To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission whether the House of Commons Commission plans to introduce crèche facilities for parents of young children who work in the House. (104587)

The Commission did consider the proposal for a child care facility based in the House two years ago, but, after a survey of potential users, concluded that more flexibility would be provided by a child care voucher system. Many staff of the House come from outer-London boroughs or even beyond Greater London and receive greater benefit from a voucher system that enables them to use child care facilities nearer to home. The voucher system also benefits Members’ staff working in constituencies. Nearly 150 people take advantage of the scheme, and the Commission felt that it offered more flexibility than something based at Westminster.

To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission whether food waste from the refreshment outlets on the House estate is used in a composting scheme. (104844)

Food from House of Commons refreshment outlets is not currently used in a composting scheme but this possibility is being explored.

To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission whether the toilets on the House estate make use of “Hippo” bags in the cistern. (104843)

Where it is appropriate, toilets on the House estate do make use of bags in the cistern to reduce volume of water.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether radio spectrum is planned to be reserved during the period of the 2012 Olympic games in order to ensure that outside broadcast and radio microphone operations have full access to the current level of analogue spectrum; and if he will make a statement. (103179)

The matter raised is the responsibility of the Regulator, the Office of Communications (Ofcom) which is accountable to Parliament rather than Ministers. Accordingly, I have asked the chief executive of Ofcom to reply directly to the hon. Member. Copies of the chief executive's letter will be placed in the Libraries of the Houses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much his Department spent on (a) wave-generated electricity projects and (b) coppicing- generated electricity projects in each of the past four years; and how much he expects to spend in each of the next four years. (106926)

The research and development of emerging wave energy conversion technologies has been supported under the DTI's Technology programme since 1999. The following table gives the requested figures for each of the last four financial years.

The DTI's Marine Renewables Deployment Fund makes available £50 million to support the first pre-commercial grid-connected wave and tidal-stream demonstration projects. The allocation of those funds over the next four years is dependent upon the number and scale of projects that come forward.

For Biomass, there are a number of ongoing projects supported under the bio-energy capital grants scheme (BCGS) jointly funded by DTI and the Big Lottery Fund. To date, no funds have been drawn down on coppice-fuelled projects. This is primarily due to the timing and development schedules of these projects. Future funding over the next four years will be dependent on the progress of those individual projects.

DTI also funds a Research and Development programme, which has supported coppice-related projects. The spend on these projects is presented as follows:

Electricity generation from renewable sources is also supported indirectly through the renewables obligation and by exemption from the Climate Change Levy. Electricity generation plant fired by a fuel supply of 90 per cent. or more (by calorific value) biodegradable material is eligible for the renewables obligation, regardless of the energy conversion technology used, with renewables obligation certificates (ROCs) issued for the renewable fraction. Co-firing of biomass, particularly energy crops, in fossil fuel power stations may also benefit from eligibility under the renewables obligation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many Group 3 turnovers have been achieved by the 20 law firms with the greatest volume of claims in the Vibration White Finger scheme; and what this figure represents as a percentage of each firm’s caseload. (107399)

The number of Group 3 turnovers that have been achieved by the 20 claimants' representatives with the greatest volume of claims for Vibration White Finger (VWF), and the percentages of VWF caseload are shown on the following table:

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the average damages recovered were by the 10 law firms with the greatest volume of claims for (a) Vibration White Finger and (b) chronic bronchitis and emphysema compensation. (107400)

The average damages recovered by the 10 claimants’ representatives with the greatest volume of claims for Vibration White Finger (VWF), and for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) are shown on the following tables:

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the cost to businesses in Lancashire caused by internet viruses in each of the last three years. (106224)

[holding answer 29 November 2006]: My Department does not collect statistics relating to individual PCs or computer systems. However, the 2006 Information Security Breaches Survey, which is the largest survey of its kind in the UK, forms a significant part of the Department's work with business to understand the nature and impact of information security breaches and to raise awareness of the value of effective information security management. This report contains a wide range of statistical information and is available from the DTI website (www.dti.gov.uk). The 2006 report found that virtually all companies now have anti-virus software and that fewer companies had suffered security incidents related to viruses than in the previous two surveys. Although viruses remain a major concern, the nature of the threat is changing; the major virus disseminations that were prevalent until a few years ago and which caused widespread damage are now less important than the more targeted theft of confidential business information. My Department produces extensive online advice and other guidance material relating to information security best practice.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the occasions since he has held his present office when he has used (a) rail services, (b) the London Underground, (c) tram or light railway services and (d) buses in connection with his ministerial duties. (101988)

Since taking office as Secretary of State, when on ministerial duty I have used rail services on:

I have used public transport wherever possible and practical to complete my journey, taking account of security considerations.

I have not used the London Underground, tram, light railway services or buses on ministerial business, but do so on other occasions.

All my ministerial travel on official business is undertaken in accordance with the rules set out in “Travel by Ministers”.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what research his Department has conducted on how existing energy sources can be made cleaner in the last five years. (107681)

The DTI's carbon abatement technologies programme, formerly the Cleaner Fossil Fuels Programme, has supported collaborative work covering Research and Development on Cleaner Coal Technologies since 1999. During this time the Department provided some £13 million to the programme and an additional £3.5 million for collaborative Cleaner Coal Technology projects with the USA.

The Government have also made available, between 2002 and 2008 around £500 million of spending on emerging renewable and low carbon technologies in the form of capital grants and research and development. This includes £35 million for a carbon abatement technologies demonstration programme.

