To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will put the (a) four major interchange improvements along the A19 from Hebburn to Seaton Burn and (b) major realignment of the A19/A1058 Coast Road interchange into the trunk road programme; and if he will make a statement. [45534]

The Government announced in December 2004 that they would seek the regions' advice on their priorities for schemes for housing, regeneration and transport expenditure. Indicative allocations for the next 10 years were given to each region. The North East Interim Regional Transport Board has been established to determine each region's priorities. The four junction upgrade schemes on the A19 around Tyneside at Testos, Coast Road, Moor Farm and Seaton Burn junctions, are part of that process.

We are expecting to receive each region's advice and priorities at the end of January. Once these have been assessed there will a further announcement of the Department's initial response to the proposals.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his policy is on the proposed East West Rail (western section); and what estimate he has made of its cost. [43293]

The Department for Transport continues to work with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) and local stakeholders to investigate the transport needs of the Milton Keynes to Oxford corridor as part of the Sustainable Communities agenda. East West Rail (western section) scheme is one potential component and we continue to investigate it.

The last cost estimate for the scheme is £55 million capital costs (based on basic scheme—Oxford to Bedford, December 2003). These costs require further development and should be seen as indicative.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much of the debt on the Humber Bridge has been written off; when it was written off; for what reasons; and what mechanism was used. [45337]

Under a loan agreement signed between the Humber Bridge Board (the Bridge Board) and the Secretary of State on 1 July 1998 and subject to an order under the Humber Bridge (Debts) Act 1996—The Humber Bridge (Debts) Order 1998 which came into force on 19 August 1998, it was agreed that the Bridge Board would not have to repay a £62 million debt owed to the Public Works Loan Board. This was part of a package of measures designed to help ensure the long-term financial future of the bridge.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many new light rail schemes in large cities are planned; how many light rail schemes have been delivered in the last five years; and how many he expects will be delivered by July 2010. [40844]

I refer the hon. Member to my answers of 18 January 2006, Official Report, columns 1385–6W and 24 January 2006 [UIN40581] to the hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell (Chris Grayling).

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to publish the consultants' report on the review of the Northern Rail franchise; and whether he expects the results of that review to be incorporated into the 2006 timetable. [44826]

The review of the Northern rail franchise is continuing, and an announcement will be made in due course. It has yet to be decided whether any train service changes recommended by the review would be incorporated in the December 2006 timetable, or at a later date.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 15 November 2005, Official Report, column 1150W, on train operating companies, what mechanisms exist to ensure that the interests of (a) passengers and (b) the public purse are protected through the franchise specification and tendering process for train operating companies. [39387]

Passenger interests are protected by ensuring that franchises specify an appropriate level of service, backed by punctuality and reliability targets and penalties for non-compliance. The public purse is protected by developing a financial model of the franchise against which bids are assessed to ensure value for money and by the competitive tendering process itself.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of domestic freight traffic is transported by rail. [40863]

I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 18 January 2006, Official Report, column 1384W to the hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell (Chris Grayling).

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department is taking to ensure that railway ticket prices represent value for money for passengers. [42514]

I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 18 January 2006, Official Report, column 1383W to the hon. Member for Windsor (Adam Afriyie).

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the Strategic Rail Authority expects to report the findings of its consultation on the future of the Watford junction to Brighton service. [41605]

The Department for Transport has reviewed the work carried out by the Strategic Rail Authority on the Brighton main line route utilisation strategy (RUS), which included recommendations on the future of the Watford junction to Brighton service. The finalised RUS will be published shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport

(1) what percentage of the rail network has the train protection and warning system; and if he will list those lines which do not; [40567]

(2) on which lines train safety systems have been installed since 2000. [40573]

Operation of the rail network in Great Britain is the responsibility of Network Rail (NR). I have asked NR to write direct to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will make an announcement on the future of the direct train link between Hastings and London Victoria. [43958]

The direct Hastings to Victoria service is being considered as part of the Brighton main line route utilisation strategy (RUS). An announcement about the publication of the RUS will be made shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether an individual who is subject to medical treatment in a hospital over a period including midnight following a road accident is automatically classified in official statistics as having been seriously injured. [44668]

Personal injury road accident data in Great Britain are collected by the police and reported to the Department using the STATS19 accident report format. Any casualty who is admitted to hospital as an in-patient should be coded as a serious casualty in this system. Furthermore, casualties with certain types of injury such as fractures, should be coded as a serious casualty regardless of whether they were detained as an in-patient or not. However, not all personal injury road accidents are reported to the police.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) fatal and (b) serious road traffic accidents occurred in the Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham in each year since 1997. [45266]

The number of(a) fatal and (b) serious personal injury road accidents in the London borough of Hammersmith and Fulham between 1997 and 2004 (the latest year which figures are available), is given in table.

Source:

Transport for London (TfL)

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his plans are for Stage Cottage, Hurst Green, East Sussex, following the Highways Agency's purchase of the cottage under a compulsory purchase order. [43957]

A compulsory purchase order has not yet been published for this scheme. Stage Cottage was a discretionary purchase in view of the preferred route announcement for this scheme. The A21 scheme was given regional status following the Highways Agency's announcement in December 2004 as part of the Spending Review round. It is too premature to declare this property surplus. The Highways Agency is making arrangements through its managing agent to rent out this property until the outcome of the Regional Transport Board's recommendations are known and agreed by Ministers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many rail vehicles (a) were delivered in each year since 1996 and (b) are due to be delivered in each year to 2012, broken down by manufacturer; and what the total value of rolling stock orders (i) delivered in each year since 1996 and (ii) due to be delivered in each year to 2012 is, broken down by manufacturer. [42714]

The following table shows the number of new vehicles introduced into revenue earning service each year, broken down by manufacturer. The most recent new order is for vehicles which are due to be introduced into service in 2009. Not included are the orders anticipated but not yet in place for the replacement fleet for the existing HST—high speed trains—currently planned to enter service from 2012.

New vehicles introduced into revenue earning service

The following table shows the estimated value of the orders placed for the aforementioned vehicles, broken down by manufacturer. The values are listed by year in which the order was placed.

Estimated value of new vehicle orders placed

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport

(1) whether his Department is considering proposals to award town and parish councils statutory rights to object to all vehicle operators licence applications and renewals; [45600]

(2) whether his Department is considering proposals to make town and parish councils statutory consultees for all vehicle operators licence applications and renewals. [45602]

There are no plans to review the categories of persons who may object to, or make representations against, the issue of a goods vehicle operator's licence by a traffic commissioner. These persons include county, district and unitary authorities and individuals who own or occupy land in the vicinity of a proposed operating centre for goods vehicles. The existing arrangements provide adequate opportunity for persons who may be affected by the issuing of a licence to have their views considered. The most effective way for parish councils and similar bodies to comment on licence applications is to work with the local authorities who do have a right to object.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the transport infrastructure projects with a potential cost of more than £5 million on which the Highways Agency has carried out feasibility studies since 1997. [43354]

All schemes with an estimated cost of more than £5 million are subject to an appraisal of economic and environmental benefits and costs before they enter the Highways Agency's investment programme, known as the 'Targeted Programme of Improvements'. Since 1997, 112 schemes have entered this programme and 32 have been completed as listed as follows:

Completed TPI Schemes

A1 Willowburn—Denwick Improvement

A1(M) Wetherby—Walshford

A2 Bean—Cobham Phase 1 Bean—Tollgate

A5 Nesscliffe Bypass

A5 Weeford—Fazeley Improvement

A6 Great Glen Bypass

A6 Rushden and Higham Ferrers Bypass

A6 Rothwell—Desborough Bypass

A6 Clapham Bypass

A6 Alvaston

A10 Wadesmill Colliers End

A11 Roudham Heath—Attleborough Improvement

A14 Rookery Crossroads Grade Separated Junction

A27 Polegate Bypass

A34 Chieveley/M4 J13 Improvement

A41 Aston Clinton Bypass

A43 Silverstone Bypass

A43 Whitfield Turn—Brackley Hatch Improvement

A43 M40—B4031 Dualling

A46 Newark—Lincoln Improvement

A63 Selby Bypass

A66 Stainburn and Great Clifton Bypass

A120 Stansted—Braintree Improvement

A500 Basford, Hough, Shavington Bypass

A650 Bingley Relief Road

A1033 Hedon Road Improvement

M25 J12–15 Widening

A47 Thorney Bypass

A1 Stannington Junction

M4 Junction 18 Eastbound Diverge

M5 Junctions 17–18a Northbound Climbing Lane (Hallen Hill)

A64 Colton Lane GSJ

Total—32 Schemes

TPI Schemes not yet completed

A1(M) Ferrybridge—Hook Moor

A2 Bean—Cobham Phase 2 Tollgate—Cobham

A2/A282 Dartford Improvement

A21 Lamberhurst Bypass

A249 Iwade—Queenborough Improvement

A303 Stonehenge

A421 Great Barford Bypass

A500 City Road and Stoke Junction Improvement

M60 J5–8 Widening

A11 Attleborough Bypass

A11 Fiveways—Thetford Improvement

M6 Carlisle to Guardsmill extension

A63 Melton Grade Separated Junction

A14 Haughley New St.—Stowmarket Improvement

A3 Hindhead Improvement

A38 Dobwalls Bypass

A595 Parton—Lillyhall Improvement

A1 Peterborough—Blyth GSJ

M62 Junction 6 Improvement

A46 Newark—Widmerpool Improvement

A30 Bodmin Indian Queens

A483 Pant- Llanymynech Bypass

A5117/A550 Deeside Park Junctions Improvement

A419 Blunsdon

A66 Temple Sowerby and Improvement at Winderwath

A1 Dishforth to Leeming

A1 Bramham—Wetherby (Including Wetherby Bypass)

A1 Leeming to Barton

A64 Rillington Bypass

M40/A404 Handy Cross Junction Improvement

A47 Blofield to North Burlingham Dualling

A66 Greta Bridge to Stephen Bank Improvement

A66 Carkin Moor to Scotch Corner Improvement

A428 Caxton Common to Hardwick Improvement

A30/A382 Merrymeet Junction

A66 Long Newton Junction

A69 Haydon Bridge Bypass

A419 Commonhead Junction

M5 Junctions 19–20 Southbound Climbing Lane (Naish Hill)

M5 Junctions 19–20 Northbound Climbing Lane (Tickenham Hill)

M1 J19

A14 Ellington—Fen Ditton Improvement

A57/A628 Mottram in Longdendale, Hollingworth and Tintwistle Bypass

A45/A46 Tollbar End Improvement

M1 Junction 6a to 10 Widening

M1 Junction 10 to 13 Widening

A1 Morpeth to Felton Dualling

A1 Adderstone to Belford Dualling

A1/A19/A1068 Seaton Burn Junction Improvement

A19/A184 Testos Grade Separated Junction

A5-M1 Link (Dunstable Northern Bypass)

A421 Bedford to M1 Junction 13

A21 Tonbridge to Pembury

M40 Junction 15 (Longbridge)

A590 High and Low Newton Bypass

M20 Junction 10A

A30 Garland Cross to Chiverton Cross

A3Q Temple to Higher Carblake Improvement

A27 Southerham to Beddingham Improvement

M1 J21–30

M25 J1b-3 Widening

M25 J5–7 Widening

M25 J16–23 Widening

M25 J23–27 Widening

M25 J27–30 Widening

A21 Kippings Cross to Lamberhurst Bypass

A23 Handcross to Warninglid Widening

A453 Widening (M1 J24 to A52 Nottingham)

M25 Junction 28/A12 Brook Street Interchange

M27 J11 to J12 Climbing Lanes

M27 J3 to J4 Widening

M1 J30 to J31 Widening

M1 J31 to J32 Widening

M1 J32 to J34S Widening

M1 J34N to J37 Widening

M1 J37 to J39 Widening

M1 J39 to J42 Widening

M1 J31 to J32 Northbound Collector/Distributor

M62 J25 to J27 Widening

M62 J27 to J28 Widening

Total—80 Schemes

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many air quality management zones have been created in England and Wales in each year since they were established. [43120]

The number of local authorities in England and Wales who have passed orders declaring Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) in each year since the first declaration in 1999 are as follows:

Some local authorities have declared AQMAs in more than one year. Other local authorities have revoked or amended AQMAs in subsequent years. The total number of local authorities in England and Wales which currently have AQMAs declared is 170.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many British animal welfare charities have been awarded Government funds in each of the last two years; and how much was awarded to each charity. [43709]

No British animal welfare charity was awarded Government funds in financial year 2004–05. One British animal welfare charity, the Welfare Fund for Companion Animals, has been awarded Government funds totalling £25,000 in financial year 2005–06.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the oral statement of 26 October 2005, Official Report, columns 307–09, what further work her Department has undertaken on the possibility of an avian influenza outbreak in the United Kingdom; what the results of that work have been; what (a) further work and (b) further work in conjunction with the Department of Health is planned; and if she will make a statement. [37103]

An updated Qualitative Risk Assessment covering outbreaks of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus in the period since the end of October 2005 was published on 17 January 2006. It takes account of outbreaks in village poultry in Turkey, Romania, Ukraine and South Federal district of Russia (European Russia), and also in the south west of China.

