House of Commons Hansard Debates for 13 Feb 1989

Column 88

Farm Incomes

Mr. Redmond : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish a table in the Official Report giving details of (a) pre -tax net farm income and (b) gross output in current prices and in real terms for each year since 1979 (i) for each of the three counties of Yorkshire and (ii) nationally ; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Ryder : Information on farm output and incomes is not available by county. However estimates of gross output, gross product and farming income by standard statistical region have been published for 1984 and 1985 in the annual reports on farm incomes in the United Kingdom. Corresponding figures for 1986 will be provided in the next report due to be published in the spring. These reports also include estimates of net farm income by farm type but by the (different) farm business survey regions.

The figures provided in these reports are however subject to revision and the best estimates which are currently available (consistent with the United Kingdom figures recently published in "Agriculture in the United Kingdom 1988") are as follows :

Column 87


£ million                                                          

                         |1982  |1983  |1984  |1985  |1986         

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Gross regional output                                              

Yorkshire and Humberside |1,026 |1,056 |1,189 |1,110 |1,132        

United Kingdom           |11,334|11,763|12,818|12,211|12,504       

Gross Product                                                      

Yorkshire and Humberside |470   |441   |574   |500   |543          

United Kingdom           |5,299 |5,105 |6,024 |5,389 |5,836        

Farming Income                                                     

Yorkshire and Humberside |183   |137   |258   |140   |175          

United Kingdom           |1,730 |1,339 |2,061 |1,053 |1,470

No regional figures for agriculture are available for years before 1982. The purchasing power of farming income (which is pre-tax) may be derived by deflating the series by the retail price index. The values of this (1985 = 100) for each year are 1982--85.8 ; 1983--89.7 ; 1984--94.3 ; 1985--100 and 1986--103.4. Separate price indices do not exist for each region.

Milk

Mr. Maclennan : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to bring goat milk production under legislative control.

Mr. Donald Thompson : I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Perry Barr (Mr. Rooker) on 8 February.

Mr. Cousins : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (a) whether he has any proposals to extend regulations governing milk production to goats' milk and ewes' milk and (b) whether he proposes to support the goat producers association's clean milk production scheme.

Mr. Donald Thompson : As regards goats' milk I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Perry Barr (Mr. Rooker) on 8 February. This referred to the Ministry's code of practice which has objectives similar to the clean milk producton scheme. The legal position of ewes' milk is the same as that of goats' milk, and a code of practice is being prepared.

Column 88

Mr. Allen : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will bring forward proposals to reduce the incidence of contamination of goat and cows' milk.

Mr. Donald Thompson : I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Windsor and Maidenhead (Dr. Glyn) on 10 February.

Mr. Key : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will seek to extend legislative control over production of cows' milk to cover goats and sheep.

Mr. Donald Thompson : As regards goats' milk, I refer my hon. Friend to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Perry Barr (Mr. Rooker) on 8 February. The legal position of sheep's milk is the same as that of goats' milk, and a code of practice is being prepared.

Mrs. Rosie Barnes : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether there are any plans to bring all milk production under legislative control.

Mr. Donald Thompson : Cows' milk is already comprehensively regulated. The position on goats' milk was described in the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Perry Barr (Mr. Rooker) on 8 February. The legal position of sheep milk is similar to that of goats' milk, and a code of practice is being prepared.

Column 89

Consumers Association

Mr. Jack : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last met the Consumers Association ; and what was discussed.

Mr. Ryder : The most recent ministerial meeting was held on 12 October, at our request. A wide range of matters of mutual concern were discussed.

River Esk (Pollution)

Mr. Flynn : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has made any assessment of the study undertaken by Friends of the Earth of the potential radioactive pollution of the River Esk by Americium 241, caesium 137 and other radioisotopes released from Sellafield.

Mr. Donald Thompson : My officials have only just received a copy of the report in question from Friends of the Earth and are studying this. I have, however, seen various press reports referring to statements by Friends of the Earth about radioactivity in the area of the river Esk. These reports refer to comparisons between measured levels of radioactivity and the generalised derived limits (GDLs) recommended by the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB). Such comparisons are not valid. The GDLs provide a simple but crude way of demonstrating the environmental acceptability of given levels of radioactivity, but they do not provide means of calculating dose. The GDLs are intended for situations where no information is available on land usage, local habits and other factors relevant to the radiation exposure of people in the area. This is patently not the case around the river Esk. On the basis of extensive monitoring conducted by my scientists, British Nuclear Fuels plc and others, it has been clearly established that there is no risk of unacceptable exposure of man from these contamination levels.

Sheepmeat Premium

Mr. Kirkwood : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if his Department plans to support the introduction of draft EEC regulations to phase out the variable sheepmeat premium.

Mr. Donald Thompson : In the negotiations on the review of the EC sheepmeat regime, which have made little progress so far, I will be seeking to ensure that the United Kingdom sheep industry can, at reasonable cost, continue to capitalise on its natural advantages and superior efficiency. It is too early to judge which means of support will be most effective in achieving this.

