---

BBSRC Grants

Mr. Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much grant in 1998-99 was given by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council to (a) the John Innes Centre and (b) the Sainsbury Laboratory. [73037]

Mr. Byers [holding answer 25 February 1999]: DTI Ministers routinely respond to questions concerning the use of Science Budget money and the conduct of the Research Councils, but this Government, like their predecessors, support the Haldane principle that

"day-to-day decisions on the scientific merits of different strategies, programmes and projects should be taken by the Research Councils, without Government involvement" (Paragraph 3.23 of the 1993 White Paper, "Realising Our Potential: A Strategy for Science, Engineering and Technology").

Accordingly, it is the BBSRC itself which decides the allocation of competitive strategic grant (CSG) to each of its eight Institutes, including the John Innes Centre. The Institutes are also able to apply for certain categories of BBSRC research grants, in competition with other researchers and subject to the approval of the Council's peer review committees. The Council does not allocate CSG to the Sainsbury Laboratory. The Laboratory is administered by the University of East Anglia and its staff are University employees. They are eligible to apply for research grants in the same way as academics elsewhere.

19 Apr 1999 : Column: 449

The table shows, for each year since 1996-297, the CSG approved by the Council for the John Innes Centre (including expenditure on equipment and minor works), and expenditure on research grants to the John Innes Centre and the Sainsbury Laboratory respectively, as approved by the BBSRC's peer review committees.

Expenditure (£ millions)

	1996-97	1997-98	1998-99
John Innes Centre
(a) CSG	10.19	10.25	10.50
(b) research grants	2.41	2.55	2.21
(c) total	12.60	12.80	12.71
Sainsbury Laboratory (research grants)	0.28	0.51	0.64

Food and Crop Biotechnology (Genetic Modification)

Mr. Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how the Government differentiate between genetically modified food and genetically modified crop biotechnology in determining departmental responsibilities. [74221]

Mr. Byers [holding answer 2 March 1999]: The responsibility for agriculture and food issues--including those relating to genetically modified crops and foods--rests primarily with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Other Government Departments also have a role. For example, the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions has primary responsibility for protection of the environment, and is therefore responsible for ensuring the safety of the release of genetically modified organisms--including genetically modified crops--into the environment. In this respect, DETR/MAFF act jointly on GM crop applications, with DETR taking the lead. Similarly, given the Department of Health's primary responsibility for human health, it acts jointly with MAFF on genetically modified food applications, with MAFF taking the lead.

The Office of Science and Technology seeks to ensure that there is effective co-ordination between Government Departments, and that the Government are receiving the best scientific advice.

Human Genetics

Mrs. Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if it is his policy that members of the Human Genetics Advisory Commission should avoid conflicts of interest. [79532]

Mr. Battle: It is important that advice is sought from those people best placed to provide it. The members of the Human Genetics Advisory Commission, therefore, have a range of backgrounds, experience, and interests. As with members of any public body, they are required to declare any personal or business interest which may influence their judgment and should follow all the appropriate guidance whenever a conflict arises.

19 Apr 1999 : Column: 450

Mrs. Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 18 March 1999, Official Report, column 716, where the declarations of interest of members of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority and the Human Genetics Advisory Commission are available for public inspection. [79506]

Mr. Battle: I understand that a list is maintained at the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority at Paxton House, 30 Artillery Lane, London E1 7LS (Tel: [phone]). For the Human Genetics Advisory Commission a list is maintained by the secretariat at the Office of Science and Technology, Albany House, 94-98 Petty France, London SW1H 9ST (Tel: [phone]). I understand that both bodies intend to publish the list in their forthcoming Annual Reports.

Wellcome Trust

Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to reduce uncertainty among scientists about the rules for submission and resubmission of applications for the Wellcome Trust funds from the Joint Infrastructure Fund. [80162]

Mr. Battle: Comprehensive information and details of how to submit applications to the Joint Infrastructure Fund are available from the Wellcome Trust in respect of the biomedical and biological sciences, and the relevant Research Councils in respect of all other areas of science and engineering. Any specific inquiries which universities may have about the Fund should be directed to them.