This update and commentary does not alter our previous overall conclusion regarding the increased but still low likelihood of the introduction of the virus to the UK from the affected regions. Nevertheless, the increasing number of outbreaks in Eastern Europe raises concerns that the virus may be more widespread than previously anticipated in the affected region. Should the number of virus detections continue to increase in Eastern European countries, this may change the likelihood of introduction of the virus to the UK. Defra continues to monitor developments and assess the situation.

Defra is working closely with the Department of Health on all issues related to the protection of human health during an outbreak of avian influenza, both to ensure the protection of individuals who would be involved in the control of disease and possibly exposed to diseased birds, and to prevent the resortment of the virus and the development of human influenza.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on her Department's policy on the culling of badgers; and whether the option of vaccines for badgers is being considered as an alternative. [44695]

Responsibility for tackling bovine tuberculosis is a devolved matter and what happens in Wales is, of course, a matter for the Welsh Assembly. However, in England, we are currently consulting on both the principle and method of a badger culling policy. Developing a TB vaccine for badgers and cattle is one of our key longer-term goals, and significant research is focused on this.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the over-30-month-scheme will come to an end. [44040]

The over-30-month-scheme (OTMS) came to an end at midnight on 22 January 2006. The Older Cattle Disposal Scheme replaced the OTMS on 23 January 2006.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to increase the number of abattoirs allowed to process over thirty months cattle. [44043]

The decision to seek an approval to slaughter over-30-month (OTM) cattle for the food chain, is a commercial one.

There is no ceiling on the number of abattoirs allowed to process these cattle, although to be approved an abattoir must be able to demonstrate that it has the facilities and procedures in place to effectively test cattle for BSE. As at 18 January, 33 abattoirs had been approved in the UK. We expect more to seek approval as the market for OTM beef expands.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many people were prosecuted for the theft of rare birds' eggs in each of the last seven years; and what steps she is taking to tackle such thefts. [43712]

The information we hold on offences under Section 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 does not distinguish between egg theft offences and other offences under that section.

However, information on the total number of defendants subject to proceedings at magistrates courts for offences relating to stealing of birds eggs in England and Wales, 1998–2004¹ is set out in the following table:

⁽¹⁾ These data are on the principal offence basis

Source:

RDS Office for Criminal Justice Reform

Ref: IOS 020–06

The Government are committed to combating wildlife crime, and, through the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime, supports the network of Police Wildlife Crime Officers who enforce these controls. In particular, the police response to egg thefts—'Operation Easter'—has made an important impact on this type of crime, and the criminals involved.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 29 November 2005, Official Report, column 311W, on farming, in what circumstances an error regarding cattle movement regulations which occurred before 2003, where the animal is now dead, would be considered an infringement of loss compliance rules. [38906]

holding answer 20 January 2006

To reiterate the answer of 29 November 2005, Official Report, column 311W, a breach of the relevant requirements on or after 1 January 2005 will be regarded as a non-compliance and will be assessed for a penalty as required by the EC regulations. Breaches which commenced prior to the introduction of cross compliance and are continuing, through an act or omission of the farmer, into 2005, will also be assessed for a penalty.

The Cross Compliance Statutory Management Requirements covering cattle identification are the legal requirements set out in Council Regulation 911/2004, Commission Regulation 1760/2000 and the related domestic implementing legislation. Any act or omission that breaches this legislation, which took place before 1 January 2005, but which could have been rectified prior to being discovered at any cross compliance on the spot check will be regarded as a non-compliance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many litter enforcement notices were served on members of the public for dropping chewing gum in the Chewing Gum Action Group campaign pilot areas during the pilot period. [42532]

holding answer 18 January 2006

There were two litter fixed penalty notices for dropping chewing gum issued during the pilot campaigns—one by Manchester city council and one by Preston city council.

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

(1) what evidence there is from the Chewing Gum Action Group campaign pilot areas of reductions in the quantity of illegal littering of public areas by chewing gum; [42533]

(2) how much less gum there was on relevant streets at the end of the Chewing Gum Action Group campaign pilots compared with the beginning of the pilot period. [42534]

holding answer 18 January 2006

Reliable figures on the reductions in gum deposition are only available from Preston city council, as both Maidstone borough council and Manchester city council experienced problems over the accurate measurement of gum deposits. In Preston there was a 76 percent. reduction in levels of gum deposition in the control areas at the end of the campaign, and subsequent assessments have found that significant reductions in those areas have been sustained.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many (a) fixed penalty notices have been issued and (b) successful prosecutions have been brought for each section of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 that has been introduced to date, grouped by each local authority area in England and Wales. [45667]

The fixed penalty provisions in the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 will not be introduced until April 2006.

Figures for prosecutions will not be available until after this fiscal year has ended.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the Minister of State will respond to the letter from the hon. Member for West Worcestershire of 3rd November 2005, reference: 29765. [41974]

holding answer 16 January 2006

A reply was sent on 31 December 2005, I apologise for the delay.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when her Department will reply to the letter of 10 November 2005 from the right hon. Member for Warley regarding climate change. [44700]

I apologise for the delay in replying to my right hon. Friend's letter of 10 November 2005 regarding climate change. A reply will be sent shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what (a) targets, (b) advice and (c) guidance her Department has given to executive agencies that fall under the remit of her Department on the reorganisation of their administrative functions on a regional basis; and if she will make a statement. [41644]

No formal targets, advice or guidance has been given to Defra executive agencies on the reorganisation of their administrative functions on a regional basis.

Eight of the nine Defra executive agencies already have headquarters outside the London region and/or a presence across the regions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the Government expects to introduce the Farm Waste Directive. [43833]

There is no Farm Waste Directive as such. Following a public consultation exercise and an adverse judgment by the European court of justice on infraction proceedings by the European Commission against the UK, we are now finalising the waste management (England and Wales) Regulations 2006. The main purpose of the Regulations is to repeal the exclusion in section 75(7)31 March 2006.(c) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and to apply to agricultural waste the national controls that are already in place to comply with the Waste Framework Directive and the Landfill Directive. Our aim is to make and lay the Regulations before Parliament by

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make it her policy to make illegal the (a) sale and (b) use of glue traps; and if she will make a statement. [41944]

The use of glue traps is currently a lawful method of pest control and there are no plans to make their sale or use illegal.

