To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made on restructuring NATO's forces in the Balkans; and if he will make a statement. [62522]

At our meeting in Brussels on 6 June, NATO Defence Ministers approved a series of changes to SFOR and KFOR following the Joint Operational Area (JOA) Review.The Review advocates a regional approach to NATO's peacekeeping operations in the Balkans, whereby both Bosnia and Kosovo will be treated, for military planning purposes, as a single theatre. The security situation in the Balkans has changed since the initial deployment of SFOR and KFOR. NATO's operations will be restructured accordingly, to provide a smaller, lighter and more flexible force that will be better able to meet current challenges.Implementation of the JOA Review will take place over the next 12 months. It is planned that, by the end of 2002, SFOR will reduce from some 18,000 to some 12,000 personnel and KFOR from some 38,000 to some 32,000. By June 2003, it is envisaged that KFOR will reduce further to some 29,000 troops. Responsibilities for support of civil implementation will be transferred to local authorities and other international organisations, as appropriate. The United Kingdom welcomes the outcome of this review.This reduction in troop numbers does not signal any reduction in NATO's commitment to the Balkans. Rather, these changes are a sign of the Alliance's achievements to date in bringing security and stability to the Balkans. The United Kingdom, with the rest of NATO, remains committed to the security and stability of the Balkans and will continue to play its full role in achieving the international community's objectives for the region.Individual nations are now considering and discussing with one another how to adjust their troop contributions in the light of the JOA Review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to offer immunisation against anthrax to the armed forces. [62523]

Following the delay to the voluntary immunisation programme against anthrax that was caused by difficulties at the Centre for Applied Microbiological Research, which was supplying the vaccine, the programme was re-launched for personnel deployed to the Gulf in May 2001. But continuing uncertainty over the licensing of future supplies meant that it was not extended further to other members of the Armed Forces.The problems over the licensing of future supplies have now been resolved and the Ministry of Defence took delivery of the rest of the supplies that are required at the end of March this year. We are confident that there will be no difficulties with the future, large-scale production of the vaccine.It takes six months for immunisation against anthrax to become fully effective. But we may not have nearly so much warning of a change in the threat, nor of the requirement for British Armed Forces to deploy to a high threat area. Given that we cannot expect to predict exactly where or when a threat might arise, or which units of the Armed Forces might be called upon to respond. We have decided to expand the immunisation programme so that all Service personnel, including reserves, and those essential civilians who are likely to deploy on operations, are routinely offered immunisation against anthrax. We plan to expand the programme gradually over the next few years, beginning with those units that are held at the highest readiness.Immunisation against anthrax is safe and effective. As before, and in keeping with long-standing medical practice, it will be offered to personnel on the basis of voluntary informed consent. By accepting it alongside their other defensive measures, this will ensure that they have the very best protection against anthrax used as a biological weapon.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what performance targets have been set for the Defence Secondary Care Agency for the financial year 2002–03. [62524]

Key Targets have been set for the Chief Executive of the Defence Secondary Care Agency (DCSA) for financial year 2002–03. The targets build on the progress already made by the Agency since it formed in April 1996, and are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what performance targets have been set for the Defence Medical Training organisation for the financial year 2002–03. [62525]

Key Targets have been set for the Chief Executive of the Defence Medical Training Organisation (DMTO) for financial year 2002–03. The targets build on the progress already made by the Agency since it formed in April 1997, and are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what performance targets have been set for the Defence Dental Agency for the financial year 2002–03. [62526]

Key Targets have been set for the Chief Executive of the Defence Dental Agency (DDA) for Financial Year 2002–03. The targets build on the progress already made by the Agency since it formed in March 1996, and are as follows.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what performance targets have been set for the Medical Supplies Agency for the financial year 2002–03. [62527]

Key Targets have been set for the Chief Executive of the Medical Supplies Agency (MSA) for financial year 2002–03. The targets build on the progress already made by the Agency since it formed in March 1996 and are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the bases where a US station commander exercised day-to-day operational control over the Ministry of Defence police at (a) 1 May 1997 and (b) 1 June 2002. [61410]

