in the last year. By area they are:

Name of council	Area
Holywell-cum-Needingworth Parish Council	Cambridgeshire
Poynton Parish Council	Cheshire
Upton by Chester Parish Council	Cheshire
Winsford Parish Council	Cheshire
Stokenham Parish Council	Devon
St. Osyth Parish Council	Essex
Hamble-le-Rice Parish Council	Hampshire
Headley Parish Council	Hampshire
Wootton Bridge Parish Council	Isle of Wight
Asfordby Parish Council	Leicestershire and Rutland
Braunstone Parish Council	Leicestershire and Rutland
Lawley and Overdale Parish Council	Shropshire
Selattyn and Gobowen Parish Council	Shropshire
Hurstpierpoint Sayers Common Parish Council	Sussex
Cuckfield Parish Council	Sussex
Curdworth Parish Council	Warwichshire and West Midlands
Melksham without Parish Council	Wiltshire

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to make a statement on the effectiveness of the Pesticides Voluntary Initiative. [169487]

The Government regularly reviews progress with the Voluntary Initiative on pesticides and reports its broad conclusions in the Budget and Pre-Budget Report. In Budget 2004 the Government confirmed the view that the Initiative will achieve the most effective way of reducing the environmental impacts of pesticide use provided it is fully implemented. However, to cover the potential case that the Initiative might fail to deliver the required environmental benefits within a reasonable time scale, the Government continues to keep the options for a tax or economic instrument under review. This remains the Government's position.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what regulation of sprayers her Department undertakes under the Pesticides Voluntary Initiative. [170135]

The Voluntary Initiative on Pesticides includes a National Sprayer Testing Scheme. This tests spray equipment to ensure that it can be used safely and effectively. The Scheme had a target to test 5,000 sprayers by 31 March 2004 and, while final figures are not yet in, appears to have achieved that level of uptake.The Initiative also includes projects to develop and promote best practice in the use of spray equipment. In particular, the National Register of Sprayer Operators helps pesticide users to keep up to date with good practice.As its name suggests, the Voluntary Initiative is not part of pesticide regulation as such but the Government wishes to see the Initiative succeed and has urged pesticide users to take part.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) how many licences for the planting of pharmaceutical crops have been applied for in the United Kingdom in each of the last 10 years; [167832]

Consent under the deliberate release legislation would be required for the planting of genetically modified crops producing pharmaceuticals, but no applications have been received, and therefore no consents have been issued. As a result, there has been no requirement to take measures to prevent contamination of other crops.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to her answer of 10 March 2004, Official Report, column 1538W, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of provision of the data maintained by the Environment Agency on the volume of hazardous liquid waste disposed directly to public sewers. [168369]

The data collected and made available by the Environment Agency are designed to allow it to regulate effectively such discharges of liquid waste to public sewers in order to protect the aquatic environment from adverse impacts, and to comply with relevant EU Directives and other relevant legislation.The Department continues to work closely with the Environment Agency and the sewerage industry on the adequacy of data relating to sewers. A new Direction to Sewerage Undertakers has recently been issued requiring the sewerage industry to report to the EA information on emissions from sewage treatment works, for the purposes of the Pollution Inventory, against a revised list of substances.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what consultation she has with (a) farmers and (b) landowners prior to the release of raptors on their land. [169456]

[holding answer 6 May 2004]: I have had no direct consultations with farmers or landowners about the release of raptors on their land. Reintroduction projects for conservation reasons have been carried out in England for red kite, osprey and barn owl. These projects have involved English Nature (the Government's statutory conservation advisor), voluntary conservation bodies and private individuals. In all cases, those involved have obtained the permission of farmers and landowners before any birds were released. English Nature supports only those reintroduction projects that conform to internationally agreed guidelines produced by the World Conservation Union (IUCN). This includes the requirement that 'the programme should be fully understood, accepted and supported by local communities'.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of decommissioning work on refrigerators is being carried out in the UK; and which counties are carrying out this work in the UK. [165868]

