To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether years spent in the Civil Service Pension Scheme up to 2013 will continue to attract pension rights based on the final salary of the employee on their retirement at age 65 years following the proposed changes to the scheme; and if he will make a statement. [218185]

The Cabinet Office's consultation document, Building a sustainable future", proposes that pension rights earned before April 2013 by staff in post on 5 April 2006 will continue to be calculated by reference to a pension age of 60 and their final salary whenever they choose to retire or leave service.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what assessment he has made of the effect that the changes to the Civil Service Pension Scheme retirement age will have on serving prison officers who may become unable to carry out their prison work beyond the age of 60 years due to physical incapacity; and if he will make a statement. [218186]

The Cabinet Office's consultation document, Building a sustainable future", proposes that the new pension arrangements will, as now, include provisions for members who have to retire before pension age because of ill health or physical incapacity. The document also recognises that the physically-demanding nature of some members' jobs may not be compatible with a pension age of 65. Officials are discussing with employers of civil servants in physically-demanding occupations (including the prison services) the most appropriate way to handle these groups.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what estimate he has made of the number of people who transferred pension rights from the armed forces to the Prison Service who will work for a number of years at the end of their careers without building up any further pension rights; and if he will make a statement. [218188]

No assessment of the number of people who transferred pension rights from the armed forces to the Prison Service has been made. The Cabinet Office's consultation document, Building a sustainable future", addresses the issue of restrictions on benefits and asks whether we should allow members to build up their pension without limiting them to 40 years' service.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many serving (a) prison officers and (b) other civil servants will be affected by the changes to the Civil Service Pension Scheme. [218189]

The Cabinet Office's consultation document, Building a sustainable future", proposes that the main changes to the Civil Service Pension arrangements should apply to existing staff from 1 April 2013, but that some changes might apply before then. As at 31 March 2004, there were 617,000 members of the scheme, of which some 27,000 are prison officers. The Scheme Actuary estimates that, of those members who are likely to be in post on 5 April 2006, 420,000 will still be in service in April 2013.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many statutory regulatory bodies have been established since 1997. [217999]

This information is not collected centrally.

To ask the Prime Minister if hewill list his official engagements for 11 February 2005. [218885]

I had no official engagements on 11 February 2005.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish a list of all the individuals or organisations who have met Lord Levy in 2004 to discuss public policy; if he will list the representatives of the gaming industry who have met Lord Levy to discuss the Government's proposals for gaming; how many meetings in 2004 have been attended by Lord Levy on official premises or in the presence of officials; what subjects were discussed; and which countries have been visited in 2004 by Lord Levy as his personal envoy. [218907]

The information is not held in the format requested. However, in his capacity as Prime Minister's envoy, Lord Levy undertakes meetings to exchange views on a range of issues, including the Middle East Peace Process, Latin America and Kazakhstan. Lord Levy's diary for 1999–2004 is available on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website under the Freedom of Information Act.

To ask the Prime Minister when he will reply to the question tabled by the hon. Member for Mid-Dorset and North Poole on 24 January, reference 211247. [218836]

I replied on 28 February.

To ask the Prime Minister

(1) on how many occasions he has used the Queen's Flight in each of the past five years; [213444]

(2) how much money his Office spent on chartering aircraft in each of the past five years. [213687]

Since 1999 the Government have published an annual list of all visits overseas undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing £500 or more during each financial year.

All travel is undertaken in accordance with the rules set out in the Ministerial Code and Travel by Ministers, the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers, and the Civil Service Management Code.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much money his Department has spent on chartering aircraft in each of the past five years. [213690]

The department was formed in May 2002.

Travel by Ministers makes it clear that special flights may be authorised when a scheduled service is not available, or when it is essential to travel by air, but the requirements of official or parliamentary business or security considerations or urgency preclude the journey being made by a scheduled service. In respect of overseas travel by Ministers, since 1999 the Government have published an annual list of all visits overseas undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing £500 or more during each financial year. The list published in 1999 covers the period 2 May 1997 to 31 March 1999. Where RAF/Private Charter aircraft are used this is shown in the list. The Government have also published on an annual basis the cost of all Ministers' visits overseas. Copies of the lists are available in the Libraries of the House. Information for 2004–05 will be published in due course.

In addition, the Department has spent the following on chartering aircraft since its formation:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his Department's policy is on informing hon. Members of key decisions affecting their constituency transport infrastructure. [208219]

The Department's policy is to keepthe House of Commons and individual Members informed as appropriate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidelines on the Pass Plus course are issued to driving instructors and others involved in driving tuition; and if he will make a statement. [218563]

The Pass Plus Scheme is a voluntary scheme undertaken by Approved Driving Instructors (ADI). On registering as a Pass Plus instructor the ADI receives a Pass Plus starter pack which includes a comprehensive 34 page instructor guide. The guide explains the scheme and sets out the instructors role and the syllabus to be followed.

The starter pack also contains several copies of a 39page pupils guide, which explains the scheme and syllabus from the pupil's perspective, training report forms, and copies of a list containing the names of the participating insurance companies. A copy of this information is supplied to the pupil upon entry to the scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transportwhat statistics his Department collects for (a) motorway accidents and (b) motorway accidents involving newly qualified drivers; and if he will make a statement. [218565]

The Department for Transport collects detailed statistics on road accidents involving personal injury, including motorway accidents. These are reported in the annual publication Road Casualties Great Britain: Annual Report", which can be found on the Department's website. There were 8,746 motorway accidents involving personal injury in 2003. Information on whether drivers in motorway accidents are newly qualified is not collected in this system.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what statistics his Department collects for (a) all road traffic accidents and (b) road traffic accidents involving newly qualified drivers; and if he will make a statement. [218772]

The Department for Transport collects detailed statistics on road accidents involving personal injury. These are reported in the annual publication Road Casualties Great Britain: Annual Report", which can be found on the Department's website. There were 214,030 road accidents involving personal injury in 2003. Information on whether drivers are newly qualified is not collected in this system. However, we know from research we have undertaken that one in five new drivers has some sort of accident within one year of passing their driving test. A cohort study of new drivers currently under way will refresh this information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to announce the awarding of the East Coast Mainline Franchise. [218636]

An announcement is likely to be made in the next few weeks.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the Advisory Committee on Aids to Transport by Rail, Road and Inland Waterway met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if he will make a statement. [217812]

I refer the hon. Member to the series of Command Papers on prospects for the EU—Cm6174 laid in April 2004, Cm6310 laid in September 2004 and Cm6450 laid in February 2005, which cover the periods of the above presidencies and are available on the FCO website at: www.fco.gov.uk/commandpapers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the Advisory Committee for the Application of Legislation on the Development of the Community Railways met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if he will make a statement. [217813]

I refer the hon. Member to the series of Command Papers on prospects for the EU—Cm6174 laid in April 2004, Cm6310 laid in September 2004 and Cm6450 laid in February 2005, which cover the periods of the above presidencies and are available on the FCO website at: www.fco.gov.uk/commandpapers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the Advisory Committee for the (i) application of uniform principles on costing for railway undertakings and (ii)harmonisation and comparability of the accounting and annual accounts of railway undertakings met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if he will make a statement. [218263]

I refer the hon. Member to the series of Command Papers on prospects for the EU—Cm6174 laid in April 2004, Cm6310 laid in September 2004 and Cm6450 laid in February 2005, which cover the periods of the above presidencies and are available on the FCO website at: www.fco.gov.uk/commandpapers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the Committee (i) on the system of charging for the use of transport infrastructure, (ii) on the development of trans-European transport networks and (iii) for granting Community financial aid in the field of trans-European energy networks met; when and where these meetings took place; which UK Government expert was present; and if he will make a statement. [218364]

(i) There were no meetings of this Committee during the period in question.