US Station Commanders are responsible for security at their Stations and exercise day to day operational control over the Ministry of Defence Police in respect of site security duties. The Senior Police officer is responsible to the Chief Constable MDP in respect of the exercise of constabulary powers. MDP officers are currently deployed at RAF Alconbury, RAF Fairford, RAF Hythe, RAF Lakenheath, RAF Menwith Hill, US Navy London (Eastcote) and RAF Welford. These sites also had a MDP detachment on 1 May 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many and what percentage of Ministry of Defence police serving on US bases in the UK are provided accommodation free of rent. [61184]

Eight MDP officers stationed at bases made available to US Forces currently occupy housing made available by the Department. Although the officers are not paying rent, the accommodation has been made available in lieu of the payment of housing allowance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who is paying the costs of the Ministry of Defence police on detached duties at Menwith Hill Station and Fylingdales, including indirect costs incurred through their presence. [61183]

All costs connected with MOD Police at RAF Fylingdales are met from the Defence Budget. The cost of the authorised complement of MDP at RAF Menwith Hill and related costs are recovered from the US Authorities. The complement was increased with effect from 1 February 2002. Until officers are posted in on a permanent basis to fill the newly completed posts, cover is maintained using officers on temporary detachment. Costs are recovered as though all posts were filled on a permanent basis, enhanced to cover the additional costs associated with the detached duty while it continues.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Buckingham (Mr. Bercow) of 11 March 2002 Official Report, column 654W, on accommodation costs, what the cost was from April 2001 to March 2002 of hotel accommodation for departmental staff working away from home; how many members of staff were so accommodated in the year in question; and what the average cost was per paid-for night of these stays. [61416]

The Ministry of Defence does not hold data on hotel bookings and costs in the format requested. However it is possible to give the following figures for MoD civil servants who were required to be away from their homes on official business during the period April 2001 to March 2002:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the Indian Government concerning a possible sale of HMS Invincible. [61162]

The Ministry of Defence have had no discussions with the Indian Government concerning the possible sale of HMS Invincible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons officials of his Department altered the medical appeal papers of Mr. Shaun Rusling, submitted to the Pensions appeal Tribunal; and if he will make a statement. [60331]

Officials did not alter the medical appeal papers of Mr Shaun Rusling. Evidence was prepared for a Pensions Appeal Tribunal hearing on 10 September 1999. At that Tribunal further diagnoses for appeal were identified. This required preparation of a new set of papers for the further Tribunal hearing on 19 April 2002.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent in each of the last three years on (a) rent and (b) maintenance of empty service family properties; and if he will make a statement. [60718]

An accurate breakdown of rental and maintenance costs between occupied and empty Service Families Accommodation (SFA) is not available. Because of Service mobility, turnover of occupancy tends to be high and some properties may have several occupants over a relatively short period and various empty spells between occupants. However, on a proportionate basis, the current vacancy rate would indicate expenditure in the broad order of £20 million per annum in rent and £9 million in maintenance. Corresponding figures for a year ago would be £23 million rent and £11 million maintenance, and two years ago when £27 million rent and £14 million maintenance.Of the current 8,600 empty properties in mainland UK, some 2,400 are in the course of disposal, 2,500 are held for future unit deployments and some 1,000 are empty awaiting modernisation. Others are available to incoming occupants or already under offer to them. Since January 2000, over 10,000 surplus properties have been disposed of.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the legal action against his Department being taken by the New Zealand Nuclear Test Veterans Association. [60952]

Although the Ministry of Defence is aware of previous press articles reporting that the New Zealand Test Veterans Association intended to mount a class action against HM Government, to date no such legal action has been taken.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with other Government Departments about possible future uses of Deysbrook Barracks, near Liverpool; and if he will make a statement. [61276]

Officials in Defence Estates have recently met with Government Office North West in connection with the disposal of the site and the planning application for residential and mixed-use development which is currently being considered by Liverpool City Council.An official from Defence Estates has also visited the site twice, once in March and once in April, with officials from the Home Office.No other discussions have taken place.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when James Clark is to start work in his Department as a media relations manager. [61163]

Following an open competition run in accordance with Office of the Civil Service Commissioners' rules, Mr. Clark took up his appointment as a Communications Adviser working for the Director General Corporate Communications on Monday 10 June 2002.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the mandate of the EC-Poland Joint Transport Committee is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [58411]

I have been asked to reply.This Committee is established under the provisions of an Agreement between the European Community and Poland establishing certain conditions for the carriage of goods by road and the promotion of combined transport. The remit of the Committee is to ensure that the proper implementation of the Agreement. The Committee would be made up of representatives appointed by the Community and Poland. But I am not aware that it has met in recent times or that there are any plans for it to meet in the immediate future.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the mandate of the EC-Slovak Republic Joint Transport Committee is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [58409]

I have been asked to reply.This committee is established under the provisions of an Agreement between the European Community and the Slovak Republic establishing certain conditions for the carriage of goods by road and the promotion of combined transport. The remit of the Committee is to ensure the proper implementation of the Agreement. The Committee would be made up of representatives appointed by the Community and the Slovak Republic. But I am not aware that it has met in recent times or that there are any plans for it to meet in the immediate future.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the mandate of the Joint Committee on the carriage of goods and passengers by inland waterway (EC-Czech Republic—Republic of Poland-Slovak Republic) is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [58407]

I have been asked to reply.I have not been able to identify the Committee referred to by the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the mandate of the EC-Czech Republic Joint Transport Committee is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [58408]

I have been asked to reply.This Committee is established under the provisions of an Agreement between the European Community and the Czech Republic establishing certain conditions for the carriage of goods by road and the promotion of combined transport. The remit of the Committee is to ensure the proper implementation of the Agreement. The Committee would be made up of representatives appointed by the Community and the Czech Republic. I am not aware of recent meetings or that there are any plans for it to meet in the immediate future.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the mandate of the EC-Romania Joint Transport Committee is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [58410]

I have been asked to reply.This Committee is established under the provisions of an Agreement between the European Community and Romania establishing certain conditions for the carriage of goods by road and the promotion of combined transport. The remit of the Committee is to ensure the proper implementation of the Agreement. The Committee would be made up of representatives appointed by the Community and Romania. I am not aware of recent meetings or that there are any plans for it to meet in the immediate future.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the mandate of the Committee for the implementation of the Regulation establishing an instrument for structural policies for pre-accession (ISPA) is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [56769]

I have been asked to reply. The mandate of the ISPA Committee is to oversee the implementation of Council Regulation EC Number 1267/1999, which established ISPA. This determines the strategy framework for ISPA, and approves annual and multi-annual allocations to country and regional programmes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the modal share of transport is by numbers of trips made. [60454]

The percentage of transport trips by mode for those living in Great Britain, from the National Travel Survey for the period 1998–2000 (the most recent data) is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many fires have occurred on vessels within 12 miles of the Scottish coastline in the last three years; and how many such incidents involved requests for assistance from coastal fire brigades. [60820]

There have been 29 occasions reported in the last three years of fires occurring on commercially operated vessels within 12 miles of the Scottish coastline. Of these 29, 12 involved requests for assistance from coastal fire brigades. Statistics are not recorded for other types of vessels.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what his policy is on ending toll collections at the Dartford Thames Crossing; and to what timetable. [61099]

The powers that permit tolling at the Dartford Crossing, contained in the Dartford Thurrock Crossing Act 1988, expire on 31 March 2003. However, it was announced on 4 April 2002 that we have decided to introduce a road user charging scheme at the Crossing using powers contained in the Transport Act 2000. The Act requires that the net revenues from the charging scheme be spent on transport projects. It is expected that the charging scheme will commence on 1 April 2003.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the insurance industry concerning the availability of insurance cover for the National Air Traffic Service. [61105]

There have been no recent discussions relating to insurance cover for National Air Traffic Services.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much the Government will spend on the Galileo Project in each of the next three years. [58242]

The Galileo satellite navigation programme is funded and managed jointly by the European Community and the European Space Agency (ESA), and the UK is supporting the programme through its contributions to these organisations. The development and validation phase (2002–05), approved in March by the EU Transport Council, is estimated to cost Euro 1.1 billion. Negotiations within ESA over Member States' contributions to its Euro 550 million share of this have yet to be concluded.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much the Department has spent on staff training and development in each of the last five years. [61056]

In the last five years my Department's spending on staff training and development has been as follows.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the outcome of the Fourth Preparatory Committee for the World Summit on Sustainable Development, held in Bali; and if she will make a statement. [61924]

The Fourth Preparatory Committee meeting for the World Summit on Sustainable Development gives us a basis for the final run up to Johannesburg. Progress was made on a Programme of Action, which includes the importance of sanitation in eradicating poverty and meeting the Millennium Development Goal on safe drinking water. Broad agreement was also reached on key issues such as the urgent need to restore fish stocks and address illegal fishing, and on the important role non-governmental actors can play in achieving sustainable development. The meeting also recognised the need for a strong focus on Africa.Other difficult issues remain outstanding, such as how the Summit can address trade and finance issues to complement the Monterrey Consensus and the Doha Development Agenda. There are also specific targets on sanitation, biodiversity loss and energy, which have yet to be agreed. The UK will continue to work constructively with partners to ensure a successful outcome for Johannesburg, including concrete actions and coherent work programmes on energy, water and sustainable patterns of consumption and production.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many (a) officials, (b) Ministers and (c) special advisers in her Department are travelling to Bali at public cost. [57838]

[holding answer 20 May 2002]: There were 12 officials, one Minister and one special adviser travelling to the fourth preparatory meeting for the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Bali from DEFRA.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many meetings of the Forum for Rural Children and Young People have taken place; and what recommendations she has received from the Forum. [61128]

The Forum for Rural Children and Young People meets quarterly and is supported by DEFRA via a grant from the Countryside Agency. The group is represented on the Rural Affairs Forum for England which I chair.The co-ordinator for the Forum for Rural Children and Young People—Andrew Brown—was appointed in September 2000. The Forum's Advisory Group includes representatives from most of the major voluntary sector bodies working with children and young people and observers from key Government departments, has held quarterly meetings since then. The Countryside Agency receives quarterly reports from the Forum and approves the Forum's annual report and work plan.The Forum is working closely with a number of key Government departments on issues involving children and young people. This includes "Connexions", the Children's Unit, and the Department of Health as well as DEFRA. Other work includes a "Guide to the Rural White Paper", and the production of a video,

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will place the minutes of the Rural Affairs Forum meetings since January in the Library. [61134]

The Rural Affairs Forum has met twice, on 9 January and 10 April. Copies of the minutes of these are available on DEFRA's website (http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/rafe/index.htm), where we will post future minutes and meeting papers. Copies of the minutes of the first two meetings have been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the (a) first year and (b) average annual running costs of the proposals for the England Rural Development Programme advocated by the Policy Commission on the future of farming and food. [61562]

The Commission made a wide range of recommendations relating to the England Rural Development Programme. These referred to the agri-environment schemes, to the Vocational Training Scheme, to the Processing and Marketing Grant, to Hill Farm Allowance, and to the Rural Enterprise Scheme. The commission also advocates a shift in the overall balance of Common Agricultural Policy support between production subsidies and rural development measures. The recommendations would involve a range of different timescales for implementation, and the administrative costs involved in each would depend on a number of further decisions on the manner of implementation. For that reason it is not possible at this stage to give an assessment of the costs of the Policy Commission recommendations as a whole. We will publish our response to the recommendations in the Autumn.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on her proposals to penalise, deter and prevent abandoned vehicles; and if she will make a statement. [52225]

We are determined that keepers of vehicles should take full responsibility for them. The Finance Bill includes enabling powers to reform the vehicle registration and licensing system to improve the accuracy of the vehicle record and thus to ensure that those who abandon cars can more easily be brought to book. The Government intend to consult motoring groups and other stakeholders on detailed reforms. The maximum penalty for abandoning a vehicle is a fine of £2,500 or three months' imprisonment or both.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs from which countries meat and poultry products have been imported into the United Kingdom in the last three years. [60329]

The attached table shows the countries from which the UK imported meat and poultry products between 1999 and 2001, as recorded by the Official Overseas Trade Statistics.Official overseas trade data are subject to a degree of statistical error. Whilst overall level of errors will be low, there will be a much greater proportional effect on countries with low levels of trade. As such, great care is needed when interpreting the data.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the mandate of the Management Committee of the common

The mandate of the Management Committee for oils and fats is to assist the Commission in the management of the common organisation of the market for oils and fats as established by Article 37 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 136/66. The Committee has met 17 times over the last 12 months and one official attends; the cost of this attendance to public funds over the last year was £8,500. The Committee considers matters relating to the management of the market for fats and oils.Together with Member States, the Commission is currently conducting a review to bring existing legislation on the conduct of comitology committees into line with Council Decision 1999/468/EC, to "simplify the requirements for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission". As an obligation to this Decision, the Commission undertook to publish an annual report on the working of committees. The first report was deposited in the Libraries of both Houses on 26 February (Com (2001) 783 Final). As part of the review process, the UK Government has encouraged the Commission to produce and maintain an electronic database of every comitology committee, its agenda and recent actions, to be accessible through its website.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when peat cutting will end at (a) Thorne Moor, (b) Wedholme Flow and (c) Hatfield Manor. [61172]

Commercial peat cutting has already ceased on sites previously operated by the Scotts Company (UK) Ltd at Thorne Moor and Wedholme Flow. Peat cutting on Hatfield Moor will cease by 30 September 2004. Until then cutting of peat at Hatfield Moor will be subject to revised operating protocols agreed between the operator and English Nature that will be set so as to achieve enhanced restoration of the site.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the review of National Park authorities will be completed. [61132]

We expect to complete the review next month.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans her Department has to review the way in which Scottish agriculture issues are dealt with by the UK Government at the EC level. [60058]

[Holding answer 10 June 2002]: As necessary, this Department will continue to deal with Scottish agricultural issues at the EU level in accordance with the provisions of the "Memorandum of Understanding and supplementary agreements between the United Kingdom Government, Scottish Ministers and the Cabinet of the National Assembly for Wales" (Cm 4444) and a bilateral concordat with the Scottish Executive.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions her Department had with the Scottish Executive in formulating the UK's negotiating position on the mid-term review of the CAP. [60057]

[holding answer 10 June 2002]: The UK's negotiating position on the mid-term review of the CAP is the subject of an ongoing dialogue between this Department and the devolved administrations. It is, for example, a recurring item for discussion between my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and Agriculture Ministers from the devolved administrations at their regular meetings, most recently on 22 May 2002.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether a Scottish Executive Minister will be a member of the UK delegation to the Agriculture European Union Council of Ministers meeting on 27 May; and what information is being provided by her Department to the Scottish Executive in connection with pre-council scrutiny by the European Committee of the Scottish Parliament.[60277]

No Scottish Executive Minister attended the EU Agriculture Council meeting on 27 May. As regards pre-Council scrutiny by the Scottish Parliament, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to him on 24 April 2002, Official Report, column 276W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the risks of foot and mouth disease being brought into the United Kingdom by (a) travellers and (b) goods from South Korea. [60275]

[holding answer 10 June 2002]: South Korea is not a country that is authorised to export meat or animals to the European Union. We have received veterinary advice that there is no significant risk of football fans or other travellers bringing Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) back from South Korea. We understand that all South Korean World Cup stadia are a long distance from the affected areas and most games will be played in Japan, which does not have FMD.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she has taken to improve the biosecurity arrangements for the arrival at ports of (a) travellers and (b) goods from South Korea. [60274]

[holding answer 10 June 2002]: Veterinary advice is that the risk of travellers bringing foot and mouth disease back from South Korea is not significant. We have, however, issued advice in recent weeks via the Football Association website and the British Consulate in Seoul to advise travellers not to visit farms, and to either keep to the current personal import allowance of 1kg of meat cooked in a hermetically sealed container or, preferably, to bring no meat at all. We have also advised our port and airport enforcement authorities of the outbreak of foot and mouth in South Korea. These measures are in addition to those announced in our Action Plan of 28 March which sets out measures to reduce the risk of animal and plant diseases entering the country.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what information the former Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food obtained in 2001 about sheep movements from Longtown market, Cumbria; whether any of that information was subsequently mislaid by the Department; and if she will make a statement. [61573]

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food obtained a great deal of information about sheep movements form Longtown Market, both by consulting the Market's paper records and by discussions with the staff involved. At no time was any of the information mislaid by the Department and all information obtained was followed up.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the impact on small abattoirs of the introduction under S.I., 2002, No. 843 of a requirement that the vertebral column from cattle over 30 months should be removed in licensed cutting plants. [61577]