To ask the Leader of the House how many temporary employees were contracted to work for the Privy Council Office in 2005-06; and what the total cost of such employees was in (a) 2005-06 and (b) 1997-98. (106700)

During 2005-06, the Privy Council Office contracted 14 staff from employment agencies at a cost of £35,433.22. Staff employed from agencies were engaged to cover long-term sick absence and short-term recruitment gaps. In this same period, the PCO also contracted two staff on a fixed term appointment basis at a cost of £18,299.34. Staff employed on fixed term contracts were engaged to assist on long-term projects.

Details covering 1997-98 are not held centrally and are available only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Leader of the House how many cars run by the Privy Council Office were manufactured (a) in the UK and (b) abroad. (104815)

The Privy Council Office does not own or run any vehicles.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether any species of primate will be removed from those listed under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 as a result of the Animal Welfare Bill. (106866)

The Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 is at present being reviewed. Following extensive consultation and expert advice, changes to the Act’s schedule are planned for 2007. Any such changes will be timed to coincide as far as possible with the timing of the Animal Welfare Act’s coming into force. The final decisions on the detail of the amendments, including whether any primates will be removed from the list, will be taken at that time.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what additional incentives he is planning to persuade more farmers to grow (a) biofuels and (b) other non-food crops. (106298)

The joint Defra and Department of Trade and Industry Strategy for non-food crops and uses provides an overarching package of measures and incentives. These are designed to promote the sustainable and competitive development of non-food crops in order to provide biofuels, biomass heat and electricity and industrial materials.

The strategy recognises the opportunities non-food crops offer farmers and industry. It contains a number of actions aimed at developing supply chains, disseminating information and targeting research and development. These actions are delivered in part by the Government-funded National Non-Food Crops Centre. The centre plays a pivotal role in linking farmers with industry and provides advice and guidance on crop agronomics, contracts and procurement issues. The recently established Biomass Energy Centre also provides detailed information on all aspects of growing and supplying energy crops.

A two year progress report on the strategy was published on 16 November 2006 and a copy can be found on the Defra website at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/farm/crops/industrial/pdf/nfc-progress-0611.pdf. The report contains recommendations for developing the strategy over the next three years.

We intend to continue to provide support for energy crops in England under the new Rural Development Programme for England. Support for biomass supply chains will continue with a second round of the bio-energy infrastructure scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much was paid in bonuses to civil servants in his Department each year since 2001-02; and how many civil servants received bonuses in each year. (101028)

Payment of non-consolidated performance bonuses reflects the principle across the civil service of rewarding performance increasingly through one-off payments rather than increases to basic salary.

DEFRA operates two different performance bonus systems: in-year high performance bonuses, paid to individuals or teams below the senior civil service (SCS) in recognition of one-off achievement during the year; and annual high performance bonuses, paid to both SCS and non-SCS staff for high performance sustained throughout the whole year.

For the period November 2004 to March 2005, in-year performance bonuses totalling £179,879 were awarded to 513 staff. Information on annual performance and in-year bonuses before this date is only available at disproportionate cost as a result of system changes.

For the periods April 2005 to March 2006 and April 2006 to date, the number of annual and in-year performance bonuses awarded was as follows:

The total sums paid annually in performance bonuses are a little over 1 per cent. of paybill.

For staff in the SCS, the data relates to bonuses awarded to those in core-DEFRA and its Executive agencies (excluding chief executives) in accordance with Cabinet Office arrangements. For staff below the SCS, the data relates to staff covered by core-DEFRA pay arrangements (core-DEFRA, State Veterinary Service, Pesticides Safety Directorate, Veterinary Medicines Directorate, Marine Fisheries Agency and Government Decontamination Service). DEFRA’s other agencies and non-departmental public bodies operate separate pay and bonus arrangements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate the Government have made of the number of projects being undertaken by British Waterways which will be affected by the planned further budget cuts to that organisation. (107730)

This is an operational matter for British Waterways. Major engineering works to the value of £5.6 million have been deferred this year. These were identified by using risk assessment procedures to maximise potential savings while minimising impact on structural condition.

It is for the board of British Waterways to decide on its future projects and maintenance programme in the light of the budget for 2007-08 and beyond.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the timescale is for achieving his Department’s objective of Government activity becoming carbon neutral. (107854)

In a written statement to the House on 12 June 2006, a new set of sustainable operational targets for the central Government estate were announced. The new targets include a specific commitment for a carbon neutral Government office estate by 2012 and to reduce carbon emissions from offices by 30 per cent. by 2020.

Carbon neutrality is about having zero net carbon dioxide emissions. This is achieved through a combination of reducing carbon dioxide emissions, using renewable energy and offsetting the remaining balance. Carbon offsets are purchased to cover unavoidable emissions that result after all economically viable carbon savings have been made.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many traders have been prosecuted by (a) the police and (b) local authorities for selling cars on verges by the roadside under the Cleaner Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005. (107417)

Only authorised officers of a local authority are empowered under Section 3 of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 to issue a fixed penalty notice or prosecute for this offence.

Local authorities submit data on the number of fixed penalty notices and prosecutions they have made for local environmental offences on an annual basis. The first full year’s data since the introduction of this offence will be submitted and published by July 2007.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the report from Natural England on coastal access is expected to be published. (104836)

In July this year, I announced that I had asked the Natural England Board to come forward with its recommendations to the Government on coastal access before the end of December.