(ii) This Committee met three times during the course of the three presidencies, on 20 October 2003, 11 May 2004 and 17 November 2004. The meetings took place in Brussels and on each occasion the United Kingdom was represented by an official from the Europe Division of the Department for Transport.

(iii) Responsibility for representation on this Committee rests with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. I refer the hon. Member to the series of Command Papers on prospects for the EU—Cm6174 laid in April 2004, Cm6310 laid in September 2004 and Cm6450 laid in February 2005, which cover the periods of the above presidencies and are available on the FCO website at: www.fco.gov.uk/commandpapers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the activity of the European Aviation Safety Agency in the UK in the last 12 months; and if he will list its publications and newsletters published over that period. [215202]

Regulation (EC) No. 1592/2002 on common rules in the field of civil aviation safety and establishing a European Aviation Safety Agency makes a clear distinction between the safety responsibilities of the Agency and those remaining with member states' aviation authorities, such as the UK Civil Aviation Authority. However, the Regulation also allows the Agency to use the national authorities to carry out on its behalf tasks that need to be performed to meet its own responsibilities.

The Agency does not have a physical presence in the United Kingdom. While it has been recruiting staff to its offices in Cologne and establishing necessary procedures, all the necessary technical work to meet its responsibilities in the UK have been carried out on its behalf by the UK Civil Aviation Authority.

In 2004, the European Aviation Safety Agency approved the following airworthiness-related items for United Kingdom companies and UK-registered aircraft on the basis of investigations and recommendations made by the UK Civil Aviation Authority:

For some aircraft types operating on the UK register the Agency has assigned the airworthiness-related tasks in the categories above to other national aviation authorities, or to multi-national teams that include personnel from the EU national aviation authorities and, in some cases, employees of the Agency. As these tasks were undertaken in other countries, accurate information on the number and nature of approvals granted is not held in the UK.

The Agency does not have a publications service. During the last 12 months, the Agency has issued a considerable number of documents, including detailed consultations, information leaflets and the minutes of its Management Board's meetings, all of which can be accessed on the Agency's website at www.easa.eu.int.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which highway schemes provisionally approved by his Department in the local Transport Capital Settlements announced in (a) December 2000, (b) December 2001, (c) December 2002 and (d) December 2003 have since been rejected. [218685]

holding answer 28 February 2005

No local major highway schemes that were provisionally approved between December 2000 and 2003 have since been rejected. However, the Bridgefoot Environmental Bypass provisionally approved in 2000 has subsequently been withdrawn by Warrington borough council.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will announce the public consultation process for his Department's plans for a register for post-test motorcycle trainers; and if he will make a statement. [218533]

The consultation paper on developmental training for qualified motorcyclists is due to be published by the Driving Standards Agency in the early spring of this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make provision for Safety Camera Partnerships to fund the Bikesafe scheme when the Motor Cycle Industry Association's grant-aid finishes; and if he will make a statement. [218534]

The Department welcomes the police's initiative in developing the Bikesafe initiative. The Government's Motorcycling Strategy", published on 22 February, recognised that Bikesafe is a legitimate component of roads policing promoting road safety, and police forces have the freedom to devote resources to the scheme.

The Safety Camera Programme has a specific purpose, provided for in the Vehicles (Crime) Act 2001, section 38 Unified power for the Secretary of State to fund speed cameras etc.". The programme provides police forces and highway authorities with extra resources to support the deployment and operation of safety cameras, from the fines for speeding and red light offences detected, over and above their main funding. The resources provided through the programme cannot be used for other purposes, not provided for in the Act.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many new motorway service areas were opened in each of the last eight years. [218651]

Since February 1997 16 motorway service areas have opened:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action (a) his Department and (b) Network Rail plan to take to promote rail safety in the forthcoming 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [218143]

The actions the Department will take include the simplification of the regulatory structure, the coming into operation of the Rail Accident Investigation Branch and the making of regulations to transpose the European rail safety directive.

Network Rail will continue its systematic improvement of the control of key risks, reduction of business loss, compliance with new legislation (including European directives) and work with industry partners to improve the safety and performance of Britain's railway.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many traffic accidents took place in (a) Essex and (b) Southend in each year since 1997. [218278]

The information requested is shown in the following table.

Accidents in Essex: 1997–2003

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to extend the provision of road safety cameras. [218957]

Road safety cameras are operated by local partnerships of police forces and highway authorities, which are provided with additional resources from fine receipts, through the national safety camera programme. Two further partnerships are to join the programme for 2005–06, Surrey and Merseyside. Following the issue of the Handbook of Rules and Guidance for the National Safety Camera Programme for England and Wales for 2005–06" in November 2004, partnerships have submitted their bids for the 2005–06 programme. Partnerships' bids are now being assessed, and I shall announce the results when the assessment is completed. Copies of the Handbook are in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many Tiredness Kills" signs there are on motorways in England; and where they are located. [217713]

The number of Tiredness Kills" signs on motorways in England and their locations are:

These signs, which are usually worded Tiredness Can Kill, Take a Break", are generally provided on the approaches to Motorway Service Areas.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the cost of producing a staff identity pass was in the Department on the latest date for which figures are available; and how many staff identity passes have been reported lost or stolen in each year since 1997. [215094]

The Department for Transport was formed in May 2002.

In DfT's London Headquarters in 2004–05 to date we have replaced some 76 passes but this also includes replacing damaged passes as well as those lost or stolen. Information from earlier years is not available. The cost of replacing each pass is £13.52.

For elsewhere on the DfT estate we do not have comprehensive information to be able to provide a definitive standard cost of producing staff identity pass because of the large number of buildings and various access arrangements. From the information available the estimated average cost is between a £1–£15.30 depending on what the pass is used for and its method of production. The figures we have available about the numbers of passes lost or stolen indicates that there were 233 in 2002–03 and 228 in 2003–04.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the impact on (a) the Stonehenge visitor centre and (b) the A303(T) Stonehenge tunnel project and Winterbourne Stoke bypass of his decision to delegate the funding decisions to south-west regional bodies. [214174]

holding answer 4 February 2005

TheSecretary of State for Transport, jointly with the First Secretary of State, is currently considering the Inspector's report of the inquiry into the A303 Stonehenge Improvement scheme.

