To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to question 113431, tabled on 19 December 2006, by the hon. Member for Romford, what criteria are taken into account in deciding to make ministerial visits to British overseas territories and Crown dependencies. (116122)

Many factors are considered in determining ministerial priorities for travel to partner countries and territories. These include the size of DFID's programme, the justification for engagement at ministerial rather than at official level and the practicality of accommodating a visit alongside other ministerial and parliamentary duties. DFID has no responsibilities for the Crown dependencies.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the process is for deciding the date of publication of statistics prepared by or relating to the Department; and who is involved in that process. (113089)

The National Statistics Code of Practice (2002)—which serves as a model for all public sector statistical work—established the principle that

“final responsibility for the content, format and timing of release of national statistics”

rests with the Head of Profession for statistics in each department. In reaching their decisions, Heads of Profession take into consideration the detailed procedural guidance given in the ‘National Statistics Protocol on Release Practices’.

Copies of the code and its 12 supporting protocols are available in the Library of the House and can also be accessed using the following address:

http://www.statistics.gov.uk/about/national_statistics/cop/default.asp

To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission, when the visitors entrance to the Palace of Westminster is expected to be completed; what the reasons are for the delay in its construction; what the total cost of the project will be; whether additional costs will be incurred as a result of the delay; and if he will make a statement. (114743)

I refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave on 19 December 2006, Official Report, columns 1791-92W. The House of Commons Commission will receive a further report on progress at the end of this month.

To ask the Leader of the House how many letters to his Department sent from hon. Members during Session 2005-06 remain unanswered, broken down by those which are (a) one month old, (b) two months old, (c) three months old, (d) four months old and (e) over six months old. (114611)

For the calendar year 2006 the Office of the Leader of the House of Commons answered 95 per cent. of correspondence from hon. Members that required a reply within our 15 working day deadline. We have no outstanding correspondence from hon. Members received in the 2005-06 Session.

The Cabinet Office, on an annual basis, publishes a report to Parliament on the performance of Departments in replying to Members’/Peers’ correspondence. The report for 2005 was published on 30 March 2006, Official Report, columns 75-78WS. Information relating to 2006 is currently being collated and will be published as soon as it is ready.

To ask the Leader of the House on what dates Ministers in his Office made official visits to the London boroughs of (a) Tower Hamlets, (b) Newham and (c) Waltham Forest in each year since 1997. (115744)

Our records do not cover the entire period requested. The records available show that there have been two occasions that Ministers from the Office of the Leader of the House of Commons have made official visits to the London borough of Newham. I visited Stratford on 20 June 2006 to view the Olympic park site; and the late right hon. Robin Cook MP, when Leader of the House, visited Newham on 2 May 2002.

To ask the Leader of the House on what dates the Leader of the House of Lords and Lord President of the Council made official visits to the London boroughs of (a) Tower Hamlets, (b) Newham and (c) Waltham Forest in each year since 1997. (115748)

Our records do not cover the period requested. However, the Leader of the Lords and Lord President of the Council spoke at a Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS event in Tower Hamlets on 22 May 2006 and at the UNESCO launch of ‘Education For All: Global Monitoring Report 2006’ in Tower Hamlets on 9 November 2005.

13. To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the UK trade balance was in the latest period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. (116331)

The UK trade balance was £4.7 billion in deficit in November 2006 (the most recent period for which figures are available from the ONS), up from £4.1 billion in October 2006, as a small rise in exports (up 0.5 per cent.) was outweighed by a larger rise in imports (up 2.3 per cent.).

Total UK exports (goods and services) were £326 billion in 2005—up 9 per cent. on 2004. There was a strong performance in both goods (up 11 per cent.) and services (up 6 per cent.).

The stock of inward investment in the UK rose to £483 billion at the end of 2005, a rise of £119 billion over the stock at the end of 2004.

The UK is the second most popular destination for inward investment in the world (behind the US).

14. To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to increase the business opportunities for the Post Office. (116332)

Within the proposed framework of Government support, the development of business opportunities for the Post Office is an operational matter for the management of Royal Mail and Post Office Ltd.

15. To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to prevent employers paying below the minimum wage. (116333)

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to prevent employers paying below the minimum wage. (116324)

The Government publicise details of the minimum wage every time it increases and Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) follow up all complaints about underpayment. HMRC also target enforcement action on low-paying employers and take tough action against those that are found to be non-compliant.

16. To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the operation of the Marine Renewables Deployment Fund. (116334)

The DTI’s £50 million “Marine Renewables Deployment Fund” was established to assist the continued development of wave and tidal-stream energy technologies beyond the initial research and development phase.

The fund is open to applications under any of the planned rounds.

17. To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions he has had with Corus and steel trade unions on the take-over of Corus. (116335)

Although there have been no specific meetings with Ministers, the company and trade unions have kept DTI officials and advisors up to date as the situation has developed and of course further meetings will be held if requested by Corus and the unions.

18. To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assistance the Government have provided to York as a science city. (116336)

Since 1998 Science City York has secured funding of £3.5 million. The funding sources include the City of York council, European funding, the Learning and Skills Council and Yorkshire Forward.