However, when choosing to use glue traps instead of other methods such as spring and cage traps, or chemical control (warfarin for rats), the operator should consider their responsibilities in ensuring that the use of a glue trap does not cause any unnecessary suffering under Section 1, subsection (1) and Section 15 of the Protection of Animals Act 1911.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many species the UK has requested to be added to the EU habitats directive 1992 in each year since 1992. [44868]

The UK has not asked for any species to be added to the EU habitats directive.

However, the European Commission has set up a Marine Expert Group, which includes the UK. This group is looking to make an initial assessment of the marine chapters in the annexes of the habitats directive with a view to possible adaptations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will take steps to ensure that exported horses are categorised for export as for (a) breeding, (b) riding, (c) exhibition and (d) slaughter; and if she will take steps to ban the export of horses for slaughter. [42650]

European Union animal health rules, which set out the requirements for exporting horses to other member states, do not stipulate different rule for horses being exported for breeding, riding, exhibition or slaughter. A unilateral ban on the export of live horses for slaughter would be illegal under EU law.

Under national animal welfare rules, we have a licensing system for the export of horses. Applicants wishing to export horses are asked the reason for export. However there is no evidence of a slaughter trade in this country or any demand for one. Information on reasons for export under the licensing arrangements can be found on the Defra website at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/welfare/farmed/transport/horsestats.htm http://defraweb/animalh/wel fare/farmed/transport/horsestats.htm

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

(1) what estimate she has made of the additional waste recycling capacity that will be required as a result of the planned expansion of housing in Aylesbury Vale; [44162]

(2) what assessment she has made of whether a new waste treatment facility will be required to take account of the Government's planned expansion of housing in Aylesbury Vale. [45347]

Local authorities and regional assembles are the responsible bodies to plan for the management of all waste types within their areas. Any growth in waste volumes needs to be seen in the context of wider trends in waste volumes linked to overall economic performance as well as any waste growth linked to planned expansion of housing. In defined growth areas, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) have held regional seminars to discuss how waste arising from increasing population, particularly from construction, demolition and excavation can be properly planned for to ensure that the necessary infrastructure can be developed.

The ODPM are also in discussions with the Environment Agency to carry out a study to predict quantities and types of waste that are likely to arise in the Thames Gateway region and the results from this study will be applicable to other designated growth areas. Additionally, the Environment and Quality of Life sub-group of the Milton Keynes South Midlands ((MKSM) Inter-Regional Board is conducting a desk study into waste strategies across the MKSM growth area, the results of which will be fed back through liaison with county and regional bodies.

The Government continue to encourage all local authorities to move towards innovative methods of waste disposal which will reduce amounts of waste sent to landfill. In the 2004 Spending Review the Government announced an increase in the EPCS Formula Spending Share block of £888 million by 2007–08 over 2004–05. Over the three-year period to 2005–06, authorities are also benefiting from a total of £294 million invested through the Waste Minimisation and Recycling Fund and its successor the Waste Performance and Efficiency Grant, will provide a further £260 million over the three years to 2007–08. Finally, through the Private Finance Initiative (PFI), credits worth £355 million have been made available over the three years to 2005–06 as an extra source of funding, with a further £535 million available in 2006–07 and 2007–08.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the security and sustainability of food supplies in the event of an influenza pandemic. [43538]

DEFRA is keeping the position under review with industry, in particular with help from our Food Chain Emergency Liaison Group which comprises representatives from all key food sectors, to ensure that the food supply chain can cope with the effects of an influenza pandemic. The main potential pinch point identified for the food industry is possible HGV driver shortages caused by drivers falling sick. We are exploring the option, for example, of increased sharing of driver resources.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the timetable is for the implementation of the Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme; and what the timescale is for the introduction of fines for local authorities exceeding their individual landfill allowances. [42909]

The Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme (LATS) was launched on 1 April 2005 with key target years 2010, 2013 and 2020. Section 9(1) of the Waste and Emissions Trading Act (WET Act) places each waste disposal authority (WDA) under a duty to secure that the amount of biodegradable municipal waste (BMW) sent to landfills in that year does not exceed the amount authorised by the landfill allowances available to that authority for the year.

At the end of the each scheme year (31 March annually), there will be a six month reconciliation period. Authorities will have three months to submit their end of year data. During the following two months, the monitoring authority will provide each authority with a draft reconciliation between the amount of BMW the authority landfilled and the number of allowances it holds. Should an authority have landfilled more waste than it holds allowances for, it can then use the sixth month to trade or borrow allowances to balance the figures. Any authority which has landfilled in excess of the allowances it holds at the end of the reconciliation period will be liable to a financial penalty of £150 per tonne (Section 9(2) of the WET ACT). In a target year: the Government will reserve the right to pass some or all of any fine imposed by the European Court of Justice. Guidance on the procedure for the application of penalties under section 9(2) of the WET Act and on the Secretary of State's powers to waive, and to extend the time for paying, penalties and interest with respect to landfilling of BMW in excess of allowances held has been published on the DEFRA website at

http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/localauth/lats/guidance.htm.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what role her Department plays in local government inspection. [39493]

DEFRA does not carry out inspections of local authorities. The Audit Commission carries out inspections of local authorities within the Comprehensive Performance Assessment Framework. The Comprehensive Performance Framework includes a requirement to consider the performance of local authority environmental services.

DEFRA has interests in a range of local authority inspection and other regulatory activity including in relation to animal health and welfare, and environmental protection.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps the Government are taking to reduce methane emissions in the UK; and if she will make a statement. [43702]

UK methane emissions have fallen every year since 1990 and by 2004 had dropped to about half of 1990 levels. The main sources of methane emissions in the UK are landfill sites, agriculture, coal mining, gas distribution, and oil and gas production.

Landfill site operators that continue to accept waste must fulfil the requirements of the Landfill Directive including taking appropriate measures to collect, treat and use landfill gas to produce useful energy or, where that is not possible, flare it. Other Government measures to reduce the levels of biodegradable waste being sent to landfill include the landfill tax escalator, the Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme (designed to meet the Landfill Directive targets), and public awareness campaigns. Together these measures have resulted in a decrease of about 63 per cent. in landfill methane emissions between 1990 and 2004.