There are no plans to delegate decisions on transport schemes or their funding to regional bodies. Under the proposals in the consultation document Devolving decision making: a consultation on regional funding allocations" the region would be invited to advise Ministers on the relative priority of transport investment proposals on the basis of long-term regional funding guidelines. Copies of the consultation document are available in the House Libraries.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport who the responsible authority for inspecting the calibration and accuracy of tyre pressure gauges on garage forecourts is; and if he will make a statement. [218624]

The calibration and accuracy of tyre pressure gauges is not routinely checked by local authorities or departmental agencies. The National Weights and Measures Laboratory have responsibility for issuing type approvals to new types of mechanical tyre pressure gauges in accordance with European Directive 86/217/EEC. If EEC-verified mechanical gauges are placed on a UK garage forecourt they can be inspected by a local authority Trading Standards Officer and can be disqualified if found to be inaccurate or not in compliance with the approval.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment she has made of the animal welfare implications arising from the operation of aquaria, with particular reference to (a) the showing of abnormal and stereotypic behaviour, (b) the incidence of deformities and (c) the incidence of infections. [216349]

All zoos including aquaria are regulated under the Zoo Licensing Act 1981, under which they are subject to a comprehensive licensing and inspection regime. The aims of the regime include maintaining appropriate standards of animal welfare and a suitable environment for the animals, as set out in the Secretary of State's Standards for Modern Zoo Practice.

In addition, the Zoos Forum, the Government's advisers on zoo matters, have set up a working group which will be looking at developing possible research proposals in all aspects of the keeping of animals in zoos, including aquaria.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will review her Department's policy on the issue of licences to farmers and other landowners for the destruction of badgers associated with outbreaks of bovine tuberculosis. [214120]

There are currently no plans to review the existing policy for issuing licences for culling badgers in order to prevent the spread of TB.

However, we are prepared to consider a badger culling policy if evidence from the Randomised Badger Culling Trial, or from other research, suggests that it would be successful in reducing bovine TB in cattle, and that a cost-effective and acceptable policy could be developed and implemented.

We are aware of the recently published results of badger culling research carried out in Ireland and have sought the advice of independent scientists on the relevance of the findings to the disease situation in Great Britain.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for what reasons her Department no longer publishes data on bovine tuberculosis infection rates in badgers. [214135]

Data on bovine tuberculosis infection rates in badgers culled in the Randomised Badger Culling Trial (RBCT) are being assessed by the Independent Scientific Group on Cattle TB (ISG) and will be published at the end of the Trial. This decision follows advice from the RBCT independent statistical auditor who supported the ISG policy of withholding such data from immediate publication as it could compromise the future statistical integrity of the RBCT. The ISG is currently analysing data on the prevalence and pathology of TB in badgers collected as part of the RBCT and the RTA survey and will present these analyses in the peer-reviewed press when complete.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research her Department has conducted on public perception of the costs of the bovine tuberculosis control programme. [214136]

We sought views on cost sharing for the future as part of last year's consultation 'Preparing for a new GB Strategy on bovine TB'. In addition Defra has funded a survey, carried out by the University of Reading, into the monetary value society places on changes in the size of the badger population.

The views submitted in response to the consultation exercise have been taken into account in developing the new bovine TB strategy. We aim to publish the new strategic framework very shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what account she takes of public perception of badgers in determining her policy on badger culling for the purpose of controlling bovine tuberculosis; and what measures she plans to inform the public of the (a) economic effects, (b) potential public health risks of bovine tuberculosis infection in badgers and (c) welfare implications for badgers. [214139]

Defra strives to ensure that its policies are based on the best available scientific evidence, and that they are cost-effective and sustainable. Any future decision on badger culling will need to take account of the way the general public perceives badgers and the acceptability of culling them to control TB in cattle. Views on wildlife management, including badger culling, were sought as part of Defra's consultation on a new long-term bovine tuberculosis (TB) strategy for Great Britain, during 2004. In addition Defra has funded a survey, carried out by the University of Reading, into the monetary value society places on changes in the size of the badger population. This will be available on the Defra website in due course.

Defra aims to publish the new bovine TB Strategy framework shortly. This will set out a clear framework for decision making on bovine TB for the future, including decisions on matters such as badger culling. Disseminating information to the public will form part of the TB Strategy Implementation/Communications Plan.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether it is her policy to support (a) a significant reduction in numbers of red deer in the Dulverton area and (b) the targeted culling of sick deer to reduce the spread of M. bovis infection. [214132]

Following wide consultation the Government recently produced an action plan for achieving the sustainable management of wild deer in England. Under this plan the management of local deer remains the responsibility of local deer managers, provided they meet the requirements of the Deer Act 1991 and the relevant welfare legislation.

Through the Deer Initiative, Defra is funding a deer liaison officer to work with landowners on deer management issues in the South-West and to assist with disease surveillance in deer, including bovine tuberculosis (TB).

Defra is currently considering the research required to increase our understanding of the role of deer in relation to bovine TB infection in cattle.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the implications of pockets of M. bovis infection in deer for the health of (a) cattle and (b) other wildlife in the area. [214133]

We are aware that TB is present in wild deer in parts of Exmoor. This was a factor, together with the disease history of cattle herds and other wildlife, in the decision to test cattle herds for TB over most of Exmoor on an annual basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress her Department has made in identifying a BSE test capable of supporting British beef producers who plan to export to (a) Europe and (b) third countries. [218475]

holding answer 25 February 2005

There are currently 11 tests for BSE approved by the EU. These tests are applied post-mortem to a brainstem sample.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

(1) if she will publish on its website the annual accounts of the Carbon Trust since its inception, including (a) incoming revenue from all sources and (b) expenditure on specific programmes; [217214]

(2) what the expenditure of the Carbon Trust on external consultants was in the last year for which figures are available; [217217]

(3) what assessment has been made of the impact of the Carbon Trust in terms of annual carbon savings. [217218]

The Carbon Trust is an independent company grant funded by Government. The trust publishes annual accounts on its website www.thecarbontrust.co.uk. As a private company expenditure on contracts held with external consultants is a matter for the Carbon Trust Board.

The Carbon Trust's assessment of the impact of its programmes, including annual carbon savings, is published in its annual report, available on its website. All current climate change policies are being evaluated under the Climate Change Programme Review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimates the Government has made of the change in global temperatures between 2004 and (a) 2014, (b) 2024 and (c) 2054. [216363]

Hadley Centre research for the Defra funded UK Climate Prediction Programme forecasts an increase in global temperature of between 0.17–0.53oC in the coming decade. The most recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the Third Assessment Report, stated that temperatures are predicted to increase by 0.4–1.1oC compared with 1990 levels by 2025, and 0.8–2.6oC compared with 1990 levels by 2050. Global temperatures have increased by just over 0.2oC since 1990.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what strategies her Department has put in place to aid the reuse and recycling of old computers. [216352]

Defra has been closely involved in developing implementation proposals for the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive, which requires producers of electrical equipment, including computers, to reuse or treat and recycle their products to target levels.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of how many computers were disposed of in landfill in each of the last five years. [216353]

No estimate has been made of the numbers of computers disposed of in landfill in each of the last five years. However, industry figures suggest that 1,022,000 computers, 960,000 monitors and 627,000 laptops were disposed of by householders in 2003.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures she is considering to encourage the formation of co-operatives for the purposes of tier-two payments. [217793]

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the new Environmental Stewardship Scheme that is due to be introduced shortly.

