House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 16 Jan 2001 (pt 3)

Television Subtitling

Mr. Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the most recent statistics are that his Department has collated on the level of subtitling of all programmes broadcast on (a) BBC1, (b) BBC2, (c) ITV, (d) Channel 4 and (e) Channel 5. [145377]

Janet Anderson: From the most recent information available from the BBC, over 70 per cent. of BBC1 and over 65 per cent. of BBC2 is subtitled. From the latest figures available from the ITC, published in the Commission's Annual Report 1999, the level of subtitling of programmes in that year was 66 per cent. on ITV; 50 per cent. on GMTV; 60 per cent. on Channel 4; and 32 per cent. on Channel 5.

Digital Television

Mr. Colman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to compel United Kingdom manufacturers of television sets to include a tuner that can receive digital signals in every new television set. [145775]

16 Jan 2001 : Column: 136W

Janet Anderson: The Government have no such plans, which could be contrary to our international commitments unless it is part of a European agreement. However, the proposal for the Directive on universal service and users rights relating to electronic communications networks and services stipulates in its annexe VI that all the television sets sold in Europe should have at least one open interface socket permitting the connection of a digital receiver.

Millennium Festival (Scotland)

Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the Millennium festival in Scotland. [145894]

Mr. Chris Smith: This is a matter for the Millennium Commission. I will write to the hon. Member in my capacity as Chairman of the Commission, and place copies of my reply in the Libraries of both Houses.

National Lottery Grants

Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the applications for National Lottery grants and the amounts refused by each (a) parliamentary constituency in Scotland and (b) Lottery board for each of the last five years. [145886]

Kate Hoey: We have contacted the National Lottery distributing bodies to request such information as they hold, and I will write to the hon. Member as soon as it is available, placing copies of my letter in the Libraries of both Houses.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

Kew Gardens (Quinquennial Review)

Mr. Martyn Jones: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to conduct a Quinquennial Review of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. [146066]

Ms Quin: The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, is managed by the Board of Trustees established by the National Heritage Act 1983 and has the status of an Executive Non-Departmental Public Body. I am today announcing the Quinquennial Review of this body which will evaluate its performance and status. The Review also meets a commitment under the Government's Better Quality Services initiative which requires Departments to review their services and activities over a five-year period to decide how best to improve quality and value for money.

The terms of reference for the Review are as follows:

to conduct an evaluation of the performance of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew since the last review in 1995;

as part of the evaluation, to pay particular attention to the effectiveness of postgraduate horticultural training and the quality of public education activities; and to take account of the conclusions of the Science Audit being carried out in March 2001;

to consider in the light of this evaluation and the views of customers and other stakeholders whether NDPB status remains the most cost-effective way of achieving its own and Departmental aims, as well as Government-wide aims such as those relating to science policy and Modernising Government;

if the review concludes that the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew should continue to function as a NDPB, then to consider what changes, if any, are required to its operating framework in the

16 Jan 2001 : Column: 137W

light of the findings of the Review. If, however, the review concludes that a different delivery system would provide high quality, more effective and better value for money services, to set out the rationale and to recommend appropriate options to Ministers.

The review will be conducted by a Review Team attached to MAFF's Chief Scientist's Group, working in consultation with the Cabinet Office, the Treasury and other Government Departments as appropriate.

Interested parties are invited to submit their views to the Review Team by Monday 9 April 2001. Details of how to contact them are contained in the MAFF press notice issued today or on our website http://www.maff.gov.uk.

GM Seeds

Mr. Martyn Jones: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made by the European Commission on legislative provisions concerning the adventitious presence of genetically modified seeds in seed of conventional plant varieties. [146065]

Mr. Nick Brown: The Commission has recently published a working paper on the presence of GM seeds in seeds of conventional varieties. The draft proposals include provisions on GM threshold levels, previous cropping requirements, isolation distances and labelling. Copies of the working paper have been placed in the Library of the House.

We will be consulting widely on these proposals.

Abattoir Industry

Mr. Gill: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last met representatives of the abattoir industry; and what matters were discussed. [143176]

Mr. Nick Brown [holding answer 18 December 2000]: The last specific occasion was on 30 November 2000, when the Date Based Export Scheme was the subject of discussion.

Common Agricultural Policy

Mr. Cox: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the principal changes his Department is seeking on reform of the Common Agricultural Policy. [143931]

16 Jan 2001 : Column: 138W

Ms Quin: Our goal is for agriculture to be:

competitive, diverse and flexible in a world of increasingly open markets;

responsive to consumer demand;

environmentally sustainable;

an integral part of the rural economy.

Specific reforms needed will include:

1. Decisions on market support to align EU prices with the world market and end reliance on subsidised exports;

2. Decisions to remove constraints on EU farming that prevent the food and farming industries competing effectively on world markets eg milk and sugar quotas and compulsory set-aside;

3. Decisions to develop the rural development regulation in order to deliver more effectively policy objectives for the environment and rural economies in ways which do not distort agricultural markets as well as to help EU farms to adjust to changes in market support; and

4. Decisions concerning the level of CAP direct subsidies in order to meet budget constraints before and after enlargement and anticipated WTO requirements, and to release resources to deliver the reinforcement of the rural development regulation described.

