To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action she is taking to resolve the PROW claim regarding bridleways linking the villages of Darcy Lever, Little Lever, Kearsley and Prestolee and the township of Farnworth in the constituency of Bolton, South-East in the Croal-Irwell Valley. [217088]

Bolton metropolitan borough council was directed by the Secretary of State to determine the claim within a specified period which ended in November 2004. The council did not do so; instead it has sought to resolve the claim, and a second one in respect of a linked path, by persuading landowners to dedicate the routes as bridleways. At my request Defra officials have written to the council requesting details of how the council proposes to resolve the matter and its timetable for doing so. I shall review the issue in light of this response.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many days of (a) moderate, (b) high and (c) very high air pollution have been recorded by each automatic monitoring station in London in each year since 1997. [212369]

There are currently 113 automatic air monitoring stations in London incorporated in the Automatic Urban and Rural Network (AURN) and the London Air Quality Network (LAQN). The following table summarises the average number of days of(a) moderate, (b) high and (c) very high air pollution recorded by all automatic monitoring stations in London in each year since 1997.

Average number of days in each band across London by year and pollutant (1997 to 2004)

The detailed information for each automatic monitoring station is published

on the National Air Quality Information Archive at:

http://www.airquality.co.uk/archive/reports/reports.php?report_id=309

Historic and current data from the AURN and LAQN networks can be found at the following locations:

AURN: http://www.airquality.co.uk/archive/index.php

LAQN: http://www.londonair.org.uk/london/asp/home.asp

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the concentration was of (a) nitrogen dioxide, (b) sulphur dioxide and (c) benzene in each (i) London borough and (ii) London ward in each of the last five years. [212379]

There are extensive networks of automatic and non-automatic air monitors in London. Air quality is not measured for these pollutants in each London borough and ward.

Table 1 summarises the minimum (min) and maximum (max) annual mean concentrations of nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and benzene across London in each of the last five years. The information is collected by Automatic Urban and Rural Network (AURN), the London Air Quality Network (LAQN). Historic and current data from the AURN and LAQN networks can be found at:

AURN: http://www.airquality.co.uk/archive/index.php

LAQN: http://www.londonair.org.uk/london/asp/home.asp

Table 1: Range of annual mean concentrations in micrograms per metre cubed across London by year and pollutant (1997–2004)

Note:

Data for 2004 are provisional. No data are available for benzene for 2002. The number of sites used in the analysis varies each year as networks change. The minimum and maximum annual mean benzene figures presented in the table are the same for 2001, 2003 and 2004 because only a single site was operational for that pollutant in London during those years.

Table 2 summarises nitrogen dioxide concentrations measured by the UK nitrogen dioxide diffusion tube network in London since 1999. Average minimum and average maximum concentrations are presented for all roadside and background locations. A detailed table showing information for the London boroughs in which the diffusion tubes are located is available from the Air Quality Archive at:

http://www.airquality.co.uk/archive/reports/reports.php?report id=309 .

Table 2: Minimum and maximum annual mean nitrogen dioxide concentrations are in micrograms per metre cubed over London by year at both roadside and background locations

Note:

Data for 2004 are provisional. Data for December 2004 are not yet available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for what reasons the processing of slaughter house waste is designated by her Department as a major hazard operation; and whether this designation was required under Animal By-Products Regulation (EC) No. 1774/2002. [220249]

The regulation does not define a major hazard operation. However, in order to ensure that the controls are applied evenly across the country, Defra has issued guidance on how we intend to apply the regulation in relation to intermediate plants. The guidance is the result of our interpretation of the legislation and our assessment of the risks to human and animal health associated with handling animal by-products at intermediate plants.

In the guidance we differentiate between loading operations that we regard as a major hazard (e.g. tipping of slaughterhouse waste) and operations that we consider to be a lesser hazard.

A major consideration is the physical characteristics of the material to be handled. The handling of slaughterhouse waste (containing viscera, bones, specified risk material etc.) is more likely to result in environmental contamination due to spillage of material or associated fluids than the handling of entire carcases.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for how long temporary licences will be granted to businesses that need to make changes to their operations to comply with Animal By-Products Regulation (EC) No. 1774/2002; and whether temporary licences to businesses will take into account the time required to obtain planning consent. [220250]

The Animal By-Products Regulation has applied in member states since 1 May 2003, and operators have therefore had over 18 months to achieve compliance with its requirements. Continued extension of temporary approvals for non-compliant premises would disadvantage those operators who have invested to meet the required standards, and as a general rule we are not granting such extensions. However, we recognise that in a very small number of cases, short-term approval may be appropriate to allow for specified remedial works to be carried out to an agreed deadline. A temporary approval will only be issued in these circumstances. If the operator cannot provide us with a clear deliverable schedule of works, for example because he has not obtained planning consent, we will not issue a temporary approval.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the other ways are in which Intermediary Plants can demonstrate compliance with the Animal By-Products Regulation (EC) No. 1774/2002 referred to in the answer to the hon. Member for North Wiltshire of 12 February 2004, Official Report, column 1558W; and how many intermediary plants in England have been licensed which demonstrate compliance with the Animals By-Products Regulation (EC) No. 1774/2002 in other ways. [220264]

The Animal By-Products Regulation (EC) No. 1774/2002 requires Intermediate Plants to have a covered space" to receive animal by-products. It also requires the plant to be constructed in such a way that it is easy to clean and disinfect, and that floors must be laid down in such a way as to facilitate the draining of liquids. The plant must also have appropriate arrangements for protection against pests, such as insects, rodents and birds.

As stated in the answer of 12 February 2004, in our view, the combination of these requirements is such that it would be necessary for the plant to have a roof, walls and a floor before we can approve it. I am not aware of any operator who has been able to demonstrate that their plant complies in another way. However, it is open to them to propose alternative ways of complying with all of the above requirements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether test samples from bulls for artificial insemination purposes may be sent to approved laboratories in other member states of the EU. [219504]

Tests to support the official approval of a bull for use in artificial insemination may only be carried out in the member state where the bull resides. Where additional private testing is carried out by the industry to help it monitor the health status of animals, such testing may be carried out in another member state, but the results would not carry official recognition.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the cost of testing a bull for the purpose of artificial insemination is (a) in Great Britain and (b) in Northern Ireland. [219505]

The information requested is as follows:

(a) The cost of testing a bull for artificial insemination in Great Britain is governed by the Artificial Insemination (Cattle and Pigs) (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 1992.

£

(b) The cost of testing a bull for artificial insemination in Northern Ireland is charged under the powers laid down in the Artificial Reproduction of Animals (Northern Ireland) Order 1975 (as amended). Domestic centres/on-farm collections are not permitted. Bulls are sampled by private veterinary practitioners with financial arrangements agreed between the bull owner and the veterinary practice concerned.

All fees are currently under review as part of the exercise to update controls on the production of bovine semen.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment her Department has made of whether biosecurity measures applied by farmers to their cattle herds to prevent contact between cattle and badgers reduce significantly the incidence of endemic infection in badgers. [214166]

No such assessment has been made.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the implications of (a) the length of theperiod in cattle affected by bovine tuberculosis before overt lung lesions develop and (b) annual or six-monthly tuberculosis testing and removal of infected animals for the threat of cattle-to-cattle transmission from infected animals. [214705]

The information requested is as follows:

(a) The development of disease in individual cattle is variable with no consistent timeframe for those that may go on to develop lung lesions. The period before lung lesions develop depends on factors such as the number of bacilli infecting the lung and the strength of the immune response of the animal.