Under the second tier of the scheme, known as higher level stewardship, we will be offering a supplementary payment for group applications. This recognises the extra costs involved in facilitating communal agreements, for example on areas of common land or shared grazing, or on areas under more than one ownership that need to be managed collectively for resource protection, inter-tidal flood management or wetland management.

Full details of the Environmental Stewardship Scheme will be published later this week.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects the Date Based Export Scheme to be lifted. [218367]

holding answer 25 February 2005

Before beef export restrictions can be eased, there will need to be a further inspection visit from the EU's Food and Veterinary Office to check our BSE controls and our testing arrangements, a proposal from the European Commission to amend EU legislation, and agreement by other EU member states. Changes in export restrictions for beef from cattle born on or after 1 August 1996 are not expected before late 2005.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

(1) if she will publish on its website the annual accounts of the Energy Saving Trust since its inception, including (a) incoming revenue from all sources and (b) expenditure on specific programmes; [217215]

(2) what the expenditure of the Energy Saving Trust on external consultants was in the last year for which figures are available; [217216]

(3) what assessment has been made of the impact of the Energy Saving Trust in terms of annual carbon savings. [217219]

The Energy Saving Trust is an independent company grant funded by Government. The trust publishes an annual report on its website www.est.org.uk. As a private company expenditure on contracts held with external consultants is a matter for the Energy Saving Trust Board.

The Energy Saving Trust's assessment of the impact of its programmes, including annual carbon savings, is published in its annual report, available on its website. All current climate change policies are being evaluated under the Climate Change Programme Review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the Management Committees of the Common Organisation of Agricultural Markets for Milk and Milk Products met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if she will make a statement. [217849]

The Management Committee of the Common Organisation of Agricultural Markets for Milk and Milk Products met:

10 July, 24 July, 28 August, 11 September, 25 September, 16 October, 30 October, 13 November, 27 November, and 11 December 2003.(a) 10 times during the Italian presidency, on

15 January, 28 and 29 January, 12 February, 26 February, 11 March, 25 March, 15 April, 29 April, 13 May, 27 May, 10 June, and 24 June 2004.(b) 12 times during the Irish presidency, on

15 July, 29 July, 26 August, 16 September, 30 September, 14 October, 28 October, 11 November, 25 November, and 16 December 2004.(c) 10 times during the Dutch presidency, on

All but one of the meetings were held in Brussels. The meeting of 14 October 2004 held during the Dutch presidency took place in The Hague.

The UK was represented by officials from Defra's Milk Branch, with representatives from the Department of Agriculture in Northern Ireland and the Rural Payments Agency attending occasionally when subjects of particular interest were discussed.

At the meetings the UK has supported the measures taken by the Commission to balance Community milk and milk product markets while taking budgetary considerations into account.

A series of Command Papers on prospects for the EU—Cm6174 laid in April 2004, Cm6310 laid in September 2004 and Cm6450 laid in February 2005, which cover the periods of the above presidencies, are available on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website at: www.fco.gov.uk/commandpapers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the Management Committees of the Common Organisation of Agricultural Markets for Beef and Veal met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if she will make a statement. [217850]

The Management Committee of the Common Organisation of Agricultural Markets for Beef and Veal met:

11 July (1DEFRA representative attended), 25 July (1), 29 August (1), 12 September (2), 26 September (1), 17 October (1), 31 October (1), 14 November (2), 28 November (2), and 12 December (2).(a) 10 times during the Italian presidency, on

16 January (2), 13 February (2), 27 February (2), 12 March (2), 25 March (2), 15 April (3), 29 April (1), 28 May (1), 11 June (1), and 22 June (2).(b) 10 times during the Irish presidency, on

16 July (1), 30 July (2), 17 September (1), 27 September (1), 15 October (2), 26 November (1), and 17 December (1).(c) 7 times during the Dutch presidency, on

All of the meetings were held in Brussels. The UK were represented by officials from the appropriate division of Defra. The number of representatives for each meeting is shown in brackets above.

A series of Command Papers on prospects for the EU—Cm6174 laid in April 2004, Cm6310 laid in September 2004 and Cm6450 laid in February 2005, which cover the periods of the above presidencies, are available on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website at: www.fco.gov.uk/commandpapers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the Management Committees of the Common Organisation of Agricultural Markets for Sheep and Goats met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if she will make a statement. [217851]

The Management Committee of the Common Organisation of Agricultural Markets for Sheep and Goats met:

21 November (1Defra representative attended) and on 12 December (2).(a) Twice during the Italian presidency, on

13 February (2).(b) Once during the Irish presidency, on

16 July (1) and on 26 November (1).(c) Twice during the Dutch presidency, on

All meetings were held in Brussels. The UK were represented by officials from the appropriate division of Defra. The number of representatives for each meeting is shown in brackets above.

A series of Command Papers on prospects for the EU—Cm6174 laid in April 2004, Cm6310 laid in September 2004 and Cm6450 laid in February 2005, which cover the periods of the above presidencies, are available on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website at: www.fco.gov.uk/commandpapers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the Management Committees of the Common Organisation of Agricultural Markets for Pigmeat met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if she will make a statement. [217852]

The Management Committee of the Common Organisation of Agricultural Markets for Pigmeat met:

15 July (2 Defra representatives attended, plus 1 expert), 17 September (1, plus 1 expert), 15 October (1), 18 November (1), and 15 December (1) 2003.(a) 5 times during the Italian presidency, on

23 January (2, plus 1 expert), 16 February (3), 15 March (2), 21 April (2), 19 May (2), and 22 June (2) 2004.(b) 6 times during the Irish presidency, on

13 July (1), 14 September (2), 19 October (2), 16 November (1), and 14 December (1) 2004.(c) 5 times during the Dutch presidency, on

All meetings were held in Brussels. The UK was represented by officials from Defra's Livestock Products Division (Pigs branch), and experts were from the Meat and Livestock Commission. The number of representatives for each meeting is outlined above.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the Joint Meetings of Management and/or regulatory Committees in the field of agriculture—promotion of agricultural products met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if she will make a statement. [217870]

The Joint Management Committee for the Promotion of Agricultural Products met on the following dates:

(a) During the Italian presidency:

16 July 2003

9 September 2003

8 October 2003

17 December 2003

All meetings took place in Brussels and officials from Defra attended.

(b) During the Irish presidency:

4 February 2004

24 March 2004

12 May 2004*

14 June 2004*

All meetings took place in Brussels and officials from Defra attended. An official from the Rural Payments Agency also attended the meetings marked with an asterisk.

(c) During the Dutch presidency:

12 July 2004*

15 September 2004*

13 October 2004

18 November 2004

17 December 2004

All meetings took place in Brussels and officials from Defra attended. An official from the Rural Payments Agency also attended the meetings marked with an asterisk.

