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Scotland

Pete Wishart: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office 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. [103623]

Mr. Alexander: The rules relating to special advisers' political activities are set out in the Model Contract for Special Advisers. Further guidance in respect of elections for the Scottish Parliament is set out at paragraph 13 of the Guidance on Conduct for Civil Servants in UK Departments, published by the Cabinet Office on 10 March.

The reasons for a special adviser's resignation are a private matter between the Department and adviser, and are therefore exempt from disclosure under paragraph 12 of the Code of Practice on Access to Information.

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ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

"Waste Not, Want Not"

Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make an interim statement on progress towards the development of (a) public expenditure programmes and (b) institutional arrangements needed to implement the recommendations of the Strategy Unit report, "Waste Not, Want Not". [103697]

Mr. Meacher: Following last November's pre-Budget report, a Ministerial Group was established to consider a number of issues, including the proposed new public expenditure programme. The group has met on three occasions, and its decisions will form a key part of the Government's response to the Strategy Unit report. Defra has begun implementing a new institutional structure to drive delivery of the new programme, and is in the process of appointing a programme director.

Animal Diseases (EU Aid)

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs why the claim for a share of the 2003 EU financial package to tackle BSE and other animal diseases was submitted late by her Department; and if she will make a statement. [103579]

Mr. Morley [holding answer 18 March 2003]: The TSE programme was not submitted as a result of an oversight and a subsequent misunderstanding with the commission. The programme was submitted on 22 October when we asked the Commission to reconsider making an EU contribution. The Commission have now confirmed that it is not legally possible for a payment to be made.

Avian Influenza

Mr. Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to protect the British poultry industry from avian influenza. [102372]

Mr. Morley: In order to protect the British poultry industry from avian influenza (AI) the Department has taken the following steps.

On 21 February 2003 and 3 March 2003 Defra and the Devolved Administrations issued Declarations under Regulation 27 of the Animals and Animal Products (Import and Export) (England and Wales) Regulations 2000 (and equivalent legislation in the devolved territories) introducing a ban on the import of live poultry and hatching eggs into the UK from Hong Kong and the Netherlands respectively following outbreaks of avian influenza in these countries. These Declarations make it a criminal offence to import live poultry and hatching eggs into the UK from both Hong Kong and the Netherlands. Following a suspicion of AI in Belgium, a further Declaration was issued on 12 March 2003 prohibiting the import of live poultry and hatching eggs from Belgium.

In addition to the above, on 14 March 2003 Defra also banned the import of racing/show pigeons into England from the Netherlands and Belgium under domestic

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legislation due to the disease risk they presented. Similar Declarations are being introduced in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

In normal circumstances, all birds (poultry or captive birds) entering the UK must be accompanied by an EU model health certificate stating that premises and area of origin are free from AI. In addition, captive bird imports into the UK from Third Countries are subject to a 30 days quarantine during which birds must be laboratory tested for avian influenza.

Defra has reminded egg and poultry producers in the UK about the need for stringent biosecurity measures at all times. To minimise the introduction of AI into their flocks by means of faecal contamination, poultry producers should ensure that their boots, clothing, equipment and vehicles are disinfected. Access by wild birds should be minimised, for instance by clearing up feed spillages. Officials have asked poultry producers in the UK to be vigilant for any signs of respiratory disease in birds and contact their local veterinary office immediately if they have any concerns.

The Department is monitoring the AI situation in the Netherlands and Belgium, and should there be any significant change the risk assessment for the UK will be reviewed.

Environment Council

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she supported French proposals at the Environment Council on 4 March to create a programme to monitor by satellite hydrocarbon discharges at sea; and if she will make a statement. [103825]

Mr. Morley [holding answer 19 March 2003]: The French made a statement proposing enhanced European co-operation in satellite monitoring of hydrocarbon discharges at sea under "Other Business". There was no substantive debate of the issue and the United Kingdom did not intervene.

The UK has used satellite surveillance on a trial basis, with the Coastguard Maritime Rescue and Coordination Centre acting as the focal point. The experience was positive, and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport is keen to develop the facility further. The UK already shares satellite information with other Contracting Parties to the Bonn Agreement, and we are working with those Parties and with the EC Management Committee on Marine Pollution with a view to establishing an international monitoring programme.

Fly-tipping

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many (a) individuals and (b) businesses have been successfully prosecuted for incidences of fly-tipping in each year since 1992; and what fines have been levied as a result. [99270]

Mr. Meacher: Both local authorities and the Environment Agency have the powers to prosecute for fly-tipping offences. There is no central register of this

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information for local authorities. The Environment Agency has collected the requested data since January 2002.

Prosecution data for the 1999, 2000 and 2001 calendar years are available, but relate to the number of offenders prosecuted for the offence of unlawfully depositing waste as described by section 33(1 )(a) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Similarly, prosecution data for the 1996–97, 1997–98 and 1998–99 financial years are available, but only relate to section 33 offences generally. The Agency is unable to provide prosecution data for 1992–93, 1993–94, 1994–95 and 1995–96.

Data are provided on this basis.






















The Government are currently discussing with the Environment Agency the potential for setting up a national recording system for fly tipping, which would record this type of data from both the Agency and local authorities in England.

Forestry Commission

Mr. Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total cost was to public funds of the operations of the Forestry Commission in (a) Scotland and (b) the UK in the last year for which figures are available. [103039]

Mr. Morley: Forestry is a devolved matter, and the cost of Forestry Commission operations in Scotland is the responsibility of the Scottish Executive.

However, in the year 2001–02 the commission's net operating cost for GB was £82.7 million.

Mr. Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to review the internal audit procedures of the Forestry Commission. [103040]

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Mr. Morley: There are no plans to review the Forestry Commission's internal audit procedures. These are carried out in accordance with the standards and guidance issued by HM Treasury.

Mr. Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the administrative costs were of the Forestry Commission for each Government Office for the Regions in (a) 1999–2000, (b) 2000–01, (c) 2001–02 and (d) 2002–03. [103291]

Mr. Morley: The Forestry Commission is a cross border public authority funded separately in England, Scotland and Wales by Treasury, the Scottish Executive and the Welsh Assembly Government respectively. It does not incur administrative costs for the Government Offices for the Regions.

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