To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the estimates that he has made of the external costs associated with private motoring, with particular reference to the environmental costs. [102477]

A study commissioned by my Department from the Institute for Transport Studies^* at the University of Leeds made the following estimates of the marginal external social costs of car use per vehicle kilometre in Great Britain:

(a) Congestion costs: 9.0 to 10.4 pence/km

(b) Accident costs : 0.79 to 1.38 pence/km

(c) Air pollution costs: 0.18 to 0.88 pence/km

(d) Noise pollution costs: 0.01 to 0.52 pence/km

(e) Climate change costs: 0.12 to 0.47 pence/km

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) accidents and (b) fatalities were recorded on the A259 between (i) Hastings and Bexhill and (ii) Bexhill and Pevensey, with particular reference to King Offa Way, Bexhill, in each year since 1997. [101392]

I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. Tim Matthews, to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the status of the Central Railway project. [101870]

We are considering carefully Central Railway's proposals and will respond to Central Railway in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what publicity is (a) being given and (b) planned to the change in eligibility for the travel pass for elderly people from 1 April (i) in London and (ii) elsewhere; and if he will make a statement. [101750]

The DTLR Press Release 2002/0069 of 27 February 2002 gave details of the contents of the Travel Concessions (Eligibility) Act 2002 directly it received Royal Assent. The DfT will issue a further Press Release within the next two weeks to again publicise that from 1 April 2003 men will become eligible for travel concessions at the same age as women.Responsibility for local publicity to inform the public about the change in eligibility for the travel pass for elderly people lies with the local authorities or Passenger Transport Executives. The Local Government Association has alerted its members to the change and reminded them that they may wish to advertise appropriate local advance application arrangements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the overseas trips made by himself and other members of his ministerial team in 2002; and what the (a) purpose and (b) cost was in each case. [101475]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Cabinet Office on 22 January 2003, Official Report, column 334W, in response to the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws)

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the (a) benefits and (b) costs of privatising English motorways; and if he will make a statement. [101517]

No detailed assessment of the costs and benefits of privatising England's motorways has been made.In 1999 the Next Steps Review of the Highways Agency looked briefly at the possibility of privatisation as part of the 'prior options review' that re-examined the case for Agency status. These reviews are routine. The report (published in July 1999) concluded that privatisation could only be an option for the future when a number of issues had been resolved including the identification of a secure revenue stream.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many stations have achieved safer station status; and how many will achieve safer station status in each of the next three years. [102168]

There are currently 170 stations accredited under the Secure Stations Scheme. The Scheme is voluntary and the Department has not set any targets for the number of stations to be accredited under the Scheme. It is up to the Train Operating Companies to decide which of their stations to put through the Scheme's accreditation process.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what Strategic Rail Authority resources are available for station improvements, including safety improvements, in each of the next five years. [102169]

The Authority's Strategic Plan, a copy of which is in the House Library, explains their current investment priorities in detail.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the adequacy of data collection concerning perceptions of passenger safety on the railways. [102227]

The Strategic Rail Authority's twice yearly "National Passenger Survey" includes questions on passengers' perceptions of safety. The survey is carried out to an approved methodology in accordance with Market Research Society codes of conduct.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research he has conducted into the extent to which environmental factors, with particular reference to (a) litter on tracks and (b) graffiti in stations, influence perceptions of safety and customer satisfaction among users of the railways. [102229]

The National Passenger Survey measures for each train operating company the most important areas of concern for passengers. Details of the results of the surveys are contained in the Strategic Rail Authority's publication, "On Track", copies of which are in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport who would conduct (a) an inquiry into a rail accident and (b) a criminal investigation into a criminal act on the (i) Folkestone, Dymchurch and Hythe Railway, (ii) Bluebell Railway, (iii) Didcot Railway, (iv) Heritage Railway and (v) Rail Mail under the provisions of the Railways and Transport Safety Bill. [102393]

The provisions of the Railways and Transport Safety Bill will create an independent Rail Accident Investigation Branch that will investigate serious railway accidents and which may investigate a non-serious railway accident or railway incident on (i)-(v) above.An investigation into a general criminal act on (i)-(iv) above would normally be undertaken by the Home Office police, rather than the BTP. An investigation in to a general criminal act on (v) would normally be undertaken by the BTP if it took place on the national rail network.Health and safety related criminal acts would be investigated by the Health and Safety Executive in respect of (i)-(v).

