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24 Feb 2003 : Column 83W—continued
Foot and Mouth Disease
Diana Organ: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many carcases were disposed of at Cleeve Farm, Westbury-on-Severn, Gloucestershire in the last five years. [96231]
Mr. Morley: According to our records, 2,725 carcases were disposed of at Cleeve Farm, Westbury-on-Severn on a series of pyres. This figure comprises 337 carcases originating from Cleeve Farm and 2,388 carcases subsequently brought onto the site for disposal, from surrounding farms.
Mr. Beith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the burning of carcases of cattle over five years old on the Hemscott Hill site precludes its use for animal grazing this year; and if she will publish the risk assessment carried out into the site by Dr. Kirkup, the Regional Director of Public Health. [95274]
Mr. Morley [holding answer 10 February 2003]: Veterinary advice confirms that the burning of carcases of cattle over five years old at the Hemscott Hill mass pyre site does not preclude its use for animal grazing this year.
The ADAS environmental risk assessment and supporting material, together with a statement by the Regional Director of Public Health, North East, Dr. Kirkup, has been given to Castle Morpeth borough council, the Food Standards Agency and the local liaison committee. I am arranging for a copy of this material to be sent to the right hon. Member.
Cetaceans
Mr. Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what plans the Government have to reduce the number of fishing nets which cause harm to dolphins; [96919]
- (2) what steps the Government are taking to protect dolphins and porpoises in the British Isles. [96920]
Mr. Morley: Action to address the issue of dolphin and porpoise by-catch needs to be taken internationally, as fishing vessels from many countries are involved. We have been pressing for such action and have commissioned a programme of research and development to reinforce our arguments. Urgent action is needed in the pair trawl fishery for bass off South West England, in which the substantial bulk of vessels are from other member states. Our research programme identified a significant by-catch problem in this fishery and is now trialling a possible gear solution. This looks promising, and I am determined to achieve a solution by this or other means. The second urgent need is to deploy EU observers to identify and assess other problem fisheries. In recent weeks we have advanced the case for action by
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intervening at the January meeting of the Council of Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers, and I have since followed this up by writing to Commissioner Fischler. In addition, with the devolved Administrations, I will shortly be issuing a consultation document outlining a UK by-catch response strategy.
Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the use of fishing net-based detectors to prevent the accidental drowning of dolphins and porpoises. [96509]
Mr. Morley: The Sea Mammal Research Unit have undertaken trials on the use of detectors as part of their work on behalf of this Department into dolphin and porpoise by catch. To date, this research has demonstrated that detectors may have a role in monitoring the behaviour of dolphin and porpoises around fishing gear but that acoustic deterrent devices (known as pingers) and other gear adjustments have greater potential to prevent bycatch.
Computer Crime
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many cases of computer (a) hacking, (b) fraud and (c) theft her Department recorded in 2001–02; and on how many occasions computer systems have been illegally accessed by computer hackers (i) within and (ii) outside her Department. [97558]
Alun Michael: The Department was formed on 9 June 2001 so figures reflect the period 9 June 2001 to 31 December 2002. Figures are not available prior to this date.
(a) During this period there were no cases of computer hacking detected.
(b) During this period there were no cases of computer fraud detected.
(c) The number of cases of computer theft detected was 27. It is not possible to provide accurate figures for whether these thefts were perpetrated by insiders or by persons outside the Department because some internal and police investigations did not provide conclusive evidence.
Departmental Budgets
Mr. Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what the allocated budgets are for each of the internal directorates for her Department in (a) 2003–04, (b) 2004–05 and (c) 2005–06; [97523]
- (2) what the allocated budgets are for each of her Department's executive agencies for (a) 2003–04, (b) 2004–05 and (c) 2005–06; [97526]
(3) what the combined allocated budgets are for her Department's non-departmental public bodies in (a) 2003–04, (b) 2004–05 and (c) 2005–06. [97528]
Alun Michael: Details of allocated budgets up to 2005–06 will be published in the spring 2003 departmental report. The information will include how budgets are allocated to deliver the Department's functions and objectives.
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Entertainment
Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her estimate is of the total spending of her Department on entertainment in each year from 1994–95 to 2002–03; and if she will make a statement. [92389]
Alun Michael: The information for Defra is as follows:
- 2001–02: £239,000 (outturn)
2002–03: £384,000 (estimate)
All expenditure on official entertainment is made in accordance with published departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on the principles set out in "Government Accounting".