The Trust and Research Councils will accept submissions at any time up to a final deadline of 30 April 2000 for new buildings and refurbishment and 10 October 2000 for applications for equipment. Resubmissions are allowed only if expressly invited by the Joint Executive Committee of the Joint Infrastructure Fund, but this would be only under the most exceptional circumstances and is expected to be a very rare occurrence.

European Scrutiny Committee

Mr. Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will produce an updated explanatory memorandum for the European Scrutiny Committee in relation to the draft End of Life Vehicles Directive. [80540]

Dr. Howells [holding answer 13 April 1999]: As the hon. Member is aware, the Environment Council meeting on 11 March decided to defer a final decision on the Directive until its next meeting on 24-25 June. No new issues have been raised which would merit an updated Explanatory Memorandum or Regulatory Impact Assessment. However, if an official text should emerge in the meantime, this will of course be deposited in Parliament and covered by an Explanatory Memorandum in the normal way.

Departmental Secondments

Mr. Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the individuals

19 Apr 1999 : Column: 451

seconded from his Department to the oil and gas companies or firms contracting for oil and gas companies since 1 May 1997. [80849]

19 Apr 1999 : Column: 452

Mr. Battle: Four secondments from my Department to companies in the oil and gas sector have commenced since 1 May 1997. They are:

19 Apr 1999 : Column: 451

Individual	Company to which they are seconded	DTI directorate from which they are seconded
Helen Hichens	Mobile North Sea Ltd.	Oil and Gas Directorate
Christopher Pook	BG plc	Ministerial Parliamentary Support Team
Anne Sherriff	BP Exploration	Finance and Resource Management
Ashley Malster	BG plc	Reform of Energy Regulation Team

19 Apr 1999 : Column: 451

My Department does not have details of the specific companies with which those in the oil and gas sector have current contracts.

Mr. Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the individuals seconded

19 Apr 1999 : Column: 452

to his Department from the oil and gas industry since 1 May 1997. [80848]

Mr. Battle: Four secondments into this Department from the oil and gas industry have commenced since 1 May 1997. They are:

19 Apr 1999 : Column: 451

Individual	Seconding company	DTI directorate to which they are seconded
Dominic McClafferty	European Gas Turbines (GEC Alstrom)	Export Promotion Directorate
Scott Hornafius	Mobil	Oil and Gas Directorate
Philip Haymes	British Petroleum	Export Promotion Directorate
Neil McMillan	Brown and Root AOC	Infrastructure and Energy Projects Directorate

19 Apr 1999 : Column: 451

Raw Milk (MMC Report)

Mr. Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 13 April 1999, Official Report, column 94, when he will publish the MMC report on the supply of raw milk. [81109]

Dr. Howells: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry will publish the report as soon as is practicable.

MOX Fuel Shipment

Mr. Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much extra training the armed United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority police who will accompany the shipment of MOX fuel from Barrow to Japan have been given; when this extra training was undertaken; what the cost was of the extra training; and if he will make a statement. [81080]

Mr. Battle: Officers of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority Constabulary have been given comprehensive training, taking full account of their roles and responsibilities when escorting shipments of MOX fuel. The training package, including provision for regular refresher courses, was specially developed by the Constabulary and the Naval Recruiting and Training Agency and delivered under commercial contracts during the past year. Other specialist training has been carried out by the Northumbria Constabulary. Some officers have also completed advanced first aid courses. The costs of the training are a matter for the companies concerned.

Mr. Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many armed United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority Police will accompany each shipment of MOX fuel from Barrow to Japan; what weapons they will be armed with; when the first shipment is expected to leave Barrow; and if other countries will be informed in advance of the movements of these shipments through their jurisdictions. [81079]

Mr. Battle: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Stroud (Mr. Drew) on 18 January 1999, Official Report, columns 364-65.

19 Apr 1999 : Column: 452

For obvious security reasons details of physical protection arrangements for ships carrying MOX fuel are confidential. The timing of the first shipment is not yet finalised but the intention is to carry it out this calendar year. It has been our practice to inform coastal states, both on and off route, in advance and on a confidential basis, of the movement of High Level Waste shipments. In the case of MOX fuel shipments, we intend to continue this practice, consistent with our international obligations to protect information about the movement of sensitive nuclear materials.

---