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list road improvement schemes managed by the Highways Agency in (a) the Kent, East Sussex and West Sussex area and (b) England in each year since 1997, together with the cost of each scheme; and which schemes are awaiting action. [101395]

There are many small improvement schemes carried out each year and it is not possible to list them all here. A table listing the major road improvement schemes completed by the Highways Agency since 1997, as well as those schemes being progressed as part of the Targeted Programme of Improvements (TPI) in (a) the Kent, East Sussex and West Sussex area and (b) England, together with the cost of each scheme has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much funding was allocated to the Highways Agency for road improvement schemes in (a) the Kent, East Sussex and West Sussex area and (b) England in each year since 1997. [101394]

Funding for road improvement schemes is not allocated on a county by county basis. The total funding allocated for road improvement schemes in England in each year since 1997 is listed in the following table:

Year	£million
1997–98	901
1998–99	714
1999–2000	663
2000–01	677
2001–02	837
2002–03	939

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what work he has asked the Highways Agency to do to develop a policy for road user charging for inter-urban motorway and trunk roads since 1 July 2002. [101925]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the objectives of road-user charging. [101973]

Road-user charging is one of a number of measures that a local authority can use to assist in managing congestion.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the safety risks associated with the delay in the replacement of Mark I carriages. [102166]

The Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) decision to accept an exemption application from three South East train operators to run Mark 1 stock without an 'override preventing' safety modification was taken in light of the accelerated Train Protection and Warning System (TPWS) fitment programme that was agreed between the HSE and the industry. TPWS mitigates some of the risks associated with this type of rolling stock by reducing the risk of collision caused by signals passed at danger.The Strategic Rail Authority is currently discussing the delay in replacing some Mark 1 stock with the HSE, including the safety implications.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what policy his Department has adopted on smoking in the workplace. [100926]

The Department for Transport operates a no smoking policy except in certain specifically designated smoking rooms.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what timescale the Strategic Rail Authority estimates for the power upgrade of the South Central line to accommodate, the Bombardier Electrostar trains; [101197](2) What date of completion he estimates for the power upgrade for the South Central line. [101182]

Contract work to lay cables has already commenced and it is estimated that work will be completed by 2005.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with the Strategic Rail Authority on the reduction of train services to Macclesfield and Stoke as part of the Strategic Rail Authority's plans for a higher speed service between London and Manchester. [101622]

The Strategic Rail Authority is currently considering responses to its draft strategy to deliver the West Coast Route Modernisation project and expects to finalise the strategy shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what changes he plans in the organisation of the Vehicle Inspectorate; what representations he has received; and if he will make a statement. [102089]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 23 July 2002, Official Report, columns 964–65W, and the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State on 15 October 2002, Official Report, columns 714–15W. From 1 April 2003 the Vehicle Inspectorate (VI) and the Traffic Area Network (TAN) will merge to form a new agency to be known as the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA). There will be little change in the organisation of VI immediately as VI and TAN will work as two operating divisions of VOSA. There will be a progressive integration of activities and services over the following months.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the level of rail service to (a) Macclesfield and (b) Stoke-on-Trent, following (i) the upgrade of the West Coast Mainline in 2004 and (ii) the introduction of the half hourly London to Manchester service. [101741]

The Strategic Rail Authority is currently considering responses to its draft Strategy to deliver the West Coast Route Modernisation project and expects to finalise the Strategy shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions she has had with the Scottish Executive about the dualling of the Al from Edinburgh to Newcastle. [101102]

My right hon. Friend and I have regular discussions with Scottish Ministers on a variety of transport matters. There is dialogue between the Government, its agencies and the Scottish Executive on cross-border routes. I understand officials of the Highways Agency and the Scottish Executive were due to meet yesterday to discuss progress on current schemes and take forward detailed planning for future improvement works on the Al.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations she has received on reform of the common fisheries policy; and if she will make a statement. [101103]

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations she has received on reform of the common fisheries policy; and if she will make a statement. [101104]

:I have received direct representations on issues relating to the common fisheries policy from the Scottish Fishermen's Federation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions she has had with the First Minister about prospects for manufacturing industry in Scotland. [101105]

I have regular discussions with the First Minister on a wide range of matters. Scottish Executive Ministers recently received a report from the Scottish Manufacturing Steering Group and I have undertaken to assist in securing consideration by the relevant Government Departments of recommendations in the report relating to reserved matters.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps she is taking to ensure that (a) rural and (b) urban areas in Scotland have equal access to broadband services. [101106]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 4 February 2003, Official Report, column 131W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment she has made of the impact of the Sunday Working (Scotland) Bill on workers in Scotland. [101107]

Our Regulatory Impact Assessment, published on 7 February 2003, set out the likely impact, costs and benefits of the Sunday Working (Scotland) Bill on workers in Scotland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she will make a statement on the latest unemployment figures for Scotland. [101109]

The latest figures show that employment in Scotland is around its highest ever level. Unemployment is at its lowest level since the mid-1970s, and since 1997, youth and long-term unemployment have both fallen by almost 80 per cent. The Government's management of the economy is driving down unemployment and establishing solid foundations for achieving high and sustainable levels of growth and employment.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether the five economic tests for determining whether there is a clear and unambiguous case for UK membership of the euro will be applied separately to the economies of (a) overseas territories and (b) Guernsey; [99751](2) if the five economic tests for determining whether there is a clear and unambiguous case for UK membership of the EMU will be applied separately to the economy of the Bailiwick of Jersey. [100062]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Romford (Mr. Rosindell) of 25 February 2003, Official Report, column 383W, on Gibraltar, whether the Treasury's five economic tests take account of the effects of membership of the Eurozone on the UK's crown dependencies. [101928]