(b) The sooner infected animals are detected the less likely they are to transmit disease to direct contacts or other herds. Local prevalence of bovine TB is reviewed annually, and this is used to determine parish TB testing frequencies. Areas where disease is more established are tested more regularly and yearly testing is carried out in herds at higher risk of infection. In addition, divisional veterinary managers can increase the level of testing in their areas to reflect changes in the local TB situation.

Testing every six months would detect some infections sooner but there would be resource restraints on such a policy. In order to target resources most effectively, only cattle herds which have recently suffered a TB breakdown are tested after a six-monthly interval.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her most recent estimate of the badger population in England and Wales is; and what estimates have been made of the population during the last 30 years. [214707]

Surveys of badger populations in Great Britain were undertaken in the mid-1980's and mid-1990's. In the mid-1980's the badger population was estimated to be 250,000 badgers¹ and in the mid-1990's in the region of 300,000 to 400,000 badgers ² .

We are not aware of other national surveys and do not have figures for England and Wales or estimates of the population before the mid-1980s.

The history, distribution, status and habitat requirements of the badger in Britain. Nature Conservancy Council, Peterborough.

The National Badger Survey.

¹ Cresswell, P. Harris, S. and Jefferies, D. J. (1990).

² Wilson, Harris and Mclaren (1997).

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her most recent estimate is of the incidence of bovine tuberculosis in the West Midlands region. [217128]

The estimated incidence of bovine tuberculosis in the West Midlands and surrounding counties for the period 1 January-31 December 2004 is detailed in the following table:

⁽¹⁾ Confirmed new herd incidents as a percentage of tests on unrestricted herds (used as a way of estimating the herd incidence of confirmed TB).

Note:

Provisional data downloaded from the State Veterinary Service database on 15 February 2005. Subject to change as more data become available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects to announce the outcome of the gamma interferon test to identify cases of bovine TB in cattle. [218766]

The gamma-interferon policy pilot is designed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of this test as an ancillary diagnostic tool to identify additional cases of bovine tuberculosis (TB) in cattle herds affected by confirmed TB breakdowns with multiple reactors.

The outcome of the pilot will be announced once the required sample size of herds (approximately 600) has been achieved, or statistically significant differences between the trial and control groups are observed.

As of the end of January 2005, 141 herds had been recruited into the pilot. Herd owners' participation in this study is voluntary. The Veterinary Laboratories Agency will be conducting an interim analysis of the pilot's preliminary results once 150 herds have been recruited and sufficient time has elapsed for a preliminary estimate of the effects of treatments to be calculated.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects a vaccine against bovine TB in (a) badgers and (b) cattle to become available. [219782]

The research programme for producing an effective vaccine against tuberculosis in(a) badgers and (b) cattle remains broadly in line with the timetable outlined in the Krebs report (1997). This estimated:

Years 1–5: Identification of candidate vaccines and development of differential diagnostic tests;

Years 5–10: Experimental investigations of vaccination protocols;

Years 10–15: Field trials.

The first stage started in 1999 and is on-going. My department is now planning how to take forward the second stage, taking advice from independent experts on this complex issue.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the conclusions of the Irish four counties bovine TB study regarding the relative methods of badger removal and vaccination as strategies for the elimination of bovine TB. [219784]

Advice from the Independent Scientific Group on Cattle TB (ISO) and Professor Charles Godfray and his group on the report of the Irish Four Area Culling Trial, together with a statement from Defra's Chief Scientific Adviser, was published on Defra's website: (http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/tb/index.htm) on 1 March.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the merits of reintroduction of reactive culling of badgers to eradicate bovine TB. [220271]

holding answer 7 March 2005

There is no evidence to suggest that the resumption of reactive culling would reduce the incidence of bovine TB in cattle. The Independent Scientific Group on Cattle TB (ISG) has continued to collect data from the reactive areas of the Randomised Badger Culling Trial and recent analyses are consistent with results presented in late 2003, with the confidence limits providing no evidence for a beneficial effect of the reactive strategy over the time scale under study. Further detailed investigations based on the distribution of TB breakdowns in space and time are underway to investigate whether the observed increased incidence was linked to proximity to reactive culling. In addition, as further TB incidence data are obtained, the ISG will continue to analyse data from reactive areas. If the TB incidence rates in reactive and survey areas become more similar over time, this finding would indicate that the observed increase in TB breakdowns in reactive areas, compared with survey-only areas, was associated with reactive culling.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Totnes dated 9 December 2004 with regard to Mr. and Mrs. K. Carding of Kingsbridge. [219813]

The Department has no record of receiving any letter dated 9 December 2004 from the hon. Member. If he will send me a copy, I will ensure that he receives a speedy response.

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 EC-New Zealand Joint Committee met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if she will make a statement. [214314]

The EC-New Zealand Joint Management Committee met on 1–2 June 2004 in Brussels, during the Irish presidency. The UK was represented by a senior veterinarian from Defra.

The UK supports veterinary equivalence agreements with third countries as a way of strengthening relationships, exchanging information on animal health issues and developing trade opportunities between the EU and the country concerned.

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 EC-Canada Joint Committee met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if she will make a statement. [214315]

The EC-Canada Joint Management Committee met on 15–17 July 2003 in Apeldoora, Netherlands, during the Italian presidency, and on 17–18 February 2004 in Quebec, Canada, during the Irish presidency. On each occasion the UK was represented by a senior veterinarian from Defra.

The UK supports veterinary equivalence agreements with third countries as a way of strengthening relationships, exchanging information on animal health issues and developing trade opportunities between the EU and the country concerned.

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 on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora (Habitat) met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if she will make a statement. [217817]

The Committee on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora (the Habitats Committee) met a total of three times during the Italian, Irish and Dutch presidencies, on 14 October 2003, 24 March 2004 and 19 October 2004. Each meeting took place in Brussels.

UK representation at the October 2003 meeting consisted of two officials from my Department, one official from the Scottish Executive and a scientific expert from the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC). At the March 2004 meeting representation was one official from my Department, a scientific expert from the JNCC, plus one official from each of the devolved administrations. At the October 2004 meeting the UK Representation was two officials from the Department, a scientific expert from the JNCC and one official from the Department of Environment (Northern Ireland).

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the 20 largest farms or farm companies were in each county in England in each of the last three years; and how much subsidy was received by each in each of the last three years. [218487]

The release of Common Agricultural Policy scheme payments details is currently under discussion and is also the subject of a number of requests under the Freedom of Information Act and Environmental Information Regulations. A decision on how to respond to questions of this nature will be made shortly. I will write to the hon. Member to inform him of our decision.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent evidence she has found of pair trawlers fishing in the offshore sea bass fishery. [203879]

Prior to the recent introduction of UK legislation to prohibit pelagic pair trawling for bass within the 12 nautical mile zone of the south-west coast of England, UK vessels had been involved in this fishery early in the current season, both inside and outside the 12 mile zone.

