To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reason security staff at English airports are vetted by the Scottish Criminal Records Bureau; and for how long this has been the case. [222604]

holding answer 17 March 2005

Security staff at UK airports are vetted by the Department for Transport at Counter-Terrorist Check (CTC) Level. All other staff who need to work in the Restricted Zone at airports are required to undergo a check of their criminal record. Such staff need to provide a Basic Disclosure certificate to the pass issuing authority (Aerodrome Manager). At present the only source of such a certificate is Disclosure Scotland (part of the Scottish Criminal Records Office). The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB), which provides the Disclosure service in England and Wales, is considering its approach to the introduction of Basic Disclosures as part of a strategy review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many miles of cycle lanes there have been in York in each year since 1996–97. [222230]

The following table gives details of the number of miles of cycle lanes (plus, in addition, cycle tracks) built and opened in York covering the years 1996–97 to 2005–06. No figures are available for 1996–97 to 1997–98 as records were not kept on cycle track/lane lengths at that time.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of the adult population of the United Kingdom has a driver's licence. [221831]

The latest available comparable figures for the United Kingdom show that, at the end of 2002, the number of licence holders was 40,676,136 representing 85.69 per cent. of the eligible population of 47,469,700.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the latest assessment is of the terminal facilities which would be required if a third runway were to be constructed at Heathrow. [221652]

In its response to consultation prior to the Air Transport White Paper, BAA argued that the full potential of an additional third runway at Heathrow could not be realised without a sixth terminal to the north of the A4 and suggested four possible options for new facilities. The White Paper itself acknowledged this.

Work is still under way within BAA to examine the options and impacts, as part of the Project for the Sustainable Development of Heathrow, and any proposals would be the subject of consultation in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the work being undertaken by Project Heathrow on the future development of runway capacity at Heathrow airport is restricted to examining the implications of a new short runway. [222223]

As set out in the Air Transport White Paper, the programme of work known as the Project for the Sustainable Development of Heathrow includes consideration of the scope for greater utilisation of the two existing runways as well as the possible addition of a third short runway.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consultation was conducted by Kerrier district council regarding the North Close Home Zone project; how much the consultation cost; and what conclusions were published. [222656]

Cornwall county council is the authority responsible for implementing the North Close Home Zone project. Kerrier district council has carried out consultation on behalf of, and in partnership with, the county council, and was directly responsible for the organisation of the initial consultation fun day. Other consultation has included door to door surveys, leaflets, exhibitions and statutory consultation.

Overall, the county council reports that approximately £29,350 has been spent on the consultation element of the project.

Results of the consultation have not been published by the county council but have been discussed at meetings of the project working group, the minutes of which are circulated widely.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much has been spent on the North Close Home Zone project, broken down by main budget heading. [222658]

Cornwall county council, the authority responsible for the development and implementation of the North Close Home Zone, reports that by mid February this year it had spent £481,500 on the project, of which £460,000 has been provided from the Department's Home Zones Challenge fund.

The council has broken this figure down as follows: £29,350 on consultation, £44,500 on detailed design and £407,650 on construction.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of Kerrier district council's management of the funds for the North Close Home Zone project. [222659]

Kerrier district council have had no involvement in the management of the funds for the North Close Home Zone project. Cornwall county council are responsible for implementation of the scheme and, therefore, the management of the funds, including the Department's grant from the Home Zones Challenge.

The payment of grant is subject to terms and conditions which set out the requirements relating to the provision of quarterly finance and progress reports and the need for annual certification by an auditor appointed by the Audit Commission. A copy of the terms and conditions was placed in the House of Commons Library in May 2004.

The Secretary of State has appointed a consultant to assist with the management of the Home Zones Challenge, to monitor progress of the schemes and to disseminate good practice. Local authority quarterly finance and progress reports are reviewed and summarised by the consultant in reports to the Department and are taken into account in considering and approving payments. The schemes are reviewed regularly at regional meetings and authorities are visited periodically by officials from the Department and/or the programme consultant to review individual schemes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what documentation a local authority sponsoring a major transport scheme is required to produce between the confirmation of compulsory purchase orders and the full approval of funding for the scheme. [222362]

holding answer 17 March 2005

The Department issued a guidance note to local authorities in December 2004 on the information that local authorities are now required to submit when seeking full approval and release of funding for major transport schemes under the Local Transport Programme. A copy of this guidance will be placed in the House Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment the Government have made of the merits of extending the Central Line of the London Underground network from Shepherd's Bush to Uxbridge. [222218]

The Government have made no such assessment. Proposals for enhancements to the London Underground network are a matter for the Mayor of London. The Mayor undertook a public consultation exercise on proposals for the West London Tram from Shepherd's Bush to Uxbridge between June and October 2004 and announced the results on 1 March 2005.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the organisations which have been consulted by his Department on its proposal to outlaw equipment which detects the presence of speed cameras; and on which dates they were consulted. [222693]

The Department for Transport consulted the following organisations on proposals to prohibit the use of speed assessment equipment detection devices in January 2001.

ACPO

Association of British Drivers

Association of Independent Road Safety Officers

ALBRSO

Automobile Association Ltd.

County Surveyors Society

CPRE

Driver Technologies Association

Institute of Advanced Motorists

Institute of Road Safety Officers

Institution of Highways and Transportation

LARSOA

Local Government Association

Magistrates' Association

Motorcycle Industry Association

Motorcycle Rider Training Association

PACTS

RAC

Road Danger Reduction Forum

Road Haulage Association

RoadPeace

RoSPA

Road Haulage Association

Freight Transport Law

Confederation of Passenger Transport

UK Performance Products Ltd.

Beltronics

Automotive Distribution Association

Welsh Assembly

Scottish Executive

This proposal was deferred pending primary legislation which would give powers to prohibit a vehicle being fitted with or a person using a vehicle carrying these devices.

The Road Safety Bill includes such an enabling power. The precise type of devices that would be prohibited would be identified in regulations made under section 41 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. A statutory consultation would be held on the secondary legislation proposals.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many trains in England and Wales were cancelled on each day between 20 February and 1 March, broken down by reason for cancellation. [221720]

holding answer 15 March 2005

The information is not collated centrally in the specific format requested. Provisional figures for the number of cancelled trains for each day in the specified period are given in the following table. However the causes of such cancellations are not available.

Trains cancelled in England and Wales1, 2

⁽¹⁾ Figures for England and Wales are for all franchised train operating companies excluding Scotrail.

⁽²⁾ Figures are provisional subject to verification to ensure that recorded cancellations take account of any changes to the number of scheduled trains for reasons such as the need to undertake engineering works or the introduction of emergency timetables.

