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Mr. Jack: Information on actual prices paid for bulk white sugar is not available. However, prices are likely to be in the range of the effective support price provided by the sugar regime and producers "list" prices--between about 57p per kilogramme and 68p per kilogramme.
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Export refunds enable Community bulk white sugar to be sold at the world price, which is currently around 25p per kilogramme, free on board.Estimates of production and consumption of sugar in the European Community are given in the "Agricultural Situation in the Community, 1993 Report", a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House.
The provisional outturn for Community expenditure on sugar in 1994 is 2,062 mecu--£1,593 million . Production and storage levies contributed 1,118 mecu--£864 million --to own resources.
Details of the Exchequer cost of CAP support in the UK for sugar can be found in section 1 of table 9.1 of "Agriculture in the UK", copies of which have been deposited in the Library of the House. The UK also contributes to the EC budget as a whole, which funds the cost of the CAP support in other member states.
£1=1.2945 ecu.
Rice
Mr. Nicholas Brown: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food at what price British wholesalers buy rice per tonne; what he estimates the price of rice per tonne would be in the free market without European Community price intervention and what is the annual cost to the British consumer of the common agricultural policy in the rice market. [16135]
Mr. Jack: Information on the price of rice to wholesalers is not gathered centrally.
It is not possible to estimate what the price of rice per tonne would be in the free market without European Community intervention without making a large number of hypothetical assumptions. The only readily available information on the cost to the British consumer of the common agricultural policy in the rice market is given by the consumer subsidy equivalents in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development publication "Agricultural Policies, Markets and Trade, Monitoring and Outlook 1994".
Organo-phosphorous Chemicals
Mr. Austin Mitchell: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he intends to publish the latest report from the Veterinary Medicines Directorate on adverse reactions to organo-phosphorous chemicals by farmers; and what change to such reactions was shown by the last published report. [16062]
Mrs. Browning: I expect the next report to the Veterinary Products Committee, by the appraisal panel for human suspected adverse reactions to veterinary medicines, to be published by the end of April. Only one report has thus far been published, so no comparisons can yet be drawn.
Wine
Mr. Nicholas Brown: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food at what price British wholesalers buy wine per 75 cl bottle; what he estimates the price of wine per bottle would be in a free market without European Community price intervention; what are the levels of European Community production and consumption; what is the level of common agricultural policy expenditure on wine subsidies; and what is the cost
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to the British Exchequer of European Community intervention in the wine sector. [16155]Mr. Jack: The price at which British wholesalers buy wine is a matter for commercial negotiation and varies by consignment. For this reason, and because it would require a large number of hypothetical assumptions, it is not possible to estimate what the price of wine per bottle would be in the free market without European Community intervention.
The European Commission estimates that European Community wine production in the 1993 94 wine year was 159 million hectolitres, that 129 mhl was consumed as wine in the EC, net exports were 9 mhl and other uses--for example, vinegar, vermouth and eaux de vie--12 mhl. Total common agricultural policy expenditure in 1994 on the wine regime was 1,220 million ecu, or £1,002 million, provisional outturn.
The Exchequer cost of CAP support for wine in the UK is estimated at £820,000 for the 1994 95 financial year. The UK also contributes to the European Community budget as a whole, which funds the cost of the wine support system in other member states.
Olive Oil
Mr. Nicholas Brown: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food at what price British wholesalers buy olive oil per tonne; what she estimates the price of olive oil per tonne wold be in a free market without European Community price intervention; and what is the annual cost to the consumer of taxes on imports of olive oil. [16133]
Mr. Jack: Prices received by producers for agricultural commodities are reported to Eurostat and a consistent series for olive oil appears in the publication "Agricultural Prices", a copy of which is in the Library of the House.
It is not possible to estimate what the price of olive oil would be in the free market without European Community intervention without making a large number of hypothetical assumptions.
No estimates are readily available on the annual cost to the consumer of taxes on imports of olive oil.
Animal Diseases
Mr. Morley: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cases of goat pox were reported in each year since 1985. [15973]
Mrs. Browning: No cases of goat pox have ever been recorded in England.
Fish Catches
Mr. Ainger: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the value and tonnage of i(a) fish, (b) molluscs and (c) crustacea landed in (i) the United Kingdom, (ii) Wales, (iii) England, (iv) Scotland and (v) Northern Ireland in each of the last five years. [16690]
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Mr. Jack: The available information is published in table 3.3. of "UK Sea Fisheries Statistics", 1993.