Under Article 299(6)(c) of the EC Treaty, read together with the treaty of Accession, the Channel Islands and Isle of Man are outside the scope of the EC Treaty for the purposes of EMU.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the compatibility of the White Paper, "Meeting the Challenge: Economic Reform in Europe" with the second economic test for entry to the euro. [101865]

A comprehensive and rigorous assessment of the five economic tests will be completed within two years of the start of this Parliament.As we said in "Meeting the Challenge: Economic Reform in Europe", published in February 2003, "The Government will continue to argue that employability, flexibility and stronger competition policies must be a top priority, so that EMU can be sustained success".

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his policy on lorry road user charging. [101525]

As announced in Budget 2002, the Government intend to introduce a lorry road-user charge based on distance travelled. The Government remain committed to ensuring that the UK haulage industry will not have to pay more tax as a result of introducing the charge and will also introduce offsetting tax reductions for the industry.The Government published their first progress report in April 2002, and will shortly publish a second progress report outlining the results of work on how to implement and procure the lorry road-user charge and offsetting tax cuts.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the award schemes in (a) 2001 and (b) 2002 promoted by the Department; what their scope was when the relevant participating organisations are scheduled to be sent results; and whether other parties will be given notification of the results at the same time. [102063]

The Treasury has no award schemes.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what plans he has to retain standard rate VAT on participation fees under the new gross profits tax system for bingo; [101755](2) what assessment he has made of the impact of a gross profits tax system on the opportunity for growth for licensed bingo clubs; [101756](3) what assessment he has made of the benefits change from bingo duty to gross profits tax will bring for

As with other tax changes, and as discussed in the Pre-Budget Report, changes to the taxation of bingo will be announced in the Budget.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he intends to reply to the letter to him dated 5 February from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to parishioners of St. James with the Holy Innocents. [102185]

I have already done so.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the annual income from fuel duties in each year from 1973. [102478]

Duty receipts for hydrocarbon oils since 1973 are shown in the table:

Oil Receipts
	£million
1973–74	1,586
1974–75	1,550
1975–76	1,543
1976–77	2,066
1977–78	2,465
1978–79	2,467
1979–80	2,931
1980–81	3,581
1981–82	4,643
1982–83	5,239
1983–84	5,605
1984–85	6,201
1985–86	6,395
1986–87	7,507
1987–88	7,810
1988–89	8,679
1989–90	8,728
1990–91	9,628
1991–92	11,003
1992–93	11,442
1993–94	12,742
1994–95	14,253
1995–96	15,679
1996–97	17,174
1997–98	19,454
1998–99	21,553
1999–2000	22,515
2000–01	22,623
2001–02	21,916

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what research he has commissioned to gauge the take-up of ISAs amongst new investors; [102123](2) how many investors have opened ISA accounts who did not previously hold a PEP or TESSA; and how much money has been invested in ISA accounts by investors who previously did not hold a PEP or TESSA; [102122](3) how many people have taken out an ISA in each year since 1998; [102114](4) what targets he has set regarding the uptake of ISAs in the UK. [102116]

The table gives available estimates of the number of individuals who held ISAs in the first three years following their introduction in 1999. It is not yet possible to break down these estimates further into how many previously held either a TESSA or PEP.

Number of individuals holding ISAs
millions
1999–2000	2000–01	2001–02
8.5	12.5	14.0

The Government has no official target regarding the uptake of ISAs in the UK. However, ISAs are intended to give plenty of scope for people to begin saving, and for those who already save to save more. Since ISAs began in April 1999, over £100 billion has already been subscribed to them and within three years of their introduction an estimated 14 million individuals—some one in four adults—had an ISA. This is six million more than had either a TESSA or a PEP in 1998–99, their last and most successful year.The Inland Revenue is currently analysing administrative data collected for compliance purposes to see if it could be used to give further detail on individual investors, including whether or not they previously held a TESSA or PEP. It is hoped that further estimates may be available later this year.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions officials from his Department have had with representatives of the International Monetary Fund concerning (a) Britain's fiscal policies and (b) the sustainability of Britain's fiscal stance in (i) the short-term, (ii) the medium-term and (iii) the long-term. [102106]

The IMF mission visited the UK last year for the 2002 Article IV consultation. The concluding statement was published on 9 December. The Article IV discussions covered a wide range of issues, including UK fiscal policy. The final Article IV report, summarising the discussions, was published on 3 March.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the IMF's assessment of the medium-term widening of the fiscal deficit, as set out in the 2002 Article IV Consultation Report. [102119]