I met the Chair and Chief Executive of Natural England on 23 November. Following the meeting I have confirmed that I am happy for Natural England to do some further work in order to finalise their advice. I have agreed that the Board should come forward with their final advice and recommendations by the end of February 2007. As a result, I expect that there will be a delay in issuing the public consultation document from my previously announced date of early 2007.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether an assessment has been made of the impact of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. (104837)

It is too early to make an accurate assessment of the impact of the new right of access under Part I of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 but Natural England has some monitoring procedures in place. Natural England has planned an initial three year programme designed to monitor public use of the new right of access, identifying both favourable and adverse impacts on land management and nature conservation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many (a) marketing officers, (b) communications officers and (c) press officers are employed in his Department; and what the total expenditure on communications for his Department was on (i) Government Information and Communication Service staff and (ii) other (A) press officers, (B) special advisers and (C) staff in the last year for which figures are available. (104363)

The Government Information and Communication Service has been replaced by the Government Communications Network (GCN). The two categories of GCN specialisms best matching those in the question are (i) press officers and (ii) marketing. Full-time equivalent staff employed in Communications Directorate fitting these specialisms, as of 1 November, are as follows:

Communications expenditure covers a wide range of activities and is not centralised. A figure for all communications expenditure by the Department could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Total external communications expenditure through the Communications Directorate budget was £4.01 million for financial year 2005-06. This includes £890,000 expenditure on advertising (24 May 2006, Official Report, column 1818W) with the remainder of the expenditure covering attendance at agricultural shows, publications, direct information literature mailings and other external communications. This figure excludes non-centralised expenditure, and expenditure by non-departmental public bodies, Executive agencies and independent statutory bodies.

It is not possible to break down expenditure by types of communication staff.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much was spent by his Department on television advertisements in the last year for which figures are available. (104442)

DEFRA (excluding non-departmental public bodies, executive agencies and independent statutory bodies) has not spent any funds on television advertisements in the last 12 months (October 2005-October 2006).

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which staff in his Department are seconded from organisations with charitable status; and which have (a) costs and (b) salaries met (i) in part and (ii) in whole (A) from public funds and (B) by the charity from which they are seconded. (102410)

Defra continues to promote and encourage the exchange of personnel between the Department and a range of organisations. Defra currently has three secondees from ENCAMS an environmental charity—the following annex provides further detail.

The status of all three secondees—Andrew Osborne, James Martin, Robert Ingle within Defra is that of secondee from ENCAMS. They all continue to be employees of ENCAMS for the duration of the secondment with all their present terms and conditions of employment being maintained. During the secondment, ENCAMS continue to be responsible for total remuneration package (including salary, pay-related benefits, holiday, sick pay and pension etc.).

In respect of other costs for:

Andrew Osborne

Defra reimburse any expenses incurred by Andrew in connection with work for Defra during the secondment.

James Martin

All expenses incurred by James in connection with work for Defra during the secondment are met by ENCAMS.

Robert Ingle

ENCAMS are responsible for all expenses incurred by Robert including travel and training expenses. ENCAMS will be supplied with a budget by the Environment Agency from which all the costs of this secondment are deducted.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which task forces have been set up by his Department in each year since 1997; and what the cost of each of these task forces was in each financial year in that period. (106900)

[holding answer 4 December 2006]: Details of the task forces set up since Defra was established in 2001 are published in the annual Cabinet Office publication “Public Bodies”, available at:

http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/other/agencies/public__bodies/index.asp

The cost of setting up and running these task forces is not held centrally. Collating such information would incur disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what further plans the Government have for encouraging households to improve their insulation. (107023)

Under the Energy Efficiency Commitment (EEC), we require energy suppliers to meet targets for the promotion of improvements in household energy efficiency. They do this by encouraging and assisting household consumers to take up measures like cavity wall and loft insulation.

During the first half of the current EEC (2005-08), 88 per cent. of supplier activity was through insulation measures. The 2006 Climate Change Programme announced that the EEC target will be increased by 50-100 per cent. for EEC3 (2008-11) and we would expect that insulation will be a major part of the work.

In addition to this, the Government funded Warm Front Scheme, which is the key programme in tackling fuel poverty in England, provides a range of insulation measures to those households qualifying for assistance.

The Energy Saving Trust (which is supported by Government funding) carries out work to inform and encourage households to take up energy efficiency measures including insulation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) how many houses had insulation installed that meets the recommended standard in each of the last five years; (107025)

There is no official “recommended standard” for insulation in existing buildings (only new builds require certain minimum standards for insulation to be met via the Building Regulations, part L). However, general advice is to install all cost-effective insulation measures, which in most cases means cavity wall insulation and loft insulation. Although it is not so cost-effective, double glazing would also normally be considered essential by modern standards (for new dwellings it is required by the Building Regulations) and it is a popular measure. The following table shows the estimated number of installations of cavity wall insulation, loft insulation and double glazing in existing homes in each of the years 2000-05 (note that in addition about 180,000 new homes are built each year and these will also automatically incorporate these measures where relevant).

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether a study has been made of the possible effects of flooding on Canvey Island as part of the Thames Estuary 2100 project. (107671)

The Environment Agency’s Thames Estuary 2100 project is assessing the impacts of flooding (including risk to life, property and the environment) across the whole tidal floodplain. This stretches from Teddington, west of London, to a notional line between Sheerness and Shoeburyness in the east of the estuary. This includes Canvey Island.

The design standard of protection afforded by the defences at Canvey Island is currently well in excess of 1 in 1,000 (that is, to protect against flood events with a 0.1 per cent. or greater chance of occurring in any one year). In some areas the standard is as high as 1 in 10,000 (that is, 0.01 per cent. chance of flooding in any one year) although this will reduce with rising tidal flood levels.