The main change since my hon. Friend asked the same question on 8 June 2006 is the addition of £470,000 to meet the three-year salary costs (2007 to 2009) and recruit administrative support for the new post of chief executive, Science City York.

A further £2.63 million is allocated from Northern Way.

19. To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to increase the number of bank holidays. (116337)

I refer my hon. Friend to question number 9 answered in Trade and Industry questions today.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he had with (a) management in the UK steel industry, (b) trade unions and (c) the European Commission on the impact of phase 2 of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme on the UK steel industry. (116104)

This matter was discussed on 21 June 2006 when I met with the All Party Parliamentary Group for Steel and Metal-Related Industry, at which UK steel companies were represented. On 13 July 2006, I met a delegation from the Metals Forum—including a representative of the trade association UK Steel—and the EU ETS phase 2 allocations was among a range of issues covered. On 17 October 2006 my hon. Friend the Member for Sittingbourne and Sheppey (Derek Wyatt) was present when I discussed EU ETS phase 2 allocations with senior management from Thamesteel. This subject has also been reviewed at meetings of the Business Energy Forum, which is jointly chaired by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, my right hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh, South-West (Mr. Darling) and Richard Lambert of the Confederation of British Industry. There have been no meetings on the impact of this issue on the steel industry with the trade unions or the European Commission.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received on the Office of Communications consultation on the allocation of the radio spectrum; and if he will make a statement. (116338)

The Department is in regular contact with users of, and those with an interest in, the radio spectrum. No specific representations have been received on the Office of Communications’ (Ofcom) recent consultations on the allocation of the radio spectrum. Ofcom, the independent regulator of communications, is responsible for managing civil radio spectrum in the UK, and Ofcom is accountable directly to Parliament in respect of its statutory responsibilities. Any representation on Ofcom’s spectrum consultations are a matter for the regulator.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what his estimate is of annual departmental emissions from air travel, broken down by Department. (115099)

The table shows estimated annual emissions of carbon dioxide from air travel attributable to Government Departments. These are estimates based on air travel spending and/or distance travelled, collected for the purpose of calculating payments into the Government Carbon Offsetting Fund¹. Some departmental figures include air travel emissions attributable to associated agencies. When applied to the Government Carbon Offsetting Fund, departmental figures will be multiplied by two to take into account the additional impact of emissions at altitude.

¹ The Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Department for Culture, Media and Sport operate their own offsetting schemes.

Defra recognises some of the inherent difficulties in calculating carbon dioxide emissions from financial expenditure, and is actively seeking to improve carbon dioxide reporting mechanisms across Government.

The recent Pan-Government Travel Contract (led by the DWP, OGC and Defra) had sustainability as a stringent criterion. My Department, in partnership with our travel service provider, has developed carbon reporting based on business mileages, rather than financial expenditure. This has improved the reliability of data streams and enabled strategic analysis.

Through the work of the Defra-led Government Carbon Offsetting Fund Interdepartmental Group and the Civil Service Travel Group, Defra is promoting the use of the collaborative Pan-Government Travel Contract. We are also sharing best practice across the Government Estate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the result was of his Department’s consultation on proposed guidance for the transport of greyhounds; and whether his Department plans to issue guidance relating specifically to the transport of greyhounds. (115494)

Defra has not consulted specifically on proposed guidance for the transport of greyhounds. However, in May 2006 Defra published a consultation paper on the implementation in England of Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations. A summary of responses can be found on the Defra website at:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/anirnaltransport-eureg/responses-summary.pdf.

Following that consultation, my Department issued guidance on compliance with Regulation 1/2005 which is available on the Defra website at:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/welfare/farmed/transport/eu-transportreg.htm.

Specific guidance on the transport of greyhounds is not planned but it is our intention to use powers provided under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to introduce regulations and a code on the welfare of greyhounds used in racing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 14 December 2006, Official Report, columns 1242-3W, on animal welfare, whether the British Greyhound Racing Board consulted his Department before issuing its guidance; and if he will make a statement. (115495)

The British Greyhound Racing Board did consult Defra before issuing its guidance on transporting greyhounds.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which Minister authorised the decision to attempt to seize bovine animal UK OX0564 00177 on 10 January 2007; and on what date that decision was taken. (116111)

[holding answer 17 January 2007]: My letter of 15 November 2006 advised the hon. Member that I considered the animal in question to be a bovine spongiform encephalopathy cohort and that the state veterinary service would make arrangements to slaughter it. The law requires cohorts to be slaughtered as soon as possible.

A decision on when to remove an animal for slaughter is an operational one for the state veterinary service. Given the public interest generated about this animal the SVS informed Ministers of their intention to remove the animal on 8 January 2007. They were under no obligation to do so.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what the total carbon emissions of the UK were for road transport in the most recent year for which information is available; (115438)

The UK Greenhouse Gas Inventory published in 2006 contains final estimates of emissions to 2004, which is the latest year for which information is currently available.

The total UK emissions of carbon dioxide from road transport, power generation and the domestic sector in 2004, as reported in the Inventory, are set out in the following table.