Comparable information for 1994 is not yet available.
Fishing Restrictions
Mr. David Porter: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the defence his officials will be employing in the European Court of Justice in the case brought by the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations against the Government's days at sea restrictions; and if he will make a statement. [16371]
Mr. Jack: It would not be appropriate for me to comment in advance of the oral hearing due to take place in Luxembourg on 29 March. The positions of both parties will, however, be a mater of public record in the reports of proceedings and, ultimately, the judgment of the court.
Mr. David Porter: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy to abandon the defence of the days at sea restrictions in the European Court of Justice in the case being brought by the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations; and if he will make a statement. [16370]
Mr. Jack: The action in question was initiated by the NFFO by way of judicial review in the United Kingdom courts of certain measures adopted by Parliament. It was subsequently referred to the European court for a ruling on the interpretation of EU law. In the circumstances, the Government are obliged to respond and explain their position. It is, however, open to the applicants to discontinue the proceedings at any stage.
Mr. Philip J. Corrigan
Mr. Tyler: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will seek to obtain from the Minister of Primary Industries and Energy in Australia details of the nature and outcome of each of the charges under the Australian Public Service Act against Mr. Philip J. Corrigan, now appointed head of operations at the Meat Hygiene Service; and if he will make a statement on the information so obtained. [16724]
Mrs. Browning: My Ministry has contacted the Department of Primary Industries and Energy in Canberra on this matter.
Agricultural Tenancies
Mr. Martyn Jones: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the number and total acreage of tenancies under the categories (a) agricultural holding tenancies as defined in the Agriculture Act 1986, (b) Gladstone v. Bower arrangements, (c) grazing or mowing agreements and (d) Ministry-approved short-term lettings and licences. [14927]
Mr. Jack: The surveys operated by MAFF do not require respondents to supply the level of detailed information that would enable these separate totals to be compiled. There is, however, a survey carried out annually by the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers which gives information on new lettings in these categories.
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Fish Quotas
Mr. Ainger: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will list those producer organisations in the fishing industry that were fined in each year since 1988 for overshooting their allocated quota; [15587]
(2) what evidence he has that producer organisations in the fishing industry have taken action against individual members who breached their quota in each year since 1988; [15589]
(3) if he will list for each year since 1988 what action was taken by his Department against those producer organisations in the fishing industries which overshot their quota; and how many prosecutions were commenced in England and Wales; [15586]
(4) if he will list those producer organisations in the fishing industry that have taken action against individual members; and what penalties were imposed in each case in England and Wales since 1988. [15588]
Mr. Jack [holding answer 23 March 1995]: In the United Kingdom, producer organisations are permitted to manage allocations of quota on behalf of those members with vessels exceeding 10m overall length. Once an allocation has been made, it is the responsibility of the producer organisation to ensure that its overall allocation is not exceeded and to take appropriate action to deal with those members who infringe the rules of the organisation. The fisheries departments do not maintain records of the disciplinary action that producer organisations take. Where a producer organisation has exceeded or is likely to exceed its quota allocation for any particular stock, the licences of its members will be varied to prohibit further landings of the stock in question.
Producer organisations are subject to a system of quota penalties and compensation for over-fishing. These arrangements, which have been agreed with the industry, require that where any producer organisation or other group in the UK fishing fleet exceeds its allocation for a particular stock, the over-fish will not be included in its track record when the departments calculate the subsequent year's allocation. Where the over-fish leads to the UK quota being exceeded, and other groups in the fleet being disadvantaged by the early closure of a fishery, the over-fish will be deducted from the offending group's allocation for the subsequent year. This deduction will then be used to compensate groups prejudiced by the over-fishing, after taking account of those groups likely uptake had the fishery not been closed.
Mr. Ainger: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will list for each year since 1988 (a) the total allowable catch for each International Council for the Exploration of the Seas area, (b) the British total allowable catch for each ICES area, (c) the total allocated to each producer organisation in tonnage and percentage terms of the British total allowable catch and (d) the total allocated to the non- sector in tonnage and percentage terms of the British total allowable catch; [15591]
(2) if he will list those producer organisations in the fishing industry which overshot their allocated quota for each species in each year since 1988 in England and Wales. [15585]
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Mr. Jack [holding answer 23 March 1995]: The system of sectoral management, under which producer organisations may manage allocations of quota on behalf of their members, has been fully operational since 1991.