[holding answer 19 April 2004]: Approximately 72 per cent. of refrigerators were treated in England and Wales in 2003; the remainder were exported for treatment in Germany, the Netherlands and Denmark.Decommissioning of refrigerators through recovery and collection of ODS took place in the following counties and metropolitan areas in England and Wales: Shropshire, Greater Manchester, Derbyshire, Hertfordshire, Middlesex, Wiltshire, Gwent, Norfolk, Powys, Essex, East Sussex, West Midlands, Dyfed, County Durham.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) if she will make a statement on her policy for maintaining sea defences in the Blackwater and Crouch estuaries; [168037](3) what her policy is on the payment of compensation to landowners affected by managed realignment; [168039](2) what estimate she has made of the cost of maintaining sea walls in

Flood defence works funded by the taxpayer are supported on the basis of a full analysis of economic, environmental and social considerations and a full appraisal of benefits and costs. Doing nothing, maintaining the current line of defence and managed realignment are among the strategic options that Defra's guidance indicates should be considered before establishing a preferred flood management policy for any particular length of defence.The Environment Agency (EA), with Defra's backing, is now promoting a comprehensive series of Essex estuary strategies that will provide a better understanding of how future flood risk can be reduced in the face of pressures such as sea level rise. The strategies are being developed over a number of years. The Roach and Crouch Estuary Flood Management Strategy should be launched later this summer, while Blackwater and Colne Estuary Flood Management Strategy is due to go to public consultation later this year. A strategic study on the Stour and Orwell tidal estuaries has just been started.Where there is insufficient justification for the continued maintenance of an uneconomic sea wall, the EA will pursue a process to withdraw from publicly funded maintenance, as soon as possible. To ensure that the EA act in a reasonable way, they must pay due regard to my Department's policy guidance, and the Human Rights Act.The EA estimates that the overall cost of maintaining sea walls in the area covered by the Essex Local Flood Defence Committee in 2004–05 is £1.266 million. Approximately 24 per cent. of this is for maintenance works in the Maldon and East Chelmsford constituency.The EA's assessment of the state of repair of the sea walls in Maldon and East Chelmsford is limited to the Dengie Peninsula from Bradwell to Burnham. Data for the estuary sea walls has not yet been collected. However, visual inspections of these walls are undertaken on a regular basis and areas requiring repair are included in the annual maintenance programme.The EA will, over the coming years, be categorising its defences into the four categories to which the hon. Member refers in line with the Shoreline Management Plan, and the Estuary Strategies when these are complete. Although the primary responsibility for the maintenance of both sea defences and land drainage watercourses rests with the riparian landowner, the EA has permissive powers to maintain sea defences and has taken responsibility for the majority of them. Local authorities have similar permissive powers and maintain sea defences as part of their coast protection activities.To maintain sea walls landowners need the formal consent of the EA, in accordance with the Environment Agency Land Drainage and Sea Defence Byelaws, made under Schedule 25 (5) of the Water Resources Act 1991. Local authority consent may also be required depending on the nature and extent of the maintenance work to be carried out. Other consents such as assent from English Nature under the Wildlife and Countryside Act may also be necessary. Individuals should contact the EA in the first instance to establish what consents might be needed. Consent or permission from the owner of the sea wall will be required, where the person wishing to carry out maintenance is not already the owner of the specific sea wall to be maintained.Where there is no legal requirement to provide flood defence there is similarly no provision for compensation to offset the disadvantage suffered by any landowners that may be flooded as a result of a change in flood management practices. However, if a landowner were refused consent to maintain their own defence on the grounds that allowing them to protect their land would be contrary to the public interest, for example for nature conservation reasons, a case for compensation might arise. There is no general provision for compensation to landowners in cases where an operating authority stops maintaining a seawall and the EA's Exit Strategy should ensure that interested parties are fully aware of their options. Landowners and occupiers must be given enough notice to enable them to make business decisions for the future.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for what reason she did not make her announcement of 21 April 2004 on sustainable development by means of a oral statement to the House. [169859]

