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26 Mar 2003 : Column 233W—continued
Waste Arisings
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking (a) to reduce waste arisings and (b) to facilitate the re-use of such arisings from the (i) agriculture, (ii) mining and quarrying, (iii) commercial and (iv) demolition and construction sectors. [104546]
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Mr. Meacher: Government are taking a number of steps aimed at reducing waste arisings and increasing re-use.
In agriculture, we have set up the Agricultural Waste Stakeholders' Forum to inform the development of the Regulations for applying the Waste Framework Directive to agricultural waste. The Forum's terms of reference include identifying and encouraging opportunities to reduce the production of agricultural waste and are available at http://www.defra.qov.uk/environment/waste/aqforum/index.htm
Re-use of construction and demolition waste, and some types of mineral waste that can be substituted for newly won aggregates, will be encouraged through exemption from the Aggregates Levy which was introduced on 1 April 2002 at a rate of £1.60 per tonne for virgin aggregates. The Levy also encourages economy of use and less waste of aggregates at construction sites. Some funding from the Levy has also been set aside to fund projects which aim to minimise the demand for primary aggregates.
On commercial waste, Defra jointly with DTI, funds the Envirowise programme which provides free independent help and advice on environmental issues, resource efficiency and sustainable business solutions to UK companies. Waste minimisation and effective resource management are central to its aims. It is based on the principle that good environmental sense makes good business sense, and that companies can save money through resource efficiencies. Launched in 1994, Envirowise delivers its messages principally via a freephone national Helpline; On-site Resource Efficiency visits to small and medium sized enterprises by a Helpline advisor; training events; a website; and the dissemination of case studies and good practice guides. The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) also includes removing the barriers to waste minimisation and re-use as part of its mission.
The Strategy Unit's report 'Waste Not, Want Not' made a number of recommendations on waste minimisation and re-use. The government is considering its response to these recommendations, which it aims to publish around the time of the Budget.
Written Questions
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many named day written questions were tabled to the Department between 15 October 2002 and 24 February 2003; how many that received a holding answer were given a substantive answer (a) within three days, (b) within seven days, (c) within 14 days, (d) within 28 days and (e) over 28 days later; and what procedures the Department has in place to monitor performance on answering (i) parliamentary questions and (ii) ministerial letters. [99433]
Alun Michael: The information on Named Day questions for the period 15 October 2002 to 24 February 2003 is as follows.
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| Number | |
|---|---|
| Total number of Named Day questions | 524 |
| Number of questions answered: | |
| on the Named Day | 181 |
| within three business days | 193 |
| within seven business days | 94 |
| within 14 business days | 19 |
| within 28 business days | 2 |
| over 28 business days | 0 |
| Number of questions wrongly tabled to Defra and transferred to other departments for answer | 35 |
The Departments' PQ Database allows us to track the progress of questions from the time they are received in the Department until they are answered.
The Cabinet office, on an annual basis, publishes a report to Parliament on performance of Departments in replying to ministerial correspondence. The report for 2001 was published on 24 May 2002, Official Report, column 674W. The report for 2002 will be published in due course.
PRIME MINISTER
Iraq
Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Prime Minister, if he will make a statement on the situation in Iraq. [104865]
The Prime Minister: I refer my hon. Friend to the statement I made in the House on 24 March, and the answers I gave at Prime Minister's Questions today.
Llew Smith: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to his statement of 18 March 2003, Official Report, columns 761–62, on the information provided by Hussein Kamal on Iraq's weapons of mass destruction, if he will place in the Library the text of the interview. [104714]
The Prime Minister: Following his defection, Hussein Kamal was interviewed by UNSCOM and by a number of other agencies. Details concerning the interviews were made available to us on a confidential basis. The UK was not provided with transcripts of the interviews.
Norman Baker: To ask the Prime Minister what steps the Government has taken to (a) minimise environmental damage and (b) enable the repair of environmental damage caused by the war in Iraq. [104841]
The Prime Minister: One of the Government's military campaign objectives is to secure the economic infrastructure of Iraq from sabotage and wilful destruction by the Iraqi regime. The securing of the southern oilfields so early in the military campaign is a significant achievement, preventing Saddam from repeating the environmental pollution he caused in 1991.