The public finances remain strong and the Government are on track to meet their strict fiscal rules over the economic cycle. Modest levels of borrowing over the medium term reflect a sustained increase in capital investment of public services.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions his Department has had with representatives of the Engineering Employers' Federation on (a) insurance cover against remote risks, (b) the level of manufacturing investment and (c) manufacturing growth rates. [102111]

The Chancellor and other Treasury Ministers regularly meet representatives from the manufacturing sector, including the Engineering Employers Federation, and discuss a wide range of issues.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 28 February 2003, Official Report, column 1568W, whether he intends to extend the period of allowances for investments in plant and machinery; and if he will make a statement. [101798]

As I said my answer of 28 February, the Government keep all taxes under review and any changes to taxation will be announced in the Budget statement on 9 April 2003.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the Government's revenue receipts on a monthly basis since January 2002 arising from (a) sales of petrol, (b) sales of the petroleum products and (c) North Sea oil production. [101807]

[holding answer 7 March 2003]: Monthly receipts data for petroleum revenue tax, hydrocarbon oils and oil royalties are shown in Tables 2.1C, 2.1D and 2.1E respectively of the National Statistics publication Financial Statistics. Table 2.1E is in the process of being corrected; the correct monthly figures for oil royalties in 2002 will be published in the March edition of Financial Statistics on 19 March 2003 and are as shown in the following table, in £ million.

	£ million
January	0
February	248
March	10
April	4
May	0
June	0
July	0
August	230
September	4
October	0
November	5
December	0

More up to date information on petroleum revenue tax and hydrocarbon oils receipts are available, respectively, on the Inland Revenue website at www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk, and on the HM Customs and Excise website www.uktradeinfo.com. Figures for North Sea corporation tax are only published on a financial year basis and are available on the Inland Revenue website. There are no published figures for VAT on petroleum products.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the overseas trips made by himself and other members of his ministerial team in 2002; and what the (a) purpose and (b) cost was in each case. [101483]

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given by the Minister of State, Cabinet Office on 22 January 2003, Official Report, column 334W.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out the yearly taxation revenue accruing from the taxation of occupational pension fund surpluses since the tax's inception. [102493]

Available estimates from 1987–88 to 2001–02 are contained in the table.

Taxation on refunds by funds to employers in connection with pension fund surpluses
Year	Amount of tax (£ million)
1987–88	34
1988–89	83
1989–90	182
1990–91	231
1991–92	161
1992–93	94
1993–94	45
1994–95	27
1995–96	16
1996–97	40
1997–98	20
1998–99	29
1999–2000	25
2000–011	30
2001–021	110
1 Provisional

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many (a) civil servants and (b) Ministers would have had a pension entitlement in 2001–02 in excess of the limit proposed in the consultation document Simplifying the Taxation of Pensions-Increasing Choice and Flexibility for All. [102492]

The value of a person's pension funds will depend upon accrued entitlement both in an individual's current job, and in any previous employment. This information is not held centrally for civil servants and Ministers and the information could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of Britain's GDP was spent on research and development in the last year for which figures are available; and what assessment he has made of the average proportion of GDP spent on Research and Development in (a) the EU, (b) Japan and (c) the United States of America. [101479]

The most up-to-date figures taken from OECD Main Science and Technology Indicators 2002/2 for General Expenditure on Research and Development (GERD) as a percentage of GDP are as follows:

• For the year 2000:
• UK: 1.85 per cent.
• EU: 1.88 per cent.
• Japan: 2.98 per cent.
• USA: 2.72 per cent.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will make a statement about the future of saving products in the UK;[102110](2) what assessment he has made of the barriers to entry to the savings market for lower income households; and what steps the Government has taken to eradicate these barriers;[102121](3) what the Government's

Savings provide individuals with security, independence and opportunity throughout life. A number of barriers may prevent individuals, particularly those from low and moderate-income households, from making optimal saving decisions. These include factors such as lack of trust in financial services providers, complexity of products resulting in a costly system of advice and sales regulation, lack of clear financial information and the capability to process the information. The Government's saving strategy takes these factors into account and is focused on:

improving the environment for saving, with macroeconomic stability and an efficient and well regulated market in financial services; creating the right incentives for saving, assisting those on lower incomes and ensuring that taxes and benefits reward, rather than penalise, savers; empowering individuals with financial information, improved access to advice, and simpler and easier to understand savings products; and developing saving products suitable for each stage in a person's life cycle. As the scale of saving increases, proceeds from one product may be rolled into the next, helping people to progress up the savings ladder.