For further information on the scope and progress of Thames Estuary 2100 project, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 18 September 2006, Official Report, column 2479W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the Forestry Commission recognises the International GCSE as an acceptable substitute for a GCSE for the purposes of recruitment. (104281)

When the Forestry Commission stipulates in recruitment adverts that candidates should possess passes at GCSE level it always adds that equivalents are acceptable. These equivalents include the International GCSE.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps his Department is taking to encourage garden centres to promote plants that are suitable for longer, warmer summers. (107851)

The types of plants stocked by garden centres are commercial decisions for each individual business. However, DEFRA has commissioned a number of research projects of relevance to the Hardy Nursery Stock sector. Of particular interest, with regard to longer and warmer summers, is the need to conserve water use. Current research is looking at novel strategies for reducing water use while maintaining, or improving, quality.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what restrictions exist on the burning of garden waste; and if he will make a statement. (104288)

Smoke nuisance and emissions created as a result of bonfires are covered under several pieces of legislation, including the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (EPA) and, on industrial or trade premises, the Clean Air Act 1993. However, most domestic bonfires are dealt with by local authorities under their statutory nuisance powers under the EPA.

In addition to the statutory nuisance powers, section 33 of the EPA (as amended by the Waste Management (England and Wales) Regulations 2006) provides that a person who keeps, treats or disposes of controlled waste in a manner likely to cause pollution of the environment or harm to human health commits an offence of illegal waste disposal. A person who commits the offence “in relation to household waste from a domestic property within the curtilage of the dwelling” is liable on summary conviction to a fine and/or a prison sentence.

We are currently considering further measures to address the nuisance caused by the burning of garden waste.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether he has set a timetable for (a) the development of a Government response to the Affordable Rural Housing Commission Report and (b) a plan to implement those recommendations with which the Government agrees. (105286)

The Affordable Rural Housing Commission delivered its report in May 2006. On the basis of the evidence collected, the report offers a range of practical recommendations for the Government and others on ways to improve access to affordable housing for those who live and work in rural areas.

Some of the recommendations challenge existing practice, while others are in line with current Government thinking. To reflect this, and the dynamic nature of policy development, Ministers decided that a formal response would not be appropriate, favouring instead an on-going web-based progress report. This is available from the Defra website at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/rural/arh/index.htm and will be updated every three months.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on what basis he has set the charges to farmers to comply with the Integration Pollution Prevention and Control Directive; and if he will make a statement. (105665)

I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave on 27 November 2006, Official Report, column 302W, to the hon. Member for Beverley and Holderness (Mr. Stuart).

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions he has had with his Ministerial colleagues in (a) Denmark, (b) France and (c) other EU countries on how they set their charges under the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Directive. (105666)

The Department holds regular discussions with other member states on a range of issues.

In addition, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 2 November 2006, Official Report, column 573W, to the hon. Member for Shrewsbury and Atcham, (Daniel Kawczynski).

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the value was of beef imported into the UK from Zimbabwe under EU import licensing in the last year for which figures are available. (107213)

The following table shows imports of beef and beef products into the UK from Zimbabwe, including re-exported products from non-European Union (EU) countries, in 2005.

These figures do not include re-exported products that come into the UK from Zimbabwe via another EU member state, as these are recorded only as imports from that country. There have been no imports of beef or beef products into the UK from Zimbabwe recorded so far in 2006¹.

¹ 2006 data are subject to amendments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the North Eastern Sea Fisheries Committee in (a) achieving its strategic objectives and (b) communicating its proposals and actions to relevant stakeholders in the North East region. (104716)

Strategic objectives and communications with stakeholders are essentially matters for individual Sea Fisheries Committees to consider. The role of DEFRA in these areas is limited to ensuring that SFCs comply with the statutory requirements for consultation on fisheries byelaws, as laid down in the Sea Fisheries (Byelaws) Regulation 1985 (SI 1985/1785). I am not aware of a breach of these requirements in any recent consultations conducted by the North Eastern SFC.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what central Government support is available to local authorities to help them reduce their carbon dioxide emissions. (106066)

Carbon Management, which is part of the Carbon Trust, looks strategically at how carbon impacts upon public sector organisations by identifying the risks and opportunities associated with climate change. There is a specialist tailored programme for local authorities.

Salix, which is a not-for-profit company set up by the Carbon Trust in 2004, uses Government funding of around £20 million to set up ring-fenced recycled loan funds in public sector organisations. Funding from Salix is matched by each organisation to support investment in cost-effective, long-term energy saving projects such as insulation, heating and lighting. Salix continues to accelerate its activities. Its local authority programme has doubled from 20 to 45 authorities, with more in the pipeline.

Local authorities can also apply for grants to install microgeneration technologies under the Department of Trade and Industry’s Low Carbon Building Programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations he has received from Nirex on the transfer of responsibility for disposal of radioactive waste to the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority since 25 October; and if he will place copies of those representations in the Library. (105025)

Ministers have received no direct representations from Nirex following the announcement of 25 October. We have been copied in, for information purposes, to some of the initial correspondence between United Kingdom Nirex Limited (Nirex) and Nirex CLG Limited (the Company Limited by Guarantee). The correspondence concerned the commercial, contractual and timing aspects of the transfer of Nirex ownership to the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), through share sale. This was proposed in the statement given by the Secretary of State to the House on the 25 October.

Consultation on the share sale continued from the date of that statement until its completion and approval by the Nirex board on 29 November. This was announced in a statement I gave to the House on 30 November 2006, Official Report, column 114WS.