I have arranged for tonnage data on Community TACs and UK quota since 1988, and on allocations made to producer organisations and the non sector and the uptake of their allocations since 1991, to be placed in the Library of the House.
DEFENCE
Former Yugoslavia
14. Mr. Gapes: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to reduce or withdraw British forces in former Yugoslavia; and if he will make a statement. [14640]
Mr. Soames: We intend to maintain our contribution to UNPROFOR so long as our forces can continue to carry out the UN mandate at an acceptable level of risk. The size of our contribution is kept under close review.
21. Mr. Wareing: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what redeployment is planned for UK military forces currently serving with UNPROFOR in Croatia. [14647]
24. Mr. Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British troops are currently serving in Bosnia with the United Nations; and what plans he has for increasing their numbers. [14651]
Mr. Soames: There are currently some 3,400 British personnel serving in the former Yugoslavia as part of UNPROFOR. Some 190 personnel are on standby to deploy to Bosnia as the remainder of the additional forces which the United Kingdom offered to the UN in January to help with the implementation of the cessation of hostilities agreement.
Chemical Weapons Convention
15. Mr. Dunnachie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the effect of the chemical weapons convention on international security. [14641]
Mr. Soames: The chemical weapons convention provides for a comprehensive, global and verifiable ban on a complete class of weapons of mass destruction and also for the destruction of very large quantities of existing chemical warfare agents. Once fully implemented it will make a significant contribution to international security.
Armed Services (Deaths)
16. Sir Michael Neubert: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his estimate of the number of members of Her Majesty's armed services who have died on active service since 1965. [14642]
Mr. Soames: In the period from 1966 to 1994, 850 members of the armed forces have died on active service as a result of hostile and enemy action or as a result of terrorist activity in Northern Ireland.
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National Army Museum
17. Mr. Brandreth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the development of the national army museum beyond London; and if he will make a statement. [14643]
Mr. Soames: Although the national army museum receives a grant in aid from my Department, the question of development of the museum is, in the first instance, a matter for the museum trustees.
British Defence
18. Mr. Booth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy that British defence will not be run by the European Commission. [14644]
Mr. Soames: Yes. One of the key considerations in the Government's approach to the treatment of European defence issues at the 1996 Inter- Governmental Conference is that the essential
inter-Governmental nature of decision making on defence should be preserved.
Naval Engineering College, Manadon
19. Mr. Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in the sale of RNEC Manadon. [14645]
Mr. Soames: I am pleased to say that our disposal strategy has progressed well. A planning brief for the site is now complete and has been approved by Plymouth city council planning officials.
Farms, Upper Coquet Valley
20. Mr. Beith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent progress he has made in providing electricity supplies to farms owned by his Department in the Upper Coquet valley, Northumberland. [14646]
Mr. Soames: A stand-alone farm power system has been installed on one of my Department's farms on the Otterburn training area. We are at present discussing with tenants the suitability of replicating the system on other farms on the training area.
RAF Chivenor
22. Mr. Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress he is making in considering the relocation of Marines units to RAF Chivenor; and when he expects to make an announcement. [14648]
Mr. Soames: Studies are nearing completion and it is our intention to publish a consultative document setting out any proposals which emerge from them. No decisions will be taken until interested parties have had an opportunity to comment and their responses have been carefully considered.
Belize
23. Sir Thomas Arnold: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the training programme in Belize. [14650]
Mr. Soames: The British Army training support unit, Belize is set up to conduct jungle, field firing and adventure training, primarily at company level, and expects to train seven such deployments from the United Kingdom each year, each lasting for about six weeks. Although we do not have a regular requirement for
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exercises of bigger units, there will be occasions when we would wish to deploy battalions and we have such an exercise planned for July next year.Falkland Islands
25. Mr. Simon Coombs: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel are currently committed to the defence of the Falkland Islands. [14652]
Mr. Soames: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy (Mr. Llwyd) on 15 February, Official Report , column 726 .
Ex-service Personnel
26. Mr. Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will next be meeting representatives of the Royal British Legion and other ex-service organisations in order to discuss the promotion of the interests of ex-service personnel and their dependants. [14653]
Mr. Soames: My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence has no plans at present to meet representatives of the Royal British Legion or other ex-service organisations. At a meeting last November between the Minister of State for Social Security, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence and the Legion it was agreed that many of the matters relating to the welfare of former service personnel fall within the scope of the Department of Social Security. As a result of this agreement, that Department is now taking the lead on this issue.