[holding answer 30 April 2004]: The Secretary of State announced the consultation 'Taking it on—developing UK sustainable development strategy together', on 21 April, to the House by means of a written statement.On the same day both the Secretary of State and I spoke at the launch event for the consultation. We were delighted to be joined by ministerial colleagues: Charles Clarke, the Secretary of State for Education and Skills; Hilary Benn, the Secretary of State for International Development; Bill Rammell of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Angela Smith of the Northern Ireland Office, Yvette Cooper of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Carwyn Jones from the Welsh Assembly Government; as well as Jonathon Porritt, the Chair of the Sustainable Development Commission and Klaus Topfer, the Executive Director of the UN Environmental Programme.We are greatly looking forward to considering the responses we receive to the consultation. The consultation closes on 31 July 2004.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had recently with the industries concerned in the implications of the introduction of the (a) Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment and (b) End of Life Vehicles directives. [167890]

The Government has been in ongoing talks with affected stakeholders on both of these Directives.The second consultation on implementation of the WEEE Directive concluded in March. 219 responses were received, and a summary of these can be found at www.dti.gov.uk/sustainability. Further, the Government recently completed a series of large workshops, in eight UK regions, to raise awareness amongst stakeholders. The Government is continuing discussions with all stakeholders in frequent meetings with industry.The last of 4 public consultations on the ELV Directive closed on 30 March. The Consultation Document set out the Government's proposals for a system, drawn up after extensive discussions with the industry sectors involved, to meet the "free take-back" and recycling requirements of the Directive. 65 responses to the consultation were received. These are now being assessed with a view to finalising the Regulations before presentation to Parliament.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which water companies have been found to have been providing water not fit for human consumption in each year since 1997; and what action was taken against them. [168876]

It is an offence under section 70 of the Water Industry Act 1991 for a water company to supply water unfit for human consumption, subject to a due diligence defence. The meaning of water "unfit for human consumption" is not defined in the Act and is a matter for the courts to decide on a case-by-case basis. It is usually taken to mean that the water has caused ill health or is rejected for drinking by consumers on the grounds of taste, smell or appearance.All incidents affecting drinking water quality are investigated by the Drinking Water Inspectorate and proceedings are instituted as appropriate. Since 1997 10 companies have been prosecuted for supplying water unfit for human consumption in respect of 29 separate incidents, with six further incidents taken into consideration. Eight companies have also been cautioned in respect of 16 incidents.

Date of incident	Date of court case	Company	Offence
20 February 1997	20 March 1998	Yorkshire Water	Section 70 Supply of water unfit (discoloured)
6 May 1997	5 November1998	North West	Section 70 Supply of water unfit (discoloured)
16 May 1997	1 April 1998	Dwr Cymru	Section 70 Supply of water unfit (discoloured)
12 June 1997	10 June 1998	Dwr Cymru	Section 70 Supply of water unfit (discoloured)
24 July 1997	26 January 2000	Thames Water	Section 70 Supply of water unfit (discoloured)
25 July 1997	15 July 1998	Dwr Cymru	Section 70 Supply of water unfit (low pH &discoloured)
31 July 1997	19 October 1998	Severn Trent	Section 70 Supply of water unfit (discoloured)
1 October 1997	5 October 1998	Northumbrian Water	Section 70 Supply of water unfit (discoloured)
22 October 1997	17 May 1999	South West	Section 70 Supply of water unfit (discoloured)
31 October 1997	6 April 1999	South West	Section 70 Supply of water unfit (discoloured)
14 November 1977	15 November 1999	North West	Section 70 Supply of water unfit (discoloured)
15 December 1997	23 April 1999	Severn Trent	Section 70 Supply of water unfit (discoloured)
16 December	5 January 1997	Anglian	Section 70 Supply of water unfit (discoloured)
18 December 1997	3 November	North West	Section 70 Supply of water unfit (discoloured)
19 December 1997	11 January 1999	Anglian	Section 70 Supply of water unfit (untreated river discoloured)
29 January 1998	16 August 1999	South East	Section 70 Supply of water unfit (discoloured)

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what checks are made to ensure that the water companies provide water that is fit for human consumption; and how often they are made. [168877]

Water companies in England and Wales have a duty to supply wholesome water. The Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2000, or in Wales the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2001 set out the numbers and types of samples that water companies must take to fulfil this duty. One of the roles of the Drinking Water Inspectorate is to ensure that water companies carry out the requisite checks. During 2002 more than 2,973,500 regulatory tests were carried out, of which 99.87 per cent. demonstrated compliance with the relevant water quality standards. The Drinking Water Inspectorate investigates all incidents affecting water quality which includes an assessment of additional samples taken to determine water quality.

To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission on which dates Big Ben has (a) shown an incorrect time and (b) failed to sound since 1 May 1994. [170086]

Big Ben is the name of the hour bell of the Great Clock rather than of the clock itself. Accuracy adjustments. usually within one or two seconds, are undertaken three times a week. Variations of this nature are caused by changes in temperature. The clock has been stopped for repair purposes for four periods since 1994 and work on the quarter chimes has taken place on seven occasions. In the latter cases the clock was not stopped.

To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission if he will make arrangements to permit hon. Members to proof read the Hansard report of their speeches made in Westminster Hall in the Hansard office above the Chamber; and if he will make a statement. [170194]

The Editor of the Official Report appreciates that some hon. Members may have been inconvenienced by the need to move staff who report Westminster Hall proceedings to offices at 7 Millbank. He will make arrangements as soon as possible for Members to read Westminster Hall speeches in the Hansard offices in the Palace of Westminster before publication.

To ask the Solicitor-General whether she discussed with other ministerial colleagues a draft of the Attorney General's legal opinion on the legality of military action against Iraq prior to his presentation of the opinion to the Cabinet. [168729]

It is the established practice not to disclose details of internal discussions between Ministers. This information is withheld in accordance with exemption 2 of Part 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

To ask the Solicitor General what steps the Government has taken since the statement on 20 January, Official Report, column 1215, on unexplained infant deaths, to (a) identify civil cases and (b) learn from these cases; and if she will make a statement. [167812]

The process of identifying prosecutions which may be affected by the Appeal Court's judgment in the appeal against conviction of Angela Cannings has been completed. Since the Appeal Court's judgment on 19 January the 300 relevant cases have been identified, of which 86 involve defendants in custody. There are three stages to the review process. To date, 167 cases have been reviewed and I will be in a position to tell the House the outcome of those reviews very shortly.Of the 16 ongoing prosecutions which may have been affected by the Cannings judgment, all have been reviewed and two have been discontinued. A Hampshire case was discontinued before trial and a Coventry case was discontinued before a retrial.

To ask the Leader of the House if he will bring forward proposals for amendment of the House's resolution on matters sub judice to permit parliamentary questions and early day motions to be tabled concerning cases before the Special Immigration Appeals Commission concerning withdrawal of UK nationality in circumstances where the case has become substantially delayed and is unlikely to be heard in the immediate future; and if he will make a statement. [169802]

I have no plans to do so, though I am willing to consider suggestions for change on this, as on other matters. I understand that the particular issue to which the hon. Member refers has been resolved.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate she has made of how many eligible senior citizens over the age of 75 in Northern Ireland did not avail themselves of the free television licence in 2003. [170485]

These figures are unavailable. However, I understand that for the year to 31 March 2004, 86,493 free licences for people over 75 were issued in Northern Ireland. Also, the BBC runs regular publicity campaigns in Northern Ireland, which receive widespread press coverage, to encourage people to take up the concession.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much the production of her Department's latest annual report cost; how many copies were printed; how many copies of it were sold at its cover price; to whom copies of the report have been provided free of charge; and how many copies were provided free of charge. [171138]

The information requested is as follows.

1. The design, typesetting, production and printing of this year's annual report was £57,000

2. 1,500 copies were printed.

3. 700 copies are to be sold at cover price of £26

4. Remaining copies for media, NDPBs, visitors to DCMS and DCMS staff (two copies for each of 28 Divisions)

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much money has been spent on the digitisation of content in libraries in Oldham, West and Royton since 1997. [170944]

This information is not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many (a) Ordinary Written and (b) Named Day Questions her Department received in (i) 2002-03 and (ii) this parliamentary session up to the most recent date for which figures are available, broken down by month. [170778]

The information requested is as follows:

2002–03 Session
	Named day	Ordinary written
November 2002	39	112
December 2002	28	52
January 2003	24	114
February 2003	11	105
March 2003	14	116
April 2003	10	110
May 2003	16	153
June 2003	18	150
July 2003	6	104
August 2003	0	0
September 2003	8	68
October 2003	6	69
November 2003	22	63
Total	202	1,216