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

(1) what plans she has to monitor the pair trawl sea bass fishery in the south west; [219807]

(2) what recent reports she has received from observers in the south-west approaches monitoring the pair trawl sea bass fishery. [219866]

As in previous years, Defra-funded observers have been placed on UK vessels pair trawling for bass in the south-west. This work is now undertaken to comply with the EU bycatch regulation, Council Regulation (EC) No. 812/2004,and so is now a requirement for other member states with vessels in this fishery. The pair trawl fishery for bass usually takes place between November/December and April. Results from the observations will be made available after the fishing season has closed, allowing time for collation and analysis of the data.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions she has had with the European Commission regarding the pair trawl sea bass fishery. [219867]

On 27 January the UK made a request to the European Commission for the UK prohibition on pair trawling within 12 miles of the south-west coast to be extended to vessels from other member states with historic rights of access to the six to 12 mile zone. On 21 February the Commission rejected the UK request. I am currently considering the Commission's response and our next steps, building on the Commission's commitment to find an effective solution to the bycatch problem in the south-west.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much (a) Government and (b) EU aid was paid to the UK fishing industry in each of the last eight years for which figures are available. [218108]

The total amount of Government aid and EU aid paid by Fisheries Departments in the UK to the fishing industry in each of the last eight years is as follows:

£ million

In addition to this the Government supports the fishing industry and its communities through other schemes.

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

(1) how much has been spent by the Government on flood management and defence in each year since 1997; and how much was spent on (a) preventative measures and (b) repairs and restoration for damage caused by flooding incidents in each year; [218637]

(2) how much has been spent by the Government on coastal protection in each year since 1997. [218639]

Defra has overall policy responsibility for flood and coastal erosion risk management in England. Prior to April 2004 Government funding of flood risk management took the form of capital grants from Defra for improvement projects and support from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to local authorities towards the levies they paid to the Environment Agency and Internal Drainage Boards. Since April 2004 Defra has funded the great majority of the flood defence work of the Environment Agency.

Grant aid was not available from Defra for repairs and restoration for damage caused by flooding incidents. However, following the severe flooding in 2000, exceptional funding of £9 million in 2000–01 and £7 million in 2001–02 was paid to the Environment Agency in support of emergency response and repairs to defence infrastructure following flood damage.

Total funding and grant to the operating authorities is set out in the following table. The latter includes Supplementary Credit Approval (SCA) (replaced by Supported Capital Expenditure (Revenue) from April 2004) for local authorities to fund the balance of their costs after grant.

£ million

⁽²⁾ Total figure across Government, including significant support from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to local authorities to support their levies to the Environment Agency and internal drainage boards and their own spend on flood and coastal erosion risk management. Also Defra contributions to Environment Agency national initiatives such as for the National Flood and Coastal Defence Database, public awareness campaigns, development of catchment flood management plans etc.

⁽³⁾ Flood risk improvement projects (including flood warning) and related studies, tidal and coastal as well as inland. Actual investment would have been significantly higher as Defra grant formed only about 60 per cent. of the investment, the balance being made up from local authority levy funding for the Environment Agency.

⁽⁴⁾ Coastal erosion improvement projects and related studies; many of these provide protection against flooding from the sea as well as erosion.

⁽⁵⁾ Figures for grant reflect outturn of demand by operating authorities within allocation, not necessarily original provision. The original grant allocation for 1997–98 was increased significantly in year by redistribution of funds from elsewhere in the Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs from which countries known to be experiencing outbreaks of (a) foot and mouth disease, (b) avian influenza, (c) bovine spongiform encephalopathy and (d) bovine tuberculosis food may be imported; what safeguards are in place to protect UK consumers; and if she will make a statement. [219023]

Defra does not hold a list of countries that are recorded as having endemic diseases such as foot and mouth disease (FMD), highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and bovine tuberculosis (TB). The internationally recognised central source for official information on the distribution of animal diseases is the Office International des Epizooties (OIE). Also known as the World Organisation for Animal Health, the OIE is the world organisation responsible for the collection and dissemination of information on international animal health—it has a role analogous to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Information on countries with FMD, HPAI, BSE and TB can be found on their website, at the following address:

http://www.oie.int/eng/en index.htm

Community rules establish lists of countries from which food of animal origin can be imported. These lists are complex and can vary depending on the type of product eg fresh meat, cooked meat and milk. In addition to this, most food of animal origin has to be accompanied by appropriate animal and public health certification and has to come from approved establishments.

Defra provides information on import requirements in the form of Trader Information Notes (TINs) which set out the conditions under which food products of animal origin should be imported. The TINs are available on our website:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/int-trde/misc/tins/index.htm

Safeguards

If there is an outbreak of disease in an exporting country, community legislation allows member states to take appropriate emergency safeguard action, which may include a ban on imports of animal products from all, or parts, of that country, pending emergency action at community level. Once community measures are put in place the safeguard measures will reflect them.

All meat and milk imported into the EU from third countries must enter at designated border inspection posts where they are subject to veterinary inspections. All consignments are subject to documentary and identity checks. At least 20 per cent. of consignments of animal products undergo physical checks. These checks ensure import conditions are met.

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

(1) if she will make a statement on the measures in place to control the importation of foodstuffs; [218462]

(2) what the budget is in 2004–05 for the inspection and monitoring of food imports; and if she will make a statement; [218463]

(3) what inspection facilities are in place at (a) ports and (b) airports to control the importation of foodstuffs; and if she will make a statement. [218464]

The information is as follows:

Illegal imports

£25 million of new money has been made available over three years 2003–04, 2004–05 and 2005–06 to tackle illegal imports of products of animal origin (POAO) and plants and plant based goods (PBG) from third countries.

HM Customs and Excise have enforcement responsibility at the frontier for illegal imports of products of animal origin (POAO) and plant based goods (PBG) from countries outside the European Union.

Customs have over 3,500 Detection staff who have anti-smuggling responsibilities for POAO and PBG. Within this Customs has dedicated around additional 100 officers specifically to POAO and PBG; 10 POAO detector dogs are also deployed.

Food of animal origin

All products of animal origin imported from third countries must enter at designated border inspection posts (BIPs) where they are subject to veterinary inspections to make sure they comply with EU import rules. BIPs are approved by the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health. There are currently BIPs at 11 ports and five airports in England that are approved to check imports of products of animal origin for human consumption. The inspection services at the BIP are the responsibility of the local authority. Officers from the State Veterinary Service regularly visit BIPs to offer advice and check on compliance with EU requirements. FVO inspectors inspect BIPs to ensure that they are operating correctly. EU law requires the local authority to recover the costs of the import checks from importers: details of budgets are not held centrally.

If there is an outbreak of disease likely to present a risk to human or animal health, Community legislation allows us to take appropriate safeguard action, which may include a ban on imports of meat from all, or parts, of that country.

For non-animal food

Food imports from countries outside the European Union must meet food safety and food standards requirements equivalent to those for UK produced food, and can be subject to checks by local food authorities at UK ports and inland to ensure they comply.

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is responsible for allocating local authority budgets, and funding for imported food controls would form part of the Revenue Support Grant arrangements. The Food Standards Agency has made further specific funding available through grants for local authority sampling and surveillance of imported food. In 2003–04, a total of £600 000 was allocated to 110 authorities and, in 2004–05, £840 000 to 140 authorities.

Under the Imported Food Regulations 1997, the person importing food not of animal origin shall provide all such facilities as may be reasonably required for the examination of the food. In practice, facilities are provided by the port operators and vary according to the type of port and the nature and size of the foods imported. We have been discussing with the European Commission the possibility of sharing BIP facilities with authorities checking non-animal food goods.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what conclusions were drawn from Operation Hornbeam regarding the role of local knowledge in combating future outbreaks of foot and mouth disease. [219783]

Exercise Hornbeam did not set out to test those aspects of disease control in which local knowledge would have been important. Its principle objectives were to validate and confirm the Government's foot and mouth disease contingency plan and to focus on the strategic and tactical decision-making process. However, local operational partners were engaged in the exercise in five Animal Health Divisional Offices in England, Scotland and Wales and their knowledge and expertise was important to its success.