The consultation resulted in agreement to:

(i) a period of at least three months to discuss future organisational integration arrangements;

(ii) set in place of a reconstituted Nirex board and a Transition Team consisting of both Nirex and NDA representatives to oversee these arrangements;

It was also agreed that the Nirex chair would continue to chair the reconstituted board for this transitional period. An addendum in the sale and purchase agreement covered staff issues. In addition I have met and discussed the arrangements with Prospect union representatives. I have also met the Nirex chair and spoken to the chair of the NDA.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the effect will be of the conclusions of his Department’s summer budget review on funds available for sustainable food and farming research. (107594)

[holding answer 4 December 2006]: The sustainable food and farming research budget for 2006-07 was reduced from £34.019 million to £33.291 million following the summer budget review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the 10 largest amounts of unpaid rural payments grants were. (101632)

The 10 largest amounts of money outstanding to single payment scheme claimants for the 2005 scheme year range from the highest figure of £31,307 to the lowest of £11,105.

These figures refer to the highest ten claims in value that have not received any money at all, either in the form of a partial or full payment. They are all in the ‘priority one’ category, namely claimants who have received no money and are owed over €1,000 or £682, to whom the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) has assigned individual case workers in order to have direct contact with the customers and expedite their claims. All these top 10 claims are being held up for probate reasons. Such claims have historically proved difficult to resolve speedily and despite the best and continuing efforts of RPA are outside their direct control. There are 41 priority one cases in all.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) who is on the Task Force looking at soil guideline values; how often it has met; what its main priorities are; and what the timetable is for publication of the values for substances being reviewed; (106735)

The Soil Guideline Values (SGVs) Task Force was set up by the Government in 2003. It was expanded in 2004 through involving representative bodies in the contaminated land field, relevant Departments and agencies. The Task Force met on 16 occasions.

The Task Force was established to look at issues around the production and usefulness of SGVs and related technical materials. These are non-statutory guidelines and information which can help with risk assessments of land affected by contamination, and establishing the need for any remedial action.

At the end of 2005, the chair of the Task Force indicated that a number of issues needed to be resolved by my Department. Further work has been taken forward with her assistance and that of the Task Force, particularly through the paper “Soil Guideline Values: The Way Forward”. This paper outlines a number of issues and emerging conclusions relating to the production of SGVs, although it is not a review of individual substances. It also envisages a number of updates and improvements that respond to and build on the Task Force work. The term “significant possibility of significant harm” is elaborated in the statutory guidance issued by the Secretary of State under section 78A(5) of the 1990 Act, and the words dealing with human health effects arising from intake or exposure to contaminants have underpinned the development work of the paper.

I have arranged for a copy of the paper to be placed in the Library of the House. Task Force organisations are now considering it, although the Task Force itself has now been wound up. The paper indicates that our aim is to have completed improvements to current technical guidance by the end of 2007, with some key changes being available well before then.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will assess the likely effect of the decision of Essex County Council to switch off the majority of street lights during the hours of midnight to 5am on energy efficiency. (107713)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 6 November 2006, Official Report, column 709W.

I will of course be interested to see how this proposal develops.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to introduce hand-held equipment for quasi-static electrical analysis of liquids at UK airports. (107850)

Government scientists have been investigating a wide range of techniques for the analysis of liquids for the presence of explosives. Quasi-static electrical analysis is one potential technique, but given currently available technologies it is not a technique suitable for operational use.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will bring forward proposals for legislation to tackle aviation noise from (a) private and (b) small commercial airfields. (107016)

Section 4 of the Civil Aviation Act 2006 gives the operator of any non-designated civil aerodrome the power to establish and enforce noise controls on aircraft using their facilities. This provision therefore currently applies to every civil aerodrome in Great Britain except Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports. We have no plans to bring forward any further legislation on aircraft noise at this time.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many complaints about aviation noise were made to each local authority in England in each year since 1997. (107018)

The Department does not hold this information.

Operational noise complaints (as distinct from representations about policy) are properly a matter for individual airports, many of which regularly publish their own summary statistics of complaints or enquiries. Most complaints are directed to the airports or to the Civil Aviation Authority; and some to National Air Traffic Services, to airport consultative committees or to local authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the (a) technical and financial contracts, (b) technical consultants used on a call-off basis and (c) financial consultants used on a call-off basis by (i) his Department and (ii) agencies of his Department since 1 April 2005; what the nature of the assignment for each consultant was; and what the value of work carried out by each consultant was. (102651)

Lists showing the technical and financial contracts awarded by the Department since 1 April 2005 for the central Department and its Executive Agencies have been placed in the Libraries of the House. These lists show the formally tendered contracts awarded for both specific assignments and the framework arrangements which the Department may place orders against on a ‘call-off’ basis. The lists show the nature of the work and a contract award value.

However the central Department and its Agencies’ accounting systems, which hold information about purchase orders raised, do not provide information in the format necessary to be able to separately identify the orders placed against ‘call-off’ and framework contracts. Actual expenditure incurred against such contracts could therefore only be provided at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which contractors based in (a) EU member states and (b) other states have provided services to (i) his Department and (ii) each executive agency of his Department since 31 August 2005; and what the (A) nature and (B) cost of the work was in each case. (102691)

Providing details of the nature and cost of contracts and orders placed on contractors based in all EU member states (including the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) and other states would entail the analysis of all purchase orders placed by the Department since 31 August 2005. This could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

However the smaller sub-set of information containing details of contracts and orders placed with other EU member states (excluding the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) and non-EU states can be provided and lists containing the information have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will publish (a) updated guidance on cycle friendly infrastructures and (b) local transport notes on walking and cycling. (107107)

We aim to publish the updated guidance, and two Local Transport Notes, “Policy, Planning and Design for Walking and Cycling and Adjacent and Shared Use Facilities for Pedestrians and Cyclists” in autumn 2007. We expect to publish a draft of the guidance for consultation in the spring. A third Local Transport Note, “Signs and Markings for Cycle Routes”, is programmed to be published at the end of 2007.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of the electricity used by his Department was generated from (a) renewable sources and (b) on-site microgeneration facilities in the last period for which figures are available. (106279)

