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E-mail
Mr. Jenkin: To ask the Secretary for Defence pursuant to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster's answer on 10 November 1997, Official Report, column 441, if he will list the e-mail addresses of (a) Ministers, (b) senior officials and (c) chief executives of agencies for which he is responsible. [15872]
Mr. Spellar [holding answer 13 November 1997]: The official MOD website at www.mod.uk provides the postal address for the Ministers' Correspondence Unit (Room 6140, MOD Main Building, Whitehall, London SWIA 2HB), which is a central distribution point for all correspondence addressed to the Department, its Minsters, senior officials and the chief executives of its agencies. We are considering improvements to the Department's internet presence, including the provision of a central e-mail address.
AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD
Beef Industry
Mr. Charles Kennedy: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he will take to promote awareness of the beef assurance scheme throughout the industry. [16654]
Dr. John Cunningham: I have no plans for any specific new measures to promote awareness of the Beef Assurance Scheme. When the scheme was set up the Agriculture Departments sent details of the scheme to every beef farmer in the country as well as to a wide range of organisations representing the farming and food industry. The scheme has, however, had a low uptake. There are currently only 73 members herds, spread across country.
Agri-environment Schemes
Mr. Martyn Jones: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made in increasing the percentage of agricultural land that is farmed under an agri-environment scheme. [16328]
Mr. Morley: We encourage applications under all our agri-environment schemes. In particular, we expect to approve this year some 1,300 applications under the Countryside Stewardship Scheme and almost 1,100 under the ESA scheme, with smaller numbers under the other existing schemes. Details of the area of land concerned are not yet available. In addition, a pilot Arable Stewardship scheme is being introduced in England at the beginning of 1998 to encourage arable farmers to manage their land in ways which will encourage wildlife.
All schemes are subject to regular review and consideration is given to any practical suggestions for improving their uptake. The Government consult on their implementation with a wide range of interests.
19 Nov 1997 : Column: 230
For the future, the Government see a continuing, and ultimately increased, role for environmental incentive schemes as part of a reformed CAP.
Mr. Matthew Taylor:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will place in the Library a copy of the internal departmental guidance on the dissemination of information; and if he will make a statement. [16296]
Mr. Morley:
I have made arrangements for copies of this guidance to be placed in the Library of the House. In keeping with the Department's commitment to the principles of open Government, this guidance has, for some time, been made available on request.
Mr. Martyn Jones:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to encourage new entrants into farming; and if he will make a statement. [16329]
Mr. Morley:
The Government appreciate the need to encourage new entrants to farming. The Department funds a number of measures to ensure that young people are aware of career opportunities in agriculture. These are provided through the MAFF contract with ATB-Landbase, the Industry Training Organisation for agriculture and commercial horticulture, through Sector Challenge and through a grant to the National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs. We will also participate fully in the discussion due on the European Commission's report "Young Farmers and the Problem of Succession in European Agriculture".
Charities
Mr. Waterson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress he has made in his review of the taxation of charities, with particular reference to charity shops and if he will make a statement. [15935]
Dawn Primarolo: Charities (including charity shops), businesses and other interested parties are contributing their suggestions on improvements to the existing taxation system for charities by the Review's deadline of 1 December 1997. The suggestions received will inform a public consultation document which is due to be published in Spring 1998.
Tobacco Smuggling
Mr. Letwin: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures he will take to combat tobacco smuggling.[15943]
Dawn Primarolo:
My right hon. Friend announced in his last Budget a review to look at the effect on the Exchequer and the industry of alcohol and tobacco fraud, smuggling and cross-border shopping. The review, which is being conducted in partnership with all the trade sectors
19 Nov 1997 : Column: 231
concerned and with key Government Departments, will report to me by the end of the year with options for dealing with these issues.
Mr. O'Neill:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the approximate total value of the 293 consignments of goods imported for the development and construction of European space vehicles during 1996-97, on which relief from customs duties was given, and the approximate value of duties forgone; in which countries these consignments originated; and for what reasons relief was given. [16077]
Dawn Primarolo:
The European Space Agency was established as an International Organisation in 1978 and under the International Organisations Act 1968 receives exemption from customs duties, excise duties and VAT on the importation of goods imported by or on behalf of the Agency for its official activities.
I regret that figures pertaining to the number, value, origin of consignments and extent of duties relieved for the development and construction of European space vehicles are not available in the form requested.
Mr. Clapham:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people were diagnosed to be suffering from asbestosis in (a) 1995 and (b) 1996 broken down by (i) parliamentary constituency and (ii) local authority unit.[16480]
Mrs. Liddell:
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Chief Executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
19 Nov 1997 : Column: 232
The tables show only those local authorities in which a death occurred. Similar data could only be presented at parliamentary constituency level at disproportionate cost.
Deaths from asbestosis were identified as those certified with an underlying cause coded to ICD9 [International Classification of Diseases Ninth Revision] code of 501.
19 Nov 1997 : Column: 234
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