2002–03 Session
	Named day	Ordinary written
November 2003	1	37
December 2003	12	105
January 2004	23	84
February 2004	9	106
March 2004	20	160
April 2004	13	65
Total	78	557

These figures exclude those questions either withdrawn by the Member or transferred to another Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what proportion of (a) Ordinary Written Questions to her Department were answered within five sitting days of tabling and (b) Questions for a Named Day received a substantive answer on that day in (i) 2002–03 and (ii) this parliamentary session up to the most recent date for which figures are available, broken down by month. [170779]

The information requested is as follows:

2002–03 Session
	Named Day		Ordinary Written
	Number answered on time	Percentage	Number answered within 5 sitting days	Percentage
November 2002	25	64.10	50	43.86
December 2002	9	32.14	20	40.82
January 2003	11	45.83	89	74.79
February 2003	9	69.23	58	56.31
March 2003	9	69.23	79	65.29
April 2003	3	30.00	37	32.17
May 2003	9	60.00	39	27.86
June 2003	8	44.44	96	61.15
July 2003	3	50.00	50	51.02
August 2003	0	0	0	0
September 2003	3	37.50	25	37.31
October 2003	5	83.33	47	56.63
November 2003	18	81.82	52	89.66

2003–04 Session
	Named Day		Ordinary Written
	Number answered on time	Percentage	Number answered within 5 sitting days	Percentage
November 2003	1	25.00	28	75.68
December 2003	6	66.67	73	69.52
January 2004	16	69.57	61	70.74
February 2004	6	66.67	71	61.74
March 2004	14	63.64	131	80.37
April 2004	11	84.62	32	52.46

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 24 March 2004, Official Report, column 876W, on sporting contacts (ban), whether, on 28 October 1997, Ministers had the power to invoke a ban on sporting contact with other countries taking place outside the UK. [168598]

In October 1997, as now, Ministers did not have specific powers to prevent sports teams travelling abroad.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the work of regional development agencies in developing tourism in Oldham, West and Royton. [170945]

The North West Development Agency (NWDA) is working closely with 'Marketing Manchester', the nominated Destination Management Organisation (DMO) for Manchester. The new DMOs are, in effect, smaller versions of tourist boards. They aim to ensure a strong visitor and market focus to all that is done within the region and strengthen the connection between businesses and other organisations in the tourism sector.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to (a) improve and (b) fund improvements to the A13 Sadlers Farm Junction in Benfleet, Essex. [171086]

The junction at Sadlers Farm between the A13 and the A130 (neither of which is a trunk road at that point) is in the form of a ring roundabout.Following a review of the transport problems in the South Essex area, Essex county council consider that the junction now requires upgrading to allow for the greater volume of traffic that is using the junction since it was built in 1988.It is up to Essex county council to submit, through the Local Transport Plan process, details of a new design which has been appraised in accordance with Government guidelines and which will deal with forecast levels of traffic. This assessment will then be used by the Department for Transport to consider whether there is a case for funding the scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much has been spent by his Department and its predecessors on research into new methods of detecting explosives on board ships before they dock in the UK. [170060]

The Department funds a £1.4 million research and development programme into technologies and methods used in Transport Security. It would not be appropriate to provide details, but much of this budget goes towards explosives detection technologies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the number of foreign registered (a) cars and (b) other vehicles in the UK on (i) permanent and (ii) temporary import; and how many he estimates have exceeded the maximum stay period. [170865]

Since January 2003, 116,000 new vehicles and 167,000 used vehicles have been permanently imported into the UK and registered at DVLA. A breakdown by type of vehicle is not available.Vehicles brought into the UK on a temporary basis are exempt from UK licensing and registration requirements if they are here for less than six months in any 12. No record is maintained of these vehicles and consequently no figures are available on the numbers of temporary imports.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures are taken to ensure that vehicles on temporary import are unable to exceed their maximum stay period; and what measures are taken against those vehicles that have exceeded this period. [170866]