The Government recognise the importance of a collaborative response to a disease outbreak and local operational partners will continue to be involved in future exercises testing animal disease contingency plans.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the 10 largest amounts paid in the UK to valuers during the foot and mouth epidemic were; and to whom they were paid. [220609]

The 10 largest amounts paid in the UK to organisations that undertook valuations during the 2001 foot and mouth disease outbreak were:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 24 February 2005, Official Report, column 773W, on footpaths, for how many footpaths the Secretary of State has issued a direction authorising continued closure in each of the last five years; for what reasons in each case; and when she expects each to be re-opened. [221202]

It will take some time to assemble this information from Government regional offices as files are having to be called back from depositories. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as it is available. The reasons for authorising extended temporary closure fall into two categories: either to protect public safety or to allow for completion of works. It is not possible to say when each footpath under a temporary closure will be re-opened as this is a matter for the local highway authority. Government offices are required to take care to ensure that no temporary order (or subsequent extensions) will allow, in effect, the permanent closure of a public right of way.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what monitoring of (a) fish stocks and (b) other marine wildlife occurs in parts of UK waters where harmful cargoes are known to have been lost overboard. [220600]

holding answer 7 March 2005

The need for monitoring in relation to incidents where harmful cargoes are lost overboard is determined on a case-by-case basis taking into account the physical and chemical characteristics of the cargoes, and the characteristics of the local environment and resources that are under threat. This may involve monitoring of fish stocks and other marine wildlife. Such monitoring is usually focused on the substances contained in the cargoes and is limited to the duration of the incidents and shortly thereafter, although periodic monitoring over a longer period is done when it is justified.

CEFAS, FRS, EA, SEPA and the statutory nature conservation agencies conduct general monitoring of the marine environment. CEFAS and FRS are involved in monitoring fish stocks while the statutory nature conservation agencies are involved in monitoring the condition of a range of habitats and species.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the effect of the introduction of horse passports on the number of equines exported live from the UK; and if she will make a statement. [220688]

We can see no reason for the introduction of horse passports to have any effect on the number of equines exported live from the UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what enquiries she has made into payments made to the right hon. Member for Sheffield, Brightside (Mr. Blunkett) by a company involved in major commercial dealings with her Department; and if she will make a statement. [220520]

The Register of Members' Interests records that the right hon. Member for Sheffield, Brightside (Mr. Blunkett) is an adviser to Indepen Consulting Ltd. From information held centrally, the Department has no record of commercial dealings with this company.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what market data her Department (a) collects and (b) plans to collect on progress towards the Government's targets for peat-free materials. [211221]

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (and previously those Government Departments responsible) collected data on the use of peat and alternative products for growing media and soil improvers in the UK between 1993 and 2001 at various intervals. The use of peat and alternative products by all market sectors was not monitored by this survey until 1999. The results of the last survey were published in 2003. A more recent Defra report studying the use of peat and peat alternatives by the commercial horticulture sector in 2003 was published in 2004.

A new survey will monitor the use of peat and alternative products between 2005 and 2010. This will measure the use of these products by all market sectors. Further surveys may be commissioned as part of the work of a growing media forum that we plan to convene shortly to inform the development of an action plan to reduce the use of peat in the UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what regional (a) bodies, (b) institutions, (c) taskforces, (d) panels, (e) offices and (f) organisations the Government has established since May 1997 which are the responsibility of her Department. [220191]

The following is from internal sources only. A full Defra wide canvass was not undertaken due to the disproportionate cost of doing so. This is correct as at 8 March 2005.

The following regional bodies" have been established since 1997:

The Regional Rural Affairs Forums were set up in 2001. Members give their time voluntarily and they are asked to be objective and independent in their work. They are asked to advise both Defra and the Government Office in the region, of her views.

Regional steering groups, were established in 2003 to provide input into the development of regional delivery plans for the Government's Farming and Food Strategy.

The following regional body" has been established since 1997, then disbanded:

Regional Dialogue Panels were established and then disbanded in 2004. They were established in each English region as part of consultations on preparing the new UK Sustainable Development Strategy.

To ask the Secretary of State forEnvironment, Food and Rural Affairs which (a) non-departmental public bodies and (b) executive agencies within the remit of her Department have regional offices based on the Government Offices for the Regions' regional structure; and when the regional offices were established in each case. [219884]

The information is as follows:

Executive Agencies

There are no executive agencies which have any regional offices based on the Government Offices regional structure.

NDPBs

Two NDPBs have regional offices or Regional Directors based on the Government Offices regional structure, as follows:

1. The Countryside Agency currently has regional offices based on the Government Office regional structure. These offices were established when the Agency was created in April 1999.

2. English Nature has a sub-regional structure. It does not have regional offices as such but does have Regional Directors who have an overview of the local teams in areas which appear to be based on the GO Regions. There is no internal information as to when these Directors were established.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress is being made in adopting private sewers; and when a framework will be available to explain how this will occur. [220706]

The Government published a response to its consultation—Review of Existing Private Sewers and Drains in England and Wales—in October 2004. Eighty one per cent. of respondents favoured a change of ownership, and of these, 90 per cent. held the view that sewerage undertakers should take over responsibility. The Government acknowledged the strength of support for this solution and undertook to look into it in more depth.

The Department chairs a Steering Group, of which WaterVoice, Ofwat and Water UK are members, which is currently considering sustainable options for the way forward on private sewers and lateral drains. The Department also recently held a seminar with stakeholders to examine these options. Further information on the seminar is available on the Department's website at www.Defra.gov.uk

The Government intends to publish a decision paper this summer, but does not rule out the need to consult further on the scope and form of transferring ownership.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions her Department has had with officials in (a) the Department of Health and (b) the Food Standards Agency regarding the addition of Sudan 1 to food for human consumption. [218455]

Defra officials have participated in a number of recent FSA-led meetings with the food industry and other stakeholders on Sudan I. This was also discussed when my noble Friend, the Lord Whitty, met Sir John Krebs, Chair of the Food Standards Agency, on 23 February.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the number of birds which have been killed by wind farms in the UK in each of the last three years; and what estimate she has made of likely future numbers. [211627]

No systematic collection of bird mortality caused by wind farms has been undertaken in the UK in the last three years or is planned in the immediate future. Collision mortality is very difficult to assess comprehensively due to the problems experienced in carcase recovery at inaccessible sites i.e. at sea offshore or over hilly terrain.

In the UK ornithological assessments are conducted for proposed wind farm sites as part of the Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA). The EIA forms part of the environmental statement submitted by wind farm developers in support of a planning application.

Defra is producing guidance for off shore areas that will help developers to consider how to minimise any impacts on bird numbers to ensure that any that do occur are below significant levels.

The Government's renewable energy initiatives form part of it's response to the threat of climate change, including the acknowledged likelihood that climate change is likely to lead to irreversible and accelerated losses of biodiversity.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what notice she gave of her intention to alter the terms of general Licence WLF18 to include an obligation to consider appropriate non-lethal methods. [220443]

Between 31 March and 14 July 2004 a pre-consultation exercise was undertaken by Defra on the review of general licences to kill or take so-called pest species" of birds. This pre-consultation, on a number of proposed changes to general licences, included reference to other satisfactory solutions, involved key interests and was also published on the Defra website. The pre-consultation document can be accessed via the following link: http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/bird-licence/index.htm.

