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Depression
Mr. Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people have been diagnosed as suffering from depression in each (i) health and (ii) unitary authority area in Wales in each of the past 10 years. [81339]
Mr. Jon Owen Jones: In the Welsh Health Survey, a postal survey carried out in 1995, people were asked "Do you have depression now that you have had for 3 months or more?". The following table shows, by health authority and unitary authority, the percentage of the respondents (aged 18 and over) who answered yes. Because of possible response bias in surveys of this nature, the figures given may overstate the actual prevalence of the condition in the population.
Information for other years is not available centrally.
Following the transfer of functions, this issue will be a matter for the National Assembly.
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ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS
Genetically Modified Food
Mr. Maclean: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the total number of genetically modified food trial sites; how frequently they have been inspected by the Health and Safety Executive; and if he will list those sites which have not been inspected in the past 12 months. [72677]
Mr. Meacher [holding answer 24 February 1999]: Since the current regulations came into force in 1993, genetically modified crops have been grown on approximately 373 individual test sites, some at the same research establishments or farms. In the coming growing season, we have received notifications that genetically modified crops will be grown at 65 different sites.
There is no set pattern of inspection. In previous years about half of the active test sites have been inspected each year. From April 1999, inspections will increase so that at least one test site from each consent is inspected. In total, we expect about 70 to 80 site inspections to take place and repeat inspections will be carried out where necessary. Also from this year, an annual report on inspection activities is to be produced listing the sites which were inspected. Copies of the report will be placed in the Library as soon as the report is produced.
Genetically Modified Animals
Mr. Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many genetically modified animals, by species, have been exported in each year from 1990 to date, and to where. [81262]
Mr. Meacher [holding answer 19 April 1999]: The information requested is not available. There is no requirement to keep or collect such information.
Anyone intending to use premises for the keeping of genetically modified animals in the United Kingdom must give prior notification to the Health and Safety Executive under the Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations, but there is no requirement to keep records of the export of such animals.
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The keeping of genetically modified mammals is subject to licencing by the Home Office and the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act. The Home Office collects figures on the discharge of transgenic animals but these figures do not distinguish between export and other methods of discharge such as humane killing.
Joan Ruddock:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to have gathered enough scientific evidence from farm-scale testing of genetically modified crops to make an assessment of the environmental and wildlife consequences of the commercial growing of such crops. [81639]
Mr. Meacher:
It is difficult to give a clear statement about when we expect to have gathered enough scientific evidence, but the programme of ecological studies will run for three years in the first instance.
In the first year, the evaluations of the effects of the management of the GM crops on wildlife will be carried out on a limited number of sites, as explained in my answer given today to my hon. Friend's other question (PQ 81638). The first year's work will establish the methodology for future years, but will also generate information which could give an early indication of whether there could be adverse effects.
The work in the subsequent years 2000 and 2001 will be carried out on at least 20 sites for each crop. Because this work is carried out on a greater number of sites, the results will have greater statistical significance. The research contractors will be following the crops through the cropping rotations in subsequent years.
To ensure that this work is scientifically sound, we are in the process of appointing an independent steering committee to oversee the experimental design and methodologies, the statistics, and to advise on the interpretation of the results. I will consider the advice of this committee about at what stage we have gathered enough evidence and whether, and if so, what further studies need to be carried out. The work will be reviewed year by year and we will use this to decide how best to proceed with the managed development of GM crops in the UK.
Joan Ruddock:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has for farm-scale test sites for genetically modified crops in addition to the three he announced on 15 April in the current year. [81638]
Mr. Meacher:
This year, three fields of genetically modified (GM) spring oilseed rape and four fields of GM maize will be planted for the farm-scale evaluations and compared with a similar number of fields of equivalent non-GM crops. It is anticipated that three to five fields of GM winter oilseed rape will be planted in August.
In subsequent years, at least 20 fields of each crop will be planted to enable the evaluations to be carried out at a scale which will generate sufficient information to ensure
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that a rigorous statistical analysis can be carried out to identify whether or not the management of the GM crops results in indirect effects on wildlife compared to non-GM crops.
Information on the farm-scale evaluations will be published shortly on the DETR Website (www.environment.detr.gov.uk/acre/wildlife/index.htm).
Joan Ruddock:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what regulations he has applied to the dispersal of seed from genetically modified crops grown in farm-scale test sites over the next five years. [81640]
Mr. Meacher:
All the releases of genetically modified (GM) crops will be carried out under the appropriate authorisations in accordance with the Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) Regulations 1992, as amended. With respect to the control of dispersal of seed, the farmers growing the crops will in addition be applying the guidelines being prepared by the industry body Supply Chain Initiative for Modified Agricultural Crops (SCIMAC). The draft guidelines cover the issue of seed dispersal, and farmers will be advised to take the necessary precautions to prevent seed spillage and dispersal.
Mr. Webb:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what quality control measures are in place to ensure that highway repairs undertaken by the Highways Agency are of adequate durability. [81957]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
Highway repairs undertaken by the Highways Agency are usually procured under contract and the terms of the contract include the "Specification for Highway Works" (the latest edition was published by the Stationery Office in May 1998). This is the main document that sets out the performance, materials and workmanship requirements.
Workmanship on site and contract compliance is supervised by suitably qualified and experienced highway engineers and inspectors commissioned by the Highways Agency.
The specification includes detail of checkpoints at which suppliers provide the Highway's Agency's agents with evidence of compliance with the specification either by testing of materials and/or by staged inspection of the work. Work is not accepted until it is certified as meeting the requirements of the specification.
Mr. Burns:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) when he plans to bring into force the contaminated land regime in Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990; [81798]
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(3) what plans he has to consult the public on proposed guidance under the contaminated land regime before it is laid before Parliament. [81800]
Mr. Meale
[holding answer 26 April 1999]: Implementation of the contaminated land regime in Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 is dependent upon statutory guidance to be issued by the Secretary of State, and also on secondary legislation.
(2) when he plans to lay guidance issued under the contaminated land regime before each House of Parliament; [81799]
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