A Regulatory Impact Assessment for the TSE (England) Regulation 2002 (S.I. 2002/843) is placed in the libraries of both Houses of Parliament.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much illegal imported meat was confiscated in the last financial year. [60334]

We are still receiving data from the enforcement agencies about animal products seized in the last financial year. As at 6 June 2002, we have been advised that the weight of produce seized since 1 April 2001 is about 60 tonnes. We are unable to provide a precise weight of the volume of meat seized because weight has not always been provided and some consignments contain more than one type of product. We estimate however, that about 43 tonnes of the produce seized contained meat.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) how many arrests there were in respect of the illegal import of foodstuffs in each of the last 12 months; [54851](2) when she will reply to the question from the hon. Member for North Norfolk tabled on 1 May, reference 54851. [61317]

[holding answer 8 May 2002]: Last year, HM Customs and Excise arrested three people for offences under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) involving illegal meat imports. Of these, two were convicted of a CITES offence, both received prison sentences of four months. The third person was acquitted but convicted under a separate Animal Health charge resulting in a penalty of a conditional discharge for one year and costs of £100.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she has taken to consult farmers and growers about the Government's proposed changes to the designation methodology for nitrate vulnerable zones. [61559]

Details of the methodology used to identify potential new Nitrate Vulnerable Zones were set out in Annexe A of the recent consultation paper "How should England implement the 1991 Nitrates Directive?".We are currently considering all the issues raised responses to the consultation, including comments on this methodology, and hope to make an announcement soon about how we will proceed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) if she will place in the Library a detailed statement in the changes in methodology that she is applying now to the designation of nitrate vulnerable zones compared with the methodology employed at the time of earlier designations; [61558](2) what the scientific basis is for the Government's changes to the designation methodology for nitrate vulnerable zones. [61554]

Below is a table that explains the scientific development of the methodology used to identify Nitrate Vulnerable Zones between the time that the first designations were made in 1996 and the publication of our consultation paper "How should England implement the 1991 Nitrates Directive?" in December 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she has (a) sought and (b) plans to seek advice from the European Commission on the legality of designating the whole of England as a nitrate vulnerable zone under Article 3(5) of the EC Nitrates Directive while different approaches are pursued in respect of Scotland and Wales. [61557]

We have kept the European Commission informed of the options that we are considering for implementing the Nitrates Directive, which were set out in our consultation document "How should England implement the 1991 Nitrates Directive?". We are currently considering responses to the consultation and hope to make an announcement soon about how we will proceed, at which point we will inform the Commission further.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the proposals by the Scottish and Welsh executives for the implementation of the EC Nitrates Directive; and if she intends to apply the (a) Scottish and (b) Welsh approaches to the Directive in her policy for its implementation in England. [61556]

The Scottish Executive and the National Assembly for Wales both intend to implement the EC Nitrates Directive through applying Action Programme measures within discrete Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs). This is one of the options set out in our consultation document "How should England implement the 1991 Nitrates Directive?". We are currently considering responses to the consultation and hope to make an announcement soon about how we will proceed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will publish the advice that she received from the Food Standards Agency in respect of the implementation of Regulation (EC) No. 999/2001. [61575]

The Food Standards Agency has a clear interest in many of the areas covered by Regulation (EC) 999/2001 laying down the rules on the prevention, control and eradication of certain transmissible spongiform encephalopathies and was consulted throughout the creation of a Statutory Instrument for the enforcement and administration of the Regulation.The Chairman of the Food Standards Agency has also advised Lord Whitty on the implementation of Regulation (EC) No. 999/2001. Information about his advice is available on the following web site: http://www.food.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/64890.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many successful prosecutions there were in (a) England and Wales, (b) Greater London and (c) Enfield for fly-tipping in each of the last five years; what steps she is taking to strengthen protection against this activity; and if she will make a statement. [57853]