Progress has been made across all these fronts. For example:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions officials from his Department have had with (a) the Governor of the Bank of England, (b) members of the Monetary Policy Committee and (c) representatives of the Bank of England concerning their assessment of the strength of the growth of tax revenues; and what the outcome was of these discussions. [102108]

The Chancellor and the Governor meet regularly to discuss a wide range of issues. In addition, the Treasury representative to the MPC regularly briefs MPC members on fiscal issues.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when his Department began work on the Green Paper, "The Financial System and Major Operational Disruption". [101699]

The Green Paper, "The Financial System and Major Operational Disruption", marks the latest stage of one part of the on-going work that has been undertaken by my Department to help strengthen financial sector resilience since the events of 11 September 2001.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the possible implications for the British economy of involvement of the UK in a war in Iraq. [102500]

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Eddisbury (Mr. O'Brien) on 24 February 2003, Official Report, column 216W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the fine imposed by the European Commission on her Department for administrative errors. [100961]

By decision 2003/102/EC of 14 February 2003 the European Commission excluded 14.84m of UK expenditure from reimbursement by the European Community, on the grounds that it was not effected in accordance with Community rules. Of this, 14m was due to shortcomings in the operation of the beef subsidy schemes, 492,000 to shortcomings in checks on carcases accepted into public storage and 55,000 to failures to comply with payment deadlines. These sums relate mainly, but not entirely, to CAP schemes administered by the Rural Payments Agency, which is an executive agency of Defra.The livestock penalties largely relate to a lack of cross checks between bovine subsidy claims and the computerised cattle registration database in the marketing year 2000–01, coupled with an incomplete programme of on-farm inspections. The FMD outbreak was a factor in both cases. Automatic cross checks between the computerised cattle database and bovine subsidy claims have now been established.The shortcomings in public storage relate to the acceptance for intervention storage of certain incorrectly classified carcases by Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC) inspectors in Northern Ireland in 1998. It has since been arranged that LMC inspectors liaise more closely with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Northern Ireland (DARDNI) inspectors. Unannounced on-the-spot controls by RPA technical inspectors have also been introduced, in agreement with DARDNI.The remaining penalties relate to the failure to make within the regulatory deadlines some payments for maize during the marketing year 2000–01 and some payments for set-aside during the marketing year 1999–00. In England, instructions to staff have been reviewed and reinforced to stress the payment deadlines and the need for timely processing. In the current EAGGF year almost 99 per cent. of main AAPS payments were made to producers in England by the payment deadline date of 31 January 2003.The UK Government regrets that any of its expenditure should be subject to disallowance. However, in the most recent report of the European Court of Auditors, relating to the calendar year 2001, the UK was the only member state to receive a net credit from disallowance decisions. Furthermore, this decision represents only about half of one percent of agricultural expenditure in the UK funded by the Community each year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what additional resources have been available to local authorities to enable them to police the disposal of animal by-products material in each of the last five years. [100814]

[holding answer 4 March 2003]: No additional resources have been made available to local authorities to enable them to police the disposal of animal by-products.However, we are continuing to fund additional work undertaken by local authorities as a result of the foot and mouth disease outbreak. This may, by implication, include enforcement work regarding the disposal of animal by-products e.g. disposal of carcases.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) if she will make a statement on the animal carcase (a) rendering and (b) incineration industries and the market share of companies involved within them; [101262](2) what recent representations and discussions she has had regarding the

The Department regulates outlets that deal with animal by-products, such as rendering and incineration plants. Officials are, therefore, involved in regular discussions with those industries and other interested parties, both informally and on a more formal, consultative basis.The Department does not hold information regarding the market share of the companies involved in the animal by-product industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list those companies with which her Department and its agencies have signed contracts to incinerate animal carcases under the over 30 months scheme in each year since 1996. [191266]

The following lists give details of the companies contracted by the Rural Payments Agency to incinerate over thirty month scheme animal carcases for each year 1996 to date.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will include the use of snares in the proposed Animal Welfare Bill. [102481]

Snares will not be dealt with under the Animal Welfare Bill. The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 already regulates snares.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the additional water supplies needed for the planned expansion of Ashford; and if she will make a statement. [102288]

Ashford is served by Mid Kent Water. Along with the other water supply companies, Mid Kent Water produces a water resources plan, which looks forward 25 years. The plan is updated annually by the Company, and is reviewed by the Environment Agency for consistency with the national and regional water resources strategies. The planned expansion of Ashford will be factored into this process.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what subsidies there are to encourage British farmers to produce crops capable of being transformed into biofuels. [100217]

Transport biofuels can be produced from crops such as oilseed rape, wheat, potatoes and sugar beet. The Government are promoting the production of these biofuels through the existing 20 pence/litre cut in duty for biodiesel compared to ultra-low sulphur diesel, and the intention announced in November's pre-budget report to reduce the duty for bioethanol by 20 pence/litre compared to ultra-low sulphur petrol.This Department has allocated £29 million under the Energy Crops Scheme for establishment grants for short rotation coppice (SRC) and miscanthus, and for SRC growers to set up producer groups. The Woodland Grant Scheme and Farm Woodland Premium Scheme provide grants to create and manage woodland, which can help in the production of wood fuel. £66 million is available to develop markets for biomass in heat, combined heat and power and power generation. A further £3.5 million has been allocated to develop the supply chain required to harvest, store, process and supply biomass to energy end-users.Non-food crops receive support under the European Union's Arable Area Payments Scheme and can be grown on set-aside land.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much (a) her Department and (b) the European Union has spent on (i) rendering and (ii) incineration of BSE-suspected animal carcases in each year since the over 30 months scheme began. [101264]