Information on the renewable and on-site microgenerated electricity used by the Department will shortly be published by the Sustainable Development Commission.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) marketing officers, (b) communications officers and (c) press officers are employed in his Department; and what the total expenditure on communications for his Department was on (i) Government Information and Communication Service staff and (ii) other (A) press officers, (B) special advisers and (C) staff in the last year for which figures are available. (104358)

The full time equivalent staff numbers engaged on communication activities, for which figures are readily available, in 2005-06 is as follows:

It is not possible to break down communication expenditure by types of communication staff (or special advisers). The GICS has been replaced by the GCN (Government Communication Network) However, Departmental external expenditure on marketing and publicity and press office activities for 2005-06 is as follows:

Marketing costs include campaign advertising and wider publicity. Over 80 per cent. of DfT Central’s expenditure was on the THINK! road safety campaign. Two thirds of DfT Agency expenditure was by the DVLA in support of enforcement campaigns and to inform the public of changes in legislation.

DfT Central press office costs include media monitoring, use of Central Office of Information’s Government News Network and all other direct external costs attributed to press office operations.

Press office activities in most agencies are not carried out by staff or units solely dedicated to this purpose. Full records of attributable costs are therefore not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment his Department has made of likely variations in pollution levels resulting from the proposed toll charge-tariff changes for the Dartford-Thurrock crossing; and if he will make a statement. (107518)

[holding answer 5 December 2006]: The proposed change to the tariff is expected to manage demand and slow traffic growth at the Dartford-Thurrock river crossing, with a consequential benefit to air quality, compared with maintaining the current charging regime.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the cost of the Government Car and Despatch Agency was in each year since 1996-97; and what the estimated budget is for 2006-07. (102723)

The Government Car and Despatch Agency (GCDA) was established as an executive agency on 1 April 1997. Its operating costs for each year since then can be found in the Agency’s annual report and accounts. Copies have been placed in the House Libraries.

The estimated operating cost for the current year (2006-07) is £17.8 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to reduce the number of unlicensed minicab drivers. (107008)

Individuals who attempt to provide a taxi or minicab service without being properly licensed normally do so by plying for hire (waiting to be approached by passengers) or by touting for business (approaching passengers and asking if they want a cab). Both of these are criminal offences. Responsibility for enforcement falls to local taxi licensing authorities and the police.

There are some minicab drivers who are unlicensed—lawfully so at present—because they provide a service under a contract lasting not less than seven days (“the contract exemption”). Section 53 of the Road Safety Act 2006 repeals the contract exemption. Those unlicensed drivers who currently rely on the contract exemption will in future have to be licensed in order to continue operating lawfully. We are currently asking stakeholders for their views on how long they need to make necessary arrangements before this provision is brought into force.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the total capital value is of each private finance initiative scheme overseen by his Department which has reached financial close; over what period repayments will take place; and what the total cost of repayment will be. (103517)

A table with estimated total capital value, contract duration and estimated total unitary charge payments for PFI projects overseen by the Department for Transport that have reached financial close has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

PFI capital values typically refer to the cost of constructing project assets. The cost information in the table is an estimate of these costs. They are estimated costs because it is a feature of PFI contracts that responsibility for construction risk is transferred to the Contractor. The final actual cost is the responsibility of the Contractor. The construction cost is an element of the unitary charge payment.

The total unitary charge is a projection that covers payment for both the construction cost and other costs that arise from delivering the service. These typically include the cost of maintenance, managing the service, operational activities over the duration of the contract. The estimated unitary charge may vary over the duration of a contract as it reflects changes in the indexation of payments, usage related payments, contract deductions and service changes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effect of the recent increase in rail fares by train operators; and if he will make a statement. (104718)

Regulated fares—those most used by commuters plus long distance saver return fares—are limited to an average increase of 1 per cent. more than inflation. The South Eastern franchise fares regulation is set at inflation +3 per cent. Other fares are unregulated and may be set at the operators’ own commercial discretion. Information on unregulated fares is not collated by the Department for Transport.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effects of differentiation between peak and off-peak fares and the effects on lower income users of the rail system; and what plans he has to discuss these issues with the train companies. (104759)

The Department has regular discussions with train operators on a range of issues, including fares. Operators may only set regulated fares within prescribed limits. Annual average increases are presently restricted to inflation +1 per cent. except for the South Eastern franchise regulated fares limit of inflation +3 per cent.. Other fares are a commercial matter for operators. Trains compete with other transport modes and so operators have an incentive to price unregulated fares competitively.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact on pollution of a national road pricing scheme which takes account of vehicle efficiency and fuel technology; and if he will make a statement. (107648)

The Road Pricing Feasibility Study indicated that a well-designed national road pricing scheme has the potential to cut emissions significantly as well as congestion. The modelling for the study factored in anticipated changes in fuel efficiency. No further quantitative assessment has been made of the consequences of varying prices according to environmental impact. The road pricing pilots will help inform our decisions about moving to a national system of road pricing, and how it could take account of issues such as fuel efficiency.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which studies his Department has commissioned and decided not to publish after completion in each of the last five years. (102693)

An answer could only be provided at disproportionate cost, as this information is not collected centrally. However, DfT policy on publications is provided in the departmental publication scheme (accessible at:

http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_foi/documents/pdf/dft_foi_pdf_507544.pdf.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many parliamentary written questions his Department received in each parliamentary session since 2001; and how many of these questions (a) were not answered because of disproportionate cost, (b) were not answered, (c) received answers referring back to a previous answer (i) asked by the hon. Member and (ii) asked by another hon. Member and (d) were grouped together for answer; (107456)

The Department for Transport was formed on 29 May 2002 since when it has received:

29 May 2002 to end 2003 Session—3879 parliamentary questions;

2003-04 Session—3556 parliamentary questions;

2004-05 Session—1409 parliamentary questions; and

2005-06 Session—6820 parliamentary questions.

