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17 Mar 2003 : Column 525W—continued
Overseas Trips
Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list each of the overseas trips made by herself and other members of her ministerial team in 2002; and what the (a) purpose and (b) cost of each trip was. [101840]
Ms Hewitt: Since 1999 this Government have published an annual list of all visits overseas undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing £500 or more during each financial year. The Government have also published on an annual basis the cost of all Ministers' visits overseas. Copies of the lists are available in the Libraries of the House.
Information for 1997–98 was included in the 1999 list. The overall cost of Minister's visits for the years 1995–96 and 1996–97 was most recently provided with the 2001 list. The information for 2002–03 will be published as soon as possible after the end of the financial year.
Detailed information requested in respect of UK travel is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
All travel is undertaken fully in accordance with the rules set out in the Ministerial Code and Travel by Ministers, copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House.
Perchloroethylene
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to phase out the use of perchloroethylene by businesses and industries, with particular reference to dry cleaners. [99209]
Alun Michael: I have been asked to reply.
A risk assessment of perchloroethylene (tetrachloro-ethylene), conducted under the Existing Substances Regulation (European Community Council Regulation No. 793/93) is being led by the United Kingdom. The Health and Safety Executive acts jointly with my Department to form the United Kingdom Competent Authority for these activities. The risk assessment will critically evaluate the risks to the environment, workers, consumers and the general public from exposure to perchloroethylene. The risk assessment includes exposure as a result of dry cleaning operations.
At present, the human health sections of the draft report are being updated to take account of new information. Once the risk assessment is finalised, the United Kingdom Competent Authority will consider whether further measures beyond those currently in place are required to control exposure to perchloroethylene. Proposals for marketing and use
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restrictions are one of a number of further measures that can be considered under the Existing Substances Regulation.
The Solvents Emissions Directive (1999/13/EC) places limits on emissions of solvents used in a number of processes, including dry cleaning. It also sets timetables for the replacement by less harmful substances of those solvents used in these processes that have been assigned to a risk phrase of R45, R46, R49, R60, or R61. The Directive has already been partly transposed. I expect to begin consultations soon on how the remaining parts of this Directive will be transposed, including the provisions applying to the dry cleaning sector.
Post Offices
Mr. Coleman: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many (a) Crown Post Offices and (b) sub post offices have closed in London in the past 12 months. [103030]
Mr. Timms: I understand from Post Office Ltd. that there were 2 Crown Post Offices closures and net closures of 34 sub post offices in London in the 12 months to December 2002.
Mrs. Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how many post office robberies have been committed since 1997 where the post master's hatch has been open; and what advice has been given to the Post Office by (a) the police and (b) the Department on the security of the hatches in sub post offices; [103099]
- (2) how many sub post masters have been disciplined for contributory negligence in relation to robberies since 1997; [103097]
(3) what concerns have been expressed by unions about the design of safety doors and hatches in sub post offices; and what advice has been given to the Post Office since 1980 on possible design faults in sub post office hatches and doors. [103098]
Mr. Timms: These are matters that fall within the day-to-day responsibility of Post Office Ltd. I have therefore asked the Chief Executive to reply direct to the hon. Member.
Scotland
Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many special advisers in the Department (a) have left and (b) will be leaving to work in Scotland for the Labour Party in the forthcoming Scottish parliamentary elections. [103613]
DEFENCE
Aberporth Airfield
Mr. Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many incidents have occurred in each year since 1990 of private pilots intruding into the range area at Aberporth Airfield while the range was active and being used on behalf of the MOD. [102825]
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Dr. Moonie: The following table sets out the number of incidents that have occurred since 1990 of private pilots intruding into the Aberporth Range danger area while the range was active and being used for Ministry of Defence trials.
| Year | Number of incidents |
|---|---|
| 1990 | 3 |
| 1991 | 1 |
| 1992 | 5 |
| 1993 | 3 |
| 1994 | 5 |
| 1995 | 8 |
| 1996 | 5 |
| 1997 | 1 |
| 1998 | 5 |
| 1999 | 2 |
| 2000 | 5 |
| 2001 | 5 |
| 2002 | 3 |
Appropriate safety measures were put into action and worked satisfactorily in each case.
Mr. Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what safety measures are in place at Aberporth Airfield to ensure that private pilots do not intrude on the range area while it is being used on behalf of the MOD; and if he will make a statement. [102826]
Dr. Moonie: All trials at Aberporth Range are carried out under radar surveillance from fully qualified air traffic controllers. In the event of an infringement which could potentially compromise safety, the trial would be stopped until the incident was resolved. Any such infringements are reported to the regulatory authority for review. In addition, there are arrangements, agreed between the Aberporth Range and the nearby West Wales Airport, which set out the procedures to be used by both parties concerning operations at and around the range.
Animal Experiments
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what factors underlay his recent conclusion that the information which could be derived from an analysis of the actual effect of wounds to humans required to be supplemented with animal experiments inflicting wounds on animals. [100404]
Dr. Moonie: It is unclear as to the recent conclusion that the hon. Member refers.
However, I will address the necessity to supplement the analysis of the effects of human wounds with vital information gained from scientific research involving the use of animals, which is undertaken at Dstl Porton Down.
The analysis of the actual effects of wounds to humans is one important facet of developing improved procedures for the medical management of the injured. Studies involving animals enable rational, objective and evidence-based medical management strategies to be developed, which can proceed into clinical trials if appropriate.
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Research involving the use of animals is undertaken only if absolutely necessary. Additionally, we are continuing to invest in the development of alternatives to the use of animals for the development of medical management strategies for injury and disease caused by conventional, chemical and biological weapons.
Anti-personnel Mines
Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether it is the intention of the US to bring anti-personnel mines ashore onto Diego Garcia in order for them to be used in any attack on Iraq. [102350]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: I have been asked to reply.
The US authorities have been informed that HMG would be unable to allow the US to bring anti-personnel land mines ashore onto Diego Garcia because that would place the United Kingdom in breach of its obligations under the Ottawa Convention.
Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received from the US Government concerning (a) the basing at Diego Garcia of US Navy vessels carrying anti-personnel mines and (b) the possible use in a conflict with Iraq of anti-personnel mines by US military using stocks held in vessels at or near Diego Garcia. [102353]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: I have been asked to reply.
HMG has received no representations from the US Government concerning either the basing at Diego Garcia of US vessels carrying anti-personnel mines or the use of any such mines in a conflict with Iraq.
Defence Diversification Industry
Mr. Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his Answer of 13 February, Official Report, column 867W, on the Defence Diversification Industry, where the 18 offices of the Defence Diversification Agency are located. [102406]
Dr. Moonie: The 18 offices of the Defence Diversification Agency are located as follows:
| Area | |
|---|---|
| Aberporth | Ministry of Defence |
| Barrow | Furness Business Park |
| Bromley | Aquila, QinetiQ |
| Cardiff | Welsh Development Agency |
| Doncaster | Beta Technology Ltd. |
| Enfield | Innova Science Park |
| Farnborough | Cody Technology Park, QinetiQ |
| Glasgow | West of Scotland Science Park |
| Lisburn, NI | Invest Northern Ireland |
| Loughborough | University Business Innovation Centre |
| Malvern | Malvern Hills Science Park |
| Manchester | Quay West |
| Melbourn | Cambridge Technology Centre |
| Nelson | The Innovation Centre |
| Porton Down | DSTL |
| Plymouth | Tamar Science Park |
| Rosyth | Europarc Business Innovation Centre |
| Sunderland | Regional Technology Centre North |
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