All costs for incineration of BSE-suspected animals have been met by the Department.(i) Rendering of BSE-suspected animals is not permitted.(ii) Expenditure on incineration of BSE-suspected animal carcases in each year since the start of the over thirty months scheme has been as follows:

	£million
1996–97	2.1
1997–98	1.4
1998–99	1.5
1999–2000	1.3
2000–01	1.0
2001–02	1.3

These figures include expenditure on incineration of offspring cull animals and some other associated expenses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether a disease risk analysis of the potential risk to public health posed by the illegal importation of bushmeat has been undertaken by the Food Standards Agency. [101352]

I have been asked to reply.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many responses were received on the consultation document "Living Places—Powers, Rights, Responsibilities", broken down by (a) local authority, (b) business, (c) NGO, (d) individual and (e) other sources; and if she will place a list of respondees in the Library. [101673]

We received 248 responses to our Living Places consultation.

• 105 from local authorities
• 19 from businesses
• 10 from NGOs
• 40 from individuals
• 74 from other sources

We will place a list of respondees in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the length of consultation provided on the consultation documents on partial regulatory impact assessments published on 17 February meets the requirements laid out in the Code of Practice on Written Consultation published by the Cabinet Office in November 2000; and if she will make a statement. [101674]

No, the deadline we gave for comments on partial regulatory assessments was not in line with the criteria laid out in the Code of Practice on Written Consultation published by the Cabinet Office.These partial regulatory impact assessments were produced following an analysis of early responses to the consultation document "Living Places—Powers, Rights, Responsibilities". This analysis indicated that the issues in question were of a high priority and respondents would welcome early legislation. We therefore felt it appropriate to conduct a short, targeted, consultation exercise, so that we could be ready to legislate should an appropriate legislative opportunity arise.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many responses have been received to the consultation documents on partial regulatory impact assessments published on 17 February on (a) fly tipping, (b) local environmental quality and (c) street furniture broken down by (i) local authority, (ii) business, (iii) NGO, (iv) individual and (v) other sources; and if she will place a list of respondees in the Library. [101675]

We received 25 responses on fly tipping; 15 from local authorities, two from businesses, two from NGOs, 0 from individuals and six from other sources. 26 responses were received on local environmental quality; 16 from local authorities, three from businesses, 0 from both NGOs and individuals, and seven from other sources.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many people were employed in the departmental file stores in each year since 1997; how many have been transferred to the private sector; and if she will make a statement. [98858]

Staffing levels of the Department's file stores have remained at a fairly consistent level from 1997 to 2003, employing between 15 to 17 full-time posts as the table indicates.

	Number
1997	17
1998	17
1999	17
2000	16
2001	16
2002	16
2003	15

No posts have been transferred, or are expected to transfer to the private sector.At the end of March 2003, one of the Department's main file stores at Hayes will close. It employs seven staff. Three posts are being transferred to manage a new file store contract in Defra's main Headquarter's office, and the Department is actively seeking to re-deploy the four remaining posts on other administrative duties.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the most recent internal telephone directory for the Department was published; how often it is updated; and if she will place a copy in the Library. [102032]

Our internal on-line Corporate Directory was introduced as part of our greening initiative, and is updated by individual members of staff whenever their personal details change.Although we no longer produce a paper telephone directory, details of our senior staff can be found in the following publications:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on the continuation of charging regimes for drinking water based on 1973 rateable values. [101693]

It is open to water companies to set unmeasured charges on the basis of rateable values, or to propose another basis, subject to the approval of the Director General of Water Services. The Government remain ready to discuss any proposals with those interested in devising a practicable alternative to rateable value as the basis for unmeasured charging. Any such scheme would need to address how to deal with transitional effects and how to ensure an acceptable outcome for different groups of customers, particularly vulnerable consumers. Household customers have the statutory right to opt for a measured charge if they prefer.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many offences related to environmental damage and disruption have been decriminalised since 1997. [99279]

This Department does not hold information on such offences centrally. However, following inquiries by my officials, I am not aware of any such offences being decriminalised since 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to develop a methodology to assess in regulatory impact assessments of new environmental protection measures the economic benefits of high environmental standards in order to implement the new Cabinet Office guidance Better Policy Making: A Guide to Regulatory Impact; and what category of benefits his Department will include when developing such a methodology. [100605]