Local authorities and the Environment Agency may prosecute for fly-tipping offences. Between 1996 and 2001, the Agency recorded prosecutions for general waste offences on a financial year basis. The data do not distinguish fly-tipping offences from other waste offences. From 1 April 1999, the Agency recorded, on a regional basis, whether an incident involves the unlawful deposit of waste, and whether prosecutions led to convictions or acquittals. This information is given below, but is not broken down within a region. No central register is kept of local authorities' prosecutions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the Royal Society's report on developing UK policy for the management of radioactive waste. [58900]

The Royal Society's response is one of 330 replies to the consultation paper Managing radioactive waste safely published last September by the UK Government and the Devolved Administrations for Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. We are evaluating the responses, and we shall shortly publish a summary as well as announcing what we plan to do next.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which organisations are responsible for clearing (a) hazardous and (b) non-hazardous items left through fly-tipping; what ability local councils have to charge organisations for the removal of items; and if she will make a statement. [60099]

[holding answer 10 June 2002]: Section 59 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 provides local authorities, as waste collection authorities, and the Environment Agency, as the waste regulation authority, with certain powers to require the removal of hazardous and non-hazardous fly tipped waste, or to remove it themselves. Under this section, local authorities and the Agency have the power to recover their costs incurred in removing any such waste from the occupier of the land in question, unless the occupier proves that he neither made, not knowingly caused, nor knowingly permitted the deposit of the waste. In any case the authorities may recover their costs from the person who deposited the waste.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what role she played in ensuring the views of women's organisations are heard at the forthcoming World Summit on Sustainable Development. [58252]

The Government are working to engage all stakeholders as part of the preparations for the World Summit on Sustainable Development. Women are one of the nine key stakeholder groups identified in Agenda 21 and we have been in consultation with womens' groups to involve them in the preparations for the Summit.DEFRA officials have met with representatives from Women's Institute to discuss their postcard campaign "What Women Want" which is featured on the Government's sustainable development website (www.sustainable-development.gov.uk). Margaret Beckett has agreed to meet Baroness Crawley, chairwomen of the Women's National Commission, to discuss with her how the groups she represents can become more closely involved with the preparations for the Summit.DEFRA officials have also been working closely with colleagues from the Cabinet Office Women's and Equality Unit to identify ways to raise awareness of the Summit specifically across womens' groups.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the (a) median, (b) upper and (c) lower decile times taken to reply fully to letters received (i) from hon. Members and (ii) from all sources were in each month since June 2001. [58117]

[holding answer 21 May 2002]: The information requested for part (i) is in the table below (in days):

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) if she will list for each NDPB or agency sponsored by her Department (a) the maximum retirement age adopted for most employees, and that age and (b) whether they have a policy of not considering applications for employment by persons over a particular age, and that age; [59583](2) if

[holding answer 10 June 2002]: The Department and the Agencies it sponsors have a common policy on retirement age. The normal retirement age is 60 although staff in Administrative Officer and Administrative Assistant grades may stay on until the age of 65, no age bar is set on applications for employment beyond the retirement age for the grade in question.The normal retirement age for members of the Senior Civil Service is determined by the Cabinet Office and is currently 60. Heads of Departments and Agency Chief Executives have some flexibility to retain members of the Senior Civil Service beyond the age of 60 in exceptional circumstances subject to the approval of the Head of the Home Civil Service for the Senior Appointments Selection Committee (SASC) Group.It is for individual Non Departmental Public Bodies to determine their own policies about the age limits of those they employ, in accordance with existing equal opportunities legislation and good practice guidelines.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which global wildlife projects her Department has funded in 2001–02. [61169]

In addition to funding for the Darwin Initiative, my Department paid a total of £1.212 million in 2001–02 on assessed contributions to a number of international conservation Conventions and Agreements, and on voluntary payments to those conventions' grants funds to finance specific initiatives. The projects supported are listed below.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what funding, broken down by project and amount, was provided by her Department through the Darwin Initiative in each of the last five years. [61166]

The Darwin Initiative is a £3 million annual programme of grants which was launched at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992. It uses UK expertise to help countries that are rich in biodiversity but poor in resources to help safeguard the world's biodiversity. Information on the total funding for each project is contained in the reports on the Darwin Initiative covering the periods from 1997–98 to 2000–01. The first three are already available in the House of Commons Library. I am arranging for copies of the fourth report to be placed in the House Library. The fifth Annual report, covering the period 2001 to 2002 will be published on 17 June 2002. I will also arrange for a copy to be placed in the House Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to introduce for full TV licence fee payers the opportunity to receive a full service with the option of (a) 100 per cent. subtitling and (b) British Sign Language translation. [60109]