The nature of emissions from agriculture make them a more difficult target for reduction than in other sectors. Nonetheless, improvement in animal diet and productivity has produced an 11 per cent. decrease in methane emissions from animals since 1990, and further reductions are expected. Recent research from the Rowett Research Institute, based in Aberdeen into anti-methane feed ingredients has yielded promising results, and in initial trials a reduction of up to 70 per cent. in emitted methane has been achieved. The UK Government remain committed to research into reducing methane emissions from ruminants. We are also committed to exploring techniques for methane recovery from agricultural waste and its use as a clean energy source.

With regard to methane from coal mining, UK Coal signed up to the UK Emissions Trading scheme in 2002, with the target of reducing methane emissions from their installations by 400,000 tonnes by 2006. Furthermore methane extracted from abandoned coal mines and used as fuel has been exempt from the climate change levy since 2003. This exemption encourages the owners of mining facilities and decommissioned mines to invest in systems that capture methane that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere. In addition the Coal Authority and the Department of Trade and Industry are developing a scheme further to encourage the mitigation of methane from abandoned mines. Methane emissions from coal mining (including closed mines) fell by some 73 per cent. between 1990 and 2004.

Fugitive emissions from natural gas dropped by about 39 per cent. between 1990 and 2004. National Grid Gas plc, which owns and maintains the UK gas distribution network, is continuing to make improvements to the UK gas network. The planned replacement of 91,000 km iron gas mains with polyethylene pipes will lead to a further reduction in methane emissions from gas transmission.

Methane emissions from offshore production of oil and gas fell by 53 per cent. between 1990 and 2004 in line with trends in numbers of installations and production levels.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the operation of the Protection of Badgers Act 1992. [42306]

The Government are satisfied with the operation of the Protection of Badgers Act 1992.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to encourage industry to create recyclable products. [43259]

The Government recognises the importance of encouraging industry to develop recyclable products. Since it began work in 2000 the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) has had a positive impact in developing markets for recycled materials and removing barriers to recycling. WRAP is engaged with producers and purchasers and has developed guidance along with the provision of advisory services to increase the take up of recycled products throughout a range of industries.

Producer responsibility legislation, such as the Packaging, End of Life Vehicle (ELV) and forthcoming Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations, places obligations on producers to recycle products when they come to their end of life, providing an incentive for them to ensure their products are more recyclable from the outset.

Finally, as disposal costs continue to rise due to increased landfill tax, there should be an indirect pressure on manufacturers to make products more recyclable.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many recycling points there are per 1,000 population in (a) England, (b) the Tees Valley and (c) Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency. [43289]

Requested figures, based on the 2003–04 DEFRA municipal waste management survey and 2003 mid-year population estimates are shown in the following table. Recycling points are considered as both civic amenity and recycling sites within the area.

Notes:

1. The Tees Valley includes the unitary authorities of: Stockton-on-Tees, Redcar and Cleveland, Middlesbrough, Hartlepool and Darlington.

2. Results for the unitary authorities of Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland have been provided as data at constituency level are not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures are being taken to ensure that the recycling rate of (a) household and (b) business refuse in the Tees Valley region is brought up to the national average. [43290]

The information is as follows:

(a) Waste strategy 2000 set out national recycling and composting targets for household waste, of 17 percent. in 2003–04, rising to 25 percent. in 2005–06, then 30 percent. in 2010 and 33 percent. in 2015. Each local authority was also set a statutory target for 2003–04 and 2005–06 and to assure that further progress is made, I recently launched for consultation options for further recycling/composting targets in 2007–08. All of the Tees Valley authorities met their 2003–04 targets and most are making good progress towards their 2005–06 targets.

In addition to the recycling targets, the Household Waste Recycling Act 2003 requires waste collection authorities—subject to certain exemptions—to provide a kerbside collection service of at least two recyclable materials by 2010. Furthermore, waste disposal authorities have been set challenging landfill diversion targets for biodegradable municipal waste which will drive authorities to ensure that the recycling of this waste is maximised.

The Government recognise the challenge local authorities in England face meeting their statutory performance standards in recycling and composting. Accordingly, the 2004 Spending Review announced an increase in the environmental, protective, and cultural services block of £888 million by 2007–08 over 2004–05.

Funding is also being provided from a variety of other sources to help authorities meet and exceed their targets. DEFRA's waste minimisation and recycling fund and its successor, DEFRA's waste performance and efficiency grant, are providing funding totalling £294 million over the three years to 2005–06 for specific projects to expand recycling operations of which the Tees Valley authorities have in total received around £5.5 million.

The Tees Valley authorities have also benefited from consultancy support for the development of a joint waste management strategy through DEFRA's waste implementation programme which has devoted over £150 million over the three years to 2005–06 to strategic measures helping authorities to divert waste from landfill.

The waste resources and action programme—a not-for-profit company supported by funding from the Government—has provided support to the Tees Valley authorities on home composting and over £270 000 for funding local communications in four of the five authorities. Each of the Tees Valley authorities is also participating in a £66,000 household incentive pilot scheme funded by DEFRA. The scheme will provide valuable information to all authorities on what household incentives provide the best increases in recycling rates in different types of community in the region.

Within the context of the regional spatial strategy,which will provide the overarching framework for growth in the North East over the next 15 to 20 years, a regional waste strategy is being developed to encourage greater re-use and recycling of waste resources, moving them higher up the 'waste hierarchy'. The Government have also set up the North East regional support fund which has provided over £100,000 over the last two years for waste research chosen by the North East authorities—including strong Tees Valley representation.

(b) There are different mechanisms in place to encourage businesses to recycle more and divert more waste from landfill sites. These include:

The landfill tax escalator:

The standard rate of landfill tax, which applies to active wastes, has been increased by £3 per tonne in 2005–06, and will be further increased by at least £3 per tonne in the following years to reach a medium—to long-term rate of £35 per tonne. The rate is currently £18 per tonne. The landfill tax was introduced to stimulate reductions in the levels of waste going to landfill and encourage the development of more sustainable waste management practices.

The BREW programme:

The business resource efficiency and waste (BREW) programme, which recycles revenue generated through the landfill tax, provides new support to business that specifically targets waste minimisation and the diversion of waste away from landfill.

The landfill diversion targets:

These will apply to biodegradable commercial waste that is collected by a local authority. As the cost of disposing of this waste will increase, authorities that collect commercial waste will have an incentive to ensure that as much of the waste is recycled as possible.