⁽³⁾ Figures relate to cancellations as recorded as part of the Public Performance Measure of train reliability, i.e. trains that did not run as planned or a train that ran but did not complete at least half of its scheduled journey.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many accidents occurred at his departmental premises in each of the last five years involving (a) members of his Department's staff and (b) members of the public. [222570]

The number of accidents reported on HM Treasury's premises in each of the last five years involving(a) members of HM Treasury staff and (b) contractors is given as follows. No accidents have been reported by members of the public:

Number of accidents

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he publishes data for the number of accidents at work involving employees of his Department; and if he will make a statement. [222583]

The data will be published in our departmental annual report 2005.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what arrangements for monitoring accidents at work involving members of staff of his Department are in place; and if he will make a statement. [222634]

HM Treasury monitor all reported accidents and near miss incidents, identifying trends. Quarterly statistics are produced for the various Health and Safety Committees. These statistics are included in the Treasury's Annual Health and Safety Report that is submitted to the Board.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in how many deaths the primary cause was found to be (a) heroin, (b) crack cocaine, (c) cocaine, (d) ecstasy, (e) cannabis, (f) alcohol, (g) solvents and (h) prescription drugs in each of the last five years. [222621]

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

Letter from Len Cook to Lynne Jones, dated 18 March 2005

As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many deaths the primary cause was found to be(a) heroin, (b) crack cocaine, (c) cocaine, (d) ecstasy, (e) cannabis, (f) alcohol, (g) solvents and (h) prescription drugs in each of the last five years. (222621)

The most recently available information is for deaths in 2003. Relevant figures are only readily available for deaths where the underlying cause was either related to drug poisoning or directly related to alcohol (alcohol abuse, dependence and poisoning, and diseases directly related to alcohol use). It is not possible to identify from death certificates which substance was the primary cause when more than one was involved. Figures related to the number of deaths on which substances(a) to (e) were mentioned are shown in the table below, together with figures on alcohol-related deaths. Figures are for the calendar years 1999 to 2003.

Figures on deaths due to volatile solvent abuse are collected separately by Department of Health. Figures on deaths involving prescription drugs are not available as it is not possible to readily identify deaths where an adverse reaction to a particular drug taken in therapeutic dosage was involved. Adverse reactions to drugs are reported to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency using the yellow card scheme. Figures on deaths from overdoses involving these drugs are available, however some substances are available in prescription and over-the-counter compounds and these cannot be distinguished.

It should be noted that the figures on drug-related poisoning are not directly comparable to the figures on alcohol for the following reasons.

The figures on drugs do not include long-term effects of drug taking, whereas the figures on alcohol include cirrhosis of the liver.

Overdose deaths which involved both drugs and alcohol are coded as due to drug poisoning, in accordance with international rules for coding cause of death.

The figures on alcohol include only those where the underlying cause was alcohol-related. The figures on specific drugs include any mention of a substance on a death related to drug poisoning. This means a death could be included in more than one row of the table, for example if the deceased took both heroin and cocaine.

Number of alcohol-related deaths and deaths from drug-related poisoning involving selected drugs, England and Wales, 1999 to 2003^(4)(5)(6)(7)

⁽⁴⁾ For the years 1999–2000 the cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9). The codes selected to define alcohol-related deaths are listed as follows:

291—Alcoholic psychoses

303—Alcohol dependence syndrome

305.0—Non-dependent abuse of alcohol

425.5—Alcoholic cardiomyopathy

571—Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis

E860—Accidental poisoning by alcohol

For the years 2001–2003 the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) was used. To maintain comparability with earlier years the following codes were selected:

F10—Mental and behavioural disorders due to use of alcohol

142.6—Alcoholic cardiomyopathy

K70—Alcoholic liver disease

K73—Chronic hepatitis, not elsewhere classified

K74—Fibrosis and cirrhosis of liver

X45—Accidental poisoning by and exposure to alcohol

The selection of codes to define alcohol-related deaths is described in:

Baker A and Rooney C (2003). Recent trends in alcohol-related mortality, and the impact of ICD-10 on the monitoring of these deaths in England and Wales. Health Statistics Quarterly 17, pp 5–14.

2 Cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) codes 292, 304, 305.2–305.9, E850-E858, E950.0-E950.5, E962.0 and E980.0-E980.5 for 1999 to 2000, and the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes F11-F16, F18-F19, X40-X44, X60-X64, X85 and Y10-Y14from 2001 onwards.

3 Drugs mentioned on the death certificate of a death where the underlying cause was drug poisoning.

4 Data are for deaths occurring in each calendar year.

5 It is not possible to provide separate figures on deaths related to crack cocaine and cocaine from routine mortality data, as these substances are not generally separately identified on death certificates. ONS routinely publishes a combined figure for deaths mentioning cocaine on the death certificate.

Source of data on deaths related to drug poisoning:

Tables of deaths related to drug poisoning on the National Statistics website at http://www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/Product.asp?vlnk=l1695

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many quarters of continuous economic growth there have been in (a) Scotland, (b) England, (c) the UK and (d) Wales from 1997 to the most recent quarter for which information is available. [221491]

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Alex Salmond, dated 18 March 2005

As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about economic growth in Scotland, England, Wales and the UK. (221491)

Quarterly GDP data published by the Office for National Statistics show that in the UK there have been 50 consecutive quarters of GDP growth up to and including the fourth quarter of 2004 (chained volume measures). The second quarter of 1992 was the last quarter to show negative GDP growth in real terms, for either the quarter on previous quarter growth rates, or the growth rate of the latest quarter compared to that of the same quarter of the previous year.

Quarterly GDP data published by the Scottish Executive, show positive growth for Scotland for the last 10 quarters up to and including the third quarter of 2004.

No separate quarterly economic data is compiled for England or Wales.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects the UK's share of the most recent underspend on the EU's final budget to be repaid to the UK. [222390]

No underspend from the 2004 EC Budget has yet been announced by the European Commission. Any surplus will, as usual, be returned to member states by reducing the amount which they are required to finance in the 2005 EC Budget. This will be implemented by an Amending Budget tater this year. The surplus from the 2003 EC Budget was returned to member states in this way in Amending Budget 7/2004 implemented from 1 October 2004.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what response his Department will make to the National Audit Office report on financial management of the EU, with particular reference to (a) persistent errors in transactions, (b) failure to comply with regulatory requirements, (c) delays in closing the 1994 to 1999 structured programmes and (d) poor forecasting of expenditure. [222985]

It would not be appropriate for the Treasury to respond to the National Audit Office's report to Parliament on financial management of the EU.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress is being made in the EU on the introduction of resource accounting; and what targets will be set to improve budget accounting reliability. [222391]

The European Commission introduced a system of full accruals accounting on time on 1 January 2005.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the agenda is for the G7 meeting due to take place in April. [222481]

As set out in Box 2.3 of the 2005 Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report, the UK sees its leadership of the G7/8 and EU this year as an opportunity to address the key challenges of international poverty reduction; structural economic reform; fairer trade; and climate change. G7 Finance Ministers will continue their discussions on these issues when they meet in Washington in April.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library copies of the Ministry of Defence's (a) December 2003, (b) July 2004 and (c) December 2004 progress reports produced under the Risk Management Assessment Framework. [221879]

I have been asked to reply.