The responses to the pre-consultation were carefully considered and further discussions took place between Defra officials and organisations representing shooting and conservation interests.

On 10 February 2005 I announced the removal of the house sparrow and starling from general licences. This was supplemented at the time by a press release and a table of proposed changes to be made to general licences. This included reference to a condition regarding the use of non-lethal alternatives.

The press release and table can be accessed via the following link: http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2005/050210a.htm.

On 9 March 2005 in order to clear up misunderstanding in relation to the obligation to consider appropriate non-lethal methods Defra altered the wording of the general licence condition to read,

This licence can only be relied on in circumstances where the authorised person is satisfied that appropriate non-lethal methods of control such as scaring are either ineffective or impracticable."

A press notice was issued and the revised licences were immediately published on the Defra website. A copy of the press notice can be accessed via the following link: http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2005/050309c.htm.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what consultation she undertook before adding to the General Licence WLF18 the obligation for the authorised person to demonstrate that appropriate non-lethal methods are ineffective or impracticable. [220444]

A pre-consultation exercise on the review of general licences to kill or take so-called pest species" of birds was undertaken in the summer of 2004. This pre-consultation, on a number of proposed changes to general licences, involved key interests and was also published on the Defra website.

The pre-consultation document can be accessed via the following link: http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/bird-licence/index.htm.

The responses to the pre-consultation were carefully considered and further discussions took place between Defra officials and organisations representing shooting and conservation interests.

On 9 March 2005 in order to clear up misunderstanding in relation to the obligation to consider appropriate non-lethal methods Defra amended the wording of the general licence condition to read,

This licence can only be relied on in circumstances where the authorised person is satisfied that appropriate non-lethal methods of control such as scaring are either ineffective or impracticable."

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what guidance she intends to issue to authorised persons under General Licence WLF18 on how they should assess whether non-lethal methods are ineffective or impracticable. [220445]

On 9 March 2005 in order to clear up misunderstanding in relation to the obligation regarding appropriate non-lethal methods Defra altered the wording of the general licence condition to read,

This licence can only be relied on in circumstances where the authorised person is satisfied that appropriate non-lethal methods of control such as scaring are either ineffective or impracticable."

A press notice was issued and the revised licences were immediately published on the Defra website. A copy of the press notice can be accessed via the following link: http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2005/050309c.htm.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs from what date cross-compliance will take effect; when the first payments will be made under the Single Farm Payment Scheme; if she will make interim payments; what other relief will be available to farmers who receive delayed payments; and if she will make a statement. [218468]

Cross-compliance requirements for the Single Payments Scheme (SPS) apply from 1 January 2005.

The payment window for SPS runs from 1 December 2005 to 30 June 2006. The Rural Payments Agency's objective is to maximise the number of payments made early within that window or to help farmers affected by the timing this year. It must be borne in mind that this is a year of major change in the payments regime, that we are dependant on confirmation of points of detail and that the IT arrangements to underpin the new system are also new. It is important to make sure that our systems are robust.

It should also be noted that farmers are likely to benefit from early payment in full, in future years. I am considering with my officials, what action can be taken to speed up payments this year or to help in other ways.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for what reasons negotiations on the application to opt out of phase one of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme have been linked with those on the National Allocation Plan. [220718]

The EU Commission has made clear that they will not consider an application for temporary exclusion without a complete list of installations to which the application applies. It was therefore necessary that each operator made a final decision on whether to be included in the list before the application is put to the Commission. In order to make this decision, the operators needed as complete information as possible as to the extent of their installations' allocations. These allocations were announced on 14 February. This is the link between the national Allocation Plan and the application for temporary exclusion for Climate Change Agreement holders.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action she has taken to ensure that a complete and definitive list of those installations wishing to opt out of phase one of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme is available; who she has consulted in compiling such a list; and when she expects the list to be available. [220721]

Installation level allocations under the National Allocation Plan were announced on 14 February. Operators who are covered by the EU ETS and a Climate Change Agreement were asked to decide whether they wished to be included in the UK's application for temporary exclusion from EU ETS by 4 March. The resulting list is now being compiled and checked through sector associations and will form part of the UK's application. We expect the application to be made before Easter and the list will be published at that time. A list of operators, whose installations are included in the UK ETS as Direct Participants and for whom temporary exclusion has already been approved by the Commission, is available on the UK ETS website.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment has been made of the impact on the UK of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. [219544]

Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIA) have been carried out throughout the implementation of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. These are available on the Defra website (see link below). A full, final RIA is currently being drawn up and will be published alongside the final allocation decision.

http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climatechanqe/trading/eu/index.htm

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will press for the abolition of climate change agreements in Phase 1 of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. [220503]

holding answer 8 March 2005

Climate Change Agreements are an important part of the UK's Climate Change Programme to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. They have proved very successful in improving energy efficiency in energy intensive industry, saving industry an estimated £450 million pa in energy costs. At the first target period, in 2002, the 44 sectors covered reduced their emissions of carbon dioxide by 16.4Mt. I have no plans to abolish them.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to her Answer to Question 217200 tabled by the honourable Member for Rutland and Melton, if she will list the EU export refunds for each year from 1999 to 2003, broken down by commodity; and what assessment she has made of the reasons for the reduction between 2000 and 2001. [220335]

The following table sets out EU export refunds for the budget years 1999 to 2003, broken down by commodity: Expenditure (€ million)

⁽⁶⁾Cereals and rice.

⁽⁷⁾Data for 2003 refers to appropriations for commitments entered in the budget for 2003.

Sources:

Agriculture in the European Union" for 2000–03 and The Agricultural Situation in the European Union" for 1999.

For most commodities both the unit value of export refunds and the volume of subsidised exports declined between marketing years 1999–2000 and 2000–01.

Export refunds bridge the gap, for subsidised exports, between the high EU domestic prices and the lower world price. Expenditure on export refunds may vary for a number of reasons including, principally, conditions on world and domestic markets, changes in the €/$ rate of exchange and changes in the level of domestic institutional prices.

Changes in domestic and world market conditions are specific to individual commodities and it is therefore difficult to generalise. However, the EU-world price gap narrowed for a number of important commodities around 2001, primarily due to an increase in world prices (thus reducing the unit rate of export refund required for subsidised exports). Changes in the exchange rate have an impact across commodities: the value of the euro against the dollar declined between 1999 and 2001 thereby reinforcing the affects of the trends in world prices, in euro terms. In addition, domestic institutional prices for cereals and beef were subject to a stepped reduction, starting from 2000, under the Agenda 2000 CAP reforms.

It is significant to note that expenditure on export refunds remains highest in the sugar and dairy sectors where the UK is pressing for further reforms.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which applications to her Department for funding under the EU LIFE Directive have been (a) successful, (b) unsuccessful and (c) received but are yet to be determined; and what grants were awarded to each successful project. [220759]

The LIFE Regulation was set up by Council Regulation 1973/92/EEC in July 1992, with effect until 31 December 1995. The regulation was continued into a second phase by the adoption on 15 July 1996 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1404/96, amending the previous regulation, with effect until 31 December 1999. A third phase, up to 31 December 2004, was begun on 17 July 2000 with the adoption of Regulation (EC) No. 1655/2000 of the European Parliament and of the Council. On 14 September 2004 this regulation was extended until 31 December 2006.

