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Coastal Defence

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many coastal defence projects using timber are under way; how much funding her Department has provided for these projects; and what measures have been taken to ensure that this timber is from sustainable sources. [134504]

Mr. Morley [holding answer 27 October 2003]: Defra does not collect information on the materials used by operating authorities in coastal defence projects and it would involve disproportionate cost to do so.

Defra's guidance to operating authorities on the use of resources is that care should always be taken to minimise any detrimental impacts on biodiversity and the wider environment. It is preferable to use resources that are abundant rather than those that are scarce, and to use those resources as efficiently as possible. In addition, where timber is used, Defra encourages operating authorities to obtain tropical and native timbers from certified and sustainable sources.

Timber Procurement

Ms Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what form she plans the central point of expertise on Government timber procurement (CPET) will take; how it will function; and who will staff it. [134557]

Mr. Morley: Plans for a central point of expertise on timber (CPET) are not yet finalised. I will make a further statement when the key decisions have been taken.

Ms Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what responses her Department received to its consultations on the establishment of a central point of expertise on Government timber procurement regarding what type of central point of expertise on timber procurement should be established; and how she plans to act on these recommendations. [134558]

Mr. Morley: The concept of a central point of expertise on timber (CPET) was one of the recommendations made by consultants ERM in their scoping study report published on 6 August 2002. That

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report was made in the light of consultations with stakeholders, primarily at a meeting on 25 March 2002. A second consultation meeting was held on 2 September 2002 and written comments were received from various interested parties too. A record of the two meetings can be viewed on the Tropical Forest Forum's website at http://www.forestforum.org.uk/tradeb.htm

The recommendation for a CPET, which was broadly agreed by the stakeholders, suggested that the service could be provided either by a suitably qualified civil servant or by a commissioned service contract to an appropriately qualified consultant. Stakeholders generally held the view that they should be involved in the key decisions taken by a CPET to ensure transparency and a degree of independence.

Early in 2003 Defra held discussions with potential service providers to discuss how a commissioned service could be set up, how it would operate and what key outputs it would be expected to deliver. Following those discussions Defra has been considering the options available to ensure that the CPET would provide best value for money given the resources available. I will make a further statement when the key decisions have been taken.

Ms Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 1 September 2003, Official Report, column 860W, on timber, what progress has been made in the establishment of a central point of expertise on Government timber procurement (CPET); what funding has been allocated to the CPET; and when the CPET will be operational. [134577]

Mr. Morley: Since 1 September the Government have been reviewing options for establishing a central point of expertise on timber (CPET). Decisions on funding will be made when that review is completed and the CPET will be established as soon after that as possible.

CABINET OFFICE

Bechtel

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will list the contracts for consultancy and other work carried out by Bechtel in each year since 1997, stating in each case (a) the nature of the work, (b) the value of the contract and (c) the duration of the contract; and if he will make a statement. [135902]

Mr. Alexander: The Cabinet Office and COI have had no contracts for consultancy and other work with Bechtel since 1997.

DEFENCE

Suez Medal

20. Laura Moffatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the time scale for awarding the Suez medal to veterans. [135563]

Mr. Caplin: I am delighted to be able to tell my hon. Friend that the first medals to eligible Suez veterans were presented on 27 October. Over 12,000 applications

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have been received so far. All medals will be issued as quickly as possible and it is anticipated that over 900 will have been despatched by the end of this week in time for them to be worn on Remembrance Sunday.

Ms Dari Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when Suez medals will be awarded to veterans. [135554]

Mr. Caplin: I am delighted to be able to tell my hon. Friend that the first medals to eligible Suez veterans were presented on 27 October. All medals will be issued as quickly as possible and it is anticipated that over 900 will have been despatched by the end of this week in time for them to be worn on Remembrance Sunday.

Sierra Leone

21. Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the role of his Department in Sierra Leone. [135564]

Mr. Ingram: The United Kingdom has played, and continues to play, a prominent role in helping to restore peace in Sierra Leone. We remain committed to help establish a peaceful and stable Sierra Leone which is no longer at risk from internal and external armed conflict. We are also working closely with the Government of Sierra Leone in support of their wider Security Sector Reform programme and in support of the UN mission; UNAMSIL.

Iraq

22. Ross Cranston: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the current security situation in Iraq. [135565]

Mr. Hoon: Although recent attacks in Iraq have received wide coverage, we should not forget that much of the country is remarkably stable. The vast majority of attacks against the coalition are concentrated in a limited area in and to the North West of Baghdad. Coalition forces, under US leadership, are working hard to counter these threats and will not be deflected from that mission. Across the country, meanwhile, increasing numbers of Iraqi police are on patrol, reconstruction continues and normal civil activities are pursued without incident.

The situation in the British area of responsibility also remains generally calm, although vigilance is still required in the face of occasional incidents.

23. Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the security situation in Iraq. [135566]

Mr. Hoon: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier to my hon. Friend the Member for Dudley, North (Ross Cranston).

24. Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Service personnel are deployed in Iraq. [135567]

Mr. Hoon: There are currently around 11,000 UK Service personnel serving in Iraq.

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Mr. Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total cost is of munitions used by the armed forces in Iraq over the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [135379]

Mr. Ingram: The total cost of operations in Iraq during financial year 2002–03 has been published in the Departmental Resource Accounts for that year. The detailed costs of munitions consumed over the latter part of the last 12 months are still being calculated and I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Mr. Tynan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment he has made of the morale of United Kingdom personnel serving with Headquarters, Combined Joint Task Force, in Baghdad. [130332]

Mr. Ingram: All Commanders constantly monitor morale as part of their duties. Within the Combined Joint Task Force-7 Headquarters in Baghdad, morale is assessed to be good.

Mr. Tynan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what secure rest and relaxation facilities are available to off-duty United Kingdom military personnel in Baghdad. [130331]

Mr. Ingram: Servicemen in Baghdad are never off-duty, but the Baghdad Support Unit has been specifically set up to provide the support needed by all British Forces in Baghdad. Given the operational circumstances, all personnel are relatively comfortably accommodated. All United Kingdom staff have access to elements of the Operational Welfare Package including internet, welfare phones, radio, TV and sports equipment. Rest and Relaxation (R&R) is taken out of theatre, in either the UK or Germany.

Mr. Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps are being taken to reduce the risk to coalition troops of attacks by former Ba'athist elements and other terrorist groups in Iraq. [132133]

Mr. Ingram: Force Protection is one of the highest priorities for United Kingdom Forces. Commanders on the ground employ appropriate Force Protection measures in accordance with threat assessments. The security situation is under constant review and Commanders adapt protection measures to reflect different circumstances. Coalition partners are responsible for the provision of their own force protection.

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