In the new Cabinet Office guidance Better Policy Making: A Guide to Regulatory Impact Assessment, consideration of the potential dynamic benefits of higher environmental standards is required when assessing the benefits of proposed policy. The importance of considering these potential benefits was raised by Defra during the consultation period. The new guidance also states that quantifying these benefits is difficult, given the high level of uncertainty surrounding them in the future. For this reason the Department's approach in implementing the Cabinet Office guidance will focus on promoting good practice in policy making, giving particular emphasis to the importance of undertaking early informal consultation with stakeholders. This is entirely consistent with the new Cabinet Office guidance which gives increased emphasis to stakeholder consultation and to integrating into the policy process those who have an informed understanding of the potential economic benefits of a particular policy.The Integrated Policy Appraisal tool, a structured format for assessing the economic, social and environmental impacts of a proposed policy, is currently being piloted in Defra. Active consideration is being given to developing this to cover in more detail the economic benefits of high environmental standards. On the assessment of environmental benefits, Defra, and a number of other Government Departments, are at the forefront of work to develop and apply new methodologies. An up-to-date assessment of this work is provided in Annex 2 of the Treasury's new Green Book on policy appraisal and evaluation at http://www.hm-treasury.goy.uk/media//78872/Green_Book2_03.pdf

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will place in the Library a copy of the flood risk data released by the Environment Agency to the Association of British Insurers on 29 January. [101357]

The Environment Agency has provided the initial results of an R&D project called Risk Assessment for Strategic Planning (RASP) to the Association of British Insurers under agreement for assessment purposes only at this stage. The Agency is working closely with the ABI and leading insurance companies to ensure that the best available data can be provided at the earliest opportunity to insurers and the public. The data are not sufficiently accurate to be placed in the public domain at the present time but the Agency plans to make new flood risk maps available to the public in late 2003.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what responsibilities (a) the Environment Agency, (b) county councils, (c) district councils, (d) unitary authorities, (e) the Highways Agency and (f) other public bodies have to (i) deal with and (ii) prevent flooding. [102403]

Flood defence is currently delivered in partnership between Defra, which has policy responsibility, and the operating authorities—the Environment Agency (EA), local authorities and Internal Drainage Boards (IDBs).The EA is the principal flood defence operating authority with responsibility for managing flood risk from designated main rivers and the sea. The EA is also responsible for public awareness campaigns, flood forecasting and warning and for exercising a general supervision over all matters relating to flood defence. IDBs exist in areas of special drainage needs and have responsibility for ordinary watercourses in their area. Local authorities (district, borough and unitary councils) are responsible for ordinary watercourses where no IDB exists, and maritime councils also have powers to take action against coastal erosion and sea flooding. The responsibilities on the coast are set out in shoreline management plans. Local authorities also take the lead in emergency planning and managing the emergency response to flooding.The present institutional and funding arrangements have recently been reviewed and I shall be announcing the outcomes of this review shortly.Sewerage companies are under a statutory duty to ensure the effective drainage of their area. This is not however regarded as extending to an absolute duty to prevent sewer flooding under any circumstances, which would be technically impossible.Other public bodies, including the Highways Agency, are responsible for minimising the effects of their activities on the run-off of water and flooding through consultation with the EA and other operating authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many applications she has received for the authorisation of GM crops since December 2002; and if she will make a statement on the process. [101257]

I have received no applications for authorisation to place a GM crop on the market under Directive 2001/18 since the beginning of December. However, two applications made before that date are still under consideration. In addition the UK has been notified of 17 applications that are being processed by other member states.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to license GM crops in Scotland for commercial use. [101770]

[holding answer 7 March 2003]: Decisions to authorise the commercial importation or cultivation of any GM crop will be taken by European Union (EU) Member States collectively, on a case-by-case basis, working with the European Commission in the context of EU Directive 2001/18. In preparing the UK's opinion the Government will consult the Devolved Administrations on all applications. We will not support consent for commercial cultivation of any GM crops to which the results of the UK's Farm Scale Evaluation trials are relevant, until the results have been assessed and a conclusion drawn that the management of the crops concerned does not pose a risk to the environment. Under the single market regime of the EU, once a GM crop has commercial approval it can be imported and, if the consent conditions permit, cultivated anywhere in the EU.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent representations she has received and discussions she has had regarding publicity material for international travellers through the "Don't Bring Back More Than You Bargained For" campaign to prevent illegal meat imports entering the UK. [101267]

We have received a number of representations about the "Don't Bring Back More Than You Bargained For" campaign through such means as Parliamentary Questions, Ministers Correspondence, and correspondence from individuals. Officials have had regular discussions with the National Farmers Union and the Women's Institute about our publicity campaign. Officials are also in discussion with the Central Office of Information and HM Customs about our future publicity strategy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what health risks are associated with fish and fish products brought into the UK by international travellers through the "Don't Bring Back More Than You Bargained For" campaign. [101269]

The illegal import of live or dead fish could result in the introduction of serious fish diseases listed in Council Directive 91/67/EEC which could prejudice the high health status of farmed and wild species of fish in the UK. While such diseases have not been shown to cause illness in humans, the uncontrolled movement of fish and fish products could pose other hazards to human health.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the cost of energy wasted by street lighting directed above the horizontal. [101184]