Provisional DTI figures, published in March 2006, suggest small increases in emissions in 2005. Final statistics for 2005 from the UK Greenhouse Gas Inventory will be available on 31 January.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the Government's targets are for the reduction in total carbon emissions of the UK for (a) road transport, (b) power generation and (c) domestic consumption by (i) 2020, (ii) 2030 and (iii) 2050. (115439)

The new Climate Change Bill announced in the Queen's speech will make the Government's long-term goal to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 60 per cent. by 2050 a statutory target. How this target is measured and how progress is reported, are fundamental issues that are still being considered. Appropriate interim targets are being looked at.

The Government do not have specific carbon dioxide emission reduction targets for individual sectors. However, the 2006 UK climate change programme (UKCCP) sets out the measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in six broad sectors: energy supply; business; transport; domestic; agriculture, forestry and land management; and public and local government.

The 2006 UKCCP also contains data on recorded emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases covered by the Kyoto protocol, and projected emissions of these gases to 2020.

The 2006 UKCCP can be accessed on the Defra website at:

http://defraweb/environment/climatechange/uk/ukccp/

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he expects to reply to the letter of 11 October 2006 from the right hon. Member for Warley on the Climate Change Bill. (114948)

A reply was sent to the hon. Member on 7 January 2007. I apologise for the delay.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much in compensation payments was paid by his Department in 2005-06; and what the reason for the payment was in each case. (108207)

The following amounts were paid in compensation by the Department in 2005-06:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the policy is of his Department on encouraging equestrian access to the countryside. (116097)

We have worked closely with both the British Horse Society and British Horse Industry Confederation on the production of the joint “Horse Industry Strategy for England and Wales” which was launched in December 2005. Improved equestrian access features strongly in the strategy which is available from the Defra website at:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/rural/horses/topics/strategy.htm.

The Government are committed to improving access for equestrians by increasing the number of bridleways and improving the off-road riding and driving network. A number of current initiatives, such as Rights of Way Improvement Plans and the Discovering Lost Ways Project, aim to achieve this objective. Local access forums also play an important role in pressing the case for equestrian access in the development of the bridleway network.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the likely effect will be of the conclusions of his Department’s summer budget review on funds available to the Institute for Grasslands and Environmental Research in each of the next three years. (116052)

No ongoing research projects at the Institute for Grassland and Environmental Research (IGER) have been affected by the recent budgetary reductions. Defra allocated over £150 million to research and development (R&D) in 2006-07, reflecting the value the Department places on research. However R&D spending is not ring-fenced and cannot be protected from other competing pressures.

Defra-funded research at IGER in 2006-07 is currently £5.4 million, with ongoing spend for 2007-08 and 2008-09 at £2.1 million and £1.1 million respectively. Negotiations are progressing for further new research to start at IGER during 2007-08 and subsequently.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 8 January 2007, Official Report, column 271W, on departmental energy efficiency, what steps he is taking to spread best practice to other Departments and public bodies. (115458)

The Carbon Trust and Energy Saving Trust are Government-funded bodies that are working to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.

These bodies work with public sector organisations such as local authorities, schools, the NHS and Government Departments. They spread best practice in both the public and the private sector.

For example, in 2006 the Department of Health, in partnership with the Carbon Trust, published a guide which provides best practice to ensure that everyone involved in managing, procuring and using healthcare buildings and equipment considered the implications of energy use, and it can be found at:

http://www.carbontrust.co.uk/Publicsites/cScape.CT.PublicationsOrdering/PublicationAudit.aspx

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether he plans to make his Department carbon-neutral. (105746)

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs will meet the commitment for a carbon-neutral central Government estate by 2012 through a package of measures, which include reducing emissions, using renewable energy and only offsetting what cannot be eliminated.

Defra is currently working with the Carbon Trust to implement a carbon management programme which will prioritise activity to maximise energy and carbon savings. The programme will look to develop a systematic approach to carbon management and assist in reducing carbon emissions through operational improvements, reduced energy costs, staff awareness and monitoring initiatives. This activity goes hand in hand with Defra’s own energy efficiency programme, which is focusing on monitoring energy consumption across the estate and identifying opportunities for better managing energy use.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the reasons are for the reductions in the budget of the Eastern Region Flood Defences from 2006-07 to 2007-08. (116465)

Defra will provide £435.7 million to the Environment Agency in 2007-08 for Flood Risk Management, almost £23 million more than was available in 2006-07.

The agency allocates funding to Regional Flood Defence Committees both for new capital schemes and to maintain existing defences on the basis of national priorities to ensure that the funding is spent to optimum effect. This inevitably means that the allocation to each Regional Flood Defence Committee is likely to change year on year, particularly as capital schemes are completed.