The Joint Committee for the Promotion of Agricultural Products was established in September 2000 following the introduction of Council Regulation (EC) 2702/1999 for the promotion of agricultural products in third countries. Council Regulation (EC) 2826/2000 which covers the promotion of agricultural products in the internal markets was introduced shortly afterwards. The regulations provide a framework for promoting Community agricultural produce through activities such as trade fairs, market research, advertising, information campaigns and fact finding visits.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the Committee (i) for the adaptation to scientific and technical progress and implementation of the Directives on waste, (ii) on the Directive on packaging and packaging waste and (iii)for the adaptation to technical and scientific progress of the Directive on the protection of the environment, and in particular of the soil, when sewage sludge is used in agriculture met; when and where these meetings took place; which UK Government expert was present; and if she will make a statement. [218313]

The Technical Adaptation Committee (TAC) for the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and Restriction of Hazardous Substances (ROHS) Directives met on the following 12 occasions: During the Italian presidency (from July to December 2003) 11 July, 16 September, 26 November, 17 December, during the Irish presidency (from January to June 2004) 27 January, 3 March, 17 March, 10 June, 28 June and during the Dutch presidency (from July to December 2004) 20 July, 22 October, 10 December. UK experts from Defra and DTI were present and a detailed summary of these discussions, including unofficial meeting notes, may be found on the internet at the following website: http://www.dti.gov.uk/sustainability/weee/index.htm

TAC meetings for Packaging and Packaging Waste took place in Brussels during the Italian presidency on 30 October 2003 and included two UK experts, both from DTI. On 16 April 2004 a second meeting was held which included UK experts from both of DTI and Defra.

There were no TAC meetings held in relation to End of Life Vehicles (ELVs) during the Italian presidency. During the Irish presidency two meetings were held on 14 January and 10 June 2004. During the Dutch presidency there was a single meeting held on 2 December 2004. In these instances a DTI official represented the UK.

There were no meetings of the TAC on the sewage sludge Directive during the Italian, Irish or Dutch presidencies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the allocation of seats for regional flood defence committees. [217066]

Section 15 of the Environment Act 1995 provides that each English regional flood defence committee (RFDC) shall consist of:

(a) a chairman and a number of other members appointed by the Secretary of State;

(b) two members appointed by the Environment Agency;

(c) a number of members appointed by or on behalf of the constituent councils to form a bare majority on the RFDC.

In making her appointments, my right hon. Friend seeks to ensure that the profile of committee members forms a broad coverage of interests from the area including land drainage, planning, social, environmental and coastal issues; and also attempts where possible to achieve a balance on the committee in terms of geographical representation.

Local authority representation is set by statutory instrument and we seek to allocate seats—whole or shared—to the constituent councils based upon council tax data (band D equivalent properties).

Constituent councils are defined in section 15(6) of the Environment Act 1995 as, 'the councils of every county, county borough, metropolitan district, or London borough any part of which is in the area of a regional flood defence committee shall be the constituent councils for the regional flood defence committee for that area'. This therefore means that upper tier and unitary authorities are eligible for the local authority seats but not lower tier authorities such as district councils nor other bodies such as the Government office for the region concerned.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the shared seat for City of York and North Yorkshire on the Yorkshire Regional Flood Defence Committee will be occupied by a representative from (a) City of York and (b) North Yorkshire county council. [217067]

Section 16(8) of the Environment Act 1995 provides for the sharing of seats of constituent councils. Seat sharing is commonplace on regional flood defence committees (RFDCs) throughout the country and councils normally decide between themselves how this will be managed, for example operating an annual rota system. If councils are unable to agree, the appointments are made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. Non-voting members can attend meetings.

I understand that the allocation of the seat shared between City of York and North Yorkshire on the Yorkshire RFDC has not yet been decided.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

(1) if she will make a statement on the priority scoring system for flood defence funding; [217064]

(2) what criteria are used to score flood defence projects to determine whether they are eligible for funding; and what criteria must be met for such funding to be received. [217068]

Despite large increases in Government funding—up from £312 million in 1997–98 to £570 million in 2005–06—there is still not enough to fund all worthwhile proposals from the flood and coastal defence operating authorities (the Environment Agency, local authorities and internal drainage boards). Defra therefore operates an objective and published priority scoring system which is intended to direct our finite funds to best effect nationally, to maximise the benefit obtained from the programme as a whole.

The current scoring system was introduced in 2003 after extensive consultation following a pilot introduced in 1997. In summary, proposed projects are scored on three elements—their estimated economic benefits, the number of people they are likely to protect and protection and enhancement of environmental and/or heritage assets. All three are compared to cost so that projects are treated fairly regardless of size. The higher the score, the higher the priority.

In order to be eligible for funding from Defra, projects must achieve Defra's published threshold score for the year in which they start. The threshold scores were last revised in November 2004 to take account of changes in operating authorities' investment plans. Because of an increased demand for grant nationally, the thresholds had to rise and are now 19 for projects to start in 2005–06 or 2006–07 and 15 in 2007 08.

The scoring system has no effect on the overall sum available for grant aid. It does not attempt to allocate funding to projects in an absolute sense but simply to rank proposals in a relative priority order. Defra is then able to allocate its funding to projects in priority order. The actual threshold score which a project must achieve will depend on available funding compared to need nationally. The thresholds are set by analysis of forward plans provided to Defra by operating authorities each year—proposals for funding are compared with available funds and I set the lowest threshold that can be afforded for the following financial year, together with indicative estimates of the likely thresholds for the following two years. The latter are reviewed a year later in the light of updated authorities' plans.

The threshold is the same for all projects and is applied broadly equally to all operating authorities. There can be exceptions such as for the very few projects required to protect environmental sites of international importance under the Habitats Directive but the amount of funding spent on these projects is low.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which body is responsible in the event of flooding in a watercourse for which an internal drainage board is responsible (a) before 2006 and (b) after 2006; and if she will make a statement. [216008]

All watercourses effectively fall into one of two categories:(a) main rivers which are the responsibility of the Environment Agency and (b) ordinary watercourses which are the responsibility of local authorities or, where they exist, internal drainage boards.

Recognising that some ordinary watercourses create significant flood risk, in March 2003 the Government announced that all the so called critical" ordinary watercourses (COWs) would become the responsibility of the Environment Agency (EA). This transfer of responsibility is in progress and will be completed by April 2006.

Once a COW has been transferred, it becomes a main river and the EA assumes full responsibility for all associated flood risk management and for dealing with any flooding from it. However, all other ordinary watercourses will remain the responsibility of the local authority or internal drainage board.

While the EA will retain the overall responsibility for the transferred COWs, they may decide to contract back maintenance and other work to the appropriate local authority or IDB where these bodies are willing to take this on and have a good track record.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department has taken to reduce flood risk in Chorley constituency. [216191]

Defra has overall policy responsibility for flood and coastal erosion risk in England. We fund most of the Environment Agency (EA)'s flood risk activities and provide grant aid on a project by project basis to the other flood and coastal defence operating authorities (local authorities and internal drainage boards) to support their investment in improvement works. Defra does not build defences, nor direct the authorities on what specific projects to do. The works programme to manage risk is driven by the operating authorities.

