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Departmental Expenditure Limit

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much and what proportion of the departmental expenditure limit for 2002–03 had been spent by 31 May; what the figures were for 2001–02; and if she will make a statement. [61016]

Mr. Morley: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 17 June 2002, Official Report, column 130W.

Staff Training

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much the Department has spent on staff training and development in each of the last five years. [61054]

Mr. Morley: Since the formation of this Department in June 2001 1.89 per cent. of annual running costs has been spent on staff training and development.

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Ministerial Salaries

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the annual cost was of Ministerial salaries in her Department in (a) 1997–98 and (b) 2001–02. [60942]

Mr. Morley: The level of Ministerial salaries are recommended by the Senior Salaries Review Body. From May 1997, in this department there was 1 Cabinet Minister, at an annual salary of £43,991; 1 Minister of State, at an annual salary of £31,125; and 2 Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State, at an annual salary of £23,623 (Commons) and £43,632 (Lords). From June 2001, there was 1 Cabinet Minister, at an annual salary of £68,157; 2 Ministers of State, each at an annual salary of £35,356; and 2 Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State at an annual salary of £26,835 (Commons) and £60,961 (Lords).

Committee Mandates

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the mandate of the Advisory Committee on Livestock Products is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if she will list the items currently under its consideration; if she will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if she will make a statement. [61718]

Mr. Morley: The mandate of the Advisory Committee on Livestock Products is set out in Commission Decision 98/235/EC. The UK is not formally represented on the Committee; members are directly appointed by the Commission, drawn from across the EU, on the basis of their socioeconomic interests.

The Commission, together with member states, is currently conducting a review to bring existing legislation on the conduct of comitology committees into line with Council Decision 1999/468/EC, to 'simplify the requirements for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission'. As an obligation to this Decision, the Commission undertook to publish an annual report on the working of committees. The first report was deposited in the Libraries of both Houses on 26 February (Com (2001) 783 Final). As part of the review process, the UK Government has encouraged the Commission to produce and maintain an electronic database of every comitology committee, its agendas and recent actions, to be available through its website.

Free Range Eggs

David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action her Department is taking to promote the production of free range eggs in the United Kingdom. [62903]

Mr. Morley: The Department recognises the importance of free range egg systems both in terms of consumer demand and as part of a general policy on the

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welfare of laying hens. However, the department is not currently involved in any direct promotion of free range eggs.

Noise Forum

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action she intends to take on the conclusions contained in publications issued by the Government and on behalf of the Government which were distributed at the United Kingdom Noise Forum's inaugural conference held on 20 May; and if she will make a statement. [62571]

Mr. Meacher: The 'Noise Incidence Study' (NIS) and 'Noise Attitudes Survey' (NAS), are the latest in a time-series of data on the levels of noise, and people's perception of noise.

The key finding from NIS is that the average noise levels measured during the daytime and evening have decreased to some extent.

The environmental (road, rail and air traffic) noise issues identified within NIS and NAS, will be addressed during the development of the National Ambient Noise Strategy currently being developed. Moreover, the highlighted problem of neighbour noise will be jointly targeted with the planned amendments to the Noise Act 1996, which will make it easier for councils to use additional powers to control domestic noise, and with the 'Neighbour Noise Communications Plan'. This will involve the characterisation of both noisemakers and noise sufferers so that a hard-hitting publicity campaign can communicate both how to deal with noise nuisance, and how to avoid creating it.

Additionally, the 'Review of European Legislation and Practices (2002)', has identified a variety of enforcement and control measures that my officials will be exploring in more detail. These include:

Integration of local authority efforts—the Amsterdam example given in the report appears to offer benefits


Mediation—mediation in Norway is cited as a model service


Education—further research is recommended into the effectiveness of education programmes, particularly in schools.