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

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether funds have been returned to Nigeria from bank accounts in the UK of the late Sani Abacha in the last five years. [222403]

The return to Nigeria of any money held in accounts owned by the Abacha family or close associates is dependent on the Nigerian authorities prosecuting individuals for their offences and subsequently, if these individuals are found to be guilty, obtaining a confiscation order against them. An application for enforcement of that order in the UK courts would then be required. I understand that no such confiscation orders have, as yet, been made in Nigeria.

In line with the recommendations of the Commission for Africa, UK authorities will continue to deliver a range of technical assistance programmes in partnership with Nigerian authorities in relation to anti-money laundering and mutual legal assistance.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many children of school age there have been in each year since 1997 in (a) Essex and (b) Southend. [222490]

The information requested falls within the responsibilities of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

Letter from Len Cook to Mr. David Amess, dated 18 March 2005

As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your question concerning the school age populations for the county of Essex and Southend Unitary Authority since 1997. (222490)

Below is a table showing the 1997 to 2003 mid-year population estimates for children aged 5–15 within these areas.

Mid-year population estimates of school age children (5–15)

Source:

Office for National Statistics

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his announcement in the 2004 pre-Budget report, what plans he has to introduce a reduced rate of VAT for micro-combined heat and power units; what data he has collected from field trials; what representations his Department has received from industry; and if he will make a statement. [220786]

Budget 2005 announced a reduced rate of VAT for the installation of micro-CHP. This decision was taken in light of ongoing field trials, which are overseen by Defra and sponsored by the Carbon Trust in partnership with the Energy Saving Trust. It also follows representations on this issue from industry and stakeholder groups.

To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission pursuant to the answer of 25 January 2005, Official Report, column 247W, on bottled water, what recent assessment has been carried out to determine whether tap water remains stale and undrinkable. [222534]

No recent assessment has been made of whether tap water remains stale and undrinkable.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions the power conferred on local authorities by the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 to designate areas where alcohol may be confiscated from individuals have been used in each year since 2001, broken down by local authority area. [221130]

Since September 2001 over 135 local authority areas have notified the Home Office that they have made designation orders under section 13 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 to restrict antisocial public drinking in areas that have experienced alcohol-related disorder or nuisance. The following list sets out a breakdown of designation orders made in every year. A number of those listed will appear more than once as they have introduced more than one designation order since 2001.

Local authorities that introduced designation orders:

September 2001-December 2001

Herefordshire Council

Northampton Borough Council

Brighton and Hove City Council

2002

Bedford Borough Council

Bromley (London Borough of)

Chelmsford Borough Council

Cherwell District Council

Cornwall (North) District Council

Daventry District Council

Denbighshire County Council

Devon (North) District Council

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council

Eastbourne Borough Council

Eastleigh Borough Council

East Riding (of Yorkshire Council)

Enfield Council

Gloucester City Council

Great Yarmouth

Haringey Council

Harrogate Borough Council

Herefordshire Council

Hyndburn Borough Council

Kingston Upon Hull City Council

Leicester City Council

Lincolnshire (North East) Council

Leicestershire (North West) District Council

Macclesfield (Borough of)

Manchester City Council

Merthyr Tydfil Borough Council

Milton Keynes Council

Newcastle City Council

Oadby and Wigston (Borough of)

Oldham (Metropolitan Borough of)

Oxford City Council

Reading Borough Council

Redditch Borough Council

Ribble Valley Council

Shepway District Council

Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council

Somerset (South) District Council

Southend on Sea Borough Council

Staffordshire (South) Council

Stafford Borough Council

Stratford Upon Avon District Council

Stroud District Council

Sutton (London Borough of)

Swindon Borough Council

Taunton Deane Borough Council

Thanet District Council

Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council

Warrington Borough Council

Watford Council

Westminster City Council

Wigan Borough Council

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council

Windsor and Maidenhead Council

Wolverhampton Council

Wrexham County Borough Council

Wycombe District Council

2003

Birmingham City Council

Brentwood Borough Council

Breckland Council

Brighton and Hove City Council

Bristol City Council

Broadland District Council

Burnley Borough Council

Bury (Metropolitan Borough Council)

Cherwell District Council

Craven District Council

Crewe and Nantwich Council

Dacorum Borough Council

Derby City Council

Devon (Mid) District Council

Devon (North) District Council

East Riding (of Yorkshire Council)

East Staffordshire Borough Council

Fylde Borough Council

Harlow Council

Havant Borough Council

Kensington and Chelsea (Royal Borough of)

Kingston Upon Thames (Royal Borough of)

Lambeth (London Borough of)

Lewisham (London Borough of)

Medway Council

Mendip District Council

Middlesbrough Borough Council

Norfolk (North) District Council

Norwich City Council

Oldham (Metropolitan Borough of)

Oxford City Council

Preston City Council

Ribble Valley Council

Salisbury District Council

Scarborough Borough Council

Sefton Council

Somerset (North) Council

South Bedfordshire District Council

Stafford Borough Council

Stoke on Trent Council (City of)

Stratford Upon Avon District Council

Surrey Heath Borough Council

Swansea Council

Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council

Torbay Council

Tyneside (North) Council

Worthing Borough Council

Wyre Forest District Council

2004

Amber Valley Borough Council

Barking and Dagenham Borough Council

Barnet (London Borough of)

Bath and North East Somerset Council

Berwick-upon-Tweed Borough Council

Bexley (London Borough of)

Birmingham City Council

Bristol City Council

Bromley (London Borough of)

Bromsgrove Council

Camden (London Borough of)

Charnwood (Borough of)

Cherwell District Council

Chesterfield Borough Council

Chester City Council

Coventry City Council

Derby City Council

Dorset (East) District Council

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council

East Riding (Yorkshire Council)

Gateshead Council

Gravesham Borough Council

Hackney (London Borough of)

Hammersmith and Fulham (London Borough of)

Harlow Council

Havering (London Borough of)

St. Helens Council

Hertfordshire (East) District Council

Kingston Upon Hull City Council

Kingston Upon Thames (Royal Borough of)