The current LIFE Programme has three strands: Environment, Nature and Third Countries. LIFE Environment supports demonstration and pilot projects on methods for the protection and enhancement of the environment with particular emphasis on innovative technologies and new approaches. LIFE Nature supports the implementation of EU nature conservation policy, particularly Natura 2000. Applications from the UK are submitted through Defra to the European Commission for competitive evaluation against those from other member states. LIFE Third Countries funds technical assistance activities for capacity building in non-EU countries bordering the Mediterranean and Baltic Seas which have signed association agreements with the European Union and, therefore, the UK does not submit applications to this strand.

Since 1992, in the UK, LIFE has contributed over €100 million towards 122 innovative demonstration projects through LIFE Environment and 38 nature conservation projects through LIFE Nature.

Co-financing varies from around 30 per cent., where income is generated, to 50 per cent. for LIFE Environment and up to 75 per cent. for some LIFENature projects. On average around 50 per cent. of project costs are co-financed, meaning that the programme has generated around €200 million worth of investment in environment actions.

The current phase of LIFE (LIFE III) has, to date, supported 36 projects in the UK with €47 million of co-financing. Fourteen LIFE Nature projects secured €26.6 million and 22 LIFE Environment projects secured €20.4 million. Annexes 1 and 2, available in the Library of the House, list the projects supported under LIFE Environment and LIFE Nature respectively.

The following table shows, for the UK, the number of applications, number co-financed and amount of co-financing by year for both LIFE Environment and LIFE Nature under the current LIFE III programme.

⁽⁸⁾Originally nine projects were selected but two projects withdrew before funding commenced.

In the most recent call for projects to commence in 2005, the UK submitted 26 applications to LIFE Environment and three to LIFE Nature. The list of projects to be co-financed will be known in the summer.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere relative to the increase in the concentration of other greenhouse gases has been over the last 30years; what proportion of radioactive forcing is estimated to have been due to increases in (a) carbon dioxide and (b) other greenhouse gases over the last 30 years; and what the estimated temperature rises are from each of these increases. [220646]

The increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, during the period 1970 to 2000 was approximately 13.5 per cent. During the same period methane increased by approximately 26 per cent. and nitrous oxide by 7 per cent.

Of the radiative forcing due to man-made greenhouse gases experienced in the year 1970, about 65 per cent. was due to carbon dioxide, about 25 per cent. to methane, and about 5 per cent. to both nitrous oxide and the halocarbons. In 2000, about 60 per cent. of the radiative forcing from man-made gases was due to carbon dioxide, about 20 per cent. was due to methane, about 5 per cent. due to nitrous oxide, and the remainder due to halocarbons.

Due to complexities in the climate response to greenhouse gases, there is no simple link between radiative forcing and temperature change. There has been a global temperature rise of 0.5c between pre-industrial times (1860) and 1990, and a further temperature rise of approximately 0.2c since 1990.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the membership is of (a) the Milk Forum and (b) its sub-committees. [219779]

The Dairy Supply Chain Forum, established by my noble Friend, the Lord Whitty, in July 2002 to encourage supply chain co-operation, increase efficiency and promote the sustainable development of industry is represented by the following organisations:

(a) Forum:

Aria Foods UK, British Retail Consortium, Country Land and Business Association, Dairy Crest Ltd., Dairy Farmers of Britain, Dairy UK, Defra, First Milk, Food and Drink Federation, Forgefirst Ltd., Milk Development Council, Milk Link, National Farmers' Union, Provision Trade Federation, Robert Wiseman Dairies, Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers, and the Tenant Farmers Association,

The Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department, Scottish Milk Forum and Welsh Assembly Government attend as observers.

The Forum is chaired by my noble Friend Lord Whitty, with the secretariat provided by Defra.

(b) Sub groups:

Industry development sub group:

Aria Foods UK, Dairy Crest Ltd., Dairy Farmers of Britain, Dairy UK, Defra, First Milk, Forgefirst Ltd., HSBC, Milk Development Council, Milk Link, National Farmers' Union, Nestle, Robert Wiseman Dairies, Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers, Tesco.

The Sub-Group is chaired by Aria Foods with the secretariat provided by the National Farmers Union.

CAP reform sub group:

British Retail Consortium, Dairy Farmers of Britain, Dairy UK, Defra, First Milk, Milk Development Council, Milk Link, National Farmers' Union. Defra chair and provides the secretariat for the Sub-Group.

Market innovations sub group:

Steering group:

British Cheese Board, Defra, Hindsight, Imperial College, Wye, Milk Development Council, OMSCo, Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers.

Workshop:

Alvis Brothers Limited, Aria Foods UK, Associated Creameries Co-operative, British Cheese Board, Cricketer Farms, Dairy Crest Ltd., Dairy UK, Defra, Delaval, Deloitte Consulting and Technology Ltd., Dohler UK, Food From Britain, Highgrove Foods, Imperial College London, International Food Network Ltd., Lynher Dairies, Midlands Co-Op, Milk Development Council, Milk Link, Reaseheath College, Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers, Safeway Stores plc, J Sainsbury plc, The Cheese Company, The Fifield Organisation, The Society of Dairy Technology, Waitrose, Welsh Development Agency, Yoplait Dairy Crest.

The Milk Development Council chair and provide the secretariat for the Sub-Group and Workshop.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much was paid by her Department to external companies for (a) flowers and (b) plants in each of the last five years. [216399]

In the Department's regional offices, costs of plants and flowers are included under the general umbrella of grounds maintenance" on the various facility management contracts that are in place, and are not separately identifiable. There has not been any specific planting schemes undertaken in the last five-years beyond simple replacement of dead stock under contract. In London headquarters offices there has been a trend towards the provision of artificial plants to save on ongoing maintenance costs. There are now only two locations where live plants remain with ongoing maintenance charges of £2,566 per annum since the contract commenced in April 2004.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs under what circumstances A2 permits under the Pollution Prevention and Control Act 1999 can be granted to rendering plants that have not obtained planning permission for their activities. [221333]

In accordance with regulation 10(4) of the Pollution Prevention and Control (England and Wales) Regulations 2000, as amended, the requirement for planning permission before an A2 permit is issued applies to specified waste management activities defined in regulation 2(1). Animal rendering plants as defined in Section 6.8 of Part I of Schedule 1 to these Regulations do not constitute a specified waste management activity within the terms of regulation 2(1).

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs who was consulted by her Department prior to the publication of the orders varying the terms of a general shooting licence with respect to the shooting of pests. [220456]

holding answer 7 March 2005

A pre-consultation exercise on the review of general licences to kill or take so-called pest species" of birds was undertaken in the summer of 2004. This pre-consultation, on a number of proposed changes to general licences, involved key interests and was also published on the Defra website.

The pre-consultation document can be accessed via the following link:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/bird-licence/index.htm.

The responses to the pre-consultation were carefully considered and further discussions took place between Defra officials and organisations representing shooting and conservation interests. On 9 March 2005 in order to clear up misunderstanding in relation to the obligation regarding appropriate non-lethal methods Defra amended the wording of the general licence condition to read, This licence can only be relied on in circumstances where the authorised person is satisfied that appropriate non-lethal methods of control such as scaring are either ineffective or impracticable."