During the current year, major schemes in the Anglian Eastern area have completed, notably Canvey and Tilbury. A wide range of capital schemes—such as Broadlands and Eastern Broad—will be taken forward in the agency’s Anglian Eastern area in 2007-08.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of how much public money was lost through financial mis-management at the Environment Agency in each of the last five years. (116173)

[holding answer 17 January 2007]: The National Audit Office have confirmed in the last two financial years (and PricewaterhouseCoopers before that (2001-02 to 2003-04)) that in all material aspects the expenditure and income for the Environment Agency have been applied to the purposes intended by Parliament and the financial transactions conform to the standards set by the authorities which govern them.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the Government have contingency plans in place to ensure that coastal communities at risk from rising sea levels and flooding can access property insurance in the event of the private sector withdrawing insurance coverage. (114936)

The Government continue to work with the Association of British Insurers to maintain the widespread availability of flood risk insurance. Insurance cover remains broadly available to households in areas at risk of flooding in accordance with the Association’s ‘Statement of Principles’ which is published on their website. I met the Association in November and they confirmed there are no plans to withdraw from the Statement of Principles.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many fixed penalty fines for litter offences were issued by each local authority in England in each of the last three years for which figures are available. (114328)

I have arranged for the information requested to be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he plans to establish the proposed London Waste and Recycling Forum and Fund; and whether (a) the Fund and (b) the Forum will be put on a statutory footing. (113426)

The issue of London’s waste is currently being debated in Parliament in the context of the Greater London Authority (GLA) Bill. The GLA Bill was introduced to Parliament on 27 November 2006, and will take forward a number of changes to the Mayor’s powers announced on 13 July last year. The Government announced a package of measures to strengthen London’s ability to manage waste sustainably without change to current structures.

The Government intend to establish a London-wide Waste and Recycling Forum which will bring stakeholders together to deliver improved performance on waste minimisation and recycling, promote collaborative action and link waste with other London priorities around climate change, transport and employment. Under the Government’s proposals, neither the Fund nor the Forum should have statutory powers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the volume and value of beef imported from Brazil was in each of the last five years, broken down by state. (116064)

[holding answer 17 January 2007]: The volume and value of beef imports (including meat and offal preparations) from Brazil to the United Kingdom since 2001 are shown as follows:

These figures were obtained from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs for all consignments which have been declared through the required channels by both exporters and importers, in accordance with European Union (EU) regulations.

Due to the EU tracing systems for all trade, it is not possible to break down these figures by states within third countries.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which states in Brazil have (a) reported outbreaks of foot and mouth in the last 12 months and (b) been subject to EU bans on exports. (116065)

[holding answer 17 January 2007]: In the last 12 months outbreaks of foot and mouth disease have been reported in Brazil in or around the regions of Mato Grosso do Sul, São Paulo and Parana.

These regions, and associated affected areas, have been subject to European Union (EU) restrictions on exports since October 2005, when outbreaks were first confirmed there.

Imports of livestock susceptible to foot and mouth disease from Brazil as a whole are currently banned under EU law. There is currently no evidence that we are aware of to justify a total EU ban on imports of meat and related food products from Brazil, although the Commission is keeping the situation under close scrutiny.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the implications of changes to Natural England’s budget are for the educational elements of the Higher Level Scheme. (113471)

[pursuant to the reply, 11 January 2007, Official Report, c. 677]: My answer gave the year of Natural England’s budget as 2006-07. This was incorrect and should have read 2007-08. The rest of the answer remains correct and is detailed in full as follows:

Natural England’s budget for 2007-08 was announced on 22 December as £169.59 million. This represents core funding, largely in relation to running costs. The Higher Level agri-environment scheme is funded under separate arrangements to support the UK’s Rural Development Programmes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he will provide substantive responses to the parliamentary questions raised with his Department’s Permanent Secretary in the evidence session held by the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee on 4 December 2006. (115085)

The Department’s Permanent Secretary will be writing to my hon. Friend before the end of this month in order to provide further information on the matters raised.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what information he collects on the money spent by sewerage undertakers on control of rat populations; and what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of that control. (116156)

The Department does not collect information on monies spent by sewerage undertakers on the control of rat populations, which is not one of their statutory functions. Nor does it make regular assessments of the effectiveness of sewerage undertakers’ control of rat populations in sewers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps have been taken as a result of his Department’s review of liaison arrangements between water companies and local authorities in relation to sewer baiting for rats; and what further measures are planned. (116164)

A joint protocol, published in 1999 by the Local Government Association and Water UK, set out arrangements for closer working relationships between water companies and local authorities on rodent infestations in sewers. Sewer baiting policy is a matter for individual water companies.

The last review, undertaken in 2003, did not receive sufficient responses to enable any clear conclusions to be drawn from the information provided.

I am not aware of any representations from local authorities or water companies requiring further guidance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will make a statement on the work of the Rats in Sewers Working Group. (116165)

The Rats in Sewers Working Group was established to encourage the development of joint strategies between local authorities and water companies for sewer baiting and the control of rodent populations. This resulted in the publication of a joint protocol by the Local Government Association and Water UK.

The Working Group aims to meet, as appropriate, to discuss issues such as the effectiveness of the protocol.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the value for money of funding provided to the Waste and Resources Action Programme for the campaign Recycle Now. (116198)

The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) was allocated a total of £11 million for a two-year period to run a national campaign on recycling. Recycle Now was launched in September 2004.

A review of the campaign’s value for money showed that it has cost 51 pence per household, which is within the range of costs reported in other EU member states for similar campaigns.

An independent survey carried out by marketing groups has shown that the Recycle Now television adverts generate very strong public recognition and, therefore, compare favourably to successful commercial advertisements with significantly larger budgets.