Lewisham (London Borough of)

Lincolnshire (North) Council

Milton Keynes Council

Peterborough City Council

Poole (Council Borough of)

Ribble Valley Council

Rossendale (Borough Council)

Ryedale District Council

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

Staffordshire (East) Borough Council

Staffordshire (South) Council

Stafford Borough Council

Stevenage Borough Council

Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council

Sunderland Council (City of)

Teignbridge District Council

Waltham Forest (London Borough of)

Wansbeck District Council

Wigan Borough Council

Worcester (City of)

Westminster City Council

2005 to date

St. Albans City and District Council

Amber Valley Borough Council

Anglesey (Isle of) County Council

Cheltenham Borough Council

Devon (Mid) District Council

Dorset (East) District Council

Ealing Borough Council

Kerrier District Council

Kingston Upon Hull City Council

Newcastle City Council

Wrexham County Borough Council

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letter of 10 February from the hon. Member for Northavon with regard to a passport application for a constituent, Sa-Sa Ho. [222523]

holding answer 16 March 2005

I replied to the hon. Member on 15 March 2005.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of the adult population of the United Kingdom had a passport in the most recent year for which figures are available. [221830]

At the end of 2004, the percentage of the adult population aged 16 and over that holds a valid passport is within the range of 73 per cent. to 85 per cent.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the average annual cost of employing, training and developing a probationary police constable in each year since 1997. [220168]

Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary have estimated that the average salary, training and development costs of a probationary police constable up to independent patrol (which is normally 31 weeks after joining a force) in 2003–04 were £27,048. This figure includes salary costs of £13,993 per probationary police constable for that period and training and development costs of £13,055.

Information about the associated costs for recruitment, supervision, accommodation, information technology etc. is not collated centrally.

The average annual costs for all these in each year since 1997 is not available centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the legislative provisions to introduce control orders will contain sunset clauses. [216834]

The Prevention of Terrorism Act 2005, as now enacted, does not contain a sunset clause, but instead provides for annual renewal of its provisions subject to approval by both Houses.

In addition, I have informed the House that the Bill to be introduced in the next Session on counter-terrorism offences will provide an opportunity for Parliament, if it so decides, to amend the Prevention of Terrorism Act 2005.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many citizens from the Isle of Man have been granted work permits in each of the last five years. [222933]

No citizens of the Isle of Man have been granted work permits in the last five years. Citizens of the Isle of Man do not require work permits to work in the UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence

(1) under whose operational command 2 Princess of Wales Regiment will serve for the duration of their deployment outside their tactical area of responsibility; [222219]

(2) if he will make a statement on the (a) purpose and (b) duration of the deployment of 2 Princess of Wales Regiment outside their tactical area of responsibility. [222220]

The 2nd Battalion, the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment (2PWRR) is currently part of the UK-led Multinational Division (South East) (MND(SE)). Elements of 2PWRR have recently relocated to Al Muthanna province within the MND(SE) area of operations. They deployed as part of a Battlegroup, based on the Queen's Dragoon Guards, which is providing framework security and conducting security sector reform in that province. That Battlegroup will continue to carry out those tasks until they are replaced, either by another UK Battlegroup or by a coalition partner.

All elements of 2PWRR remain under the operational command of the General Officer Commanding MND(SE), with the exception of one platoon which is currently located in Baghdad, where it provides force protection to senior British military personnel. This is a longstanding deployment which predates the arrival of 2PWRR in Iraq.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the expenditure by his Department on AWE Aldermaston was in each of the last five years; and what expenditure he has allocated for 2005–06. [221429]

The Ministry of Defence's expenditure on AWE Aldermaston in each of the past five years is shown in the following table. All costs are at 2004–05 prices. The figure for 2004–05 is provisional. The allocation for 2005–06 has not yet been finalised.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether local bids will be invited for contracts for work currently carried out by departmental staff in Gibraltar; and whether a bid from existing departmental employees in Gibraltar would be considered. [218934]

Two areas of work currently being carried out by MOD staff in Gibraltar are being examined for contractorisation.

Any company, including those from Gibraltar, could tender if it meets published MOD commercial criteria. There is no current policy that precludes a competitive in-house option for tasks currently done in-house.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment he has made of the security situation in Iraq. [222541]

holding answer 17 March 2005

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 14 March 2005, Official Report, column 1, to my hon. Friend the Member for Bradford, North (Mr. Rooney).

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 1 February 2005, Official Report, column 779W, on RAF Manual of Flight Safety, if he will place a copy of the Seventh Edition of AP 3207 in the Library. [217052]

I have placed a copy of the seventh Edition of AP 3207 (incorporating Amendment lists 1–3) in the Library of the House today.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will provide a description of 2004–05 resource account codes (a) GXXWA0 and (b) LM003. [221980]

The descriptions are as follows:

GXXWAO

Cost Communication with Flag Officer Training and Recruitment

LMA003

United Kingdom National Insurance Civilian Staff—Loan–United States Air Force Accruing Superannuation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether she publishes data for the number of accidents at work involving employees of her Department; and if she will make a statement. [222597]

The Department of Trade and Industry publishes data for the number of accidents at work involving employees. This accident data is contained in the Departmental Report. For 2004–05, there have been only two reportable accidents of a minor nature involving employees.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what arrangements for monitoring accidents at work involving members of staff of her Department are in place; and if she will make a statement. [222638]

Procedures for monitoring accidents are an integral part of the Department's health and safety guidance. There are formal processes in place for recording, analysing and investigating accidents, whether reportable under health and safety legislation or not. Instructions on the reporting and recording of accidents are available to staff on the Departmental intranet and the Department has a team of safety advisers who investigate accidents and ensure appropriate remedial action is taken.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will commission research into the (a) reasons for and (b) level of unavoidable miscellaneous charges made by banks, with particular reference to (i) survey fees, (ii) booking fees, (iii) arrangement fees, (iv) higher lending charges fees and (v) sealing of deeds fees; and if she will make a statement. [220777]

I have been asked to reply.

The Government have no plans to commission research into miscellaneous charges made by banks. The Banking Code requires that signatories give their customers details of any charges for the day-to-day running of their account when they open it, and that they inform their customers personally if they increase any of these charges or introduce a new charge, at least 30 days before the change takes effect. The signatories are also required to tell customers the charge for any other service or product before they provide that service or product, and at any time the customer asks.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps the Department is taking to ensure companies adopt policies to meet social and environmental obligations. [218998]

Companies are bound by legislation on a wide range of social and environmental issues including matters relating to employment terms and conditions, health and safety and environmental protection.

