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19 Dec 2002 : Column 934W—continued
Technetium-99
Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to her written statement of 11 December 2002, Official Report, columns 20–22WS, on technetium-99, whether THORP produces technetium-99 wastes; what evidence she considered when assessing whether the continued reprocessing of Magnox and thermal oxide spent fuel at Sellafield was justified; and when she expects to consider the question whether to undertake a review of justification under Article 6(2) of Directive 96/29/Evratom. [87829]
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Margaret Beckett: THORP does produce technetium-99 wastes, but these account for a small fraction of the totality of technetium-99 discharges from the Sellafield site. By far the largest proportion of technetium-99 discharges from that site originate from the reprocessing of Magnox spent fuel.
We have considered the information that has been provided by the Environment Agency in its published documents, and information that has been provided in the form of representations both to the Agency and directly to Ministers concerning technetium-99. We have concluded that as discharges of technetium-99 constitute only one small aspect of the practice of Magnox spent fuel reprocessing and the practice of spent oxide fuel reprocessing, it would be more appropriate to consider whether their justification should be reviewed when considering the other radioactive discharges that arise from those practices.
With regard to the reprocessing of spent Magnox fuel, the Environment Agency has carried out a separate review of the remaining radioactive discharges from the Sellafield site (other than technetium-99), including those from Magnox reprocessing and, in August, published its proposed decision for Ministers to consider. We intend to come to a view on the Agency's proposals, and come to a conclusion as to whether it is necessary to review the practice of Magnox reprocessing as to justification in the spring of next year.
With regard to the reprocessing of spent oxide fuel, the Government set out the position with respect to the continued operation of THORP in the White Paper on Managing Nuclear Energy which was published in July 2002. If and when any proposals for new contracts for THORP are received, the Government will review the range of issues involved in increasing the current volume of oxide fuel to be reprocessed. One of those issues will be the appropriateness of carrying out a review of the practice of reprocessing spent oxide fuel.
Thailand
Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what commitments concerning agricultural produce the Government has entered into as part of or in association with the trade agreement reached in October with Thailand. [81817]
Margaret Beckett [holding answer 19 November 2002]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 21 November 2002, Official Report, column 218W.
Water Directive
Mr. Borrow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to ensure the timely implementation of the water directive. [86779]
Margaret Beckett: Much work is already in hand. We published the second of three consultation papers this October and a third is planned for next year. The Environment Agency are also gearing up for implementation.
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PRIME MINISTER
Christmas Expenses
Mr. Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Prime Minister how many departmental Christmas cards he intends to send in 2002; how much these cards will cost (a) to buy, (b) to post and (c) in staff time to sign, address and place in envelopes; and if he will place in the Library a sample copy of the official Christmas card he has sent this year. [88119]
The Prime Minister: I shall be sending 1,260 official Christmas cards which cost #267. The despatch and staff time for posting those cards is made in accordance with the departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on the principles set out in XGovernment Accounting".
Christmas Security
Mr. Djanogly: To ask the Prime Minister how much will be spent on (a) entertaining, (b) Christmas decorations and (c) other festive activities this Christmas season by his Department and Government agencies answerable to his Department; and of this sum how much will be spent in ministers' (i) private offices and (ii) official residences. [88120]
The Prime Minister: No public money will be spent on entertaining and other festive activities this Christmas. Around #2,500 will be spent on Christmas decorations for official purposes, and is made in accordance with the departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on the principles set out in XGovernment Accounting".
European Policy
Mr. Austin Mitchell: To ask the Prime Minister whether his speech in Cardiff on 28 November 2002, entitled XA Clear Course for Europe", represents Government policy towards the European Union; and whether the (a) Foreign Office, (b) DTI and (c) Cabinet colleagues were consulted on the speech before delivery. [88274]
Mr. Austin Mitchell: To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on (a) the occasion and (b) the audience of his speech in Cardiff of 28 November 2002 entitled XA Clear Course for Europe". [88275]
The Prime Minister: I spoke to an audience which included business people, community leaders and political representatives to set out the Government's policy towards the European Union, and in particular its position on the debate surrounding the Convention on the Future of Europe.
TRANSPORT
Aircraft Security
Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what measures have been put in place
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within the air traffic control system to deal with the threat posed to civil aircraft by surface-to-air missiles; [87844]
- (2) what recent advice the Government have provided to British civilian airlines on counter measures to deal with surface-to-air missiles; [87846]
(3) what discussions he has had with allied countries about the threat posed to civil aircraft from surface to air missiles; [87849]
(4) what consultations he has had with defence contractors about the development of counter measures against surface-to-air missiles for civil airliners; [87847]
(5) what plans he has to introduce regulations for the introduction of counter measures for civil aircraft to deal with surface-to-air missiles. [87848]
Mr. Jamieson [holding answer 17 December 2002]: Appropriate action has been taken and we are giving urgent consideration to the issues in conjunction with other relevant parties.
Christmas Expenses
Mr. Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many departmental Christmas cards he and his Ministers intend to send in 2002; how much these cards will cost (a) to buy, (b) to post and (c) in staff time to sign, address and place in envelopes; and if he will place in the Library a sample copy of the official Christmas card he has sent this year. [88111]
Mr. Jamieson: We shall be sending up to 800 departmental Christmas cards at a cost of #731 + VAT, in accordance with practise over very many years. This expenditure is made in line with the departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on the principles set out in Government Accounting. A sample copy of the official Christmas card has been placed in the Libraries of the House.
Mr. Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much will be spent on (a) entertaining, (b) Christmas decorations and (c) other festive activities this Christmas season by his Department and government agencies answerable to his Department; and of this sum how much will be spent in ministers' (i) private offices and (ii) official residences. [88136]
Mr. Jamieson: The information requested is not available centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, all expenditure incurred on decorations, entertainment and any other festive activities is strictly for official purposes only, and is made in accordance with the departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on the principles set out in Government Accounting.
Dredging
Mr. Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the effect on the environment of dredging in the Dee Estuary. [86795]
Mr. Jamieson: My Department is currently considering an application from the Port of Mostyn for consent to dredge in the Dee Estuary outside their harbour limits. The applicants have produced an
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Environmental Statement assessing the impacts on the environment resulting from the dredge and this is currently being advertised and is available for inspection locally. Representations about the application and associated Statement can be made to the Department before January 12th 2003 and we are also seeking comments from specific bodies in the area who have environmental responsibilities. Wirral Borough Council is one of these.
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