Vehicles on temporary import are exempt from UK licensing and registration requirements, providing they are in this country for less than six months in any 12 and are registered and licensed in their country of origin. If at any time a vehicle used here on foreign plates is stopped by the police, the driver is responsible for demonstrating that he/she is entitled to use it in the UK.Keepers of foreign registered vehicles who fail to observe these requirements are subject to the same enforcement and prosecution procedures as UK motorists.DVLA is currently working with the police and local authorities to gather information on temporary imports to clarify the extent of the evasion problem and to introduce effective counter measures.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on recent developments in the inquiries into the Potters Bar railway accident. [168091]

Both the British Transport Police (BTP) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) continue to be involved in the investigation. On 18 March 2004 the lead role in the joint investigation transferred from the BTP to the HSE because of HSE's expertise in the areas in which the investigation is now concentrating. However because the investigation has not yet concluded, the prosecuting authorities have not yet come to a decision on prosecutions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many rail projects have been cancelled as being without a sound business case; and how many have been re-scoped since publication of the Strategic Rail Authority's Strategic Plan 2003. [170265]

No major rail projects have been cancelled or re-scoped since the publication of the Strategic Rail Authority's Strategic Plan 2003 because they are without a sound business case. Some changes have been made to the West Coast Route Modernisation Scheme and to the scheme to upgrade the power supplies in the south-east. These are intended to provide substantially the same level of outputs at less cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department has spent on research into quieter road surfaces in each of the last 10 years. [170166]

The Highways Agency has undertaken research into various aspects of quieter surfaces in the past 10 years, including the measurement of noise characteristics and durability of proprietary surfacing materials within their overall programme of research into improved road construction techniques. Annual expenditure on the development of quieter road surfaces is not available because most of the projects last for more than one year. However, total expenditure on research projects related to road surface noise characteristics completed since 1993 is around £3 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) pedestrians, (b) cyclists, (c) drivers and (d) car occupants have been (i) injured and (ii) killed in each of the last six years for which figures are available in each Greater London borough. [168880]

[holding answer 27 April 2004]: A table showing the information requested for the years 1997 to 2002, which is the latest year for which data are available, has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what (a) percentage and (b) number of reported motorway traffic incidents involved a heavy goods vehicle with left hand drive in each of the last three years; and what percentage of those incidents were attributed to poor visibility or blind spots on such vehicles. [170207]

The information is not available. From January 2005 data relating to heavy goods vehicles with left-hand drive will be collected separately using the STATS 19 accident report format. This means the information will be available from June 2006 onwards.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his Department's responsibility is for the Sea Stores building at Yate, South Gloucestershire; for what purpose the building is used; and if he will make a statement on its future use and ownership. [169240]

The Highways Agency owns the land and the on site storage facilities on Kennedy Way at Yate (the "Sea Stores" site). The site is the central facility for the co-ordination of the bulk purchase and storage of the agency's motorway communications equipment, which serves the national motorway and trunk road network.As part of the agency's sound business practice, the future use and ownership of the site and its operation remains under continual review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much has been spent on advertising the activities of the Transport Energy Best Practice programme, broken down by (a) year and (b) activity. [170019]

The Department, through the Energy Saving Trust, spent £2.0 million in 2003–04 marketing the range of Transport Energy programmes, rising to £2.6 million in 2004–05. These activities include media events, magazine advertising, newsletters and guides, event and award sponsorship and presentations at exhibitions and seminars. It also maintains a dedicated website, www.transportenergy.org.uk and a central call centre.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many miles of new cycle lanes have been provided using public funds in Oldham, West and Royton since 1997. [170960]

A total of 3.8 miles of new cycle lanes has been provided using public funds in Oldham, West and Royton since 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many rural bus services in Oldham, West and Royton are supported by rural bus grants. [170961]

Rural Bus Subsidy Grant (RBSG) is paid to local transport authorities; in the case of Oldham West and Royton this is the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (PTE). It is for the authority to decide which services should be supported with the grant. We understand from the PTE that no bus services in Oldham, West and Royton are provided by RBSG as this area is predominantly urban.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many miles of priority bus lanes have been created in Oldham, West and Royton since 1997. [170962]

There have been 1.65 miles of priority bus lanes introduced in Oldham, West and Royton since 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the effect of investment in railway improvements over the next 10 years upon residents of Oldham, West and Royton. [170963]