Work carried out by NOP on behalf of WRAP indicates an increase in committed recyclers, from 45 per cent. to 57 per cent. over the period from April 2004 to March 2006. This represents an additional five million committed recyclers (that is, those who regard recycling as important, those who recycle even if it requires additional effort, and those who recycle a lot or everything that they can). The campaign therefore exceeded the 55 per cent. committed recycler target set out in WRAP’S 2004-06 business plan.

The Government firmly believes that public participation is key to increasing recycling and waste minimisation and in taking forward a policy of sustainable waste management. We have seen household waste recycling rates increase to 27 per cent. in 2005-06 (in combination with increased levels of recycling infrastructure). This exceeds the 25 per cent. target and represents nearly a fourfold increase since 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the accessibility of rights of way routes to disabled people. (115905)

In 2005 Natural England produced a framework which aims to provide clear and detailed advice for countryside managers on how to improve access opportunities for disabled people. It guides land managers, land owners and others, through a process of working more actively with disabled people. This can be found on the Natural England website at:

www.countryside.gov.uk/Images/Inclusive_tcm2-27716.pdf

Under section 69 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, highway authorities must consider the needs of disabled people when authorising the erection of stiles and gates or other works on footpaths or bridleways. A local authority may also enter into agreements with owners, occupiers or lessees of land to improve stiles, gates or other structures to benefit disabled people.

The Welsh Assembly Government commenced section 69 in December 2006 and are currently consulting on statutory guidance, which is available online at:

http://new.wales.gov.uk/consultations/currentconsultation/envandcouncurrcons/?lang=en

DEFRA plans to consult on the section 69 statutory guidance shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many single payment scheme claimants have been written to by the Rural Payments Agency (a) advising them that their claim may be adjusted and (b) to seek a refund of overpayment; and what total sum of money is being reclaimed following overpayment. (115187)

[holding answer 16 January 2007]: RPA does not keep statistics on all letters and their type sent out to customers. However, as at 19 December, the 2005 SPS claims for 17,288 customers had been adjusted. These adjustments have resulted in claim reductions of £11.26 million. Overall, 3,647 claimants have received overpayments valued at about £23.1 million. The overpayments are in the process of being recovered.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the process is for deciding the date of publication of statistics prepared by or relating to the Department; and who is involved in that process. (113087)

The National Statistics Code of Practice (2002)—which serves as a model for all public sector statistical work—established the principle that

‘final responsibility for the content, format and timing of release of National Statistics’

rests with the Head of Profession for Statistics in each department. In reaching their decisions, Heads of Profession take into consideration the detailed procedural guidance given in the ‘National Statistics Protocol on Release Practices’.

Copies of the Code and its 12 supporting Protocols are available in the Library of the House and can also be accessed using the following address:

http://www.statistics.gov.uk/about/national_statistics/cop/default.asp

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many cases of illegal tail docking have been notified to the Department in the last two years. (115592)

We are not aware of any such cases.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many times the Thames Barrier has been raised in each year since its construction. (113854)

Environment Agency figures show that since its construction, the Thames Barrier has been closed to prevent flooding during the winter flood season (generally October to April) on 95 occasions as follows:

At present the Thames Barrier is closed on average three to four times a year. In extreme conditions more frequent closures have been necessary to protect London from flooding—such as during the winter of 2000-01, when the barrier was closed 24 times and January 2003, when it was closed 19 times. These unusual occurrences were generally the result of continued high freshwater flows which only required a smaller tidal surge to necessitate a closure of the barrier.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what role the Department plays in the regulation of veterinary surgeons, including in suspension and removal. (115591)

The Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 designates the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) as the body responsible for regulating the professional education and conduct of veterinary surgeons in the UK.

DEFRA is considering ways in which the current regulatory framework might be modernised.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many quotations for boiler replacements under the Warm Front initiative exceeded the individual grant available in (a) 2003, (b) 2004, (c) 2005 and (d) 2006. (113699)

[holding answer 10 January 2007]: As the Warm Front scheme developed, new (raised) grant levels have been introduced to keep abreast of changes in the market place and Warm Front’s evolving policy framework. In the interests of accuracy, the various grant levels have been separately identified.

The proportion of boiler replacements which exceeded the grant maxima in the relevant scheme years are:

Due to the varying nature of work involved in boiler replacement jobs, it is inevitable that some cases exceed the grant maximum, and 11 per cent. for year 2003-04 is deemed a reasonable level.

Small increases in labour costs and material prices resulted in a large percentage increase of boiler replacements exceeding the grant maxima. This level was not deemed acceptable and, as such, a legislative change to raise the grant level was identified as the necessary course of action.

2005-06 witnessed the transition between the first phase of Warm Front, and the current phase. As part of this transition, prices for materials and labour were harmonised across regions throughout England. Warm Front policy was also developed and previous Warm Front customers (from the first phase of the scheme) found themselves able to re-apply for the scheme and qualify for a greater level of assistance. Indications are that a significant proportion of the 29 per cent. of boiler replacements exceeding the £2,700 maximum had already received a portion of their available grant under the first phase of the scheme.

Where heating measures alone are recommended, around 70 per cent. of cases can be fully funded by Warm Front. 40 per cent. of those cases that exceed the grant maxima have previously received assistance from the scheme—and thus are seeking grant support with less money in the household account.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent representations he has received on increasing the five- year periodic review cycle in respect of setting price limits for water companies; and if he will make a statement. (116445)

Ofwat's 2006 consultation ‘Setting water and sewerage prices, is five years right?’ sought views on a number of issues including the length of time between price reviews.