Professor Harriet Kimbell

Mr. Yeo: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the comments made by Professor Harriet Kimbell at a departmental news conference concerning SEAC's meeting on 28 November 2000. [144345]

Mr. Nick Brown [holding answer 8 January 2001]: No. Professor Kimbell's personal opinions do not fall within my ministerial responsibility.

Farm Aid

Mr. Yeo: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will indicate, in respect of each component item of the farm aid package announced on 30 March 2000, (a) if it has been accounted for as DEL or AME expenditure and (b) what proportion has been paid to (i) farmers and (ii) other intended recipients to date. [144398]

Mr. Nick Brown [holding answer 8 January 2001]: The Action Plan for Farming, launched at the Farming Summit on 30 March was supported by £203.5 million. The components of this, how they have been accounted for, and the proportion paid to farmers and other intended recipients to date are as listed.

16 Jan 2001 : Column: 137W

Action plan for farming

Measure Value Accounted for as DEL or AME Proportion paid to farmers/other intended recipients to date

Introduced a scheme to encourage the restructuring of the pig industry in order to improve its long-term viability. (UK wide) £26 million (in 2000-01) DEL --

Pay to dairy farmers all the agrimonetary aid that EU rules permit this year only. (UK wide) £22 million (in 2000-01) AME 99.9 per cent. (£21.9 million)

Pay agrimonetary compensation to beef farmers of £22 million this year only. Payments will be made in connection with Beef Special Premium, Suckler Cow Premium and Extensification Payments for the 2000 scheme year. (UK wide) £22 million (in 2000-01 and 2001-02) AME 39 per cent. (£8.6 million)

Agrimonetary compensation to sheep farmers of £22 million this year in respect of 1999 scheme year claims. (UK wide) £22 million (in 2000-01 and 2001-02) AME 100 per cent. (£22 million)

Increase support for hill farmers beyond the level specified in the Rural Development Plans submitted to the Commission. (UK wide) £60 million (in 2000-01) DEL --

Seek from the Commission an increase in the maximum weight per animal on which compensation is payable under the over-30-months scheme. (UK wide) £20 million (estimate) (in 2000-01)⁽³⁾ DEL 49 per cent. (£12.3 million estimated expenditure)

Remove charges for dairy hygiene inspections in England as soon as the necessary legislation can be put in place £1 million (in 2000-01) DEL Value represents an estimated annual saving to industry

Hold the increase in meat inspection charges for 2000-01 to the rate of inflation. (GB wide) £4.5 million (in 2000-01) DEL Value represents an estimated annual saving to industry

Increase the rate of grant under MAFF's Farm Waste Grant Scheme from 25 per cent. of eligible expenditure (under which uptake has been low) to 40 per cent. (England only) £3.5 million (in 2001-02) DEL --

The Government will double the Regional Development Agencies' Redundant Building Grant Programmes, which operates in Rural Priority Areas, to £8 million in 2000-01. (England only) £4 million (in 2000-01) DEL 0.7 per cent. (£28K) (Quarter 1 figures)

The Government will allocate £2.3 million to create in England a European Centre for organic fruit and nursery stock. £2.261 million (over two years: £0.3 million in 2000-01 and £1.961 in 2001-02) DEL 12 per cent. (£273K)

A single charge for authorisation to dispose of used sheep dip, equivalent to the current application charge of £85, should cover the full four-year period of the initial authorisation. This means that the current annual charge of £107 will not be payable during the first four-year period. (England and Wales) £4.7 million over four years⁽⁴⁾ DEL 56 per cent. (£2.65 million)-- (estimated cash benefit in 2000-01)

Business Restructuring in England:

The Government will pump-prime the drive to improve the competitiveness of farmers by providing funding for business improvement, on a challenge basis, following the model of the Agriculture Development Scheme 1999 £1 million (in 2000-01) DEL 45 per cent. (£450K)

The Government will provide funding of £1.2 million to Lantra (National Training Organisation for the Landbased Sector) to promote the economic benefits of training and to analyse the training needs of farm business £1.2 million (in 2000-01)⁽⁵⁾ DEL 52 per cent. (£935K)

The Government will help farmers develop better business practices through tailored business advice. As farmers increasingly diversify their businesses, they will be able to draw on the wider expertise and services of the Small Business Service £6.5 million (in 2000-01)⁽⁶⁾ DEL 10 per cent. (£851K)

The Government will continue to support the Rural Stress Information Network by extending for at least a further year the secondment of a MAFF official to that organisation. MAFF will also increase the provision of free advice to those farmers referred to it by certain organisations. The Government will increase its support to voluntary bodies dealing with rural stress on the basis of an action plan drawn up with them. The final payments, 25 per cent. (£125K), are due to be made by 1 March 2001. £0.5 million (in 2000-01) DEL 75 per cent. (350K)

Launch an electronic portal for farming £0.4 million (in 2000-01) DEL 40 per cent. (160K)