Equine Welfare (Ragwort Control) Bill
Mr. Wood: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the Government's policy is on the Equine Welfare (Ragwort Control) Bill introduced by the hon. Member for Ryedale (Mr. Greenway). [97651]
Alun Michael: The Government will consider the Equine Welfare (Ragwort Control) Bill in accordance with the procedures established for dealing with Private Member's Bills. These procedures provide for a debate at the appropriate time and the Government's position will be made clear at that stage.
Defra is already taking steps to control the spread of Ragwort in accordance with the procedures set out in my response given to the hon. Member for Totnes (Mr. Steen) on 7 November 2002, Official Report, columns 685–86W.
European Environment Agency
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what direct relations she has with the European Environment Agency; and in what circumstances. [97896]
Mr. Meacher: My officials are in regular contact with the agency through membership of the management board and co-operating with the agency as active participants in the European Environment Information and Observation Network (EIONET) as established under the founding Council Regulation (EEC) No. 1210/90 as amended by Council Regulation (EC) No. 933/1999.
My officials are also working closely with the EEA in their production of a state of the environment report for the forthcoming Kiev Conference. I personally met the last executive director on a number of occasions and have visited the agency in Copenhagen.
Flooding
Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with the Environment Agency on new sources of income for flood defence from (a) councils and (b) households in flood-zone areas. [98067]
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Mr. Morley: Discussions have been held with the Environment Agency on these and other issues raised in the current Flood and Coastal Defence Funding Review. I will make an announcement on the conclusions of the review as soon as possible.
Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much has been spent on flood defence work in Sussex in each of the last six years; and if she will list the location of the major projects. [97900]
Mr. Morley: Defra provides grant aid to the flood and coastal defence operating authorities—the Environment Agency (EA), local authorities and (in areas with special drainage needs) internal drainage boards. The EA is responsible for managing flood risk from designated main rivers and the sea and carries out the majority of publicly funded flood risk works. The table details EA expenditure on flood defence work in Sussex over the last six years:
| Financial year | Capital expenditure | Non-capital expenditure | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996–97 | 4,289 | 1,175 | 5,464 |
| 1997–98 | 4,315 | 1,569 | 5,884 |
| 1998–99 | 3,856 | 1,185 | 5,041 |
| 1999–2000 | 3,456 | 2,021 | 5,477 |
| 2000–01 | 2,705 | 1,663 | 4,368 |
| 2001–02 | 4,134 | 2,242 | 6,376 |
| 2002–03(14) | 9,532 | 2,094 | 11,626 |
(14) To December 2002
The major EA projects are as follows:
River Lavant Flood Alleviation Scheme (Chichester)
Bulverhythe Enhancement of Protection
Shoreham/Lancing Phase 2—Kingswalk
Felpham Sea Defences
Pevensey Bay Sea Defences
West Common Stream (Haywards Heath)
Seaford Beach Management
Shoreham/Lancing Phase 3
Medmerry continued maintenance
Storrington
Sovereign Harbour (Eastbourne)
Information on works promoted by the other operating authorities in the area is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which local authorities have no plans to hold flood emergency exercises in accordance with her Department's high level targets. [89612]
Margaret Beckett: One of our high level targets requires the Environment Agency to arrange a programme of emergency exercises in conjunction with local authorities, emergency services and other partners. A national exercise, and an exercise in each agency region and local area, should be conducted at not more than three-yearly intervals. We are not aware of any local authorities that are not prepared to co-operate.
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Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to her answer of 20 January, Official Report, column 10W, if she will provide a breakdown of expenditure in the years (a) 2000–01, (b) 2001–02 and (c) 2002–03 of the Environment Agency in England for managing flood risk from main rivers and the sea in respect of each project worth £1 million or more. [95082]
Margaret Beckett [holding answer 3 February 2003]: Defra provides grant aid as a percentage of eligible costs to the Environment Agency to assist with its capital works and related studies to manage flood risk. The agency does not maintain central records of expenditure in the form requested and therefore the information could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However a table showing agency capital projects costing in excess of £1 million on which grant has been claimed, has been placed in the Library of the House. This does not include expenditure ineligible for grant such as project management costs which can form between 15 per cent. and 25 per cent. of the total project cost. Nor does the list include projects pursued by the agency without Defra grant aid.
Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many letters (a) her Department and (b) the Environment Agency has received from (i) hon. Members and (ii) members of the public regarding the flooding in the Christmas 2002 and new year period 2003. [96124]
Mr. Morley: The Department has received 41 letters from hon. Members and 33 letters from members of the public. The Environment Agency has received 72 letters from hon. Members and 506 letters from members of the public.
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