Economics:

The economic incentive for businesses to recycle is often much more clear-cut than it is for households as businesses generally pay for the volume of waste they create whereas householders pay a flat fee as part of council tax.

Packaging waste regulations:

These regulations set annual business targets for recovery and recycling of packaging waste designed to meet the national targets. Any business handling more than 50 tonnes of packaging and with a turnover of more than £2 million is obligated. To date, businesses have recovered 53 percent in 2003 of packaging waste, compared with 33 percent in 1998; and recycled 47 percent. compared with 29 percent. in 1998.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what guidelines the Department provides to councils regarding reprimanding businesses and households who refuse to comply with recycling requirements. [45122]

Local authorities can require householders to recycle their recyclables using their powers under section 46 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 contains provisions which, when commenced in April 2006, will enable local authorities to issue fixed penalty notices to those breaching notices issued under sections 46 or 47 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

However, Government strongly believe that the right approach to changing behaviour is to continue to work with householders to ensure that they are given every opportunity to take part in recycling through the provision of a high quality recycling service, before enforcement is considered as an option.

Local authorities are not required to collect waste from businesses unless requested by the business and a charge can be levied for the service. The local authority would be at liberty to negotiate a requirement to separate recyclables as part of the contract.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much Government funding (a) the Ruislip-Northwood constituency and (b) the London borough of Hillingdon received to support recycling in each year since 1997. [41828]

DEFRA does not hold information on funding allocated to individual constituencies.

The main source of funding for local authorities' waste management services is the Environmental, Protective and Cultural Services (EPCS) block of annual Government grant. It is for the local authorities to decide what proportion of the block is invested in waste management services, including recycling.

Funding is also being provided from a variety of other sources to support recycling, the amounts received by the London borough of Hillingdon are shown in the following table:

£

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for what reasons the roman snail (helix pomatia) was not added to Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act Review in 2002. [44866]

Every five years the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) advises Government about the animals and plants that need legally protected through inclusion on schedule 5 (animals) or schedule 8 (plants) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. The Committee's current review is considering the inclusion of the roman snail (helix pomatia) on schedule 5. No decision has been made to date as the review is still ongoing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures are in place to ensure that local authorities who discharge their responsibilities under the School Milk Subsidy scheme via contractors meet their legal obligation to ensure that free school milk is available to those children who qualify. [43868]

I have been asked to reply.

There is no statutory requirement for milk to be provided in local authority maintained schools. It is a matter for local authorities and schools to decide. However, where a local authority provides milk, education legislation requires them to provide it free to pupils whose parents are in receipt of the following: income support; income based job seeker's allowance; support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999; child tax credit, provided that they are not entitled to working tax credit, and have an annual income (as assessed by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs) that from 6 April 2005 does not exceed £13,910; or the guarantee element of state pension credit. In addition, children who receive income support or income based jobseeker's allowance in their own right are entitled to free school milk where it is provided.

It is this Department's view that where a local authority engages a contractor to supply milk to the schools in their area, the contractor is deemed to be acting on behalf of the local authority. In these cases the local authority would remain responsible for providing free milk to eligible pupils. The Department will investigate any complaints related to a failure to carry out duties imposed by education legislation. Ultimately, the Secretary of State may direct a local authority to carry out their duty in relation to free milk provision where they are failing to do so.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to tackle the importation into the UK of illegal timber from (a) Indonesia, (b) China, (c) Brazil and (d) other timber exporting countries; and if she will make a statement. [44796]

The most important recent development is the adoption, in December 2005 under the UK presidency of the EU, of the EU Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Regulation. This will allow the EU to enter into Partnership Agreements with developing countries and provide them with assistance to tackle illegal logging. This assistance will include a licensing system designed to identify products and license them for export to the EU. It will be reinforced by powers for HM Customs to take a range of actions relating to unlicensed products from partner countries; this will allow member states to prohibit the import of illegal timber from those countries into the EU for the first time.

The first Partnership Agreements will be signed in 2006. The Department for International Development (DfID) has recently announced that it will be setting aside 24 million over the next five years for this FLEGT negotiation process and for tackling illegal logging more generally.

The Government also have been giving specific help to producer countries to prevent trade in illegal timber. Examples from the countries mentioned are as follows:

(a) Indonesia

In Indonesia there is a programme of work under a Memorandum of Understanding (signed in 2002) that commits both governments to tackle illegal logging and associated trade.

(b) China

The Eighth EU-China summit, held in Beijing on 5 September 2005, agreed that the EU and China would work together to tackle the problem of illegal logging in the Asian region. The Government are working to take this forward.

(c) Brazil

The UK has contributed £14 million to the multi-donor pilot programme for the Preservation of Brazilian Rain Forests and is a major contributor to the Global Environment Facility (GEF) which is creating and maintaining protected areas in the region through the Amazon Region Protected Areas Programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the proportion of imported timber which comes from illegal sources; and what steps she is taking to prevent such imports. [44871]

The UK is the world's fourth largest importer of wood products. However, we are unable to estimate how much illegally logged timber is coming into the UK as timber is not identified as legal or illegal at ports of entry.

Once the recently adopted EU Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Regulation comes into force it will enable member states to enter into partnership agreements with developing countries and provide them with assistance to tackle illegal logging. This assistance will include a licensing system designed to identify products and license them for export to the EU. It will be reinforced by powers for HM Customs to take a range of actions relating to unlicensed products from partner countries; this will allow member states to prohibit the import of illegal timber from those countries into the EU for the first time.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much waste was collected by each London borough in the most recent period for which information is available; and how much was (a) recycled, (b) sent to UK landfill sites, (c) incinerated and (d) sent overseas for landfill by each borough in that period. [44453]

The latest available information is from the Defra and GLA joint Municipal Waste Management Survey 2003–04. Figures provided in table below show total municipal waste tonnages collected by all London boroughs and by disposal methods by all London authorities with disposal responsibilities. Amounts collected for recycling and composting by collection authorities have been included. The collection authority recycling and composting tonnages exclude waste collected centrally at civic amenity sites by the four London joint waste disposal authorities. The four London joint waste disposal authorities include both civic amenity recycling and composting as well as recycling and composting undertaken by their constituent collection authorities.

Landfill refers to UK landfill sites. No waste should have been exported from any London borough for landfill overseas since this is illegal under UK legislation.