[holding answer 6 March 2003]: I have been asked to reply.My Department has no central figures of the lighting characteristics of the many types of street lighting units in use and so cannot readily estimate the energy cost of light directed above the horizontal. However, the Department does advise the use of lighting units which restrict the amount of light directed above the horizontal to reduce light pollution.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to encourage the use of downward directed lighting and to improve the visibility of the night sky. [101185]

This is not matter for this Department but one for the office of my colleague the Deputy Prime Minister.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on Linking Environment and Farming. [101435]

Linking Environment and Farming (LEAF) is a charitable organisation committed to the promotion of an holistic approach to viable farming and environmental enhancement through Integrated Farm Management (IFM).Defra continues to support the valuable work undertaken by LEAF.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the outcome of her visit to the Linking Environment and Farming project in Wirral, South. [101671]

The visit to Leverhulme Estate gave a useful insight into the value of demonstration farms and the adoption of Integrated Farm Management (IFM). These help promote the practical application of good farming principles—one of the key initiatives in the Strategy for Sustainable Farming and Food.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she intends to determine the appeal of Fats and Proteins (UK) Ltd. under section 15 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 issued on 5 December 1997 in respect of Nightingale Hall Farm, Lancaster in relation to (a) the odour boundary condition and (b) the likelihood of increased spillage on surrounding roads. [102317]

A letter, setting out the decision that the Secretary of State is 'minded to' issue in this appeal case, was issued to interested parties on 16 January, inviting further representations on the proposed decision. The Department is now carefully considering all the representations received in response to the `minded to' letter and will issue a final decision letter as soon as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) pursuant to her answer of 11 February, Official Report, column 664W, on nuclear fuel reprocessing, if she will list the different radioactive materials that make up (a) the low level waste, (b) the intermediate level waste and (c) the high level waste; [101437](2) pursuant to her answer of 11 February 2003,

The waste from nuclear fuel reprocessing contains a variety of radioactively contaminated material, such as:

Low level waste: stainless steel containers, steel flasks, sheet steel, paper, wood and plastic;

Intermediate level waste: plutonium contaminated plastic or metal, stainless steel fuel cladding, scrap metal or plastic, barium carbonate, graphite, insoluble fission products, ion exchange material, sand, floc from effluent treatment and sludge from ponds;

High level waste: fission products and trace actinides.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many incidences (a) have been recorded and (b) have resulted in fines and prosecutions relating to releases of oil from refineries caused by flushing processes in each year since 1997; how much each fine was; and what the estimated cost was of clearing up such incidences. [99278]

No incidents relating to releases of oil from refineries caused by flushing processes were recorded by the Environment Agency in either 2001 or 2002.Information on such incidents before 2001 is not readily available although the Environment Agency is not aware of any between 1997 and 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what incidences of (a) water and (b) air pollution resulting from businesses which use perchloroethylene in their day to day operations there have been in each year since 1997; and how many led to (i) fines and (ii) prosecutions, including the amount of fines levied. [99268]

Environment Agency data shows that there have been 10 incidents of water and air pollution since 1997 involving perchloroethylene. The Agency's database is only accurate from 2001.All of the recorded incidents were of a minor nature, although one did attract enforcement action of a "site warning nature". None attracted fines or legal action.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to de-designate (a) starlings and (b) house sparrows as pests. [99617]

Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 all birds are protected. There is no legal definition of wild birds as pests. However, under Section 16 of the 1981 Act general licences are issued that allow the killing or taking of certain birds for the purposes of public health and air safety, conservation of wild birds and to prevent serious damage to crops. Both the starling and house sparrow are currently listed on some of these licences. Research conducted on behalf of my Department last year into the declines of both these species showed that control under the general licences has an insignificant effect upon their conservation status and their population numbers.All general licences are reviewed annually and re-issued only after seeking the advice of our statutory advisor, English Nature. Officials are currently examining all the general licences, including those for killing or taking of certain birds, and will be discussing with stakeholders any relevant improvements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list pesticides whose use in the UK has been rescinded in each of the last 10 years. [101271]

All the pesticides containing the active substances listed in the table have had their use rescinded over the last 10 years within the UK.

Last product expired on:	Active substance
28/02/2003	parahydroxyphenylsalicylamide
22/09/2002	zineb
31/07/2002	seconal
27/06/2002	bioallethrin
27/06/2002	quintozene
20/06/2002	lindane
31/05/2002	dicofol
31/03/2002	1,2-dichloropropane
28/02/2002	fenpiclonil
28/02/2002	sodium silver thiosulphate
28/02/2002	tridemorph
31/01/2002	tecnazene
31/12/2001	carbofuran
31/12/2001	chlorfenvinphos
31/12/2001	disulfoton
31/12/2001	etrimfos
31/12/2001	propoxur
30/09/2001	methoprene
27/09/2001	disodium hydrogen phosphate
27/09/2001	p-[(diiodomethyl)sulfonyl]toluol
31/07/2001	carbaryl