SOLICITOR-GENERAL
Iraq
Llew Smith: To ask the Solicitor-General, pursuant to her answer of 17 March 2003, Official Report, columns 515–16, on Iraq, whether the Attorney-General
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provided the information contained in paragraphs 1 to 7 on his legal note on "Iraq: Legal Basis for the Use of Force", to the United Kingdom Ambassador to the United Nations in advance of Sir Jeremy Greenstock's remarks to the United Nations Security Council on UNSC Resolution 1441 (2002) on 8 November 2002. [104715]
The Solicitor-General: There is a longstanding convention observed by successive Government that the fact of and substance of advice which the Law Officers may have given to Government is not publicly disclosed. This enables the Government, like everyone else, to obtain frank and full legal advice in confidence. The Attorney General gave a written answer on 17 March in the House of Lords which set out his view of the legal basis for the use of force against Iraq. However, the convention against disclosure of Law Officers' advice still applies in relation to advice which the Law Officers give within Government.
INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Iraq
7. Mr. Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the use of NGOs to distribute British aid in the reconstruction of Iraq. [104781]
Clare Short: The humanitarian strategy for Iraq is firstly to ensure that the military are able to provide support in the areas they occupy then, as quickly as possible, to ensure that, the UN system returns and that Oil for Food is re-established.
The reinstatement of Oil for Food is crucial since 16 million Iraqis rely on it. The traditional role of NGOs in post-conflict situations is to help deliver emergency services at community level using supplies provided by the UN system. There are strong Iraqi organisations delivering services for the Oil for Food programme. International NGOs will have a role to play but obviously it is better to employ Iraqi organisations wherever possible.
8. Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on humanitarian relief for Iraq. [104782]
12. Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her contingency plans to work with UK and international NGOs to help relieve the humanitarian situation in Iraq. [104786]
13. Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the humanitarian situation in Iraq. [104787]
Clare Short: I refer hon. Members to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Blaby (Mr. Robathan) earlier today (PQ 104781).
A daily situation report on the humanitarian situation will be placed in the Libraries of the House every weekday.
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Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) what estimates her Department has made with the (a) Ministry of Defence, (b) Foreign and Commonwealth Office and (c) Treasury on the possible costs of humanitarian assistance in the event of conflict in Iraq; [104354]
- (2) what additional contingency funds and expertise her Department has been granted to support the direct delivery of impartial humanitarian assistance by the international humanitarian community; [104357]
(3) what proportion of the humanitarian response needed for Iraq in the event of any conflict she estimates will be covered by the sums provided by her Department to the (a) UNCHR, (b) UNICEF, (c) WFP, (d) WHO and (e) UNSECOORD. [104363]
Clare Short: There are too many possible scenarios to make a reliable estimate of the cost of humanitarian assistance in Iraq. For this reason it is also difficult at this stage to estimate the proportion of needs which will be met by the UK. We expect a UN Inter-Agency Appeal to be launched very shortly. This will include a breakdown of costs anticipated by the UN.
My Department has thus far committed £50 million and earmarked a further £40 million for humanitarian assistance in Iraq. This has been drawn from DFID budgets and the DFID contingency reserve. Funds from existing spending DFID programmes will not be diverted to fund our assistance to Iraq.
Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) what discussions her Department has had with the Ministry of Defence on how military strategy can minimise and mitigate the risks of conflict to the Iraqi people; [104355]
- (2) what advice her Department has given the Ministry of Defence and the armed forces on how best to discharge their humanitarian responsibilities under the (a) Hague and (b) Geneva Conventions. [104356]
Clare Short: My Department has been in close discussion with the Ministry of Defence over many months working to minimise the humanitarian impact of any conflict; both to minimise the risks to the Iraqi population and the infrastructure on which they depend, and to ensure that UK forces meet their obligations under the Hague and Geneva conventions governing armed conflict. We have seconded two humanitarian specialists to work with the armed forces (UK 1 Division) and to advise on relief activities.
Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what additional funding her Department has allocated for the use of military quick impact projects in the period immediately after conflict in Iraq. [104358]
Clare Short: My Department has not allocated funds for military quick impact projects in Iraq. The Ministry of Defence has received £30 million from HM Treasury to help the UK military provide relief as part of its obligations under the Geneva and Hague conventions.
Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what responsibilities the military will have for the initial delivery of humanitarian assistance in the event of conflict with Iraq. [104359]
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Clare Short: Humanitarian agencies cannot operate until a permissive security environment has been established. In the interim, the military will have responsibility to deliver humanitarian assistance in the territory they occupy in accordance with the Geneva and Hague conventions.
Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whom her Department has seconded as full time Civil-Military Humanitarian Adviser to the Headquarters of UK 1 Division in Kuwait. [104360]
Clare Short: We have seconded two humanitarian advisors to UK 1 division in Kuwait. For security reasons, it would be inappropriate to divulge their names (see exemption 1 (Security) of the Ministerial Code of Practice).
Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what advice her Department has given the National Component Headquarters in Qatar on the humanitarian consequences of an Iraq conflict. [104361]
Clare Short: DFID has been reviewing and advising on military plans to address humanitarian needs.
Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what secondments her Department is making to support the UN Joint Logistic Centre in the event of war with Iraq. [104364]
Clare Short: DFID has received a request for an individual to join the UN Joint Logistics centre (UNJLC). We are working with the World Food Programme and the UNJLC to provide an individual at the earliest opportunity.
Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development to which governments (1) her Department has made representations on contingency planning for the event of war in Iraq; [104366]
- (2) what funding her Department will provide to the UN Office for the coordination of humanitarian affairs in the event of war in Iraq. [104365]
Clare Short: We are in discussion with many partners on the planning of humanitarian assistance. It is essential that international plans are co-ordinated. This is the role of the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). We have provided £150,000 to support their Iraq co-ordination centre in Cyprus and have seconded a member of staff.
Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which (a) governments and (b) international organisations her Department expects will contribute immediate humanitarian assistance in Iraq in the event of war. [104367]
Clare Short: DFID has committed £50 million to support preparations by humanitarian agencies and non-governmental organisations in Iraq and the region. We have set aside a further £40 million for the immediate humanitarian response and will consider further assistance as needs are identified.
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On 21 March the College of European Commissioners proposed to release an additional 79 million euros from the Emergency Aid Reserve, increasing their total commitment to 100 million euros. This funding is still to be approved by the Council.
USAID has so far announced $154 million for humanitarian relief, food distribution, reconstruction and transition initiatives. We anticipate that other governments will contribute to the humanitarian relief effort and hope that they will generously support the anticipated UN Inter-agency flash appeal.
Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what effort her Department is making with (a) international financial institutions and (b) the international community to ensure that there is a suitable UN mandate in place to provide legal authority for the reconstruction effort in Iraq in the event of conflict. [104368]
Clare Short: I visited New York and Washington on 19–20 March to meet the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, the World bank and the US Administration to try to ensure that proper preparations are being made for reconstruction in Iraq. My officials are also in regular contact with these and other partners.
A UN mandate for the reconstruction effort is a precondition for the engagement of the World bank, the International Monetary Fund and many countries. Their engagement is key to the reforms that are needed to move the economy forward and to secure an agreement on debt rescheduling and a reparations strategy that will enable the Iraqi economy to recover and grow. I held detailed talks last week with officials of the UN and the US Administration about how that might be achieved and I am hopeful that we will soon make progress in line with the agreements reached between the Prime Minister and President Bush in the Azores.
Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many metric tonnes of food her Department estimates will be needed by the end of March for the Iraqi population; and how many metric tonnes of food she estimates will be available by the end of March. [104369]
Clare Short: WFP has positioned sufficient supplies to feed two million people for one month. This is intended to cover the initial phase of the ongoing conflict, during which WFP will support refugees and the malnourished and vulnerable inside Iraq. WFP believes that most Iraqis1 food reserves will last up to six weeks.
Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what preparations her Department has made to allow non-governmental organisations safe access to endangered populations in Iraq in the event of conflict. [104370]
Clare Short: Humanitarian agencies cannot operate until a permissive security environment has been established. The military will discharge their humanitarian obligations under the Geneva and Hague
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conventions in order to provide relief in the interim. Once the situation allows, NGOs will need to undertake their own security assessments before engaging.
Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with EU member states concerning collective involvement in the reconstruction of post-war Iraq. [104376]
Clare Short: The first step is to secure a strong UN mandate for reconstruction. The European Council on 20 and 21 March agreed that the UN Security Council should give the UN such a mandate for post-conflict Iraq and make sure that the new Iraqi administration is one that is representative, respects the human rights of the Iraqi people, and allows the people of Iraq to live in peace internally and with their neighbours.
Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps her Department intends to take in order to ensure that food distribution in post-war Iraq remains apolitical. [104378]
Clare Short: The UK is committed to humanitarian assistance being provided by civilian agencies wherever possible, on the basis of need, and not as part of a military strategy. We are supporting the role of UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in co-ordinating humanitarian assistance.
Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) if she will make a statement on the nomination of an Iraqi national to administer Iraq's aid programme, with special reference to the oil for food programme; [104379]
- (2) what representations she has received concerning the protection of food supplies to Iraq in the event of discontinuation of the UN Oil for Food programme during military action in Iraq; [104381]
(3) whether a relief programme will come under the Prime Minister's plans for an oil revenue trust fund for the Iraqi people; [104383]
(4) what representations she has received concerning the expansion of the Oil for Food programme to pay for reconstruction costs in Iraq; [104389]
(5) what the current total volume is of unspent oil revenues in the escrow account of the UN Oil for Food programme; and what representations she has received concerning its distribution in the coming months; [104393]
(6) what steps she plans and is taking to ensure that there is a satisfactory level of independent auditing of Iraq's Oil for Food programme in the aftermath of conflict; [104386]
(7) what evaluation she has made of the impact of the suspension of the UN Oil for Food programme on civilians' food needs in Iraq; [104380]
(8) what steps are being taken by her Department to ensure the protection of food supplies to Iraq in the event of discontinuation of the UN Oil for Food programme during military action in Iraq. [104382]
Clare Short: 60 per cent. of the people of Iraq—around 16 million people—are currently dependent on the UN Oil for Food programme (OFF).
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The UK has been in discussion with the UN humanitarian agencies, Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement and international NGOs to determine what resources they require to procure food to cover any temporary gap in the OFF programme. The UN is currently planning on a medium case scenario under which up to 10 million people may require food assistance during and immediately after conflict. We have committed £50 million to support the contingency preparations of these partners (covering food and other relief). This includes £8 million for the World Food programme. We have set aside a further £40 million for the immediate humanitarian response and are considering further assistance in line with emerging humanitarian needs.
DFID also provides 19 per cent. of EC funding for Iraq. On 21 March the College of European Commissioners proposed to release an additional Euro 9 million from the Emergency Aid Reserve, increasing their total commitment to Euro100 million. This funding is still to be approved by the Council.
We have had many representations and discussions on the continuation of the OFF programme with the UN Secretariat, Security Council members and others. Preparations are in hand for a new Security Council Resolution to allow the UN Secretary General to take charge of the Oil for Food (OFF) programme. A draft resolution will be tabled very soon.
The first priority for oil revenues post-conflict must be to get the OFF programme back up and running. There are substantial unspent oil revenues in the escrow account. We are in discussions with partners about the level of funds which could be released for new commitments under OFF and how this might be done.
We are also in discussions with our partners over arrangements for the post-war administration of Iraq. A UN mandate will be required to provide legal authority to a new transitional government in Iraq. We are holding ongoing discussions with key partners to ensure such a mandate is put in place.
OFF accounts are prepared by the UN and audited by their independent auditors.
Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has and steps she is taking to ensure that Iraq does not develop a long-term dependency on aid. [104384]
Clare Short: Iraq is an oil rich country. It has the resources to ensure it does not become aid dependant. It will however need support to reform its economy to create an enabling environment to encourage economic growth.
Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has received concerning the return of external investors to Iraq after the end of any military campaign. [104385]
Clare Short : I have had discussions with the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, the World bank and the US Administration to try to ensure that proper preparations are being made for reconstruction in Iraq. A UN mandate will be required to provide legal authority for the reconstruction effort, and to make possible the engagement of the International Financial
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Institutions and the wider international community. The Government are holding discussions with others to ensure such a mandate is put in place.
Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) what measures her Department will take to publish audited accounts in relation to the administration of aid funds in post-war Iraq; [104387]
- (2) what steps her Department intends to take to monitor the activities of the aid community in post-war Iraq. [104377]
Clare Short: Use of DFID funds in post-war Iraq will be subject to usual Government audit procedures.