All of the above received an answer.

The remaining information could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

My ministerial colleagues and I aim to ensure that hon. Members receive a substantive response to their named day question on the named day and endeavour to answer ordinary written questions within a working week of being tabled. It is not possible, but the Department for Transport makes every effort to achieve these timescales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the value is of bets that have been placed on sports events excluding horseracing and greyhound racing in each of the last three years; and what proportion of the overall gambling market this represents. (104597)

The Government do not hold information on the total amount bet on sporting events. This is commercially sensitive information kept by betting operators.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much funding her Department gave to cathedrals in each year since 1997. (105017)

English Heritage is a sponsored body of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. It operates the ‘Grants for Cathedrals’ programme. The amounts made available under this scheme in each year since 1997 are in the table.

The Listed Places of Worship scheme returns as a grant the equivalent of the VAT incurred in making repairs to listed buildings in use for worship. Cathedrals are able to benefit to the extent to which they cannot reclaim VAT due to it being attributable to non-business or exempt activity. The scheme started in 2001. Figures are not available for the totals disbursed to Cathedrals under the scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she expects to answer questions (a) 104517, (b) 104518 and (c) 104522, on VAT and the Olympics, tabled by the hon. Member for Faversham and Mid Kent on 23 November. (105261)

Question 104518 was answered by the Secretary of State on 29 November 2006, Official Report, column 747W. Question 104522 was answered by the Secretary of State on 5 December 2006, Official Report, column 265W. Question 104517 will be answered as soon as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what contracts have been awarded for the 2012 Olympics; which companies have been awarded such contracts; and what the value is of each contract. (101946)

Since the establishment of the Olympic Delivery Authority in April 2006, the following major contracts have been awarded in respect of delivering the Olympic Park for the 2012 Olympic games.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what steps the Olympic Delivery Authority is taking to ensure that small businesses are able to access Olympic contracts; (104686)

[holding answer 5 December 2006]: Under EU procurement legislation Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) cannot set indicative targets for the number of Olympic contracts to be awarded to London and UK firms. However, the success of the 2012 games will depend on the involvement of thousands of UK businesses of every size and plans are being developed to ensure that the opportunities are realised by all.

The ODA is currently developing its final procurement policy so that the procurement of all work, goods and services is transparent, fair and open to a diverse range of suppliers. It will consider arrangements so that tender requirements are appropriate to the size and scale of the contract being awarded, to facilitate the involvement of small and medium sized enterprises. The policy is expected to be published early 2007. Businesses can register now on the London 2012 website to be alerted to contract opportunities and information.

To ensure UK businesses are best placed to secure procurement opportunities, the DTI, regional development agencies, and the devolved Administrations will tailor existing business support tools, like Business Link, to drive up competitiveness and UK success in tendering for Olympic related contracts.

We are also committed to exploring the potential for operating a Business Opportunities Network to link small and medium sized enterprises with relevant partners to compete successfully for London 2012 contracts.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport from which budget the VAT costs associated with the London Olympics in 2012 are expected to be paid. (102530)

VAT is paid by both the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG) and Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA). The LOCOG recovers its VAT. The ODA has provision in its 2006-07 budget to cover the full cost of VAT. Discussions with HM Treasury about the future treatment of ODA’s VAT are ongoing and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will report the outcome in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the 20 largest procurement projects initiated by her Department since May 1997 have been; what the (a) original budget, (b) cost to date and (c) consultancy fees have been; and what the final cost was of each project which has been completed. (106600)

The list of 20 largest procurement projects since 2000 and their value can be found in the following table. Data for 1997 to 1999 are not available.

The information required to answer parts (a), (b) and (c) is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which public appointments have been made by her Department to former Ministers who have served in the Government since May 1997. (105758)

The following public appointments have been made by the Department to former Ministers who have served in the Government since May 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will place in the Library copies of the in-house staff magazine of her Department for the last 12 months. (104710)

I will make arrangements for copies of the DCMS in-house staff magazine for the last 12 months to be placed in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport from which charitable organisations her Department has seconded staff; and what position each person holds in the Department. (104777)

[holding answer 5 December 2006]: The Department currently seconds four staff from organisations with charitable status: two are from the British Library, and two are from English Heritage.

Two of the staff are policy advisers at DCMS Grade B and C (HEO and EO equivalent) and two are policy assistants at DCMS Grade D (AO equivalent).

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many parliamentary written questions her Department received in each parliamentary session since 2001; and how many of these questions (a) were not answered because of disproportionate cost, (b) were not answered, (c) received answers referring back to a previous answer (i) asked by the hon. Member and (ii) asked by another hon. Member and (d) were grouped together for answer. (107470)

The number of parliamentary written questions tabled to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport in each parliamentary session since 2001 is as follows:

All questions either received an answer or were transferred to another Government Department for reply. We are unable to provide the other information you requested without incurring disproportionate cost. However all DCMS answers are a matter of public record and can be found in the Official Report.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which 10 consultancy fees charged to his Department since May 1997 were the most expensive. (107174)

The Wales Office has paid five consultancy fees since being established in July 1999. They are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to ensure that his Department becomes carbon neutral. (105706)

The Carbon Trust completed an audit of the Wales Office energy usage at Gwydyr House in May 2006. The recommendations of the report have been implemented together with internal efficiency saving and monitoring ideas to reduce our carbon emissions.

