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European Community has recognised the special needs of equines and this is reflected in directive 91/628 on the protection of animals during transport.Inheritance Tax (Exemptions)
Dr. David Clark : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether his Ministry will reduce the level of payments under the environmentally sensitive areas scheme where the land involved is subject to exemptions to inheritance tax ; and if he will make a statement.
Thames Flood Defences
Mr. Austin-Walker : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will make a statement outlining how future maintenance costs of the Thames flood defences, including the Thames barrier will be funded ;
(2) what representations he has received from the Thames regional flood defence committee over the possible future maintenance costs of the Thames flood defences by the turn of the century and the limited time period over which it will be necessary to carry out this work ; and if he will make a statement ;
(3) what is the Government's policy towards maintenance by the Thames regional flood defence committee of its financial balances ; and what account has been taken of the case for a contingency fund to pay for future essential maintenance work.
Mr. Curry : The maintenance costs of flood defences which are the responsibility of the National Rivers Authority (NRA), such as the Thames flood defences, are normally funded through levies on local authorities, while capital works may be eligible for grant aid from this Department. In 1989, the Thames region of the NRA inherited substantial financial balances from its predecessor, the Thames Water Authority, in respect of future work on the Thames barrier, and these balances have been the subject of detailed discussions between NRA Thames region and the Government. Public sector bodies such as the NRA do not normally hold financial reserves in anticipation of future expenditure, since public sector accounting rules lay down that funds should not be sought in advance of need. The Government and the NRA therefore agreed that the Thames region balances should be used to fund maintenance and renewal works on the Thames flood defences over the next few years, with a view to running them down no later than March 1997. Thereafter, work on the Thames flood defences will be financed as normal through a combination of levies on local authorities and, where applicable, MAFF grant.
Mr. Austin-Walker : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the National Rivers Authority's estimate of the likely maintenance cost of the Thames flood defences, including the Thames barrier, at the turn of the century ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Curry : The National Rivers Authority estimates that the cost of the recurring annual maintenance of the Thames tidal defences, including the Thames and Barking barriers, at the turn of the century is £3.5 million.
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Milk Quotas
Mr. Stevenson : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps are being taken to remove discimination for tenant farmers in the sale or transfer of milk quotas.
Mr. Curry : The current EC negotiations on the consolidation and simplification of the milk quota regulations will include consideration of landlord/tenant issues in relation to quota transfers. We will seek to ensure that any provisions agreed take account of the interests of all parties concerned, including tenants.
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Spongiform Encephalopathies
Mr. Hinchliffe : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for those animals involved in his Department's research programmes on spongiform encephalopathies, how many were (a) fed infected offal and (b) not fed infected offal ; and how many in each case (i) developed and (ii) have not developed spongiform encephalopathy, distinguishing between (1) cattle and (2) other animals.
Mr. Soames : The information requested is contained in my letter to the hon. Member in reply to his question of 12 June, in respect of those animals to which BSE has been transmitted successfully. Copies of my letter are placed in the Library of the House.
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