At national level HMG supports a number of initiatives aimed at improving business social and environmental performance. Within DTI these include:

Establishment and funding for CSR Academy to mainstream CSR skills into business practice

Sponsorship of Business in the Community's Corporate Responsibility Index

Sponsorship of Business in the Community's Annual Awards for Excellence

Sponsorship of Small Business Consortium's small business journey toolkit for SMEs

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the impact on UK industry and consumers of the recent rises in the cost of gas on the spot market; what proposals she has to bring price stability to the gas market; and what plans she has to reform the operation of the forward market for wholesale gas. [222172]

The impact on UK industry of the recent temporary rises in spot gas prices will depend on a variety of factors, including how much gas a particular company uses, the degree of their exposure to spot and/or forward prices and the duration of the high prices. It will also be affected by the energy prices paid by their competitors. The impact on domestic consumers will depend on whether the energy supply companies decide to pass on the costs of what was a short-lived spike in spot prices. Prices in the domestic sector are set to cover a range of weather, including such cold snaps, so we would not expect these peaks to feed into domestic prices.

The Department is working to ease the potential supply tightness which causes high prices by facilitating investment in gas import infrastructure projects, such as a doubling of the import capacity of the Bacton-Zeebrugge interconnector, new pipelines from Norway and the Netherlands, and three major new Liquefied Natural Gas terminals.

Regarding the operation of the forward gas market, my Department has commissioned an independent consultant to analyse how it is working, and to propose, if necessary, recommendations for improving it to both Government and industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry

(1) if she will make a statement on the recent rises in the forward gas market; and what assessment she has made of the impact the increase in the price for delivery in winter 2006 will have on the competitiveness of UK manufacturing; [222549]

(2) what action her Department is taking to mitigate the risk of job losses within the manufacturing sector as a result of rises in industrial gas prices; and if she will make a statement. [222560]

The forward wholesale price for gas for the first quarter of 2006 averaged around 48p/therm in February 2005, and for the first two weeks of March it has been around 54p/therm. However, the average actual price paid for delivery in the winter tends to be lower than the forward price, and the same may happen in 2006. Nevertheless, 54p/therm is above the forward price in respect of previous winters, driven by changing market views about the tightening winter supply situation.

The Department has commissioned an independent consultant to analyse the operation of the forward market and, if necessary, to propose recommendations for improving it to both Government and industry.

The impact on the competitiveness of manufacturing companies will depend on a variety of factors, including how much gas a particular company uses, the degree of their exposure to spot and/or forward prices, and the duration of the high prices. It will also be affected by the energy prices paid by their competitors. We are working with industry to identify ways it can mitigate the effects of high forward gas prices.

This Government implemented the Manufacturing Strategy in 2002, the first from any Government in over 30 years. In July 2004 we published a review of the Strategy setting out a framework for action to address many of the challenges currently facing manufacturers in the UK. It focuses on support for innovation and skills, and assisting industry to produce smarter, higher-value-added products. This message was reinforced in The DTI Five-Year Programme, published in November 2004.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the average full and final settlement is for (a) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease claims and (b) vibration white finger claims, broken down by constituency. [211104]

The figures as of 31 January 2005 are placed in the Libraries of the House today.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on progress made by the European Commission on its investigation into the setting up and financing of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, with particular reference to state aid matters. [222601]

holding answer 17 March 2005

The UK has recently submitted its comments on the submissions that the Commission has received from third parties. We now expect the Commission to take some time to consider these and other views submitted to it. We stand ready to answer any further questions it might have.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry

(1) what steps she is taking to implement the Energy White Paper commitment to a 2002 to 2012 solar photovoltaics demonstration programme in line with those of the UK's main competitors; [222972]

(2) what steps she is taking to increase support to the photovoltaic industry as proposed in the Energy White Paper. [222973]

The Department of Trade and Industry has implemented the Energy White Paper commitment by supporting a "Major Photovoltaic Demonstration Programme" from 2002. This programme is due to end in March 2006, although grants are expected to be paid up to March 2007.

The Department will continue its support for PV through a "low carbon buildings" programme. The low carbon buildings programme will be the subject of formal consultation later this year. Although the programme will be technology blind, projects incorporating PV will be supported. The programme is expected to begin operating in 2006–07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate she has made of the number of terrawatt hours of electricity generated from renewable sources required to meet the Government's 2010 renewables target. [222361]

holding answer 17 March 2005

The 2010 10 per cent. renewable energy target relates to electricity supply to consumers. The latest DTI energy projections indicate that the supply to consumers could be around 330TWh in 2010. This would indicate that to meet the target, renewables generation would need to be 33TWh.

However it should be noted that at this stage, any estimate is necessarily very approximate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action her Department is taking to tackle UK-based organisations using a non-EU company to make unsolicited automated phone calls which would be illegal if made from within the EU. [222410]

The Department introduced the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations in 1999, which provides a scheme called the Telephone Preference Service (TPS) scheme. This provides protection to subscribers from unsolicited direct marketing calls, which originate from the UK or are made on behalf of UK companies by non-EU companies, irrespective of whether they are dialled manually or made by an automated computer. The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has responsibility for the enforcement of the TPS scheme and considers breaches.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the Government have made to the Government of Myanmar about the conditions of the Karen people of Myanmar in refugee camps on the Thai border. [221705]

We have not made recent representations to the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) about this specific issue. However, we work closely with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to provide appropriate protection to refugees and to ensure their non-refoulement.

Britain is the largest EU donor providing assistance to refugees outside the country and to poor people inside Burma. Our funds are channelled through non-government organisations such as the Thailand Burma Border Consortium (TBBC) as well as through UN agencies and the European Commission. The TBBC provides food and other basic necessities to the Karen refugees in Thailand. This complements the help with schooling given by the Karen Education Partnership.

We are also doing everything we can to press the Burmese authorities to begin a genuine process of reform involving all political parties and ethnic groups in Burma. A genuine transition to democracy is essential to address the underlying reasons for the displacement of people in Burma.

The UK co-sponsored the UN General Assembly resolution of 23 December which condemned human rights violations suffered by ethnic groups in Burma. The resolution called on the regime to

"end the policy of systematic enforced displacement of persons and other policies leading to displacement within Myanmar and refugee flows to neighbouring countries, to provide the necessary protection and assistance to internally displaced persons and to respect the right of refugees to voluntary, safe and dignified return monitored by appropriate international agencies."

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Ukrainian ambassador on sales of arms to Burma. [222142]

None.

However, we and our EU partners have raised our concerns with the Ukrainian authorities about the sale of arms to Burma.

