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European Convention on Human Rights (Cyprus)
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Kingston-upon-Hull North, of 9 June 2000, Official Report, column 388W, for what reason the European Convention on Human Rights is not extended to the sovereign base areas in Cyprus. [126291]
Mr. Spellar: The Sovereign Base Areas are retained solely for military purposes, and it has therefore been considered inappropriate to include them in the notifications of the extension of the European Convention on Human Rights.
AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD
Oilseed Rape
Mr. Brake: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what studies he has commissioned into the medical impact on the population of planting of oilseed rape; what controls are applied to planting of oilseed rape; and if he will make a statement. [125396]
Ms Quin: The most recent study funded by MAFF was conducted by the Medical Research Council Institute for Environment and Health (IEH), University of Leicester. This took stock of UK and foreign research and was held in conjunction with medical experts to review the epidemiological studies and consider what, if any, further research was needed.
The study concluded from the available evidence that sensitisation to oilseed rape pollen alone, in the absence of sensitisation to other pollens or other common allergens, appeared to be rare.
There are no legal restrictions on the growing of oilseed rape. Oilseed rape is widely grown in the UK and in other member states. It forms part of a cereals rotation and is a valuable crop in its own right.
GM Crops
Mr. Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to rescind permission for planting and growing GM crops on farms contaminated with GM products through the planting of oilseed rape. [123764]
Ms Quin [holding answer 5 June 2000]: None. Farmers do not need permission to grow conventional crops and the GM rapeseed involved in the recent incident was planted inadvertently. The Government could act in relation to the growing of the affected rapeseed crops or others only if there were a risk to public health or the environment. The Government have been advised that this is not the case.
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We have, however, explained carefully the position regarding potential marketing of the affected crop, and the arrangements we have secured in relation to entitlement to AAPS payments to farmers.
Joan Ruddock: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the outcome was of the visit to Canada by a departmental seeds expert to investigate the production of contaminated oilseed rape seeds by Advanta; and if he will make a statement. [126097]
Ms Quin [holding answer 19 June 2000]: We are considering the findings of the visit to Canada. Further investigations are being carried out by the Canadian Authorities.
Common Agricultural Policy
Mr. Cox: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the cost to the UK of its funding of the Common Agricultural Policy in 1999. [125982]
Ms Quin: The United Kingdom contributes to the EU budget as a whole, and not to any particular part. The budget for 1999 was set at euro 85.5 billion (around £59 billion), of which the CAP accounted for euro 40.5 billion (around £28 billion). The UK's contribution to the overall EU budget was 12.68 per cent., after the effect of the Fontainebleau abatement was taken into account.
Upper Mole Flood Plain
Mr. Blunt: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for what reasons the Environment Agency has not provided copies of the Upper Mole Flood Plain Study and associated maps, known as the Babties report, to members of Reigate and Banstead Borough Council; and when these will be made available. [126058]
Mr. Morley: The Environment Agency issued maps of the "100 year" floodplain for the Upper Mole and main river tributaries to Reigate and Banstead Borough Council in April 1999. The Agency expects the associated final report from Babties to be delivered in about three weeks; a copy will be provided to the council. It will be available to residents with whom a further meeting is planned for 4 July.
Farm Incomes
Mr. Flynn: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what changes took place in average farm incomes in real terms in each year from 1988 to 1999 in the deciles of the (a) largest and (b) smallest farms. [126000]
Ms Quin [holding answer 15 June 2000]: The information is available only for full-time farms. Average Net Farm Incomes, in real terms, of full-time farm
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businesses in England for the deciles are given in the table. Estimates for the years before 1990-91 are obtainable only at disproportionate cost. Farm income estimates for 1999-2000 will be available early in 2001.
| Largest 10 per cent. of farms | Smallest 10 per cent. of farms | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average net farm income (£/farm) | Percentage change from previous year | Average net farm income (£/farm) | Percentage change from previous year | |
| 1990-91 | 77,400 | -- | 6,200 | -- |
| 1991-92 | 74,600 | -4 | 2,400 | -62 |
| 1992-93 | 93,900 | +26 | 3,800 | +60 |
| 1993-94 | 90,500 | -4 | 2,500 | -35 |
| 1994-95 | 117,100 | +29 | 4,400 | +78 |
| 1995-96 | 161,900 | +38 | 6,700 | +52 |
| 1996-97 | 110,800 | -32 | 6,700 | 0 |
| 1997-98 | 55,000 | -50 | 1,300 | -81 |
| 1998-99 | 38,700 | -32 | 600 | -53 |
Note:
The smallest ten per cent. of farms are represented by small samples and income estimates are subject to larger than normal sampling errors.
Source:
Farm Business Survey
Farm Subsidies
Mr. Flynn: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of subsidies to farmers in each of the past five years was distributed to the deciles of (a) the largest and (b) the smallest farms. [126001]
Ms Quin [holding answer 15 June 2000]: The information is obtainable only at disproportionate cost.
Horticulture (North-west)
Mr. Stunell: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of job losses in the horticultural industry in the north-west consequent upon the introduction of the climate change levy. [124595]
Ms Quin [holding answer 15 June 2000]: It is not possible to say with precision what the effect of the climate change levy on the horticulture industry in the north-west will be, as this will depend, among other things, on the extent to which horticultural businesses in the region make use of the various incentives offered under the levy to improve energy efficiency. Further, subject to State Aids clearance from the European Commission, a specific package to help the horticulture industry has been announced.
BSE
Mr. Drew: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent discussions he has had with the United States (a) Department of Agriculture and (b) Food and Drugs Administration on comprehensive risk analysis relating to BSE. [123391]
Ms Quin [holding answer 23 May 2000]: None.
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PRIME MINISTER
Serbia
Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Prime Minister if he will hold discussions with the Government of Bulgaria about the lifting of sanctions against Serbia. [124405]
The Prime Minister [holding answer 14 June 2000]: The Government are in regular contact with the Bulgarian government on a wide range of issues. I have no immediate plans to hold talks with the Bulgarians specifically on this subject.
Daily Press Briefings
Mr. Baker: To ask the Prime Minister what his policy is in respect of attendance at daily press briefings by his official spokesman. [126802]
The Prime Minister: My Official Spokesman is responsible for ensuring the press are briefed regularly; either by him, or his press office team.
Lockerbie
Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library his correspondence with Pamela Dix of the Lockerbie relatives on the Lockerbie Trust. [126252]
The Prime Minister: I have not written to Pamela Dix.
Central Railway
Mr. Lidington: To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 8 June 2000, Official Report, column 355W, on Central Railway, when members of the Number Ten Policy Unit met representatives of Central Railway. [126540]
The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 8 June 2000, Official Report, column 355W.
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