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the amendments made to the open general licence for shooting of pest species. [220905]

Between 31 March and 14 July 2004 a pre-consultation exercise was undertaken by Defra on the review of general licences to kill or take so-called pest species' of birds. This pre-consultation, on a number of proposed changes to general licences, included reference to other satisfactory solutions, involved key interests and was also published on theDefra website. The pre-consultation document can be accessed via the following link: http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/bird-licence/index.htm.

The responses to the pre-consultation were carefully considered and further discussions took place between Defra officials and organisations representing shooting and conservation interests.

On 10 February 2005 I announced the removal of the house sparrow and starling from general licences. This was supplemented at the time by a press release and a table of proposed changes to be made to general licences. This included reference to a condition regarding the use of non-lethal alternatives. The press release and table can be accessed via the following link: http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2005/050210a.htm.

On 1 March 2005 the revised licences came into force.

On 2 March 2005 Defra issued guidance to clarify the requirements regarding appropriate non-lethal methods. The information bulletin can be accessed via the following link: http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2005/050302d.htm.

On 9 March 2005 in order to clear up misunderstanding in relation to the obligation regarding appropriate non-lethal methods Defra amended the wording of the general licence condition to read,

This licence can only be relied on in circumstances where the authorised person is satisfied that appropriate non-lethal methods of control such as scaring are either ineffective or impracticable."

A press notice was issued, which can be accessed via the following link: http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2005/050309c.htm.

The revised licences can be accessed via the following link: http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/vertebrates/gen-licence.htm.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effect of tax credits on family incomes in Warrington, North. [221082]

8,600 in-work families in the Warrington, North constituency are benefiting from tax credits including 8,100 in-work families with children. Tax credits provide the most support to families on the lowest incomes and there are 4,000 in-work families with children in Warrington, north receiving more than the family element of child tax credit.

For example for a family in full-time work with one child tax credits and child benefit would mean an extra £103 a week, which together with the national minimum wage would mean that that family is guaranteed an income of £252 a week.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on levels of unemployment in Wirral, South since 1997. [221084]

The Government have put in place a broad range of policy reform since our election in 1997 designed to reduce unemployment in all parts of the UK. Since these policies were implemented, claimant unemployment has fallen by 62 per cent. while long-term and long-term youth unemployment have fallen by over 90 per cent. in the Wirral, South constituency.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received on spending plans for education. [221085]

The Government regularly receives representations on spending plans for education.

This Government are taking forward a programme of high investment in education and skills. From being £36billion in 1996–07, the education and skills budget for the UK stands at £63 billion in 2004–05, and is set to rise to £76 billion by 2007–08.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effect of central government staffing levels on the level of taxation. [221086]

No assessment has been made on the effect of central government staffing levels on levels of taxation. The Government have delivered sustained increases in public spending in order to deliver significant improvements in public services. As part of this, we expect to see an increase in the size of the front-line service delivery workforce—in particular for key public services like health, education and criminal justice.

Administration cost limits set for Departments at the 2004 spending review will reduce central Government running costs as a proportion of total spending to a record low.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on how he intends to further the millennium development goals at the G7 meetings to be held in April. [221087]

The conclusions on development, issued by G7 Finance Ministers following their February meeting, set out the G7 agenda of work on ways to accelerate progress towards the millennium development goals. We agreed that more needs to be done on debt relief based on our willingness to provide as much as 100 per cent. multilateral debt relief and that a substantial increase in oda is needed to meet the MDGs. We also agreed a work programme on the IFF, revenue proposals and other financing measures. Finally, we agreed that we must ensure that the Doha round of trade negotiations delivers substantial benefits to developing countries. We will discuss these issues again when we meet in April.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the UK's presidency of the G7 and progress towards the millennium development goals. [221089]

We know already that in September of this year, the UN millennium declaration review summit will find that progress towards the internationally agreed millennium development goals is too slow. During our G7 presidency, the UK Government will seek agreement on increased aid volume through an international finance facility, the provision of 100 per cent. multilateral debt relief and progress towards a freer and fairer global trade system to accelerate progress towards the goals. The Government will also press for progress on developing vaccines for Malaria and HIV/AIDS.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the relationship between the level of taxation and levels of Government net borrowing. [221088]

The 2004 pre-Budget report set out the Treasury's latest projections for net borrowing and tax receipts.

Projections will be updated in the Budget in the usual way.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Inland Revenue's revised compliance strategy and supporting performance measures, will be published; and what assessment he has made of consequent improvements in taxpayer compliance and tax yield. [221090]

Work on the Inland Revenue compliance strategy has been subsumed into work on a strategy for HM Revenue and Customs the new organisation that will integrate direct and indirect taxes. Public Sector Agreement targets for HMRC are available on the Inland Revenue website at http://www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/psa/ind05_08.htm.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will issue final regulations and guidance notes on implementation of legislation on pre-owned assets. [220827]

I refer the hon. Member to the written statements which I made on 7 and 8 March 2005, and 103–04WS respectively.Official Report, columns 99–100WS

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister

(1) when he will make a statement on the Government's criteria for capping for 2005–06; [220768]

(2) what the expected time scale and procedure for capping local authorities will be in 2005–06; and when he expects that any revised bills would be issued. [220887]

No decisions on capping have been taken for 2005–06. My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister will take decisions on capping after authorities have set their budgets for 2005–06.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will set out the terms of reference of the research study being carried out by his Department into car parking provision consistent with policies on sustainable residential environments; when the research project began; and when he expects it to be concluded. [220847]

Consultants were commissioned in October 2003 to carry out this research study. The terms of reference are contained within the Specification of Requirements: Car Parking Standards and Sustainable Residential Environments", which has been made available in the Library of the House. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister plans to publish the research study in the summer.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the average parish council precept in areas with parish councils in England is on band D bills for 2004–05. [220539]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to her on 21 February 2005, .Official Report, column 324W

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will require English Partnerships to ensure that social rented housing is included on the long-term derelict site chosen as part of its pilot hardcore brownfield programme. [220994]

The purpose of the National Brownfield Strategy is to engage with local communities and businesses in the 14 local authorities taking part in the pilot programme to identify sites that are of greatest concern in those areas. All sites brought forward in this way will be assessed to understand the barriers to re-use of the sites and to identify development opportunities for both hard" (e.g. housing, employment) and soft" (e.g. public space, leisure) end uses.

Once a shortlist of sites has been identified in each pilot project area, they will be evaluated and feasibility studies undertaken. In each case work will be led by a local brownfield partnership" with representatives from the local authority, English Partnerships, the Regional Development Agency, development industry and local business and community groups.

The aims will be to develop at least one long-term brownfield site in each area with funding being acquired through private sector investment. It will be for the local brownfield partnership, in consultation, to agree the objectives for the sites within their areas which may or may not include an housing element.

