| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
Electric Shock Dog Collars
Mr. Rendel: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) which (i) regiments and (ii) other section of the armed forces and the MOD police, are using dog collars that administer electric shocks to the animals; [3077]
- (2) what is the number of dogs owned by any section of the armed forces and the MOD police, on which electric shock dog collars (a) have been used and (b) are currently being used; [3078]
(3) what guidelines he has given to (i) the armed forces and (ii) the MOD police, on the use of dog collars that administer electric shocks to the animals. [3076]
Mr. Soames: These are essentially matters for the chief executive of the Defence Animal Centre and the chief executive and chief constable of the Ministry of Defence Police. I have asked them to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from W. E. E. Boreham to Mr. David Rendel, dated 11 November 1996:
I am replying to your three Questions to the Secretary of State for Defence about the use of dog collars that administer electric shocks to the animals as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Defence Animal Centre (DAC).
11 Nov 1996 : Column: 32
Mr. Simpson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list (a) the members of his Department who attended the Anglo-French summit in Bordeaux and (b) the positions they hold. [3614]
Mr. Soames:
Accompanying my right. hon. Friend the Secretary of Defence to the UK-French summit in Bordeaux on 7 to 8 November were the First Sea Lord, the deputy-under secretary for policy and his principal private secretary.
Letter from A.H. Roache to Mr. David Rendel, dated 11 November 1996:
I am replying to those parts of your Questions to the Secretary of State for Defence about electric shock collars in relation to police dogs as this falls into my area of responsibility as Chief Constable/Chief Executive of the Ministry of Defence Police Agency.
Electric shock collars are not used in my Force on police dogs and I have no plans to introduce such equipment.
As the focal point for animal training for the three Services, the DAC does not make use of such pieces of equipment in training of dogs and consequently, no guidelines for usage have ever been issued.
By the same token, no Service unit would ever be advised to use an item such as this on one of their animals. If, having left the DAC after training, a dog proved to be unsuitable for its role for whatever reason, it would be returned to the DAC for evaluation and re-training. If the dog could not be brought back to the required standard, it would be replaced.
Information Technology Projects
Ms Church: To ask the Prime Minister how many information technology projects have been undertaken since 1992 and are planned for the coming year, in cost bands of £1,000,000. [1901]
The Prime Minister [holding answer 7 November 1996]: For these purposes, my Office is part of the Cabinet Office. I refer the hon. Lady to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Paymaster General today.
State Opening (Costs)
Mr. Flynn: To ask the Prime Minister what was the total cost to the Government of the state opening of Parliament. [2807]
The Prime Minister [holding answer 7 November 1996]: Some £40,000 has been set aside between the two Houses for the state opening of Parliament and £1,600 has been allocated for the printing of the Queen's Speech. This does not include any additional cost of police and military staff who took part in the ceremony, which are not separately costed.
WALES
Permaculture
Mr. Martyn Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimates he has made of the number of farms or holdings operating on permaculture principles; and if he will make a statement. [2347]
Mr. Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the work of the permaculture farm at Tir Penrhos Isaf in Gwynedd; what plans he has to encourage permaculture within national parks; and if he will make a statement. [2359]
Mr. Evans: No assessment has been made and there are no plans to encourage permaculture within national parks in Wales.
Mr. Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the practice and benefits of permaculture within Wales; and if he will make a statement. [2352]
11 Nov 1996 : Column: 33
Mr. Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list for each year since 1994 the estimated number of organic farms or holdings in Wales; in each year, how many of these organic farms or holdings operated under the principles of permaculture; and if he will make a statement. [2321]
Mr. Evans: There are currently 101 registered organic producers in Wales representing an area of 3,377 hectares. Details for earlier years are not available. No estimate has been made of the number of organic farms operating on permaculture principles.
Local Exchange Trading Schemes
Mr. Martyn Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the desirability of providing financial aid and incentives to encourage rural local authorities to set up specific local exchange trading schemes to help farmers cope during the BSE crisis; and if he will make a statement. [2312]
Mr. Jonathan Evans: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on 7 November 1996, Official Report, column 657.
Security Systems (Schools)
Mr. Barry Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what sums he will make available to (a) local education authorities and (b) schools for security systems; if he will compensate those schools which installed security systems ahead of his allocations; and if he will make a statement. [2261]
Mr. Jonathan Evans: Measures to improve school security for LEA-maintained schools have been included in the grants for education, support and training--GEST--programme for 1997-98. It is for LEAs to determine funding arrangements in their areas. Security measures for voluntary aided and grant-maintained schools may be made available from within their respective capital grant proposals.
New Hospital (Porthmadog)
Mr. Wigley: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales by what date he expects to complete the private finance initiative procedures in respect of the proposed new hospital at Porthmadog; when he expects work to start on building; and when completion is scheduled. [2204]
Mr. Hague: The private finance initiative procedures for this scheme are being undertaken by the Gwynedd Community NHS trust, I understand that the North Wales health authority is undertaking a major review of all community hospital facilities in north Wales and that a delay of some six months will be required pending the outcome of that review.
Hospitals (Private Finance Initiative)
Mr. Barry Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many hospitals in Wales are involved in private finance initiative bids by area. [2266]
11 Nov 1996 : Column: 34
Mr. Gwilym Jones: The following are involved in private finance initiative bids where the proposed scheme costs exceeds their delegated capital spending limits--although all trusts test for private sector interest within the private finance initiative for all capital schemes:
North Wales health authority
Gwynedd Community NHS trust
Gwynedd Hospitals NHS trust
Dyfed Powys health authority
Carmarthen and District NHS Trust
Derwen NHS trust
Powys Healthcare NHS trust
Morgannwg health authority
Glan-Y-Mor NHS trust
Bro Taf health authority
University Hospital of Wales Healthcare NHS trust
Cardiff Community Healthcare NHS Trust
Velindre NHS trust
Gwent health authority
Glan Hafren NHS trust
Gwent Community NHS trust
Nevil Hall NHS trust
Organic Farming
Mr. Martyn Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list for each year since 1994 (a) what forms of financial aid are available exclusively for organic farmers, (b) what administrative procedures were required for its acquisition, (c) how much money was earmarked, and (d) what percentage of the money annually earmarked was received by farmers in that year; and if he will make a statement. [2350]
Mr. Jonathan Evans: The organic aid scheme provides direct financial support for farmers wishing to convert from conventional to organic production methods.
| (£ thousands) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Financial year | Provision | Percentage outturn |
| 1994-95 | 170 | 0 |
| 1995-96 | 296 | 2 |
| 1996-97 | 382 | -- |
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |