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Intervention Stores (Beef)

Mr. Martin Redmond: To ask the Minster of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list by location, the current cost of the stock of beef held in intervention stores; and what the figure was (a) 12 months and (b) 24 months ago. [2321]

Mr. Douglas Hogg: Since the question concerns matters which are direct responsibility of the chief executive of the Intervention Board Executive Agency. I have asked him to reply directly to the hon. Member.

Letter from George Trevelyan to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 30 November 1995:


30 Nov 1995 : Column: 878

Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy

Mr. Steinberg: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures are being taken by his Ministry to prevent the falsification by farmers of documentation regarding BSE infected cattle. [2669]

Mrs. Browning: The Ministry requires that ear tag numbers of all cattle being moved to a market, or presented for slaughter, and which are accompanied by farmers' declarations, are checked by an official veterinary surgeon against the Ministry's central record of BSE cases. Enforcement as regards false documentation is a matter for local authorities, but prosecution is actively encouraged by the Ministry.

Official veterinary surgeons have also been asked to be alert for any indication of possible fraud, such as the replacement of ear tags, and to inform a divisional veterinary manager of the State Veterinary Service of any suspicion they have so that the circumstances can be investigated.

Baby Milk Formula

Mr. Chris Davies: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the reports received from the inquiry panel established by the local authority co-ordinating body on trading standards to investigate alleged infringements of the Baby Milk Infant Formula and Follow-on Formula Regulations 1995; what steps he will take to establish uniformity in the enforcement approach; and if he will make a statement. [2530]

Mrs. Browning: No such inquiry panel exists. The Department of Health, in consultation with representatives of health professions, voluntary groups, baby milk manufacturers and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, is drawing up guidelines, as required by the regulations, on the donation of informational and educational materials produced by infant formula manufacturers and retailers. The guidance notes will shortly be circulated to interested parties for comment. In addition, LACOTS is preparing guidance on the implementation and interpretation of the regulations.

The two documents will assist enforcement officers in local authorities to achieve a uniform approach in the enforcement of the regulations.

TRANSPORT

Investors in People

Mr. Byers: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department is taking to achieve investor in people status; when it started the process; when it expects to achieve investor in people status; and if he will make a statement. [2985]

Mr. Norris: The Department of Transport is committed to taking forward investor in people progressively.

The Department's executive agencies are progressively implementing investor in people at a pace relating to their own circumstance.

30 Nov 1995 : Column: 879

Three pilot schemes have been developed in the central transport unit. Of these the marine accident investigation branch has submitted its investors in people portfolio to Hants training and enterprise council.

Oil Tankers

Mr. Ainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many oil tankers over (a) 10,000 tonne net registered tonnage, (b) 20,000 tonne net registered tonnage, (c) 50,000 tonne NRT and (d) 100,000 tonne NRT visited British ports in 1993 and 1994; and how many were fitted with double hulls. [2852]

Mr. Norris: The information is as follows:

Gross registered tonnage19931994
Over 10,0004,3414,412
Over 20,0002,4352,513
Over 50,0001,2211,284
Over 100,000140133

Figures for net registered tonnage--NRT--and the number of double hull oil tankers are not available. As the regulations requiring new oil tankers to be fitted with double hulls, or similar structures, have only recently been introduced, the majority of existing oil tankers have single hulls.

Airports

Mr. Ainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list those airports that are equipped with distance measuring equipment in England and Wales. [2853]

Mr. Norris: The following aerodromes in England and Wales are equipped with distance measuring equipment



    Barrow/Walney Island
    Biggin Hill
    Birmingham
    Blackbushe
    Blackpool
    Bournemouth
    Bristol
    Cambridge
    Cardiff
    Carlisle
    Clacton
    East Midlands
    Exeter
    Fairoaks
    Filton
    Gamston/Retford
    Gloucestershire
    Hawarden
    Humberside
    Leeds Bradford
    Liverpool
    London City
    London Gatwick
    London Heathrow
    London Luton
    London Stansted

30 Nov 1995 : Column: 880


    Lydd
    Manchester
    Newcastle
    Norwich
    Oxford (Kidlington)
    Plymouth
    Shoreham
    Southampton
    Southend
    Swansea
    Teesside
    Warton
    Welshpool
    Woodford
    Yeovil (Westland) Source: Communications (COM) section of UK Air Pilot, published by the Civil Aviation Authority.


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