2003–04 Total municipal waste collected with methods of disposal (tonnes)

Waste disposal authorities with corresponding collection authorities

⁽²⁾ type of activity not undertaken by authority.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what sanctions will be applied to packaging producers and compliance schemes that did not discharge their recycling responsibilities appropriately in 2004. [40466]

This is a matter for the Environment Agency and potentially the Courts.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what volume of street litter, exclusive of that which is collected from public litter bins, was collected by each local authority in each year since 1997. [45642]

Waste collection authorities under Schedule 2 of the Controlled Waste Regulations 1992 will include such services as street sweeping, bulky waste collection, hazardous household waste collection, litter collections, household clinical waste collection and separate garden waste collection (not for composting). These type of wastes have been annually recorded in the Defra Municipal Waste Management Survey under the category Other collected household waste". Authorities are not required to record street litter separately. Therefore the information requested is not held by the Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of Hammersmith and Fulham Council's response to her Department's consultation on new waste regulations which place a duty of care on householders for their household waste. [45914]

The Government consulted on household duty of care in their 'Living Places: Powers, Rights, Responsibilities' consultation in 2002. The Government considered responses to the consultation from the London borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, as well as other stakeholders. It took on board comments that a full waste duty of care requirement would be too onerous on householders, and difficult for local authorities to enforce. Instead, a partial waste duty of care was brought in by the Waste (Household Waste Duty of Care) (England & Wales) Regulations 2005.

The household duty of care has been brought in to ensure that England is in full compliance with Article 8 of the Waste Framework Directive.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the operation of The Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996. [42301]

The Government are satisfied with the operation of The Wild Mammals Protection Act 1996.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the defensive aids fitted to each (a) C130K and (b) C130J. [43369]

holding answer 19 January 2006

The following defensive aids are currently employed on the Hercules C130K and C130J fleet:

Directional Infra Red Counter Measures

Missile Approach Warning Systems

Radar Warning Receiver

Countermeasures Dispensing System

Lamp Infra Red Counter Measure

Flight Deck Armour

Only Hercules with appropriate defensive countermeasures are deployed to operational theatres.

Information relating to the defensive aids employed on each C130K and C130J airframe is being withheld because it would be likely to prejudice the security of the UK's armed forces.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to relocate staff in his Department and related agencies into London and the south-east. [31747]

The Ministry of Defence is fully committed to relocating 3,900 posts out of the south-east under the Lyons review. All relocation proposals are judged on the basis of value for money as demonstrated in a business case. A proposed move into London or the south-east must therefore offer significant value for money, efficiency and business benefits.

Currently the only confirmed move of posts into the south-east is a result of the collocation of the two existing RAF headquarters into a single integrated HQ at High Wycombe. This is an element of the Ministry of Defence's efficiency programme and will achieve significant manpower and financial savings, but will result in a net increase of 96 posts at High Wycombe.

There are some other proposals which might entail a move of posts into the south-east, the business cases for which are at varied stages of consideration. As at 20 January, however, none have been approved.

There are no confirmed or proposed relocations into London.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is with regard to (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department giving evidence to the (i) Scottish Parliament, (ii) National Assembly for Wales and (iii) Northern Ireland Assembly committees; and to what categories of document he gives (A) full access, (B) restricted access and (C) no access to (1) the Scottish Parliament, (2) National Assembly for Wales, (3) Northern Ireland Assembly and (4) House of Commons select committees. [37396]

Requests for the attendance of Ministers or officials to give evidence to the devolved legislatures, and for the provision of information to the Assemblies, will be considered on a case by case basis. This consideration will reflect: the principles set out in the Cabinet Office guidance Departmental Evidence and Response to Select Committees" (July 2005); the policy outlined in the Department for Constitutional Affairs' Devolution Guidance Note #12 Attendance of UK Ministers and Officials at Committees of the Devolved Legislatures"; and the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act. The principles underlying the provision of information to House of Commons Select Committees are set out in Departmental Evidence and Response to Select Committees", particularly sections 4B and 4C.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department has paid since 2004 to external consultants who had previously been employed by the Department in any capacity within the previous five years. [41204]

Specific data on external consultants who had previously been employed by the Department are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

However, summaries of MOD expenditure on external assistance, of which consultancy is a part, are available in the Library of the House for the years 1995–96 to 2004–05.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many ships from the navies of other countries called at Gibraltar in the last 12 months, broken down by country. [44535]

During the last 12 months, the number of ships from the navies of other countries that have called at Gibraltar and used MOD facilities are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many aircraft from other countries' air forces landed at RAF Gibraltar in the last 12 months. [44536]

During the last 12 months, the number of aircraft from other countries' air forces that have landed at RAF Gibraltar are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence

(1) how many new homes he estimates will be required to house the families of soldiers stationed at Glencorse Barracks; [44634]

(2) how many civilian jobs he estimates will be created at Glencorse Barracks over the next three years; [44635]

(3) how many Army personnel will be stationed at Glencorse Barracks over the next three years. [44636]

We estimate that in the region of 650 army personnel will be stationed at Glencorse Barracks over the next three years.

151 new Service Family Accommodation house types are being built on the re-developed area of the old Milton Bridge Camp; this additional housing will ensure the requirements of the families of soldiers stationed at Glencorse Barracks are met.

Under current plans it is estimated that in the region of 40 civilian jobs will be created at Glencorse Barracks over the next three years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will publish the findings of his review of Gurkhas' terms and conditions of service. [44044]

Because of the complexity of some of the issues involved, the review of Gurkha Terms and Conditions of Service is taking longer than originally planned. We hope that an announcement can be made before the Whitsun recess.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with his US counterpart about the comparative incidences of Gulf War illnesses in US and UK forces involved in the invasion of Iraq in 2003; and what the results of those discussions were. [44217]

Defence Ministers have not held any formal discussions with the United States counterparts about the comparative incidence of Gulf War illness" following the start of the current Iraq deployment (Operation Telic). A British Liaison Officer is based permanently in Washington DC and is tasked with ensuring that the United Kingdom has full visibility of US research into Gulf health issues and with providing a channel for communicating our own work to interested US parties. There has also been other discussions on the subject at official level.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many personnel from the 2003 invasion of Iraq on Operation Telic have since been diagnosed with recognised neurological illnesses. [44226]

Information on illnesses reported by service personnel who have served on Operation Telic is not held centrally. Although the medical records of individuals who have left the services are held by each service at individual central locations, the records of personnel who are still serving are normally held at their unit medical centre.