[holding answer Monday 10 June 2002]: Statutory requirements for the provision of subtitling on Channel 3 and Channel 5, and for the provision of subtitling and sign language translation on digital terrestrial television (DTT) services are included in the 1990 and 1996 Broadcasting Acts respectively. The targets for DTT services are that 80 per cent. of programming should be subtitled and 5 per cent. signed by the tenth anniversary of the start of the service. The recently published draft Communications Bill (Cm 5508–1) extends these targets on DTT to digital cable and digital satellite channels.In setting these targets, we have aimed to strike the right balance between practicability and benefit. It would be extremely difficult and expensive to meet 100 per cent. targets. In addition, there are a number of unresolved technical issues in the development of a reliable closed signing system, and resultant problems caused by open signing. We believe that the current targets are challenging but achievable, but will keep them under regular review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many computers were replaced in her Department in each of the past three years; how the replaced units were disposed of and by which companies; and at what cost. [60742]

My Department replaced two computers in 1999–2000, 23 in 2000–01 and 327 in 2001–02. All machines were disposed of through our outsourced service provider, SchlumbergerSema, and the proceeds from the disposal of the equipment was used to offset future purchases. There was no cost to the Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress has been made in the establishment of a national database of sports and leisure facilities for England; and if she will make a statement. [61288]

Information on sports facilities in England is currently held by a variety of organisations and a single database will enable more strategic Government investment in those areas and facilities which are most important. My right hon. Friend the Minister for Sport has recently written to Ministerial colleagues at the DfES, the Office of the Deputy Prime

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she last visited (a) Wembley, (b) Coventry and (c) Birmingham. [60159]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State last visited Coventry on 19 March 2002 to attend the Cultural Services conference organised by the Local Government Association. She has yet to visit either Wembley or Birmingham in an official capacity but she has visited both during recent months on party business or in a personal capacity.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the public consultations undertaken by her Department since June 2001, stating in each case the (a) number of respondents and (b) percentage of those specifically consulted who responded. [60140]

[holding answer Monday 10 June 2002]: The Department is actively following the Cabinet Office Code of Practice on Written Consultation. The table below lists the public consultations carried out by the Department since June 2001, indicating (a) the number of respondents and (b) the approximate percentage of those specifically consulted who responded where known.Minister, the Department of Health, Home Office, the Ministry of Defence and the Local Government Association seeking their views on the scope, content and funding of the proposed database of sports facilities in England.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what criteria she will use to decide the allocation of science spending between the research councils and the universities. [58226]

In allocating the Science Budget, my right hon. Friend takes into account the strategic needs of the UK's science and engineering base, and aim to maximise the contribution it makes towards innovation, economic growth, enhanced quality of life, and a more sustainable environment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent measures she has taken to support the automotive industry. [58229]

Last month I announced a package of £45 million for the automotive sector to include an automotive academy, two centres of automotive excellence, and support for cross-regional supply chains as a first step to implementing the recommendations of the Automotive Innovation and Growth Team. In 2001 the Department delivered Regional Selective Assistance and Training grant offers totalling £35 million. The Department also spent about £2 million last year on various other projects to promote competitiveness and productivity improvements in the sector. The Department is continuing to support process improvements through the SMMT Industry Forum and research and development through the Foresight Vehicle Programme with commitments to date exceeding £13 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the impact of union recognition on industrial relations in the last two years. [58230]

Indications suggest that the statutory procedure for trade union recognition has had a positive effect on industrial relations and has encouraged the voluntary settlement of requests for recognition. The Government will examine the operation of the statutory procedure as part of the forthcoming review of the Employment Relations Act 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent assessment she has made of the impact of EU enlargement on UK business. [58231]

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I made to my hon. Friend the Member for Greenock and Inverclyde (David Cairns) earlier today.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the rural post office network. [58233]

The Government are committed to the maintenance of a nationwide network of post offices and placed a formal requirement on the Post Office in November 2000 to maintain the network and to prevent any avoidable closures of rural post offices.