The monitoring of international assistance to post-conflict Iraq will initially be the responsibility of the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). We have provided £150,000 to support their Iraq co-ordination centre in Cyprus and have seconded a member of staff.
Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with HM Treasury concerning Britain's financial burden in Iraq in the event that war-related infrastructure damage causes a significant reduction in oil revenue. [104388]
Clare Short : I am in on-going discussions with HM Treasury. It is presently too soon to say with any certainty what the cost of humanitarian and reconstruction work will be.
Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has received from the non-governmental organisations regarding her Department's assistance with the provision of humanitarian relief in post conflict Iraq. [104390]
Clare Short: My Department is in regular discussion with NGOs both in London and in the countries surrounding Iraq. We have received a substantial number of applications for NGO funding. We are urgently assessing these and will be making decisions on them shortly.
Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Defence and the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs concerning the co-ordination of the military and humanitarian strategy in the event of military action in Iraq. [104391]
Clare Short: My Department has been in close discussion with the Ministry of Defence for many months to minimise the humanitarian impact of any conflict; both to minimise the risks to the Iraqi population and the infrastructure on which they depend, and to ensure that UK forces meet their obligations under the Hague and Geneva conventions governing armed conflict. We have seconded two humanitarian specialists to work with the armed forces (UK 1 Division) and to advise on relief activities.
We are also working in close collaboration with the Foreign and Commonwealth office on relevant issues.
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Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Defence concerning the protection of Iraqi oil production facilities in the event of military action in Iraq. [104392]
Clare Short: My Department has been in close contact with the Ministry of Defence to seek to minimise the impact of conflict on the infrastructure on which the people of Iraq depend.
Mr. Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) how much her Department has allocated for the agricultural reconstruction of post-war Iraq, broken down by type of activity; [104660]
- (2) what estimate she has made of the total value of the Iraqi economy given over to agriculture in (a) 1989, (b) 1996 and (c) 2003, broken down by type. [104661]
Clare Short: My Department does not keep data on the Iraqi agriculture in the form requested. The latest Economist Intelligence Unit Iraq Country Profile has useful background on the Iraqi economy and agricultural sector.
It is too soon to allocate funds for the post-war reconstruction of Iraqi agriculture. The first priority is to secure a UN mandate which will be required to provide legal authority for the reconstruction effort, and to make possible the engagement of the International Financial Institutions and the wider international community. The Government is holding ongoing discussions with key partners to ensure such a mandate is put in place.
Mr. Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) how much foodstuff is available for relief work in Iraq by (a) the UK, (b) the EU, (c) the US and (d) other states, broken down by type; and what proportion of those foodstuffs are derived from genetically modified materials, broken down by type; [104713]
- (2) what (a) recent discussions she has had with and (b) representations she has received from (i) the United States, (ii) the United Nations, (iii) aid charities and (iv) other groups and individuals on the distribution of genetically modified foodstuffs for (A) refugees and (B) displaced persons in Iraq as a consequence of any conflict; and if she will make a statement. [104659]
Clare Short: The UK, EU, US and others are supporting the humanitarian effort through their partners: UN agencies, the Red Cross movement, NGOs and others. DFID has so far committed £8 million to the World Food. DFID believes that food aid recipients should make their own decisions about acceptance of genetically modified materials.
Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment her Department has made of the number of Iraqi civilians likely to die from hunger and disease as a result of military conflict. [104371]
Clare Short: There are a number of possible humanitarian scenarios. The UN is currently planning on a 'medium case' scenario. This assumes severe disruption to critical infrastructure and the Iraqi
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Government's capacity to deliver basic food and relief. Disruption to fuel and power supplies could shut down water and sewage treatment plants. Up to half the population could be without access to potable water and up to 10 million people may require food assistance during and immediately after conflict.
Mr. Tynan: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether costs incurred by the United Kingdom in providing emergency, reconstruction and other forms of aid in post-conflict Iraq will be met by diverting funds from existing spending programmes within the budget of the Department for International Development. [104681]
Clare Short: Funds from existing spending DFID programmes will not be diverted to fund our assistance to Iraq.
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