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Rare Animals

Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on protecting and promoting rare (a) equine species and (b) farm animals. [119972]

Mr. Bradshaw [holding answer 19 June 2003]: Defra produced a comprehensive report on the conservation and sustainable use of the UK's Farm Animal Genetic Resources (FAnGR), including equine species, during 2002 for the FAO.

This UK Country Report on FAnGR contained a number of recommendations for the protection and promotion of British breeds at risk, which were accepted by the Government and the Devolved Administrations.

Common Agricultural Policy

Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with representatives of unsupported sectors in the run-up to the mid-term review. [117550]

Mr. Bradshaw: My noble Friend Lord Whitty has had regular discussions on the CAP reform proposals with a range of bodies who represent both supported and unsupported sectors. Officials have also had a number of meetings with those specifically representing unsupported sector interests.

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Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what the Government's strategy is with regard to its unsupported sectors in the mid-term review; [117551]

(2) what action she will take to ensure that existing farmers of unsupported crops will not be disadvantaged in relation to farmers of supported crops in the forthcoming CAP mid-term review. [118061]

Mr. Bradshaw: The Government has explored the implications of the Commission's CAP reform proposals and the desirability of potential amendments with representatives of the unsupported sector. Once the detail of the final agreement is known, we will review the position and consult all sectors of the industry on if and how any national discretion should be exercised.

Renewable Energy

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress has been made in the development of renewable energy technologies, including CHP on brownfield sites.[119881]

Mr. Timms: I have been asked to reply.

The Government set out their energy policy, including action to encourage renewable energy and CHP, in their Energy White Paper, "Our energy future—creating a low carbon economy", which we published in February.

The land use planning system promotes the use of brownfield over greenfield sites whenever possible and appropriate, but makes no distinction as to the type of development which should take place. Decisions to proceed with renewable energy or CHP developments would be made on a commercial basis, and would be subject to the local planning process. Each case should be considered on its merits taking full account of the views of the local population and the various planning and environmental considerations.

Developers wishing to develop in brownfield areas may be eligible to benefit from the framework of measures already in place to support renewables and CHP. Developers may, depending on the technology in question, apply for funding from our Renewable Energy R&D programme or from capital grants such as the Clear Skies Programme which is specifically targeted at smaller community-based schemes. Once operational, if the installation is using an eligible renewable source, their electrical output will be eligible for inclusion under the Renewables Obligation. The £50 million Community Energy capital grant programme is another incentive for development. This three-year programme aims to increase the development and installation of community heating schemes, mainly based on CHP, across the UK.

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DEFENCE

Iraq

2. Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the UK armed forces serving in Iraq are attached to the Iraq Survey Group. [120542]

Mr. Hoon: There are some 54 United Kingdom service men and women attached to the Iraq Survey Group. Over the next few weeks the UK contribution of military and civilian personnel will increase to between 90 and 100.

Investigation into Iraq's programmes to develop weapons of mass destruction remains a high priority for all coalition forces in Iraq. Elements of British forces are committed to this task as part of the Iraq Survey Group. Their priority will be the search for weapons of mass destruction.

21. Mr. Heath: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the call-up of members of the reserve forces for the conflict in Iraq. [120563]

Mr. Caplin: The Government are very grateful to the members of the Reserve Forces who provided support to the military action against Iraq. The use of Reservists to support such operations is fully in line with the Strategic Defence Review, namely having more capable, usable, integrated and relevant reserve forces that support their regular counterparts on operations overseas.

As previously reported to the House, a call-out order was made on 7 January in support of Operation TELIC. Over 5,000 reservists were accepted into service in sufficient time to be deployed to the region of Iraq before the start of hostilities on 19 March. This was by far the biggest call-out since the 1950s. The call-out procedures worked well. The Reserve Forces produced the necessary manpower and skills. Some served with regular units, helping to bring units from peacetime to war fighting complements, while others served with reserve units.

Now that the period of combat operations is over, we are withdrawing assets and personnel where possible. However, there is still a need to maintain an appropriate military presence for as long as necessary. Thus, reservists who have a role to play in the stabilisation and rebuilding of Iraq will remain there to complete a six month deployment. In addition, others will continue to be called-out to support these activities.

Mr. Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many interviews with Iraqi personnel thought to have information about weapons of mass destruction have been conducted by coalition forces; and if he will make a statement. [119591]

Mr. Ingram: Coalition forces are currently investigating Iraq's programmes to develop weapons of mass destruction, including by debriefing Iraqi prisoners of war, interviews with senior regime figures, and information from other Iraqi military and civilian sources. The breadth of such contacts means that it is not possible to quantify the number of interviews on this subject to date.

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Mr. Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many samples of suspected chemical and biological agents have been (a) found and (b) confirmed by coalition forces in Iraq; and if he will make a statement. [119592]

Mr. Ingram: The coalition's extensive investigations into Iraq's weapons of mass destruction are at an early stage. But we are committed to what may be a long process. At the present time, samples of suspected chemical and biological agents are taken by a range of coalition units with data logged by the unit concerned in-theatre. At the appropriate time we will make the evidence public.

International Peacekeeping

16. Mr. Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the role of British forces in international peacekeeping. [120557]

Mr. Hoon: The United Kingdom Government remain committed to making the world a safer place. This means maintaining a strong and authoritative United Nations and doing all that is practicable to promote peace, democracy and good governance. Our armed forces are involved in peacekeeping operations throughout the world, for example in the Balkans, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia/Eritrea and Sierra Leone. Acting as a force for good around the world, the UK participates both in peacekeeping operations as formally defined and contributes to other multinational operations that help maintain peace and security.

Army Strength

18. Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many regiments are under strength; and how many vacancies there are. [120560]

Mr. Caplin: As at 1 May 2003 whole Army strength (which comprises of United Kingdom trained Army personnel, Gurkhas and full-time reserve staff) stood at 102,430, which represents a shortfall of 4,550 against the current requirement. Recruiting and retention performance during the last 12 months has been particularly encouraging with whole Army strength increasing by over 1,600 personnel.

Precise information on the details relating to individual regiments is not readily available, however I shall ensure the hon. Member receives the details when the information is available.

19. Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on proposals for future numbers of infantry soldiers. [120561]

Mr. Ingram: There are no plans to reduce the number of infantry soldiers.

Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on proposals to reduce the battalion strength of (a) the Royal Irish Regiment and (b) the Royal Anglians. [120644]

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Mr. Ingram: The Government do not have plans to reduce the battalion strength of the Royal Irish Regiment or the Royal Anglian Regiment.

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