I understand from the EA that they have undertaken or are undertaking the following in connection with the reduction of flood risk in Chorley:

Capital Works

Croston Flood Wall—works to improve unstable sections of the existing flood defence walls along the River Yarrow, through the village of Croston, were completed in May 2004 (out-turn cost £680,000).

Revenue Works

Heavy Maintenance—works are programmed in March/April 2005 to replace and improve a critical debris screen at the entrance to a long culverted reach of the River Chor at Water Street, Chorley (estimated cost £30,000).

Routine Maintenance for example: at pumping stations, flood embankment mowing, channel-desilting, screen clearance, channel debris removal and general upkeep of existing flood defences (estimated cost £80,000).

Strategic Studies and Investigations

A strategic study into flood risk management covering the River Douglas catchment area is nearing completion. This takes in the major tributaries of the Rivers Yarrow and Lostock and their Critical Ordinary Watercourse tributaries, which cover part of the Chorley constituency. The strategy study is an important stage in determining flood risk and how to manage it. It also helps the EA to decide on future, sustainable flood protection measures. The expected completion date for the study is July 2005 (estimated cost £135,000).

This study has already highlighted that flood risk to Croston Village should be examined further. An investigation is now under way, the outcome of which will be a viability report for a Croston Village Flood Alleviation Scheme. The report should be completed by April 2005. Subject to the findings, a detailed feasibility study will be planned in the EA's medium/long-term programme, and improved flood risk management scheme options for the village will be considered.

Investigations into extending the current Flood Warning service within the Chorley constituency are planned within the next three to five years, subject to detailed feasibility studies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much rubbish was dumped by fly-tipping in (a) Lancashire and (b) Chorley in each of the last three years. [216189]

No national data are currently available however, Flycapture, the national database for fly-tipping incidents was launched in April 2004. Flycapture data are currently being validated and will be made available once this process is complete.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the recent National Audit Office report on foot and mouth procedures; and what action she will take to impose more robust financial controls on compensation payments. [217086]

I welcome this Report and its recommendations and am pleased to see it reflects the progress the Department has made since 2001, particularly on contingency planning, improved dialogue with stakeholders, and improving the Department's capacity and preparedness for combating another major disease outbreak. Overall the NAO consider that the Department has implemented most of the actions promised to the Committee and has made good progress on the others since 2001. I understand there are some areas requiring further work, but the Department is aware of them and working to resolve them as soon as is practicable.

We have already taken steps to control future costs of compensation for stock taken to control an outbreak of foot and mouth. These include the appointment of a new panel of valuers and four monitor valuers to ensure consistency, all of whom will be paid on a daily, rather than commission basis. Farmers will no longer appoint their own valuers.

In the long-term it is our aim to rationalise compensation arrangements for all notifiable animal diseases. As a first stage, we aim to rationalise the compensation arrangements for four cattle diseases, namely bovine TB, brucellosis, enzootic bovine leukosis and BSE, later this year. FMD compensation will be examined in the second round as this will require changes to primary legislation

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with gangmasters on the implications of the Gangmaster (Licensing) Act 2004 for their supply chains. [217085]

Both I and the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Food and Farming have met representatives of the Association of Labour Providers and individual labour providers on several occasions to discuss the implications of the Gangmaster (Licensing) Act 2004. We have also attended meetings of the Gangmaster Licensing Authority Consultative Committee, which includes representatives of the Association of Labour Providers and the Recruitment and Employment Confederation. A wide range of matters connected with the implementation of the Gangmaster (Licensing) Act and the establishment of the Licensing Authority was discussed at these meetings.

The Government welcomes the constructive role that labour providers and other stakeholder organisations have played in relation to the introduction of the new licensing arrangements. We look forward to maintaining this close relationship as the detail of the licensing scheme is developed and will ensure labour providers will continue to be consulted fully before the arrangements are finalised. We remain on course to establish the Gangmaster (Licensing) Authority in April and hope to be able to start processing licence applications before the end of the year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps are being taken to reverse long-term land degradation. [215892]

A wide range of measures address land condition. Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 was brought into force in April 2000 to address in particular the legacy of historic contamination, where this poses unacceptable risk to human health or the environment. Local authorities are now identifying contaminated land in their area, and ensuring that appropriate remedial action is taken.

Such remediation also takes place as part and parcel of the development of land, and is secured through the planning system, which aims to encourage the redevelopment and beneficial re-use of previously developed land. Last autumn, new planning guidance (PPS23—Planning and Pollution Control") was issued by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, which aims to assist in the remediation of contaminated land through the process of development. A new Land Restoration Trust has been set up.

We have published a Soil Action Plan to help tackle the various risks and threats to soil. The plan is informed by key European initiatives such as the Water Framework Directive and work towards a European Thematic Strategy for Soil Protection. The EU Thematic Strategy identifies contamination, erosion and organic matter as three priority issues for soils and is also developing overarching plans for soil monitoring and R and D.

Under the Single Payment Scheme land managers are required to demonstrate that they are keeping the land in Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC). GAEC standards, set specifically for England, apply to soil management and protection and to the maintenance of habitats and landscape features.

In the built environment soil degradation and erosion caused by construction activities can be a serious issue, particularly in terms of pollution of water resources. Defra is working with the construction industry to identify and address gaps in knowledge.

Within the suite of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), notified for their conservation importance in England, degraded habitats will be addressed by our PSA target to have 95 per cent. of the SSSI area in favourable condition by 2010.

Defra will shortly be launching the new Environmental Stewardship Scheme which will replace the existing Countryside Stewardship and Environmentally Sensitive Areas Schemes. The new scheme will focus on natural resource protection, in addition to the primary objectives of the existing schemes, namely wildlife conservation; maintenance and enhancement of landscape quality and character; protection of the historic environment; and the promotion of access of the countryside. This will include measures to help protect watercourses and sensitive habitats by reducing diffuse pollution and soil erosion.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the responsibility of Chorley council to provide recycling facilities. [216190]

Government have set each local authority in England Statutory Performance Standards for recycling and composting of household waste for 2003–04 and 2005–06. In addition, the Household Waste Recycling Act 2003 requires waste collection authorities—subject to certain exemptions—to provide a kerbside collection service of at least two recyclable materials by 2010. It is local authorities' responsibility to decide the type of recycling facilities that should be provided, taking into account local circumstances, to help them meet the Standards and the requirements of the Act.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much was given in grants to rural bus services by the Countryside Agency in each year since 1997; and what plans she has to continue such grants. [201604]

The Countryside Agency has undertaken a variety of time-linked pilot programmes on behalf of Government and has contributed to rural bus services on our behalf through the Rural Transport Partnership and Parish Transport schemes. The Agency's database does not record information to distinguish funding for rural bus services from other grants to support other local transport needs within those schemes. Information about grants made in 1997–98, made by the Countryside Agency's predecessor, the Countryside Commission, is no longer available.