The UK and other EU countries maintain an embargo on arms to Burma as part of the EU Common Position on Burma. Although Ukraine is not party to this, we will continue to make them aware of our position and encourage them to align themselves with it.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the new power-sharing constitution in Burundi. [221596]

We welcome the post-transitional Constitution in Burundi, approved by the Regional Peace initiative, and resoundingly endorsed by the Burundian people at the referendum held on 28 February. This is a further step on the path to lasting peace and stability in Burundi.

We and the rest of the international community now urge all parties in Burundi to work constructively towards holding free and fair elections and bringing about a successful end to the transition.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the UK delegation's position on Cuba will be at the forthcoming UN Human Rights Commission. [221789]

We have serious concerns about the human rights situation in Cuba. We have not yet seen a text on Cuba at the Commission on Human Rights and therefore can not confirm our position. However in previous years, the UK has supported a resolution on Cuba.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

(1) what discussions he has had with the Turkish-Cypriot administration on the number of private properties built in each of the last three years in Northern Cyprus which were purchased by foreign nationals who are neither Greek or Turkish Cypriot; and if he will make a statement; [221547]

(2) what discussions he has had on the policy of the Turkish-Cypriot administration in Northern Cyprus on maintaining in good condition the properties that Turkish settlers now live in but to which Greek Cypriots claim ownership; and if he will make a statement. [221571]

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I met Mr. Talat on 1 July 2004; I also met Mr. Talat and other Turkish Cypriot leaders during my visit to the island in October 2004. On both occasions we discussed a number of Cyprus-related issues. Officials from the British high commission also meet Turkish Cypriot leaders on a regular basis to discuss a full range of issues on the situation in Cyprus, including that of property purchase by foreigners. Through our travel advice and in response to inquiries, we advise potential purchasers of property in the north that there may be significant practical, financial and legal consequences, and we strongly encourage potential buyers to seek independent, qualified legal advice.

The issue of the condition of properties likely to be affected by the resettlement and compensation provisions of the Annan plan was studied during the "needs assessment" phase of the UN process, with the close support and interest of the UK Government.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of properties in Northern Cyprus legally owned by Greek Cypriots which are occupied by Turkish settlers from mainland Turkey; and if he will make a statement. [221550]

We have no figures on this aspect of the property issue. As the Foreign Affairs Committee has recently underscored, the complex and deeply felt issues associated with property ownership go to the heart of the situation in Cyprus, and deserve very careful attention within the context of a comprehensive settlement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

(1) when the last population survey took place in Northern Cyprus; and if he will make a statement; [221551]

(2) how many (a) Turkish Cypriots born in Cyprus and (b) Turkish settlers he estimates there are in Northern Cyprus; what percentage each represents of the total population; and if he will make a statement. [221552]

The last census in the north of Cyprus carried out by the Turkish Cypriot authorities in 1996 found that there were 137,398 Turkish Cypriots and 54,626 people born in mainland Turkey. However, these figures are not universally accepted. The Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly adopted a resolution in 2003 stating that there were 115,000 persons of Turkish mainland origin in the north of Cyprus. The Assembly also noted that in 2001 there were 87,600 Turkish Cypriots in the north of Cyprus. The Assembly's figures too are disputed.

We believe that the population composition in the north of Cyprus will likely be an important factor in any new settlement negotiations. In that context, universally agreed figures on the demographics of the north would clearly be desirable. But it is for the two sides, in the context of renewed efforts towards achieving a settlement, and in conjunction with the United Nations, to discuss the most appropriate way to deal with demographic issues pertaining to the situation in Cyprus.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Turkish troops are stationed in Northern Cyprus; and if he will make a statement. [221553]

We have no precise figures of our own. Current estimates range from 20,000 to 35,000.

Turkey supported the UN Secretary-General's Comprehensive Settlement Plan for Cyprus, which provided for a staged reduction in troop numbers. If the island had reunited on the basis of the plan, Turkish troops would have been reduced by over 80 per cent. by the end of 2007, with a further 50 per cent. reduction within the following four years. Thereafter, the plan allowed for 650 troops to remain in the north of Cyprus, the same number of Turkish troops as set out in the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee. This agreement would be subject to regular reviews with a view to eventual withdrawal by mutual consent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

(1) what recent discussions he has had with the Turkish Cypriot administration in Northern Cyprus on its policies to protect and develop the environment; [221573]

(2) what recent discussions he has had with the Turkish Cypriot administration on its policy on Greek Cypriots who wish to return to live in Northern Cyprus being able to do so; and if he will make a statement. [221575]

Neither my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary nor myself have had recent discussions with the Turkish Cypriot administration on these matters. However, officials from the British high commission in Nicosia meet regularly with Turkish Cypriot representatives to discuss the full range of issues related to the situation in Cyprus. One feature of these discussions is the need to improve environmental protection including by use of EU funds in this area.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the Indian Government on the UN Convention Against Torture. [221671]

On the occasion of my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary's most recent visit to India in February this year, he did not raise specifically the issue of the UN Convention Against Torture with the Indian Government. He did however discuss human rights. The Indian authorities can be in no doubt of our concerns about this.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Indian Government concerning the recent violent attacks on members of the Sikh community of Chattisgarh. [221709]

We are aware of recent violent incidents between members of the Sikh and Hindu communities in Chattisgarh. We continue as a matter of course to raise our concerns with the Indian Government about religious intolerance in India, including attacks against Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians. We will continue to urge the Indian authorities to ensure that the right to freedom of religion, enshrined in its constitution, is upheld and that those responsible for attacks against people because of their religion are brought to justice. We remind them that the UK Government condemns the persecution of individuals or groups because of their religion or beliefs. The UK Government believe that the democratic process in India is the best protection for a peaceful and secure country. We appreciate the remarks by Dr. Manmohan Singh in his first press conference as Prime Minister, when he said

"We are the most tolerant civilisation and we cannot divide people on the basis of religion and race."

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the UK's undertaking to work towards the total elimination of British nuclear weapons. [221455]

The United Kingdom is fully committed to its disarmament obligations as a nuclear weapon state recognised by the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT), including all the undertakings agreed at the 2000 NPT Review Conference. We also support the agreements made at the 1995 NPT Review and Extension Conference that called on the nuclear weapon states to pursue systematic and progressive efforts to reduce nuclear weapons globally, with the ultimate goal of eliminating those weapons. We are the only nuclear weapon state that has reduced its nuclear capability to a single weapons system and we have reduced the total explosive power of our nuclear forces by over 70 per cent. since the end of the cold war.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much council tax was uncollected within the North Somerset local authority in each of the last five years. [221899]

The information requested is in the following table:

Council tax collection—North Somerset

⁽⁵⁾ Net collectable debit, excluding amounts funded from council tax benefit.

The amount of council tax ultimately not collected for any particular year is less than that shown in the final column of the above table because collection continues after the end of the financial year. Figures for the amounts ultimately collected are not, however, reported to central Government.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether Ministers in his Department have issued written instructions to override his Department's accounting officer's objections since 1997. [221115]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 14 March 2005, Official Report, column 80W.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many recorded attacks there were against (a) firefighters while on duty and (b) fire service equipment in (i) Leicester, (ii) Leicester, South and (iii) the UK in each year since 1997. [222543]

Since April 2004 fire and rescue authorities in England and Wales have been asked to report attacks on firefighters through the Fire or Incident of Special Interest (FOSI) system. Since that time 428 attacks on firefighters in England and Wales have been reported to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. There have been no attacks on firefighters reported by Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Combined Fire Authority.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what measures he (a) has taken and (b) is proposing to take to assist the lower level super output areas (SOAs) in (i) Dartford and (ii) the Thames Gateway Growth Area that fall within the most deprived 20 per cent. of lower level SOAs in England and Wales in one or more of the seven sub-themes used in the 2004 Index of Multiple Deprivation. [221103]

Spending Review 2004 made available over £1 billion of new Neighbourhood Renewal Fund (NRF) resources for the period 2006–08 (£525 million for 2006–07 and £525 million for 2007–08). No decision has yet been made on how these new resources will be allocated. The Government want to ensure that we get the most impact from these very substantial funds. We are therefore carefully considering the opinions expressed in the recent consultation exercise to make sure we take full account of the views of key stakeholders involved in delivering neighbourhood renewal at the local level. An announcement on the allocation of these new NRF resources will be made when we have completed our consideration.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for what reasons the Animal By-Product Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002 requires slaughterhouse waste to be handled in an enclosed space. [221871]

The Animal By-Products Regulation requires that all intermediate plants have a covered space to receive animal by-products. We consider that in general this will also mean that all handling of by-products must be done in that covered space. The Regulation 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. 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.

Slaughterhouse waste may contain high-risk material such as Specified Risk Material (SRM). It will usually have a high liquid content, and contain loose fragments of material, thereby increasing the risk of leakage or spillage during handling and the risk of spread by vermin such as rodents or birds. Such waste must therefore be handled in an enclosed space to provide adequate safeguards to protect public and animal health.

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

(1) what agreements are in place with each country which exports poultry feathers to the UK on ensuring that they are not infected with avian influenza; and what measures she has put in place to ensure agreements are adhered to; [221388]

(2) what tests are carried out in the UK on poultry feathers imported from East Asian countries to establish whether they are infected with avian influenza. [221390]

Import requirements for feathers are set in European Union legislation. Imports of unprocessed feathers are prohibited from countries that are currently under restriction due an outbreak of Avian Influenza (HPAI).

Community legislation allows import of processed feathers. Every consignment of processed feathers from countries under restriction because of Avian Influenza are veterinary checked at the Border Inspection Post on entry to the EU. Imports of processed feathers from these countries must be accompanied by a commercial document stating that the feathers have been cleaned with a steam current and heated to at least 70°.

Unprocessed feathers are banned from countries under restrictions due to Avian Influenza. They would be easily detectable by smell or sight as they are highly susceptible to deterioration in transit and would be foul-smelling.

Cleaning feathers with a steam current and heated to at least 70° is considered effective in significantly reducing the quantity of virus, if present, to a negligible level. Therefore no further testing is carried out.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the risk of avian influenza being transmitted from imported poultry feathers. [221389]

In January 2004 Defra carried out a full veterinary risk assessment of the risk of importing avian influenza from a variety of products, including feathers. The assessment is available on the Defra website http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/disease/avianinfluenza_asia.htm

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what quantity of poultry feathers were imported into the UK from each East Asian country in each of the last five years. [221391]

UK imports of feathers from Asia, 2000–04.

tonnes

Source:

HM Customs and Excise

Data prepared by Trade statistics, Food Chain Analysis 3, Defra

2004 data is subject to amendments until 30 June 2005

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what input she will seek from (a) hon. Members, (b) farmers and (c) conservation groups in developing a transparent process for making policy decisions on whether badger culling will form part of future policy for controlling bovine tuberculosis. [221278]

The Government strategic framework for the sustainable control of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in Great Britain was published on 1 March. Among other things, it sets out how policy decisions on wildlife controls will be reached.

The Government are committed to establishing a new advisory group on bTB to advise the Chief Veterinary Officer and Ministers on policy options and delivery developments, to co-ordinate action taken in England, Wales and Scotland and ensure that decisions at a national or regional level are made in accordance with the principles set out in the Framework. I envisage the new group will be in place by the end of 2005 with membership including those with farmed animal experience and conservation experience.

I expect hon. Members, including the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee, will continue to be interested in the development of new policies in this area.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the current incidence of bovine tuberculosis in Stafford constituency; and if she will take action to reduce such incidence. [221279]

The information requested is not available on a constituency basis. Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) data is held by county or Animal Health Divisional Office area.

The incidence of bovine TB in cattle in Staffordshire in 2004 was 6.56 per cent.¹ . The corresponding figure for Great Britain in 2004 was 3.45 per cent.

Our aim to achieve a sustained reduction in disease incidence in cattle in high incidence areas, as well as slow down and prevent the geographic spread of bovine TB to areas currently free of the disease, forms part of our overall vision for the control of TB for the next 10 years. This is set out in the Government strategic framework for the sustainable control of bovine TB which was published on 1 March.

¹ Incidence is defined as confirmed new herd incidents as a percentage of tests on unrestricted herds. Data downloaded from the State Veterinary Service database on the 8–11 March 2005. This is provisional data, which is subject to change as outstanding TB test and culture results become available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the voyages since 1 January 2002 on which (a) her officials and (b) agency officials were present and witnessed dolphin by-catches in trawling nets; and what (i) documentary evidence was assembled, including photographs and videos and (ii) written reports were subsequently produced. [221562]

holding answer 14 March 2005

As part of Defra-funded research into cetacean by-catch, the Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU) has placed observers on a range of trawl fisheries to monitor cetacean by-catch. By-catch has not been observed by any other officials and, to date, by-catch has only been witnessed by SMRU in the pair trawl fishery for bass. From 1 January 2002 to the end of the last fishing season for bass in spring 2004, observations were made covering 352 hauls in which a total of 207 dolphin casualties were observed. It is not possible to provide a list of voyages.