Residents of Oldham, West and Royton will benefit from the new TransPennine Express franchise, which commenced in February. The franchise secures investment of around £260 million, which will include the introduction of a new fleet of 100 mph diesel trains leading to increased capacity, improved service quality and performance across the region. A new Northern franchise, which will include local and regional services through Oldham, is out for tender. Work continues on the West Coast Main Line upgrade, which will see reduction in journey times along the route and increases in service frequency.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the availability of energy efficient tyres and the number (a) produced at present and (b) likely to be produced in the future. [170020]

The major tyre manufacturers all produce tyres that offer energy savings compared to other tyres in their ranges. But, the Government does not have detailed data relating to the production and availability of these more energy efficient tyres.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on how the change in the level of council funding for housing has affected the residents of South Ribble since 1997. [171283]

Since 1997 allocations of capital funding to local authorities for housing purposes have risen consistently by about 15 per cent. per annum on average. This includes the Major Repairs Allowance we introduced in 2001–02 specifically for the improvement of local authority stock alongside the Decent Homes standard which sets out minimum standards to be met by 2010. South Ribble transferred its housing stock to New Progress Housing Association in 1994 for £32.3 million. South Ribble's allocation for 2003–04 totalled £1.8 million.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the percentage council tax change, including all precepts, has been in Greater London, broken down by borough, in each of the last five years. [170503]

The information requested is tabled as follows.

Percentage change in average (Band D 2 adults) council tax area
	2000–01	2001–02	2002–03	2003–04	2004–05
London area	6.4	8.1	6.4	18.2	5.8
City of London	3.9	4.1	7.0	19.6	4.3
Inner London
Camden	1.1	4.8	5.9	15.0	3.7
Greenwich	0.0	3.2	4.7	14.1	4.8
Hackney	6.6	9.7	10.9	13.2	5.4
Hammersmith and Fulham	6.2	5.1	2.5	13.4	5.5
Islington	-2.7	-1.1	-1.1	21.0	5.5
Kensington and Chelsea	7.3	11.9	10.6	17.3	5.4
Lambeth	2.2	13.0	9.3	22.8	5.6

Estimated mid-year resident population 1996 to 2002 for Greater London and each London borough
£000
	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002
Greater London (including City of London)	6,901.3	6,927.7	6,968.8	7,041.3	7,104.4	7,307.9	7,355.4
Greater London (excluding City of London)	6,895.7	6,922.1	6,962.7	7,034.8	7,097.5	7,300.5	7,347.5
City of London	5.5	5.6	6.1	6.5	6.9	7.4	7.8
Barking and Dagenham	157.0	157.8	158.9	161.7	162.8	165.9	167.3
Barnet	299.4	300.9	304.6	309.2	310.9	320.1	320.4
Bexley	217.4	215.4	216.6	217.1	218.4	218.8	218.8
Brent	249.5	252.3	255.2	255.8	259.2	270.4	272.4
Bromley	290.0	291.5	290.5	293.9	294.6	296.2	296.8
Camden	182.6	182.0	182.3	185.6	191.4	203.0	207.0
Croydon	326.6	327.9	329.9	328.6	330.3	335.7	336.6
Ealing	289.6	290.3	292.1	297.3	208.4	308.1	308.4
Enfield	262.8	266.0	267.9	270.0	272.0	277.7	281.8
Greenwich	208.1	209.1	209.4	209.7	211.9	217.8	221.4
Hackney	190.6	188.3	190.7	195.2	199.1	207.8	210.2
Hammersmith and Fulham	153.2	152.9	153.3	157.6	160.6	169.9	173.3
Haringey	209.3	212.5	212.1	215.1	215.5	221.9	225.1
Harrow	205.8	205.4	206.4	206.1	206.9	210.5	211.6
Havering	227.0	225.9	225.1	225.6	225.0	224.7	224.2
Hillingdon	239.4	240.1	240.7	242.1	242.9	245.9	246.5
Hounslow	204.1	208.0	209.8	211.5	211.4	216.4	216.6
Islington	173.6	174.1	173.5	173.2	174.7	179.8	181.0
Kensington and Chelsea	136.0	136.8	139.0	143.4	150.4	162.6	165.1