---

25 Nov 2002 : Column 41W—continued

Regional Museums

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions and representations she has received from regional museums (a) individually and (b) collectively, regarding (i) free admission, (ii) funding by her Department, (iii) funding from other sources and (iv) other issues. [82446]

Dr. Howells: My Department received a number of representations from Resource (The Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries), national and regional museums and museums' bodies. These were taken into account prior to our announcement of £70 million funding for regional museums from this year to 2005–06.

Restrictive Service Licence (Taunton)

Mr. Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations she has received about the Restrictive Service Licence for Television in Taunton. [82604]

Dr. Howells: I have received no representations. The licensing and regulation of Restricted Service Licences is a matter for the Independent Television Commission.

25 Nov 2002 : Column 42W

Sporting Engagements

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what sporting engagements she has attended by category in her official capacity since 7th June 2001. [81573]

Tessa Jowell: I have attended:

Commonwealth Games

5 July 2001 City of Manchester Stadium Topping Out Ceremony

4 December 2001 Spirit of Friendship Festival

5 December 2001 Commonwealth Games Reception

12 February 2002 Visit to Sportcity Manchester

25 July 2002 Commonwealth Games—opening ceremony

30 July 2002 Commonwealth Games—various events

4 August 2002 Commonwealth Games—closing ceremony

Athletics

31 January 2002 Athletics forum

Olympics

27 October 2002 Olympic sites in Barcelona

5 November 2002 Olympic sites in Beijing

Football

14 August 2001 BTA/Premier League Partnership launch at Leeds United's Training Ground.

15 August 2001 Speech at the Club and Talent Development Forum at Bisham Abbey

National Sports Centre

12 December 2001 Groundbreaking ceremony at Bharat Football Club, Leicester

31 January 2001 Launch of Playing for Success initiative at Arsenal FC.

21 April 2002 Norwich City v Stockport County at Carrow Road

12 September 2002 Supporters Direct Annual Conference

29 September 2002 Visit to National Football Museum

School Sport

19 November 2001 Launch for New Opportunities for PE and Sport programme in Newham

2 October 2002 Launch Schools Sport Programme Collegiate High School Blackpool

27 June 2002 Launch of Sport England Toolkit for Primary Schools

28 June 2002 Launch of Space for Sport and Arts Grafton Primary School

Cricket

10 December 2001 Launch of the 'Karrot1 youth project at The Oval, Kennington July 2002 England v India at Lords

Horse Racing

14 March 2002 Cheltenham Gold Cup

20 June 2002 Royal Ascot Ladies Day

Rugby

3 March 2002 Six Nations England vs Scotland at Twickenham

8 May 2002 England Women's Rugby Football Union Team Reception

Golf

28 September 2002 Ryder Cup

General

25 March 2002 Opening of Holmes Place Fulham Pools (public/private partnership) 17 May 2002 Blaneu Gwent sport Personality of the Year Awards Ceremony.

25 Nov 2002 : Column 43W

Television Reception (Lancashire)

Mr. Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on television reception in rural Lancashire, with particular reference to the villages of Whalley, Billington and Langho. [82374]

Dr. Howells: I understand from the Independent Television Commission (ITC) that terrestrial analogue television services are broadcast across Lancashire from the Winter Hill main transmitter and around twenty relay stations. The ITC advise that a relay station was built in 1975 specifically to provide analogue television coverage to Whalley, Billington and Langho, although a small area of South Whalley remains unserved. Digital terrestrial television (DTT) services are provided from the Winter Hill, Lancaster and Pendle Forest transmitters. Details on DTT availability can be found on the Freeview website at: www.freeview.co.uk. Television services may also be accessed via digital satellite.

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Coffee Imports

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress is being made to implement the International Coffee Organisation quality scheme of coffee imports. [80942]

Mr. Morley: The International Coffee Organisation's (ICO) Quality Improvement programme was approved by ICO Council Resolution 416 on 1 February 2002. The programme commenced on 1 October 2002. It applies to ICO members and requires that exports of coffee, accompanied by Certificates of Origin, shall comply with minimum standards specified in the Resolution. Exporting members are also required to develop and implement national measures to ensure that no exports of green coffee fail to meet the exportable standards. Discussions are currently on-going about how the exports of processed coffee should be dealt with.Exporting members are currently in the process of implementing the Council's Resolution within their countries. Members will report to the ICO Council on the measures they have taken to do so and of any difficulties encountered. This will feed into an ICO review of the programme planned for September 2003.

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps are being taken to remove lowest grade coffee from importing country stocks. [80943]

Mr. Morley: The international coffee organisation is looking at how importing member countries can become more directly involved in implementing its quality improvement programme. The organisation has not proposed the removal of the lowest grade coffee from importing country stocks and has no action in train to do so.

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has made to the US Government regarding membership of the International Coffee Organisation. [80944]

25 Nov 2002 : Column 44W

Mr. Morley: The UK supports the proposal for the USA to join the new International Coffee Agreement 2001. We believe this is necessary for the ICO to be fully effective. As members of the International Coffee Organisation (ICO) the UK supported ICO Council Resolution 413, approved on 27 September 2002, inviting the USA to join.

XDon't Bring Back More Than You Bargained For"

Campaign

Mr. Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the circumstances are that prevent Mr. Howlett of Dartmouth from qualifying for the suckler cow premium. [82842]

Alun Michael: The only apparent circumstance which may prevent Mr. Howlett from receiving Suckler Cow Premium Scheme (SCPS) payments is the availability of SCPS quota for the 2002 Scheme year. A producer who does not hold SCPS quota may acquire quota for his 2002 SCPS claim by transfer or lease during the 2002 trading period. This opened in June and will close on 6 December 2002.

Administration Costs

Mr. Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the annual administration costs are of (a) the Environment Agency and (b) the Food Safety Agency. [81026]

Mr. Meacher: (a) The Environment Agency is subject to a control limit on its total administration costs. For the current financial year (2002–03), the control limit is £113 million.

(b) The Food Standards Agency reports to Parliament through Department of Health Ministers

Animal Imports

Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to change the law in respect of the powers available to enforcement agencies responsible for port control on the import of animal and vegetable products. [80467]

Margaret Beckett: The powers for enforcement officers to search baggage were extended in May 2002.

We are now reviewing powers further in the light of my announcement on 6 November, that responsibility for detecting illegal imports of animals, fish, plants and the products, and foodstuffs (including meat) would be transferred to Her Majesty's customs and excise as soon as practicable.

Arable Crops

Mr. Hurst: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures she is taking to encourage the establishment of new markets for non-food uses of arable crops. [80480]

Mr. Meacher: The Government are considering its response to the first report from the Government-Industry Forum on Non-Food Uses of Crops which identifies opportunities for non-food uses of arable crops. Defra and DTI are consulting stakeholders on

25 Nov 2002 : Column 45W

establishing a new centre which will bring together industry, academia and the research community to drive forward the commercial development of non-food uses of crops. Defra and DTI are also considering a joint initiative to provide grant support to promote technology transfer through demonstration projects. A cut in the duty rate for biodiesel came into effect in July this year to encourage the biofuel market.

---