Environmentally Sensitive Areas

Mr. David Porter : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the total area of land covered by agreements in the Suffolk environmentally sensitive areas ; how many farms are covered ; and how he intends the scheme to progress in the future.

Mr. Ryder : The table shows the total number of agreements and the area of land covered so far in the Broads, Breckland and Suffolk River Valleys ESA.

Column 90


ESA                     |Number of agreements   |Area of land covered in                        

                                                |hectares                                       

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Broads                  |624                    |11,990                                         

Breckland               |82                     |3,100                                          

Suffolk River Valley    |273                    |6,130

Information on the number of farms covered is not readily available. I intend to carry out a policy review of ESAs in 1991-92 to determine how the scheme will progress.

High Grade Land (Warrington)

Mr. Butler : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of agricultural land within Warrington, South is high-grade agricultural land.

Mr. Ryder : The area has not been surveyed in detail and the published 1 : 63,360 scale agricultural land classification map gives only a generalised indication of land quality. It shows approximately one third of the agricultural land as grade 2, and almost all of the remaining land as grade 3.

Salmonella (Working Group)

Mr. Macdonald : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he received the report of the joint Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Department of Health and British Egg Industry Council working group on salmonella and eggs ; and at what exact time he placed a copy in the Library.

Mr. MacGregor : I received the report of the joint Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Department of Health and British Egg Industry Council working group on salmonella and eggs on 10 January 1989 and placed a copy in the Library at about 10.45 on Tuesday 7 February 1989.

Aluminium

Mr. Sayeed : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what levels of aluminium are contained in the following soya milks (a) Wysoy by Wyeth Nutrition in powder form, (b) Granose produced in West Germany in liquid form and (c) White Wave produced by Unisoy Milk in the United Kingdom ; what evidence he has on the effect of such levels of aluminium on infants and young children ; and if he will publish the results of research showing the levels of aluminium in the most popular brands of soya milk sold in this country.

Mr. Ryder : It is not our policy to publish details of individual brands sampled under the food surveillance programme.

The Department of Health's independent committee on toxicity chemicals in food, consumer products and the environment has considered the results of analyses carried out by my Department and has advised that no action is needed to reduce the aluminium intakes from infant formulae. That Department's expert advisory committees will keep under review the results of research in this area.

Column 91

TRANSPORT

Channel Tunnel

5. Mr. Henderson : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received about British Rail's proposed routes for the Channel tunnel link.

15. Ms. Harman : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received about British Rail's proposed routes for the Channel tunnel link.

25. Ms. Armstrong : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received about British Rail's proposed routes for the Channel tunnel link.

Mr. Portillo : I have received a large number of representations about British Rail's proposals for rail links to the Channel tunnel.

27. Mr. Simon Hughes : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received concerning the proposed Channel tunnel fixed lines to Waterloo and Charing Cross ; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Portillo : I have received a large number of representations about British Rail's proposals for rail links to the Channel tunnel. It is not envisaged that Channel tunnel trains will use Charing Cross.

45. Mr. McCartney : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what further plans he has to encourage improvements to the road and rail network to enable the north of England to benefit from the Channel tunnel.

Mr. Portillo : I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given to the hon. Member for Western Isles (Mr. Macdonald) today.

47. Sir John Stanley : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration he has given to British Rail's proposals for a new high- speed line between London and the Channel tunnel ; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Portillo : I am in regular contact with British Rail about the progress that it is making with the development of its proposals. I set out the Government's position in my response to the Adjournment debate initiated by my hon. Friend the Member for Maidstone (Miss Widdecombe) on 2 December 1988 at columns 1025-32.

52. Mr. Hind : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has any plans to meet the chairman of British Rail to discuss links from Scotland, Wales, the north, midlands and south-east of England to the Channel tunnel ; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Portillo : Not at present. British Rail is still consulting widely in preparation for the plan which it will be publishing later this year in accordance with section 40 of the Channel Tunnel Act 1987.

London Underground (Exit Barriers)

11. Mr. Cohen : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will undertake an inquiry into safety implications of automatic exit barriers in London Underground stations.

Column 92

Mr. Portillo : In response to my request London Regional Transport has already commissioned independent consulting engineers to review the working of automatic ticketing systems. It expects to receive the consultants' report by the end of April 1989.

M40

12. Mr. Rooker : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport by what date he expects the M40 to link the motorway boxes surrounding London and Birmingham.

58. Mr. Roger King : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the latest completion date for the M40.

Mr. Peter Bottomley : The M40 between the M42 and Warwick and between Warwick and Wendlebury should be completed by autumn 1989 and the end of 1990, respectively. Completion of the section between Wendlebury and Waterstock will depend on the statutory procedures. We hope to make an announcement shortly.

London Regional Transport

13. Ms. Ruddock : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he next plans to meet the chair of London Regional Transport ; and what matters they will discuss.

37. Mr. Livingstone : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he next plans to meet the chair of London Regional Transport ; and what matters they will discuss.

Mr. Portillo : I meet London Regional Transport's chairman regularly to discuss a range of matters and will next do so on 6 March.

Central London Rail Study

14. Dr. Twinn : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received on the new tube lines recently mentioned in the central London rail study.