Eurofighter 2000
Mr. Strang: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions are taking place, or proposed, to revise the share of work by each nation in respect of the Eurofighter 2000 project. [15519]
Mr. Freeman: Workshare and other matters relating to planning for future phases of the project are covered in our regular programme of contacts with our Eurofighter 2000 partners.
Debriefing
Mr. Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's policy in respect of debriefing service personnel formerly involved in active combat before their discharge back into the community. [15765]
Mr. Soames: Each of the services provides education, counselling and treatment programmes before and after active operations. These ensure that members of the armed forces are aware of the possibility of stress reaction, and that it can be identified and treated when it occurs. While the care of those who have left the armed forces is properly the responsibility of the national health service, medical summaries will in future indicate whether an individual has been treated for stress disorder while he or she was in the services.
Overseas Students
Mr. Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many students from overseas were trained at Ministry of Defence establishments during 1994. [16177]
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Mr. Soames: According to available records, 4,777 overseas students were trained at UK military establishments during 1994.
Astra plc
Mr. Bermingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what specific efforts were made by his Department to establish with Mr. James himself whether any of the documents referred to in his answer to the hon. Member for Leyton, (Mr. Cohen) of 21 July 1994, Official Report, column 556, were personal rather than company documents. [17002]
Mr. Soames: None. The documents were taken by the Ministry of Defence police from Astra plc/BMARC after Mr. James had left the company. They were considered to be company documents and treated as such throughout the MDP investigation.
Mr. Bermingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he has handed any of the Astra plc documents to Sir Richard Scott, pursuant to his Department's letter of 27 January 1993 to Mr. J. Barratt of Cork Gulley. [17008]
Mr. Soames: The provision of documents to Sir Richard Scott's inquiry is a matter between my Department and the inquiry.
Mr. Bermingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the role of Ministers and deputy permanent secretaries in his Department in authorising or sanctioning the raid on Astra plc in 1990; and which of his officials and Ministers were subsequently consulted about the return of documents. [17010]
Mr. Soames: None. Ministry of Defence police who conducted the investigation are operationally independent in such matters.
Mr. Bermingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what opportunity was afforded to Mr. James to recover documents which may have been his personal property or to consult with his staff; and if a list of seized documents was made available to him. [17004]
Mr. Soames: No opportunity was offered to Mr. James to recover documents which may have been his personal property or to consult with his staff. Documents taken by Ministry of Defence police were considered to be company documents and a list was never made available to Mr. James who had left Astra/BMARC at the time of the MOD police investigation.
Mr. Bermingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the occasions when his Department has been approached by Mr. Gerald James seeking to recover his own personal documents from among those documents seized by MOD staff in April 1990. [17006]
Mr. Soames: Ministry of Defence police have no record of any direct approach by Mr. James seeking to recover documents seized by them.
Mr. Bermingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the role and function of Mr. J. W. Cassey at the offices of Astra plc in 1990; and what have been his official appointments before and since that period. [17005]
Mr. Soames: The Ministry of Defence police have no knowledge of Mr. Cassey's role and function at the offices of Astra plc in 1990; nor of his official appointments before and since that date.
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Mr. Bermingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence at what period in 1990 his staff were on the premises of Astra plc at 6 St. James place, London; and if he will summarise the documents and materials removed by his staff from those premises. [17007]
Mr. Soames: Ministry of Defence police have not conducted a search of the premises of Astra plc at 6 St. James place, London.
Market Testing
Mrs. Jane Kennedy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the names and grades of the members of the panel appointed by his Department to evaluate the in-house bid by Defence Accounts Agency Department of Accounts (Bills), Liverpool to retain the service it provides at present. [16917]
Mr. Freeman: The panel appointed to evaluate the bid submitted by the Accounts (Bills) in-house team is:
Name |Grade |Department
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. M. J. Dymond |Grade 3 |Chief Executive, Defence
| Accounts Agency
| (Chairman)
Mrs. S. A. Beaver |Grade 5 |Director of Procurement
| (Finance)
Mr. M. A. Rowe |Grade 5 |Director of Accounts (Bills)
Mr. D. A. Thomas |Grade 6 |Assistant Director of Accounts
| (Staff)
Mr. P. J. Chafer |Grade 6 |Assistant Director of Accounts
| (Budgets and Agency)
Mrs. Jane Kennedy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on which basis he estimates that the total running cost of providing the service currently provided by Defence Accounts Agency Department of Accounts (Bills), Liverpool would be 20 per cent. lower if it were provided by a private sector firm. [16913]
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