The full details of this research are set out in the following reports produced by SMRU for Defra, available via the Defra website:

"Analysis and mitigation of cetacean by-catch" (reference MF0726)

"By-catch reduction in pelagic trawl fisheries" (MF0733)

"Further development of a dolphin exclusion device" (MF0735)

"Monitoring, impact and mitigation of marine mammal by-catch" (MF0736)

A video was produced by SMRU as part of the work on the development of a dolphin exclusion device, reported above.

Full details of the results of this research were also summarised in the evidence presented by Defra to the House of Commons EFRA Committee Inquiry into cetacean by-catch and contained in the report published by this Committee in January 2004.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans the Government have to discuss REACH during its EU Presidency; and if she will make a statement. [221788]

REACH is a priority for the UK Government's forthcoming EU Presidency. The Government are working very closely with the Luxembourg Presidency to ensure that substantial progress is made in the negotiations in 2005. Building on the work conducted to date both in the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament, the two Presidencies will invest major efforts on the REACH Regulation with the aim of reaching political agreement by the end of 2005 based on an effective balance between economic, social and environmental considerations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 10 February 2005, Official Report, column 1639, to my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Central (Tony Lloyd) on climate change, what the results were of her discussions with newly developing countries, with particular reference to those with substantial and growing energy needs; and if she will make a statement. [222461]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, together with the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry jointly hosted a round table for the energy and environment Ministers from 20 countries, including the emerging economies, on 15–16 March.

This was an innovative event which enabled us to explore common ground and begin to build a shared agenda to tackle issues of access to energy for development, energy security, and environmental protection.

A summary of proceedings will be placed on the Defra and DTI websites shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many Countryside Stewardship payments for 2004 have been paid. [221799]

Latest figures show that there have been 25,908 Countryside Stewardship Scheme payments made during the scheme year 2003–04. This figure represents some 97 per cent. of claims received.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for what reasons industries subject to the requirements of the National Allocation Plan are not exempt from the requirements of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. [220720]

Directive 2003/87/EC established the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. Article 9 requires each member state to develop a National Allocation Plan (NAP) stating the total quantity of allowances that it intends to allocate and how it intends to allocate them to installations. The NAP is therefore an integral part of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. Installations which are covered by the Directive must be listed in the NAP and cannot be exempted from the scheme unless they are temporarily excluded from the scheme under Article 27 of the Directive.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many farmers have (a) signed up to and (b) withdrawn from the National Fallen Stock Collection Scheme since it was established. [221463]

The National Fallen Stock Company Ltd. reports that in the first three months of the scheme operating just over 25,000 members had signed up to the scheme. In the corresponding period just under 500 members initially applied to join the scheme but withdrew their application before payment of the subscription fee was processed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the future of the Fallen Stock Collection Service in Lancashire; and how many farmers are using the scheme. [221692]

The National Fallen Stock Company Ltd. reports that there are currently eight collectors registered to collect fallen stock under the Scheme in Lancashire.

Further information on the scheme as it applies to Lancashire is not available. However, the National Fallen Stock Company Ltd. reports that after just over three months of operation it already has over 25,000 members. Whilst acknowledging there have been teething problems with collection of fallen stock in some parts of the country, the National Fallen Stock Company reports that it is pleased with the response and that the scheme is generally working well.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of whether the proposed EU Constitutional Treaty takes account of fisheries provisions negotiated by those member states that joined the EU in 1995. [222416]

No assessment has been made of the fisheries provisions relating to the member states which joined the EU in 1995 in the context of the EU Constitution.

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

(1) who is responsible for making sure the floodgates in the sea wall are closed properly when there is an exceptional tide at Sheerness; [222709]

(2) who is responsible for the floodgates in the sea wall at Sheerness. [222710]

The Environment Agency and its predecessors constructed the flood defences along the Sheerness frontage on the Isle of Sheppey and retains overall responsibility for the floodgates and floodwalls. The Agency is responsible for issuing tidal flood warnings and ensuring the floodgates are closed as necessary.

The Environment Agency operates the Queenborough tidal flood barrier, located across the Queenborough Creek, but there are local agreements in place with Swale borough council and private landowners to operate all other floodgates along the Sheerness frontage.

Visual inspection to confirm the integrity of the sea defences, and the closure of all the floodgates on the Sheerness frontage, is also undertaken by the Agency during exceptional tides.

Full details of which floodgates are operated by Swale borough council and local landowners are as follows:

Swale borough council is responsible for closing floodgates at:

The Broadway The Esplanade, Beech Street, Sheerness

Cheyne Rock

Queenborough Hard

Crundalls Wharf, North Road, Queenborough

Tesco, Bridge Road, Sheerness

Shellness Road

Elmley Ferry

Warden Bay Promenade

Warden Bay, Jetty Road

Local landowners are responsible for closing floodgates at:

Bretts, Chalk Wharf Canning Town

Ship Breaking Ltd., Queenborough Rolling Mill

Abbots Laboratories, Abbotts Slipway, Queenborough

Medway Ports, Sheerness Docks, Sheerness, Kent

Additionally, the Environment Agency undertakes routine maintenance inspections of all the floodgates every two months, and carries out the actions arising from these inspections that may include capital expenditure—for example to replace worn out gates.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much has been spent on alleviating fuel poverty in the boroughs of (a) Southend-on-Sea and (b) Thurrock in each year from 1995 to 2004. [221955]

The Warm Front Scheme, the major programme to tackle the problem of fuel poverty in the private sector in England, was launched in June 2000. Between June 2000 and the end of December 2004 expenditure in Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock in each financial year was:

£

⁽⁶⁾ June to March.

⁽⁷⁾ April to December 2004

The annual estimated expenditure under the previous Home Energy Efficiency Scheme from April 1995 to May 2000 for Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock was:

£

⁽⁸⁾ To May 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she plans (a) to sign and (b) to ratify the Council of Europe Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals. [221674]

We intend to review further the UK's position on the Council of Europe Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals once the Animal Welfare Bill has become law.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what changes her Department plans to its (a) policies and (b) regulatory practices following the recommendations of the Report of the Committee Examining Radiation Risks of Internal Emitters, with particular reference to risk estimates. [220591]

I have considered the Report of the Committee Examining Radiation Risks of Internal Emitters (CERRIE), along with the report of its parent body, the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment (COMARE).

On matters to do with radiation and health, we would take advice from COMARE, the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) and the Department of Health (DH). DH, as well as Defra, co-sponsored CERRIE. DH, through its radiation research programme, will respond to COMARE's recommendation that further work is required to address the uncertainties associated with determining the risk from internal emitters. We look forward to any further practical advice from COMARE or DH as to how uncertainty should be addressed either through policy or the regulatory regime. In the meantime, we shall be encouraging consideration of uncertainty whenever radiation risk is calculated.