However, data has been collated since September 2004 on how many service personnel, deployed on Operation Telic, reported to UK medical facilities in theatre with neurological disorders (including paralysis and altered consciousness). Between September 2004 and November 2005 inclusive, there were:

562 instances of personnel reporting to first line medical facilities with a neurological complaint; 54 were admitted/bedded down; 18 were referred for specialist consultation.

The assessment of such disorders is made at the point of access to primary health care and is not a formal medical diagnosis. Additionally, it does not take into account any subsequent change in diagnosis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements are in place regarding the air transportation of British troops from Germany to Iraq. [45145]

A scheduled air service, comprising a mix of Royal Air Force and commercial aircraft, operates between the United Kingdom and Iraq five days a week, also calling in Germany on two of those days. Additionally, when the main body of troops in Iraq changes, dedicated aircraft move those troops to and from the country in which they are normally stationed, which may include Germany.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Joint Casualty Treatment Ship programme. [44175]

The Joint Casualty Treatment Ship programme aims to deliver a ship-borne medical facility broadly similar in scope to a field hospital, capable of treating a full range of casualties, whether from sea, land or air environments. It is intended to replace the capability currently provided by RFA Argus. A review of the programme is currently taking place which will inform the requirement further.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the impact on measures to protect the British merchant fleet of the planned reduction in the fleet of commissioned frigates and destroyers; and if he will make a statement. [45193]

The global threat to merchant shipping is kept under constant review, and the Royal Navy, in conjunction with other Government Departments and international partners, remains fully capable of providing support and assistance to British merchant shipping via its Maritime Trade Operations policy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many personnel at 1 April 2006 will comprise the (a) Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps and (b) Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service. [43694]

The latest available information on the strength of the Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps (QARANC) and the Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service (PMRAFNS) is given in the following table.

Number

⁽³⁾ Excludes the ranks colonel and above.

Source:

DASA (Tri-Service).

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what work (a) the Department and (b) QinetiQ is undertaking to support the European Defence Agency's review of training and evaluation. [44172]

Representatives from the Ministry of Defence participate, alongside their colleagues from other European nations, in a European Defence Agency (EDA) working group examining possible measures to rationalise the Defence Test and Evaluation base in Europe. QinetiQ is not directly involved in these discussions, but is consulted by the Ministry of Defence on matters of mutual interest. The EDA discussions are at an early stage, and no firm conclusions on the prospects for rationalisation have been reached.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the future of RAF Bentley Priory; what assessment he has made of its historic significance; and what discussions he has had on the subject with the Battle of Britain Fighter Association. [42319]

Studies within the Ministry of Defence have concluded that there is no current defence requirement for retaining Bentley Priory and therefore the Department is considering options for its disposal. This work is being taken forward through Project MoDEL, which aims to consolidate the defence estate in Greater London to ensure that it is the right size and quality to support our future operational outputs and to improve working and living conditions for current and future generations of service personnel in London. The MOD is in the process of selecting an industry partner to take the project forward.

The MOD is well aware of the unique historical importance of RAF Bentley Priory. Defence Estates has completed a detailed Heritage Assessment, which was shared with English Heritage in July 2004. The Department has engaged with a wide range of stakeholders with an interest in the future of RAF Bentley Priory, including the Battle of Britain Fighter Association (BoBFA), and understands their aspirations. Meetings have also been facilitated between BoBFA and the two short-listed industry bidders for the Project MoDEL contract. Defence Estates' staff are also engaging with BoBFA over the development of a formal Conservation Statement, which will act as the definitive identification of the site's heritage importance.

The MOD wishes to identify a long-term and sustainable solution that will ensure that the site is preserved in a way that is appropriate to its significant importance, whilst seeking to enhance public access. In doing so, it is important that we maintain the momentum of Project MoDEL, in order to realise the benefits it will deliver at the earliest opportunity.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on ammunition supplied to his Department by Royal Ordnance from overseas; and how much of the ammunition supplied was rejected as being unsuitable for use in 2004–05. [43905]

The Ministry of Defence procures a range of defence general munitions from BAE Land Systems (Formerly Royal Ordnance) through a Framework Partnering Agreement. Sourcing is principally a matter for the company, which is free to make commercial decisions to source components or complete rounds of ammunition from overseas. MOD monitor the performance of all ammunition in service, whether sourced in the UK or overseas. Statistics on ammunition rejected and the original source country are not held centrally, and could be supplied only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence

(1) what representations he has received from the Royal Navy regarding the operational implications of the loss of underwater launch facilities for swimmer delivery vehicles supplied by HMS Spartan; [44030]

(2) what assessment he has made of the effects on (a) insertion teams and (b) transportation units of the loss of underwater launch facilities for swimmer delivery vehicles; [44032]

(3) in what year he expects underwater launch facilities for swimmer delivery vehicles to be restored. [44033]

I am withholding this information on the grounds that disclosure would prejudice the defence of the UK and the capability and effectiveness of the armed forces.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what factors were taken into account when HMS Spartan was selected (a) as the sole submarine capable of the underwater launch of swimmer delivery vehicles and (b) for decommissioning prior to other fleet submarines. [44031]

holding answer 24 January 2006

The decision to reduce our attack submarines from 12 boats to 10 was taken as part of the Strategic Defence Review. HMS Spartan was selected as one of the submarines to be withdrawn from service taking into account such factors as her age, material state and capability. I am withholding the further information requested on the grounds that disclosure would prejudice the defence of the United Kingdom and the capability and effectiveness of the armed forces.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence

(1) how many (a) second lieutenants, (b) lieutenants, (c) captains, (d) majors, (e) lieutenant-colonels and (f) Territorial Army personnel with five-year service bars are serving in the Territorial Army; [43687]

(2) how many five-year service bars have been awarded to Territorial Army personnel in each of the last five years. [43686]

The Volunteer Reserves Service Medal (VRSM) is awarded to members of the volunteer reserve forces subject to completion of 10 years continuous qualifying service. For the purposes of the reply, it is assumed that it is details of the number of clasps to the VRSM, awarded for subsequent continuous periods of five years' service, that are sought. This information is provided in the following table:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the average age is of Territorial Army (a) recruits, (b) privates, (c) non-commissioned officers, (d) officers and (e) personnel as a whole. [43690]

Of the 37,430 personnel who were on the strength of the Territorial Army (including TA mobilised reservists) as at 1 December 2005, the average age was as follows:

Notes:

1. Figures exclude full-time reserve service (FTRS) and non-regular permanent staff (NRPS).

2. Figures include officer training corps.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence upon which sections of the Territorial Army thecall-out notices for Operation Telic 8 are being served. [43692]