The Wales Office are planning to offset all carbon emissions recorded by the Carbon Trust together with our carbon footprint calculated from both air and road travel at the end of the year through The Woodland Trust Carbon plus offset scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations his Department has made to HM Treasury on the proposed closures of HM Revenue and Customs offices in Wales. (104938)

My hon. Friend, the Under-Secretary of State wrote in November to the Paymaster General, Dawn Primarolo, concerning the HM Revenue and Customs Change programme. He will also be meeting the Paymaster General in January to discuss the programme further.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many information technology projects within the responsibility of his Department, its agencies and their predecessors have been cancelled since 1997; what the total cost was of each project at cancellation; and if he will make a statement. (105487)

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much his Department spent on commissioning public opinion research in each of the last five years for which records are available. (105455)

Nil.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with Railtrack to resolve the issue of trains from the Ebbw Valley going directly to Newport when the line is re-opened in 2007. (107115)

None.

The Railways Act 2005 enables the Welsh Assembly Government to give financial assistance to any organisation for the purpose of developing Welsh railways. As yet, no funding has been committed to providing a direct rail service from the Ebbw Valley into Newport.

There is currently insufficient capacity on Network Rail’s infrastructure to provide a passenger train service to Newport—this is due to the design of the connection between the Ebbw Vale Line and the South Wales Main Line at Gaer Junction, situated on the western side of Newport Railway Tunnel and the track and signalling layout through Newport.

The earliest opportunity to remove this capacity constraint will be in 2009, when Network Rail completes the re-signalling of the main line at Newport. Network Rail will need to install new crossover points in order to remove the capacity constraint. Network Rail will require external funding for the new crossover points, as it is regarded as an enhancement rather than a steady state renewal.

The Assembly Government has recently received from Network Rail a detailed proposal with costing for that work. This is under discussion with Sewta—the south east Wales local authority regional transport consortium. In the first place, it will be for Sewta to propose the priority that should be awarded to that project in the context of its proposed overall rail improvement projects. In the meantime the Assembly Government has committed funding for a rail-link bus service between Rogerstone Station and Newport Station and Shopping Centre when the Ebbw Vale-Cardiff service starts in 2007.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which areas of Burma have the highest rates of malaria; and whether the Three Diseases Fund for Burma is able to operate in these areas. (106759)

Malaria is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Burma, but reliable statistics on geographical distribution of malaria morbidity and mortality are very limited. We believe that the disease is endemic in 284 out of 324 townships, primarily in rural areas but also in some peri-urban locations. According to the Burmese authorities’ official statistics, reported malaria outbreaks have increased over the past 10 years; and most outbreaks have been reported in Shan and Rakhine states and in Mandalay, Taninthayi, Magway and Bago divisions. A recent report by the Back Pack Health Worker Teams also identified very high rates of malaria infection in conflict areas in Karen State.

The Three Diseases Fund is not yet funding any work in Burma. However, it will seek to gradually extend its operations to reach all of those most at risk from the Three Diseases. The Three Diseases Fund will continue its dialogue with the Burmese authorities about improving access for the UN and international NGOs in all areas of the country. It will also seek to strengthen dialogues with community-based organisations, local non-governmental organisations and ceasefire groups about how they can contribute to the Fund’s efforts to deliver services in the most difficult to reach areas .

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many people in Burma with (a) HIV/AIDS, (b) TB and (c) malaria are expected to receive services from projects funded by the Three Diseases Fund in each year of its operation. (106760)

DFID’s economic appraisal suggests that if the US$ 100 million indicated by donors is indeed committed, then over the next five years the Three Diseases Fund should generate around 20 million additional healthy years of life, or put another way, save the lives of over one million people.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when he expects to reply to the letter dated 18 October from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to M. A. Knowles, transferred from HM Treasury. (106394)

The letter of 18 October from my right hon. Friend for Manchester, Gorton, on behalf of his constituent M. A. Knowles was received in DFID on 6 November. A reply was issued on 27 November on behalf of myself and the Chancellor of the Exchequer. I apologise for the delay.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much his Department contributed to (a) microfinance and (b) microcredit in each financial year since 2000-01. (107756)

DFID has spent about £96 million since April 2003 supporting microfinance projects. The majority of this funding has been to build the capacity of microfinance institutions to serve greater numbers of poor people with a better range of services and at a lower cost.

We estimate the breakdown of DFID’s spending on microfinance over the last three financial years to be about:

DFID also supports microfinance through its core funding to International Financial Institutions such as the World Bank.

DFID has programmes in six countries that provide funding to microfinance institutions and promote more conducive policy and regulatory environments for microfinance. DFID also supports initiatives such as the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP) that cover many more countries.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many temporary employees were contracted to work for his Department in 2005-06; and what the total cost of such employees was in (a) 2005-06 and (b) 1997-98. (106696)

DFID does not hold information centrally on the number of temporary staff engaged from time-to-time, and this could be secured only at disproportionate cost.

From 2005-06, information on agency costs, and those employed on similar short term contracts, has been collated when preparing DFID’s Resource Accounts. The total agency costs for 2005-06 were £3.8 million. The costs of those on short term contracts was £1.7 million. The equivalent information for 1997-98 is not available.

From 1 January 2007, DFID will be joining an existing scheme, set up by the Prison Service, for the provision of temporary staff. Once the new arrangements come into force, information on the numbers of temporary staff engaged by DFID, together with the duration of their appointments, will be available from a central source.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action he is taking on human trafficking in developing countries. (104616)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 21 November 2006, Official Report, column 25W by the Secretary of State for International Development to the hon. Member for South Holland and The Deepings (Mr. Hayes).