In 2004–05, the Department for Transport is making £51 million available for rural bus services through Rural Bus Subsidy Grant to bus companies and local authorities to maintain services which would otherwise be uneconomic. This is an increase from £48.5 million in 2003–04. The Department for Transport's annual Rural Bus Challenge competitions have also made a total of 301 awards amounting to £110 million over the last six years.

Since 1999 grants given each year to local transport initiatives in rural areas through the Rural Transport Partnership and Parish Transport Grant schemes are as follows:

£ million

⁽¹⁾Funding until 2001 from the Countryside Commission's Rural Transport Partnership scheme and Rural Transport Development Fund.

⁽²⁾Figure not yet available.

⁽³⁾To date.

On 1 April 2004, the Countryside Agency closed the Rural Transport Partnership and Parish Transport schemes to new grant applications although existing commitments will continue to be met.

From 1 April 2005, Defra will devolve delivery of economic and social regeneration policies to the Regional Development Agencies. This includes areas of activity such as those formerly covered by the Countryside Agency's transport schemes. We have also charged the Regional Development Agencies with contributing to the delivery of our Public Service Agreement target to improve the accessibility of services for people in rural England. In recognition of their larger role in the delivery of Defra's policies, Defra has given the Regional Development Agencies an additional £21.3 million per annum for the years 2005–06 to 2007–08.

We are discussing with the Regional Development Agencies what they will deliver and how it will be measured, to be included in their Tasking Framework. Defra expects them, in partnership with local government and others, to ensure that the needs of people in rural communities are addressed, through regional level strategies and delivery. But it will be for each Development Agency to determine the priorities for its region and, through their corporate plans, how they will achieve their agreed outcomes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects a specific defence option to protect the salt marshes of Lymington from erosion to be approved; and if she will make a statement. [216079]

Defra has overall policy responsibility for flood and coastal erosion risk management in England. Defra funds most of the Environment Agency's flood management activities in England and provides grant aid on a project by project basis to the other flood and coastal defence operating authorities (local authorities and internal drainage boards) to support their investment in improvement projects to manage flood and coastal erosion risk. To qualify for Defra funding proposals must satisfy essential technical, economic and environmental criteria and achieve the relevant priority score" for the year in which work is programmed to start.

The Government encourages operating authorities to take a strategic approach to the provision of flood and coastal defences and they are required to consider a range of defence options. New Forest district council (NFDC), the local coast protection authority, is currently undertaking the West Solent Strategy Study and the area covered extends from Hurst Spit to Calshot Spit including the Lymington salt marsh. NFDC is, I understand, carrying out a public consultation exercise that will inform the options to be evaluated in the study.

NFDC's medium term plan includes work planned in Lymington where the council propose to reduce the rate of salt marsh erosion but I hope you understand that, until the West Solent Strategy Study is complete and until the council has submitted proposals for coast protection work in Lymington, I cannot comment on options for work.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the US based Sustainable Forest Initiative has been endorsed by the Central Point of Expertise on Timber. [216575]

The Sustainable Forest Initiative was assessed in October 2004 to determine if its certification scheme provides assurance of legal and sustainable timber as defined in the Government's model contract terms and conditions.

The Government has concluded that SFI's forest management standards and chain of custody system do meet the Government's contract criteria for assurance of legal harvesting but do not provide the required assurance of Sustainable forest management. The issue for the Government is not with SFI's forest management standards, which were found to be adequate, but with the chain of custody system which does not enable the consumer to determine the percentage of certified timber in the finished product. The Government could accept a combination of an SFI certificate and additional verification of the certified timber element but, as matters stand, a certificate alone would not suffice. Action to Implement this assessment will be effective from May 2005.

The full report on the five main certification schemes assessed can be found on the sustainable development in Government website at: http://www.sustainable-development.gov.uk/sdig/improving/pdf/f-cpet.pdf

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what powers the Environment Agency has to close tips which cause a nuisance for local residents. [216192]

Landfill sites can be closed in the following circumstances:

(i) When the conditions specified in the landfill permit are satisfied (eg the site is full);

(ii) When the Environment Agency approves the initiation of the closure procedures following a request from the operator; or

(iii) By a reasoned decision of the Environment Agency to initiate closure procedures (eg because the requirements of the landfill permit are not being met).

In circumstances where the Environment Agency has taken a reasoned decision in accordance with (iii) above, the agency shall serve a closure notice on the operator of the landfill setting out its reasons for requiring closure. Clearly, adverse impact on the local environment/residents may constitute one of those reasons.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the City of York will receive an individual seat on the Yorkshire Regional Flood Defence Committee. [217062]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave her on 24 January 2005, Official Report, column 9W. The local authority representation on the Yorkshire Regional Flood Defence Committee remains as stated.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many rural flood defence projects are funded by the priority scoring system. [217065]

Defra's priority is to maximise the protection of people and assets in relation to the funding available. While there is no bias in the priority score system against rural projects, it is however true that projects are less likely to go ahead in sparsely populated areas as these will tend to score less highly than projects which protect larger numbers of people or higher asset values for a given cost. Most of the components making up the priority score of a given project are compared to cost so the crucial measurement is on benefits per unit cost and not on the absolute benefits of proposals. This ensures smaller projects are considered on an equal footing to larger ones.

We do not classify projects by urban or rural location and often the distinction will not be clear. We could not seek to gather this information without incurring disproportionate cost. As explained in my letter of 11 February to the hon. Member, I have placed in the House Library a list of improvement projects in England approved since May 1997, or which were approved earlier but received funding after that date.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the forthcoming elections in Zimbabwe. [218407]

We have made it clear that we look to Zimbabwe to comply in full with the South African Development Council electoral principles. We are concerned that the environment still falls woefully short of meeting this. Media, opposition and civil society in Zimbabwe need to be able to operate without fear of violence and intimidation. The intimidation of media and the break-up of an MDC training session earlier this month suggests otherwise.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met representatives of the Government of Sri Lanka to discuss the current political situation. [218408]

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed the political situation in Sri Lanka with the President and Foreign Minister in the course of last year. He is looking looking forward to meeting the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister again in London this month.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development also visited Sri Lanka in January this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the political situation in Cyprus. [218409]

The Government's objective remains the reunification of Cyprus, and we continue to support all efforts to achieve this aim in a manner that is fair, viable and lasting for the benefit of all Cypriots. It is in this context that we welcome the continued strong support for settlement and re-unification among Turkish Cypriots as reflected in the outcome of their elections on 20 February.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Turkish Cypriot elections on 20 February. [217721]

We believe this outcome reflects the Turkish Cypriot Community's on-going desire to work for a comprehensive settlement on the basis of the Annan Plan and to realise in full the benefits of EU membership.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his counterpart in Pakistan concerning the situation in Kashmir. [218410]

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed the issue of Kashmir with his Pakistani and Indian counterparts during his visit to both countries earlier this month. More broadly, they discussed progress in the on-going composite dialogue between India and Pakistan. The Foreign Secretary particularly welcomed the announcement that was made on 16 February of a bus link between Muzaffarabad and Srinagar.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions on human rights he has had with the Government of China. [218411]