Business restructuring aid for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland £2 million (in 2000-01) DEL DARD--NAWAD--SERAD 100 per cent. (£1.046 million)⁽⁷⁾

Total 203.5 -- --

Measure	Value	Accounted for as DEL or AME	Proportion paid to farmers/other intended recipients to date
Introduced a scheme to encourage the restructuring of the pig industry in order to improve its long-term viability. (UK wide)	£26 million (in 2000-01)	DEL	--

Pay to dairy farmers all the agrimonetary aid that EU rules permit this year only. (UK wide)	£22 million (in 2000-01)	AME	99.9 per cent. (£21.9 million)

Pay agrimonetary compensation to beef farmers of £22 million this year only. Payments will be made in connection with Beef Special Premium, Suckler Cow Premium and Extensification Payments for the 2000 scheme year. (UK wide)	£22 million (in 2000-01 and 2001-02)	AME	39 per cent. (£8.6 million)

Agrimonetary compensation to sheep farmers of £22 million this year in respect of 1999 scheme year claims. (UK wide)	£22 million (in 2000-01 and 2001-02)	AME	100 per cent. (£22 million)
Increase support for hill farmers beyond the level specified in the Rural Development Plans submitted to the Commission. (UK wide)	£60 million (in 2000-01)	DEL	--

Seek from the Commission an increase in the maximum weight per animal on which compensation is payable under the over-30-months scheme. (UK wide)	£20 million (estimate) (in 2000-01)⁽³⁾	DEL	49 per cent. (£12.3 million estimated expenditure)

Remove charges for dairy hygiene inspections in England as soon as the necessary legislation can be put in place	£1 million (in 2000-01)	DEL	Value represents an estimated annual saving to industry

Hold the increase in meat inspection charges for 2000-01 to the rate of inflation. (GB wide)	£4.5 million (in 2000-01)	DEL	Value represents an estimated annual saving to industry

Increase the rate of grant under MAFF's Farm Waste Grant Scheme from 25 per cent. of eligible expenditure (under which uptake has been low) to 40 per cent. (England only)	£3.5 million (in 2001-02)	DEL	--

The Government will double the Regional Development Agencies' Redundant Building Grant Programmes, which operates in Rural Priority Areas, to £8 million in 2000-01. (England only)	£4 million (in 2000-01)	DEL	0.7 per cent. (£28K) (Quarter 1 figures)

The Government will allocate £2.3 million to create in England a European Centre for organic fruit and nursery stock.	£2.261 million (over two years: £0.3 million in 2000-01 and £1.961 in 2001-02)	DEL	12 per cent. (£273K)

A single charge for authorisation to dispose of used sheep dip, equivalent to the current application charge of £85, should cover the full four-year period of the initial authorisation. This means that the current annual charge of £107 will not be payable during the first four-year period. (England and Wales)	£4.7 million over four years⁽⁴⁾	DEL	56 per cent. (£2.65 million)-- (estimated cash benefit in 2000-01)

	Business Restructuring in England:
The Government will pump-prime the drive to improve the competitiveness of farmers by providing funding for business improvement, on a challenge basis, following the model of the Agriculture Development Scheme 1999	£1 million (in 2000-01)	DEL	45 per cent. (£450K)

The Government will provide funding of £1.2 million to Lantra (National Training Organisation for the Landbased Sector) to promote the economic benefits of training and to analyse the training needs of farm business	£1.2 million (in 2000-01)⁽⁵⁾	DEL	52 per cent. (£935K)

The Government will help farmers develop better business practices through tailored business advice. As farmers increasingly diversify their businesses, they will be able to draw on the wider expertise and services of the Small Business Service	£6.5 million (in 2000-01)⁽⁶⁾	DEL	10 per cent. (£851K)

The Government will continue to support the Rural Stress Information Network by extending for at least a further year the secondment of a MAFF official to that organisation. MAFF will also increase the provision of free advice to those farmers referred to it by certain organisations. The Government will increase its support to voluntary bodies dealing with rural stress on the basis of an action plan drawn up with them. The final payments, 25 per cent. (£125K), are due to be made by 1 March 2001.	£0.5 million (in 2000-01)	DEL	75 per cent. (350K)

Launch an electronic portal for farming	£0.4 million (in 2000-01)	DEL	40 per cent. (160K)
Business restructuring aid for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland	£2 million (in 2000-01)	DEL	DARD--NAWAD--SERAD 100 per cent. (£1.046 million)⁽⁷⁾

Total	203.5	--	--

⁽³⁾ Revised estimate now £25 million

⁽⁴⁾ Estimated saving to industry

⁽⁵⁾ Allocation now £1.8 million--includes element of hill support funding

⁽⁶⁾ Allocation now £8.5 million--includes element of hill support funding

⁽⁷⁾ In the course of 2000-01 the Scottish Executive has incurred additional costs of some £4 million towards advancing its electronic data transfer and service delivery systems, both of which offer significant improvements to farm business management in Scotland. The cost of these measures is greatly in excess of the £1.046 million provided for under the Action Plan for Farming

16 Jan 2001 : Column: 141W

Next Section

Index

Home Page