Over 30 responses were received from water industry stakeholders. A summary of responses is included in Ofwat's document ‘A sustainable water industry—To PR09 and beyond’. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House and is also available on Ofwat's website at:

http://www.ofwat.gov.uk/aptrix/ofwat/publish.nsf/AttachmentsByTitle/SustainableWaterInd011106.pdf/$FILE/SustainableWaterInd011106.pdf.

My Department continues to work closely with Ofwat and other water industry stakeholders in preparation for the 2009 periodic review of price limits.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department spent on advertising with The Guardian newspaper, including online, and on advertorials and advertising features, in the latest year for which figures are available. (113993)

The Department did not use The Guardian in fiscal year 2005-06 for advertising in support of our THINK! road safety or Continuous Registration campaigns.

The Guardian has been used for recruitment advertising. Details, however, are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will investigate why the consultation co-ordinator for the Department for Transport’s proposed amendment of the Air Navigation Order 2005 has not (a) acknowledged and (b) responded to correspondence from (i) a constituent of the hon. Member for Strangford and (ii) the hon. Member’s constituency office acting on his behalf; (114927)

[holding answer 15 January 2007]: The consultation coordinator, who monitors the Department's compliance with the Government's code of practice on consultation, has received nine letters and 22 emails about the consultation on the Air Navigation Order 2005. I will reply to the hon. Member's letter on this issue shortly, and am arranging for replies to be sent to the other correspondents.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average number of flights per day was between London airports and (a) Manchester, (b) Glasgow, (c) Edinburgh, (d) Aberdeen, (e) Cardiff and (f) Newcastle in each year since 1997; what the average number of flights per day was between Cardiff and RAF Valley over the same period; and if he will make a statement. (116067)

The Department does not hold the information but it can be obtained from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Contact details for CAA are on the following web page:

http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?categoryid=80&pagetype=90&pageid=74.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what definition he uses of attributable to the UK in the context of carbon emissions from aircraft; what other definitions he has considered; and if he will make a statement. (115621)

Forecasts set out in The Future of Air Transport White Paper assume that the UK takes responsibility for emissions from all departing flights.

Emissions from international flights do not currently count in the national inventories of greenhouse gas emissions, there being no international agreement yet on ways of allocating such emissions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will write to the Chairman of BAA plc requesting him to reply to the letter of 10 October 2006 from the right hon. Member for Tonbridge and Malling. (115966)

The consideration of the right hon. Member’s letter is a matter for BAA plc. I understand that the right hon. Member will receive a reply shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the (a) cost and (b) purpose is of the pump-priming support to which he refers on page 21 of his Department’s 2006 annual report. (115699)

£18 million has been earmarked for Transport Innovation Fund pump-priming during the period 2005-06 to 2007-08. The purpose is to support initial scheme development by local transport authorities who are actively considering innovative ways to tackle congestion.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the source is of the income provided by the Government Car and Despatch Agency referred to in figure 2b of his Department's 2006 annual report. (115841)

The Government Car and Despatch Agency (GCDA) is an executive agency of the Department for Transport and provides two main services, Government cars and Government mail, to Government and the wider public sector. Its framework document requires the agency to recover all its costs through charges to its customers. The income referred to in the Department for Transport's annual report 2006 represents the value of those charges.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his Department’s expenditure on foreign travel, including accommodation, was in (a) 1996-97 and (b) 2005-06. (113991)

The Department for Transport came into existence in May 2002 as a result of machinery of government changes.

Details of ministerial travel are contained in the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 19 December 2006, Official Report, column 1808W, to the hon. Member for Blaby (Mr. Robathan), which refers to the published annual list of overseas visits by Cabinet Ministers and includes the overall cost of all Ministers’ overseas travel.

Three of the Department’s seven agencies (HA, VOSA, and GCDA) do not account for overseas travel by civil servants separately from other travel and associated costs. The figure for the central Department and the remaining agencies for 2005-06 is £3,429,740.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many names and addresses of drivers were sold by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency to third parties in (a) December 2005 and (b) December 2006. (113955)

The DVLA does not sell driver information. Where the law requires information on vehicles and their keepers to be released to third parties a fee is levied to cover the costs of the transaction only so that the burden does not fall on the tax payer. The DVLA does not collate the number of such transactions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many companies have submitted expressions of interest in bidding for the East Coast Mainline rail franchise; and when he expects to announce the identity of the shortlisted bidders. (116451)

Due to commercial sensitivity it is not DfT policy to provide the number of companies submitting an expression of interest. The expected announcement of who has been shortlisted will be made on 9 February 2007.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the estimated annual average cost to the public purse is of providing a diesel Jaguar XJ ministerial car, including associated staff and running costs. (113997)

I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 8 November 2006, Official Report, column 1574W, given to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr. Pickles).

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what categories of individuals are permitted to use vehicles from the Government Car Service. (115294)

The Prime Minister’s guidance, Travel by Ministers, and the Ministerial Code, copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House, set out who is permitted to have an allocated car and driver provided by the Government Car and Despatch Agency.