Frozen Peas

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will take steps to support the frozen peas industry and pea producers in East Anglia; and if she will make a statement. [62270]

Mr. Morley [holding answer 17 June 2002]: The production and processing of peas are undertaken in response to market demand. I have no plans to provide specific support either to producers or to processors.

Recycling

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many applications the Environment Agency has received for further fixed plant recycling sites in the UK in 2002. [62635]

Mr. Meacher: The Environment Agency has received applications from ten companies for licences for the recycling of refrigerators and freezers.

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Other plant for general recycling operate at sites across the range of the waste industry, including landfill sites, scrap yards, transfer stations, composting sites and other treatment sites. It is not possible to readily identify which applications have a component in respect of recycling plant.

Wild Fauna and Flora

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) when the EU Committee for the protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade is next due to meet; whether experts nominated by the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement; [64829]

(2) when the EU scientific review group for the protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade is next due to meet; whether experts nominated by the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [64884]

Mr. Meacher: The next meeting of the Committee on Trade in Wild Fauna and Flora is on 30 July 2002. The Scottish Executive is not represented on the Committee, or the related Scientific Review Group, as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) is not a devolved matter. The July meeting will focus on agreeing a common position on proposals for the next Conference of CITES Parties, which takes place in Santiago, Chile in November. We are currently seeking views from our overseas territories and other interested parties on the merits of these proposals.

The next Scientific Review Group meeting is on 5 September 2002. The UK is represented on the Committee by scientific advisers from the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (fauna) and the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew (flora). The Scientific Review Group was set up to examine scientific questions relating to the implementation of CITES within the EU. The meeting in September is likely to focus on preparations for the next CITES Conference.

EU Management Committee

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the EU Management Committees of the common organisations of agricultural markets for natural fibres is next due to meet; whether experts nominated by the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members; and if she will make a statement. [63932]

Mr. Morley: The Management Committee for Natural Fibres assists the European Commission in the operation of the common organisation of the market in flax, hemp, cotton and silkworms. It has met seven times over the last 12 months. The date for the next meeting has not been fixed. UK representation depends on the agenda items under discussion. Officials from the Scottish Executive and other devolved administrations attend as necessary in accordance with their interests.

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the EU Committee for the adaptation to scientific and technical progress of the Directive on water intended for human

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consumption is next due to meet; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; and if she will make a statement. [63948]

Mr. Meacher: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer given to the hon. Member for Buckingham (Mr. John Bercow) on 10 June 2002, Official Report, column 915W-16W.

The Committee established under Article 12 of the Drinking Water Directive 1998 expects to meet again in November. During the past 12 months the Committee met in November 2001 and in April 2002.

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the EU Joint Meetings of Management and/or Regulatory Committee in the field of agriculture-agrimonetary questions is next due to meet; whether experts nominated by the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [64897]

Mr. Morley: There are no meetings scheduled for the Agrimonetary Management Committee.

UK representation on the committee is led by DEFRA although members of the devolved administrations are entitled to attend. Members of the Scottish Executive have not attended past meetings.

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the EU Management Committee of the Common Organisations of Agricultural Markets for Live Plants and Floriculture Products is next due to meet; whether experts nominated by the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [64896]

Mr. Morley: I refer the hon. Member to written answer given to the hon. Member for Buckingham (Mr. Bercow) on 10 June 2002, Official Report, column 913W.

There is no set schedule of meetings for the Management Committee for Live Plants and Floriculture Products. UK representation on this management committee depends on the agenda items under discussion. No representative of the Scottish Executive has attended.

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the EU Committee on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora (habitat) is next due to meet; what the UK representation is on it; whether experts nominated by the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [64828]

Mr. Meacher: The Habitats Committee last met on 14 March 2002, and at that meeting it was decided the committee would next meet at a date to be arranged in November 2002. UK representation ordinarily consists of an official from my Department together with a scientific adviser from the Joint Nature Conservation Committee. However, wider representation on the committee depends on the agenda items under discussion. Officials from the devolved administrations attend as necessary in accordance with their interests. Officials from the Scottish Executive have attended all recent Habitats Committee meetings.