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary raised human rights issues in his meetings with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing in Beijing on 21 January. He encouraged China to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), called for progress in the reform of China's re-education through Labour system and lobbied on behalf of several individual cases of concern.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress of ratification of the proposed Constitutional Treaty for the European Union. [218412]

Each member state will ratify the Treaty according to their own constitutional procedures. Three member states, Lithuania, Hungary and Slovenia, have already ratified the proposed Constitutional Treaty. Spain approved the Treaty in its referendum on 20 February. A referendum will be held in the Netherlands on 1 June. In the UK, the EU Bill was introduced on 25 January and had its Second Reading on 9 February.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on UK relations with Sudan. [218413]

The UK has full diplomatic relations with Sudan. The Government regularly meets leaders of the major political parties and was heavily involved in negotiations of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, signed on 9 January 2005. We are committed to helping the parties implement the agreement. We continue to press strongly the Government of Sudan and the rebels to resolve the conflict in Darfur peacefully, within the framework of the CPA.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with (a) European Union and (b) African Union counterparts on how to ensure the safety of aid workers in Sudan. [205907]

I would like to apologise for the delay in replying.

We are greatly concerned about the deteriorating security situation in Darfur and deplore the recent deaths of the Save the Children UK and Me"decins Sans Frontières aid workers.

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary spoke to the African Union (AU) Chairman, President Obasanjo on 22 December. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development and I met, separately, with AU Commissioner for Peace and Security, Said Djinnet, in London on 21 December. We are working with the AU, both bilaterally and through the EU, to improve security in Darfur for aid workers and the civilian population.

We also regularly raise the issue of security, and the resultant effects on the delivery of humanitarian assistance, with EU partners. The Foreign Secretary last discussed this issue with EU counterparts at the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 13 December.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Sudanese Government on clemency in the case of Nagune Idin Abdallah, who is sentenced to death. [219335]

We regularly press the Sudanese Government to abolish the death penalty. We discussed Mr. Abdallah's case at the joint Sudan-EU human rights dialogue meeting on 24 February 2005, during which the Government agreed to provide further information on his case. We will continue to pursue this and other such cases in Sudan through our embassy in Khartoum.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the establishment and growth of local women's organisations in Iraq. [218414]

Since the fall of Saddam regime, more than 1,500 non-governmental organisations including women's groups have registered with the Iraqi Government. Following a Department for International Development study in 2004, DFID has supported projects encouraging Iraqi women to vote, and to increase their awareness of the political process as well as fostering partnerships between international women's organisations and national women's groups.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on investigations being undertaken by OLAF concerning illegal exports to Iraq indicating (a) what types of material are subject to investigation, (b) what the country of origin was of each type of material, (c) what the nationality is of those persons under investigation and (d) what the dates were of the alleged incidents; what the nature is of UK participation in the inquiries; and what involvement Communities staff have had in the inquiries. [216065]

We are not aware of any investigations currently being undertaken by OLAF concerning illegal exports to Iraq.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what investigations were held following the loss of nuclear material held by Iraq after the first Gulf War; and if he will make a statement. [217706]

Inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) conducted thorough investigations into Iraq's nuclear weapons programme and made a full inventory of Iraq's known holdings of nuclear material in the 1990s. They reported to the UN regularly on their activities.

Following reports of looting in the aftermath of the recent conflict, IAEA inspectors conducted an inventory check in June 2003, and reported that, although some uranium compounds could have been dispersed, they were not of a quantity or type sensitive from a proliferation point of view.

Subsequently, as part of their regular inspections under Iraq's nuclear safeguards agreement, IAEA inspectors visited the al-Tuwaitha site in August 2004, on which occasion they confirmed that no nuclear materials subject to IAEA safeguards were unaccounted for.

Reports received in October 2004 concerning the disappearance of large amounts of high explosives and other dual-use materials are being investigated by the Iraq Survey Group. No nuclear material is reported as missing. We expect them to publish a report on their findings shortly as an addendum to their October 2004 comprehensive report.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what grounds the Government have refused to publish the letters of Dr.Rod Barton of the Iraq Survey Group concerning weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. [218175]

The Government have not received any formal request to publish Dr. Barton's letters.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last discussed nuclear proliferation with his US counterparts. [218415]

Nuclear proliferation is an issue that is always on the agenda for discussions with my US counterparts, and was last discussed during the visit of Dr. Condoleeza Rice on 4 February.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on relations with Libya. [218416]

Libya's decisions to formally accept responsibility for the Lockerbie bombing, renounce terrorism and take action to dismantle its Weapons of Mass Destruction development programmes have been important and welcome developments.

We are developing further our political, cultural and commercial ties, while continuing to seek progress on the issues of difference that remain between us.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assurances he gave to US Senator Lugar regarding EU restrictions on arms sales to prevent sensitive US technologies being diverted to China. [218387]

holding answer 28 February 2005

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary met Senator Lugar, in his capacity as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, during his visit to Washington on 24 January. They briefly discussed the EU's controls on arms exports to China.

With regard to the ongoing review of the EU's arms embargo on China, the Foreign Secretary noted the conclusion reached at the European Council in December 2004 That

the result of any decision should not be an increase of arms exports from EU Member States to China, either in quantative nor in qualitative terms".

As the Foreign Secretary told the Committee on Strategic Export Controls on 12 January, the US has a legitimate and understandable interest both in the effectiveness of the EU's system of arms control and in the stability of the East Asian region. The review of the EU Arms Embargo, and any decisions arising from it are, of course, for the EU alone. But the EU will take all relevant factors into account.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much has been spent by his Department on (a) new furniture and (b) hired furniture in each year since 1997. [205616]

The Department has spent the following amount on new furniture, including freight costs and domestic equipment, since 1997:

The Department does not normally hire furniture for permanent use.

The costs of hiring furniture for temporary use cannot be separately identified.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the Joint Council (EEC—Countries of the Gulf Co-operation Council) met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if he will make a statement. [217920]

During this period, the EU-GCC Joint Council met on 17 May 2004 in Brussels. The UK was represented by a Foreign and Commonwealth Office official.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the Joint Committee (EEC—Yemen) met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if he will make a statement. [217921]

During this period, the EC-Yemen Joint Co-operation Committee met on 6–7 October 2003 in Sana'a. The UK was represented by a Foreign and Commonwealth Office official.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what dates have been agreed for meetings of (a) the European Council and (b) configurations of the Council of the European Union during the UK presidency of the European Union. [218052]

holding answer 25 February 2005

During the UK Presidency of the EU the following provisional dates have been agreed for:

(a) European Council:

27–28 October 2005 and 15–16 December 2005.

(b) Councils of the European Union:

General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC)

18–19 July

24–25 October

21–22 November

12–13 December

ECOFIN

12–13 July

11 October

8 November

24 November

6 December

Justice and Home Affairs (JHA)

26 July

13–14 October

1–2 December

Agriculture and Fisheries

18–19 July

19–20 September

24–25 October

22–24 November

19–21 December

Transport, Telecom and Energy