English Partnerships takes account of local strategies and consults the local authority and local community with regard to its projects including local housing need.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many social rented homes will be built on the East India Dock Road site acquired by English Partnerships under its London-wide initiative. [220997]

The number of social rented homes built on the East India Dock site will be determined through the normal planning process. In addition, the site will provide affordable homes for sale to key workers and other first time buyers. The number of these will be the subject of discussions with the London borough of Tower Hamlets and other stakeholders. As part of this process, full account will be taken of local housing need.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which development and management partnership has been chosen for the East India Dock Road site acquired by English Partnerships under its London-wide initiative. [220998]

No final decision has been made on which Development and Management Partner will work with the various stakeholders to take forward this site. Once a decision is made, all stakeholders, including the London borough of Tower Hamlets, will be informed to allow proposals to be worked up collaboratively.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether the London borough of Tower Hamlets can require planning gain as a condition in relation to the properties for market sale to be built on the East India Dock Road site acquired by English Partnerships under its London-wide initiative. [220999]

It is for the local planning authority to decide whether or not it would be appropriate to negotiate a planning obligation as part of this proposed development. Current policy guidance on the appropriate use of agreements made under section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended by the Planning and Compensation Act 1991) is set out in DOE Circular 1/97. Revised draft guidance was issued for consultation in November 2004.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which three long-term derelict sites have been identified in Tower Hamlets for consideration under English Partnerships hardcore brownfield programme. [221000]

At the present time, 7 March 2005, no sites have been identified for consideration under the National Brownfield Strategy. Tower Hamlets has been included along with 13 other local authorities to take part in a pilot programme aiming to tackle England's brownfield legacy.

From the National Land Use Database 87 hectares of brownfield land has been identified (including nine hectares of hardcore land) within Tower Hamlets and the pilot study is expected to reveal additional sites.

These will be taken forward as part of the pilot study as described in the answer given to my hon. Friend today UIN 220994.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what funding his Department has earmarked for growth areas to ensure that they have the resources required to meet the demands of a growing population. [218335]

Through the growth areas fund, in the period 2003–08 the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is making £840 million available in the Thames Gateway and £425 million for the newer growth areas. This funding will support a range of projects which will unlock development sites and ensure that new and expanding communities have the facilities that they need.

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is currently consulting on three-year financial settlements for local government. As part of this process we are considering whether forward looking population data should be used to take account of planned housing growth.

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is also providing more help to local authorities who are facing financial pressures as a result of rapid growth by abolishing the 'ceilings' from the financial year 2005–06.

A number of other Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's funding streams are benefiting the growth agenda by providing funding for individual services and programmes in these areas. For example, between 2003–04 and 2005–06 local authorities in the four growth areas are estimated to receive a combined total of around £1.3 billion of housing investment. This includes the major repairs allowance, part of local authorities' housing revenue account subsidy entitlement for the capital costs of maintaining their housing stock in its present condition and to repay the capital element of housing debt. It excludes Gypsy sites funding. The Housing Corporation, sponsored by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, has allocated around £396 million to schemes within the growth areas as part of their approved development programme for 2004–05 to 2005–06.

The local authorities in the growth areas have been allocated a combined total of over £8.6 million between 2003–04 and 2004–05 as part of the planning delivery grant (PDG) for their contributions to housing delivery. Provisional figures indicate that these LAs will receive a combined PDG allocation total of around £9.5 million for 2005–06.

10 growth area local authorities are also benefiting from the neighbourhood renewal fund, with a combined allocation total of around £278 million from 2001–06. In addition six growth area local authorities have been allocated a combined total of around £314 million between 2000–01 and 2010–11 from the new deal for communities fund. Three local authorities within the growth areas are also receiving a combined total of over £10 million in funding allocated by the Department's liveability fund, from 2003–04 to 2005–06.

Between 2004–05 to 2007–08 English Partnerships will be allocating around £600 million to a variety of schemes in the growth areas, including London.

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister provides the majority of funding to the regional development agencies' (RDAs) single programme which is coordinated by the Department of Trade and Industry. The RDAs undertake activities that will contribute to delivering Government and regional economic priorities, including in the growth areas. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's contribution for the four RDAs whose regions include the growth areas, is estimated as £462.2 million 2004–05; £454.2 million 2005–06; £467.9 million 2006–07; and £478.6 million 2007–08.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many responses were received to the public consultation exercise by the London Fire and Civil Defence Authority on the Draft London Safety Plan (a) supporting and (b) opposing the proposals in the Draft Plan. [220467]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 7 March 2005, , to my hon. Friend the Member for Hendon (Mr.Dismore).Official Report, column 1550W

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list representations he has received in the last 12 months regarding future (a) planning and (b) business uses of the former RAF Aston Down site. [220665]

Due to the application of the Data Protection Act it is generally not possible for my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister to disclose the names and addresses of those who have written to him in connection with any matter. An exception to this is where the correspondence received is such that it would, in the ordinary course of events, be likely to be made publicly available. Representations submitted in connection with the merits of a registered planning application fall into this category. However, such representations are generally made direct to the Local Planning Authority (LPA) which is dealing with the application, and not to my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister.

In this case, there are currently two planning applications registered with Stroud DC and Cotswolds DC, being the relevant LPAs for the site. My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister has not received any representations from third parties on the merits of those applications. The Government office for the south-west has received other correspondence in connection with the current use of the site and the need for an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in connection with the current planning applications. However, given the nature of this correspondence, it would be in breach of the Data Protection Act for us to supply the information requested by my hon. Friend.

To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission what action the Electoral Commission is taking to ensure that all members of the armed services are able to vote in the forthcoming general election. [221096]

The Electoral Commission informs me that it has undertaken a considerable amount of work in partnership with the Ministry of Defence to make those in the armed forces aware of the need to register to vote and how to do so, that the deadline for registration can be up to two months before an election, and in particular that the deadline for registration in time to vote in any election taking place on 5 May is 11 March. This work includes a publicity leaflet, of which over 110,000 copies have so far been ordered by the Ministry and other organisations. In addition, the Commission is providing information on its websites, and has been working with the British Forces Broadcasting Service and several services publications to generate coverage about this issue.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what funding he has provided for CAMFED International projects in the last five years; and what funding he plans to provide for those projects. [220717]

CAMFED is currently receiving DFID funding for two ongoing projects. Both projects were approved within the last five years, and are due for completion this year. These are:

a project to address the widespread exclusion of rural girls from education in Ghana, which began in 2001 at a cost of £149,000.

a project to promote a safe environment for girls in Zimbabwe, which also began in 2001 at a cost of £398,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department is taking to expand the use of proven effective drug combinations for AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria treatment in developing countries. [220771]

The UK Government are committed to increasing access to medicines in developing countries, including drug treatment programmes for HIV and AIDS, Tuberculosis (TB) and Malaria. In recent years, there has been considerable progress in making medicines for the treatment of HIV and AIDS, TB and Malaria more affordable.

The UK has worked with the pharmaceutical industry to encourage differential pricing that provides affordable medicines for developing country use. This includes recommendations agreed with industry on differential pricing from the UK Working Group on Increasing Access to Essential Medicines in Developing Countries in November 2002.

The UK supports developing countries to make use of internationally agreed flexibilities in the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property (TRIPs) agreement, that allow recourse to the use of generic versions of proprietary medicines where there is a public health need.

The UK has pledged £259 million to the Global Fund for AIDS, TB and Malaria (GFATM). 49 per cent. of GFATM grants go towards the procurement of drugs and commodities for AIDS, TB and malaria resulting in 130,00 people on HIV treatment, 385,000 treated for TB and 300,000 people treated with effective artemisinin containing treatments (ACTs) for malaria. Additional commitments for each of the three diseases are set out as follows:

The HIV and AIDS Treatment and Care Policy, published in June 2004, sets out the UK's commitment to increasing access to HIV treatment in developing countries. The UK has provided £3 million to support the work of the World Health Organisation on HIV and AIDS, with a strong focus on its role supporting the target of 3 million people on treatment by 2005 (3 by 5). In total, the UK has committed to spend £1.5 billion on HIV and AIDS from 2005–07, a significant part of which will support increased access to treatment.