GCDA’s short-term hire and green car services may be used by the civil service and the wider public sector. It is for each Government Department or public body to determine use.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) people were employed and (b) vehicles were owned by the Government Car Service in (i) 2001 and (ii) 2006. (115700)

Information on the number of people employed by the Government Car Service and its fleet size is available in the annual report and accounts of the Government Car and Despatch Agency, copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the answer of 5 December 2006, Official Report, column 230W, on helicopter noise, what the conclusions were of the meeting held with representatives of the London Assembly’s Environmental Committee to discuss the recommendations in the committee’s report, “London in a spin—A review of helicopter noise”; and if he will make a statement. (116239)

I held a very constructive and productive meeting with representatives of the London Assembly’s Environment Committee. We agreed on two key priorities which were the improvement of data collection with a central database and a clear complaints procedure for the public. The Department will be taking these issues forward in dialogue with the Civil Aviation Authority, National Air Traffic Services and the Committee.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the value of the Irish subsidy component of the light dues system in (a) 2006-07 and (b) future financial years. (114217)

The contribution from the General Lighthouse Fund to the provision of aids to navigation in the Republic of Ireland is expected to outturn at around £6.8 million in 2006-07, and is forecast at £7.0 million in 2007-08. The General Lighthouse Authority’s corporate planning process does not yet provide for estimates beyond 2007-08.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what limits he imposes on emissions from motor scooters; and if he will take action to remove from public roads the most polluting motor scooters. (116946)

Emission limits for motorcycles and mopeds are set by European Union (EU) Directive 97/24/EC, as amended by 2002/51/EC. These directives set mandatory emission limits for new motorcycles and mopeds. Three successive stages of emissions limits were introduced for motorcycles and two for mopeds. All new machines must now meet the following emissions limits:

There are no plans to remove particular motorcycles or mopeds from the roads. New vehicle emissions limits combined with normal fleet turnover ensure that higher emitting vehicles are removed from the fleet over time.

Motorcycles and mopeds continue to be a very small contributor to total road transport emissions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the answer of 13 December 2006, Official Report, columns 1068-69W, on the Oyster Card, when he expects to receive a report on the work between his Department and Transport for London. (116513)

The report on the Department’s research referred to in my previous answer will be published on the Department’s website by the end of January. Copies of the report will be placed in both House Libraries.

Discussions between the Department and Transport for London are ongoing. Transport for London is undertaking a detailed technical scoping study to identify the changes required to ensure all Oyster equipment is ITSO compliant. Publication of this report is a matter for Transport for London.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what (a) public-private partnerships and (b) private finance initiative contracts have been entered into by his Department; what assets were transferred to the private sector as part of each deal; what the value of these assets was; what the total cost is of each contract; and what estimate was made of the cost to his Department of traditional procurement over the life of each contract. (109344)

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

No assets were transferred to the private sector as part of these deals.

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 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, and 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 role his Department played in the recent major reconfiguration of the timetable introduced by First Great Western. (115587)

The detailed construction of the timetable is a matter for First Great Western working within the framework provided by the Department for Transport’s (DfT) minimum specification. Where desirable changes have been identified, the DfT has made changes to the specification if this has proved necessary to facilitate their implementation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he plans to mitigate the effect of the cost of road pricing on low-income families; and if he will make a statement. (115779)

We are asking local authorities, in preparing proposals for road pricing schemes, to assess the impact on all groups, including those on low incomes, to inform the scheme design.

No decisions have been taken on whether to introduce a national road pricing scheme or how such a scheme should be designed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department spent using Royal Mail in each of the last five years. (115240)

The Department was formed in May 2002. Since this date the central Department and its agencies have paid the following amounts to Royal Mail:

Total payments for 2002-03 and 2003-04 exclude payments made by the Department for Transport (central) London Headquarters because this information is no longer available.

Total payments for 2006-07 to date include an estimate by DVLA.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many speed cameras there were in Plymouth on (a) 31 December 2000 and (b) 31 December 2006. (115358)

The Department only holds information regarding the number of speed camera sites operated by Safety Camera Partnerships. There may be one or more speed cameras installed within the approved site. The information is recorded by highway authority and the following table relates to the number of fixed and mobile speed camera sites recorded on local authority roads within the Plymouth city council area at the specific dates.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to bring regulations under the Traffic Management Act 2004 into force. (116941)

The Department for Transport is currently implementing several parts of the Act to a published timetable. This is available at the address as follows.

http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_roads/documents/page/dft_roads_040926.hcsp

The implementation dates for some later aspects of the timetable have yet to be finalised.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what rules govern aerial exercises over urban conurbations in the UK by (a) the Royal Air Force and (b) the United States Air Force; and if he will make a statement. (106947)

[holding answer 4 December 2006]: Military low flying is not permitted over towns and built up areas with populations of more than 10,000. For this purpose low flying is deemed to be below the 1,000 feet minimum separation distance for helicopters and light fixed wing aircraft; and below the 2,000 feet minimum separation distance for all other aircraft. Above these heights urban areas may be overflown, unless other airspace restrictions apply; however, air combat training is not permitted over densely populated areas. Permission to fly lower may exceptionally be granted for ceremonial flypasts. These regulations apply to both RAF and United States Air Force aircraft.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the likely impact of the EU proposal to treat all airspace above 25,000 feet as European airspace on military aviation operations by British and US forces. (115237)