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Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the EU Management Committee of the Common Organisations of Agricultural Markets for Oils and Fats is next due to meet; whether experts nominated by the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [64886]

Mr. Morley: The EU Management Committee for Oils and Fats is next due to meet on 5 July 2002. UK representation on this management committee depends on the agenda items under discussion. Officials from the Scottish Executive and other devolved administrations attend as necessary in accordance with their interests. However, no representative of the Scottish Executive has attended the Management Committee for Oils and Fats.

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the EU Committee on Certificates of Specific Character for Agricultural Products and Foodstuffs is next due to meet; whether experts nominated by the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [64892]

Mr. Morley: The date of the next EU Regulatory Committee on Certificates of Specific Character for Agricultural Produce and Foodstuffs is unknown at this stage.

UK representation varies according to the agenda for each meeting and may include members of the Scottish Executive and other devolved administrations where there are items of sufficient interest. If Scottish Executive colleagues do not attend, they work closely with DEFRA officials to ensure that Scottish interests are fully taken into account.

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the EU Committee for the Adaptation to Technical and Scientific Progress of the Directive on Conservation of Wild Birds is next due to meet; whether experts nominated by the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [64911]

Mr. Meacher: The ORNIS Committee (the Committee for the Adaptation to Technical and Scientific Progress of the Directive on Conservation of Wild Birds) last met on 14 June 2002. No date has yet been fixed for the next meeting. The committee consists of representatives of the EU member states. UK representation depends on the items under discussion, but usually includes an official from my Department together with a scientific adviser from the Joint Nature Conservation Committee.

Officials of my Department involve the devolved administrations as fully as possible in discussions about the formulation of the UK's policy position on all EU and international issues which touch on devolved matters. In this respect officials from the devolved administrations attend relevant meetings of the ORNIS Committee, as necessary, to support and advance the UK negotiating line that they will have played a part in developing. Officials from the Scottish Executive attended the last two meetings of the ORNIS Committee on 15 June 2001 and 14 June 2002.

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the EU Management Committee of the Common Organisations of

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Agricultural Markets for Seeds is next due to meet; whether experts nominated by the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [64895]

Mr. Morley: No date has been fixed for the next meeting of the EU Management Committee for Seeds. The committee consists of representatives of the member states. UK representation depends upon the agenda for each meeting and can include members of the Scottish Executive and other devolved administrations where they consider that there are items of sufficient interest. The Scottish Executive has chosen not to attend this committee in recent years.

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the EU Management Committee of the common organisations of agricultural markets for products processed from fruit and vegetables is next due to meet; whether experts nominated by the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [64893]

Mr. Morley: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer given to the hon. Member for Buckingham (Mr. Bercow), on 10 June, Official Report, column 911–12W.

The next meeting of the Processed Fruit and Vegetables Management Committee is scheduled for 16 July 2002. UK representation on this Committee depends on the agenda items under discussion. No representative of the Scottish Executive has attended.

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the EU Management Committee of the common organisations of agricultural markets for pigmeat is next due to meet; whether experts nominated by the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [64887]

Mr. Morley: The EU Management Committee of the common organisation of agricultural markets for pigmeat is next due to meet on the 9 July 2002.

UK representation on the EU's Pigmeat Management Committee depends on the agenda items under discussion. Officials from the Scottish Executive and other devolved administrations attend as necessary in accordance with their interests.

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the EU Management Committee of the common organisations of agricultural markets for hops is next due to meet; whether experts nominated by the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [64894]

Mr. Morley: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer given to the hon. Member for Buckingham on 10 June 2002, Official Report, column 916W.

There is no set schedule of meetings for the Management Committee for Hops. UK representation on this Management Committee depends on the agenda items under discussion. No representative of the Scottish Executive has attended.

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