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External Reports

Mr. Maude: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will list (a) the title and subject, (b) the total cost to his Department and (c) the commissioned author or organisation of each external report commissioned by the Cabinet Office in each year since 1997. [103710]

Mr. Alexander: The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Scotland

Pete Wishart: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many times he has visited Scotland on official duties each year since 2000; and what meetings were held on each occasion. [103622]

Mr. Alexander: Since joining the Cabinet Office in June 2002 I have not visited Scotland on Cabinet Office business, but my right hon. Friend the Lord Macdonald of Tradeston had one official Cabinet Office business trip in 2001 and one in 2002.

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However in line with exemptions 2 and 7 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, it is not the normal practice of Governments to release details of specific meetings or their content, as some of these discussions may have taken place on a confidential basis.

Pete Wishart: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what plans Ministers in the Department have to (a) visit Scotland on official business, (b) announce public appointments and (c) make ministerial announcements in April; and whether officers in Government Departments are permitted to collate briefings for Ministers for election campaign debates. [103668]

Mr. Alexander: Departmental business during the campaign period preceding elections to the Scottish Parliament, will be conducted in accordance with the Guidance on Conduct for Civil Servants in UK Departments in respect of elections to the Scottish Parliament, National Assembly for Wales and English local authorities, published by the Cabinet Office on 10 March.

Copies were placed in the Libraries of the House.

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Award Schemes

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the award schemes in (a) 2001 and (b) 2002 promoted by the Department; what their scope was; when the relevant participating organisations are scheduled to be sent results; and whether other parties will be given notification of the results at the same time. [102055]

Alun Michael: None.

Eggs (Marking)

Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which agency will have responsibility for enforcing the EU's proposed rules on the compulsory marking of hen eggs; what resources the Government plans to make available for the enforcement duties; and if she will make a statement. [103760]

Margaret Beckett: In England and Wales, responsibility for enforcing rules on the compulsory marking of hens eggs will fall principally to this Department's Egg Marketing Inspectorate although local authority trading standards officers will be responsible for enforcement at retail level.

This work will form part of the normal enforcement of egg marketing legislation, and as such, no additional resources have been allocated to it.

Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to her answer of 25 February 2003, Official Report, column 455W, on egg marking, what assessment she has made of the impact of the new rules for marking on the eggs sold at Women's Institute markets. [103741]

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Margaret Beckett: The principal purpose of the new rules on egg marking is to improve consumer information and to provide greater traceability, for example in the event of a possible food borne disease outbreak. This need applies irrespective of the outlet. Where eggs are from a clearly identifiable producer and are sold direct to the final consumer in a WI market, they do not necessarily have to be marked. Otherwise, the normal egg marketing rules will apply.

National Parks

Mr. Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what figures she collates on traffic flows in national parks. [103909]

Alun Michael: None, but the Department for Transport collects such information on motorways, 'A' roads and many 'B' roads.

DEFENCE

European Security and Defence Policy

Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with other EU member states on the involvement of (a) Canada, (b) Russia, (c) Ukraine and (d) other countries in the European Security and Defence Policy; and if he will make a statement. [103869]

Mr. Hoon: Initial principles for the participation of Canada, Russia, Ukraine and other interested states in the European Security and Defence Policy were agreed at the Nice European Council in December 2000, and arrangements subsequently set out in letters to the countries concerned. They have not been the subject of recent ministerial discussion. Canada may participate in EU operations which use NATO assets and capabilities, if she so chooses, and we expect her to take part in the forthcoming EU operation in the Republic of Macedonia on this basis. Canada may also take part in EU operations without recourse to NATO assets and capabilities, if invited by the Council. These arrangements mirror those for European non-EU NATO Allies. Russia, Ukraine and other interested countries may be invited to participate in EU-led operations on a case-by-case basis.

HMS Nottingham

Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the predicted cost of the repairs being carried out on HMS Nottingham is; when it will be ready for service; and if he will make a statement. [104225]

Mr. Ingram: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 4 February 2003 Official Report, column 177W, to the hon. Member for Cornwall, South East (Mr. Breed).

Indonesia

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to release departmental papers from 1975–76 concerning Indonesia, East Timor and the Balebo killings. [103922]

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Dr. Moonie: We are not aware of any Ministry of Defence files dealing specifically with this subject. However, two general files have been identified covering wider events from that time. These will be made available to researchers in the Public Record Office in accordance with the provisions of the Public Records Act, 1958 and 1967.

Iraq

Mr. Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when requests were received from the United States for additional infantry for possible military action against Iraq; whether they have been agreed to; and if he will make a statement. [104000]

Mr. Hoon [holding answer 20 March 2003]: I have not received any requests from the United States for additional infantry. However, I refer the hon. Member to my written ministerial statement on 13 March 2003, Official Report, column 20WS, in which I announced the deployment of the 1st Battalion The Duke of Wellington's Regiment and 202 Field Hospital (Volunteer). Respectively, these will provide additional infantry and medical capability to Headquarters 1 (UK) Armoured Division, so that it can respond to a range of potential tasks and circumstances.

Operational Performance Statements

Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action the Government will take to ensure that those soldiers, sailors and airmen who have not been able to undertake the work and practice necessary to achieve Operational Performance Statement while covering for the fire strike and therefore will not reach their next promotion level and an increased pay band, do not lose out; and if he will make a statement. [102611]

Dr. Moonie: Every effort is being made to ensure that personnel who covered for the fire strike will not be disadvantaged.

For the Navy, deferral or cancellation of planned training due to Op. FRESCO is recognised as an exigency of service and such delays in individuals' promotion will be considered on a case by case basis. However, the position of individuals who have been withdrawn from career training courses whilst in attendance and have suffered a delay in their promotion as a result, has been recognised as unique. On return to normal duty and on completion of outstanding training, such individuals will be entitled to have their effective date of promotion backdated to the day that they would have been promoted but for Op. FRESCO.

For the Army, Op. FRESCO is also seen as an operational commitment under the terms of Military Aid to the Civil Administration (MACA). Soldiers deployed on operations will receive due credit for the operational experience gained and selection for both promotion and development training will be addressed on a case by case basis. Where individuals have been removed from career courses to participate in the operation, qualifications and benefits will be back-dated to the conclusion of the original course once the training has been completed.

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In the RAF, personnel whose courses were delayed, or who were withdrawn from training on courses that affected pay and seniority, will receive pay and seniority backdated to the original date of graduation on subsequent successful completion of the course.

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