The EC initiative to establish a European upper flight information region encompassing all airspace above 28,500 feet is not expected have any impact on military aviation operations by British and US forces based in the UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the average pass rate was of the annual personnel weapons test among part-time service personnel in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. (115177)

The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the first batch of (a) uparmoured FV430s and (b) Vector armoured vehicles to be fully operational in (i) Iraq and (ii) Afghanistan; and what his estimated timetable is for the delivery of the remaining vehicles. (114589)

The first batch of BULLDOG vehicles (up-armoured and upgraded FV430s) has arrived in Iraq and is fully operational. On current plans, delivery of the full fleet should be completed by May 2007. Currently there are no plans to deploy BULLDOG to Afghanistan.

On current plans, an initial batch of fully operational VECTOR vehicles should be delivered to Afghanistan by February 2007. Delivery of the full fleet should be completed by August 2007. There are currently no plans to deploy VECTOR to Iraq.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost has been of British involvement in (a) Afghanistan and (b) Iraq since the start of the campaigns. (115863)

The costs of operations are calculated on a net additional basis and audited figures are published each year in the MOD's annual report and accounts. The total of the annual audited figures for the costs of operations in Iraq for the years 2002-03 to 2005-06 was £4,026 million. An estimated cost of £860 million for 2006-07 was included in the winter supplementary estimates published in November, which are available in the Library of the House. Final figures will be published in the MOD's annual report and accounts for 2006-07.

The annual audited figures for the costs of operations in Afghanistan for the years 2001-02 to 2005-06 were £844 million. An estimated cost of £540 million for 2006-07 was included in the winter supplementary estimates published in November. Final figures will be published in the MOD's annual report and accounts for 2006-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contribution his Department makes to the (a) formulation and (b) implementation of the Government’s energy security policy. (108891)

While the DTI has lead responsibility for the Government’s energy security policy, the MOD and a number of other Government Departments contribute to its formulation and implementation. The MOD contributes through promoting conditions which enhance stability around the world, such as through its conflict prevention activities and the provision of assurance to maritime and other trade routes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether Aegis Security Services has been invited by his Department to tender for Government security service contracts in (a) Afghanistan, (b) Iraq and (c) elsewhere. (114975)

We have no record of Aegis Security Services tendering for MOD contracts in Afghanistan, Iraq, or any other operational theatres, nor do we have any record of them being invited to do so.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many officers in each of the Services have rented out their family home and moved into local married quarters in each of the last five years. (115780)

The information required is not held centrally and can be made available only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the most recent (a) current, (b) establishment and (c) requirement infantry manning levels are, broken down by (i) division and (ii) battalion. (115790)

[holding answer 17 January 2007]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 31 October 2006, Official Report, column 333W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the standard period of operational duty is for UK troops serving in Iraq. (114762)

The standard period of operational duty for UK troops serving in Iraq is six months. However, operational circumstances may dictate that certain individuals and/or units may serve less or more than six months.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether Israeli air force pilots have (a) trained and (b) refuelled in Gibraltar in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. (114781)

No, and no.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what research and modelling his Department is undertaking of future mental health outcomes for personnel deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq; what assessment he has made of the risk of these personnel developing mental health conditions; and if he will make a statement. (108874)

[holding answer 13 December 2006]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 18 December 2006, Official Report, columns 1481-83W.

With reference to the much larger Kings College Mental Health Research study, the MOD’s Veterans Policy Unit has extended the health surveillance study that was launched to look at the physical and psychological outcomes of Op. Telic. This will now also monitor a range of physical and psychological outcomes of Op. Herrick. Data collection will commence in 2007, with results anticipated in 2008.

Additionally, the Academic Centre for Defence Mental Health (ACDMH) has been invited to run a study examining the effectiveness of pre- and post- deployment mental health briefings on the mental health of British forces personnel before, during and after deployment to Afghanistan (Op. Herrick). This study will be run between September 2007 and April 2008, with results anticipated in mid-2008.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the prospects for the use of biofuels for military aircraft. (113771)

At present there are no aviation fuels produced from biological sources which entirely meet the particular requirements of military aircraft. Current military turbine engines would need considerable modification to be compatible with bio-fuels and this is unlikely in the near future.

The MOD is, however, seeking to increase its use of alternative fuels and Defence Specification 91-91 allows for the incorporation of up to 50 per cent. synthetic fuel produced by the Fischer Tropsch method. At present this must come from specified sources, but we are actively seeking to extend the number of sources while maintaining the necessary high fuel quality.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost of running each of the naval bases in the UK was in each of the last three years. (114132)

The running costs for HM Naval Base (HMNB) Clyde, Devonport and Portsmouth over the last three years are shown in the following table:

These figures represent the general site operating costs and include utilities, rates, telephone, maintenance and manpower costs. Direct comparisons from year to year are inexact given the changes to the detailed elements which make up the totals.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what job losses are planned at each naval base in the UK. (114133)