40. Mr. Tony Banks : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received regarding the central London rail study.

62. Mr. Forman : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received on the central London rail study.

Mr. Portillo : In the short time since the report was published we have received a small number of responses from the public.

31. Mr. Boateng : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he plans to have with user groups and local transport about the options contained in the central London rail study.

33. Mr. Dykes : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he next proposes to meet the expert advisory groups to discuss the proposals for underground rail tunnels in Greater London.

Mr. Portillo : I intend to consider the written representations received before arranging discussions with interested parties.

Glasgow Airport

16. Mr. David Marshall : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he intends to give gateway status to Glasgow airport.

Column 93

Mr. Peter Bottomley : My right hon. Friend is considering a request from BAA plc, as owners of Prestwick and Glasgow airports, for a review of the 1986 traffic distribution rules for Scotland, which restrict intercontinental traffic to Prestwick. He will make an announcement in due course.

Road Casualties

17. Mr. Andrew Mitchell : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what further measures he is taking to reach his target of reducing road casualties by one third by the year 2000.

Mr. Peter Bottomley : Our short-term target is to reduce the annual number of road fatalities below 5,000, as well as to bring about a sharp decline in injuries. Since 1986 there has been a 5 per cent. reduction in fatalities and a 6 per cent. reduction in serious injuries.

Over the year ahead, we will be concentrating our efforts on vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists, as well as on dangerous groups such as drinking drivers and selfish and aggressive road users.

Overall we have the best record in the EC for road deaths. We must now aim for the same position on each of the vulnerable road user groups.

Engineering, education, enforcement, exhortation and example will all play their part.

Civil Aviation Authority

18. Mr. Gerald Howarth : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he last met the chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority and what matters were discussed.

Mr. Peter Bottomley : My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, met the chairman of the authority on 19 January 1989 to discuss a number of issues of mutual interest.

Heathrow Airport (Security)

19. Mr. Prescott : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will next meet the chairman of BAA further to discuss security at Heathrow airport.

22. Mr. Alfred Morris : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if, pursuant to his reply to the right hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe, on 16 January, on security at Heathrow airport, he will now make a further statement on any developments since then.

Mr. Peter Bottomley : There is nothing to add to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Hayes and Harlington (Mr. Dicks) on 31 January at column 146.

A1

20. Mr. Beith : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has received the reports of the studies conducted by his Department and the Scottish Office on the future of the A1 ; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peter Bottomley : Discussions have taken place and further meetings are planned between officials of the Department's northern regional office and the Scottish Development Department about a proposed improvement scheme on the A1 near the English/Scottish border at Marshall meadows. An announcement on a preferred route is expected by early summer 1989.

Column 94

The report of an independent study being carried out by the Scottish Development Department is a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

Mr. Kirkwood : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what date he expects work to start on upgrading to three lanes the section of the M1 between Dishforth and Scotch Corner.

Mr. Peter Bottomley : Subject to the satisfactory completion of the statutory procedures, we hope to start construction in the mid-1990s.

Motorway Lighting

21. Mr. Pike : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of motorway is at present unlit.

Mr. Peter Bottomley : A total of 74 per cent.

London Underground Ltd (Crime)

23. Mr. Cox : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussion he is having with officials of London Underground Ltd. on the level of crime taking place on the Underground.

Mr. Portillo : I and my Department maintain close contact with London Underground Ltd. on the action that it and the police forces concerned are taking against crime on the Underground.

West Sussex (Infrastructure)

24. Mr. Soames : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on transport infrastructure investment in West Sussex.

Mr. Portillo : Actual and planned expenditure on the A23 and A27 trunk roads since 1979 amounts to about £95 million at November 1985 prices.

Over the past five years £14 million has been made available to the county council through transport supplementary grants for the local road network.

Road Haulage Industry (Safety)

20. Mr. Roy Hughes : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to uphold safety standards in the road haulage industry after 1992 and the introduction of the single European market.

Mr. Peter Bottomley : The Government are determined to ensure that regulations, which are necessary for safety, but which do not restrict trade, are applied throughout the Community.

Scottish Airports (Review)

28. Mr. Colvin : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when his review of Scottish airports will be complete ; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peter Bottomley : My right hon. Friend is considering a British Airports Authority plc request to review the 1986 traffic distribution rules for Scotland. He will make an announcement in due course.

Column 95

M1 (Relief Plans)

29. Mr. Fry : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has apart from the extension of the M40, for the relief of the M1 between junction 1 and its junction with the M6.

Mr. Peter Bottomley : We are planning improvements at junction 1 and a climbing lane at junction 9. Schemes planned for the A5 will also help to relieve the M1. The trunk road programme is currently under review. We expect to make an announcement in the spring.

British Rail

30. Ms. Walley : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he next plans to meet the chair of British Rail ; and what matters they will discuss.

41. Mr. Martlew : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he next plans to meet the chair of British Rail ; and what matters they will discuss.

53. Ms Mowlam : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he next plans to meet the chair of British Rail ; and what matters they will discuss.

54. Dr. Reid : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he next plans to meet the chair of British Rail ; and what matters they will discuss.

Next Section

Home Page