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28 Feb 2005 : Column 918W—continued
PRIME MINISTER
Official Histories
Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Prime Minister how many Government-sponsored official histories are in preparation; when each was commissioned; who the authors are; what the estimated date of completion is in each case; and what the estimated cost in each caseis. [218676]
The Prime Minister: The following official histories are currently in preparation:
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In the financial year 2003–04 the cost of running the official history programme was £190,000. This includes fees and expenses of historians and research assistants and costs associated with publication, but excludes staff costs of Cabinet Office administrative support and accommodation-related overheads. In the case of the SOE histories no fee is paid for the authors' work, instead they seek recompense through royalties from their publishers.
Iraq
Lynne Jones: To ask the Prime Minister whether the statement made by the Attorney-General on 17 March 2003 setting out his views on the legality of the use of armed force against Iraq was a summary of the advice received by the Government. [218322]
Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Prime Minister whether he had a role in the (a) framing, (b) drafting and (c) drawing up of the Answer given by the Attorney-General on 17 March 2003 on Iraq. [218595]
Adam Price: To ask the Prime Minister whether the summary of the Attorney-General's advice on the legality of the war in Iraq published in the Official Report on 17 March 2003 was drafted by (a) Downing street and (b) Cabinet Office officials. [218430]
The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Members to the answer given by my right hon. noble Friend the Attorney-General, Lord Goldsmith, today.
Lynne Jones: To ask the Prime Minister whether the complete text of the Attorney-General's opinion on the legality of the invasion of Iraq was seen by the full Cabinet. [218540]
The Prime Minister: Information relating to internal meetings, discussion and advice and the proceedings of Cabinet and Cabinet Committees is not disclosed as to do so could harm the frankness and candour of internal discussion.
Ministerial Travel
Mrs. Brooke: To ask the Prime Minister (1) how many days he has spent overseas on official business in each year since 1997; [211247]
(2)when he will reply to the question tabled by the hon. Member for Mid-Dorset and North Poole on 24 January, reference 211247. [215730]
Mr. Andrew Turner: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the overseas trips he has made on official business or using official transport, since 1997, broken down by date. [211869]
The Prime Minister: Since 1999 the Government have published an annual list of all visits overseas undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing £500 or more during each financial year.
All travel is undertaken in accordance with the rules set out in the Ministerial Code and Travel by Ministers, the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers, and the Civil Service Management Code.
Due to an administrative error the following was omitted from the list published in 1999: 2–26 August 1997—Italy and France.
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Prime Minister's Questions
Dr. Pugh: To ask the Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the merits of altering the format of Prime Minister's questions. [218566]
Dr. Pugh: To ask the Prime Minister whether he has plans to bring forward proposals to alter the format of Prime Minister's questions. [218567]
Dr. Pugh: To ask the Prime Minister whether he has received representations from the public about the impression of the House given by the broadcasting of Prime Minister's question time. [218858]
The Prime Minister: The information is not available in the format requested. Given the volume of correspondence I receive covering a broad spectrum of issues, my office records letters by subject rather than by the view expressed.
US Presidential Meeting
Llew Smith: To ask the Prime Minister what (a) matters he discussed and (b) decisions were reached at his breakfast meeting in Brussels with President Bush on 22 February. [217940]
The Prime Minister: I discussed a wide range of issues with President Bush, including the Middle East Peace Process, the UK's G8 presidency and Iraq.
ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS
Apiculture
Mr. Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what consultation process was undertaken with stakeholders prior to the announcement of changes to scientific resources available to support beekeeping. [216700]
Alun Michael: None. The proposed 20 per cent. reduction in expenditure with the National Bee Unit was determined following an internal review of resource allocation across the whole of Defra.
The reduction will be concentrated on the field force of bee inspectors rather than the Unit's scientific services, which will be substantially maintained. The decision does not apply to the Department's spend on bee health research and development.
Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the reason was for the reduction in the funding allocation to the Bee Health Programme at the National Bee Unit. [216911]
Alun Michael:
The budget for the Bee Health Programme in England was identified in Defra's Activity Baseline Review as an area where 20 per cent. savings (equivalent to £250,000 p.a.) could be realised from 2008. The review examined all of the Department's existing activities and the resources available to them.
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Mr. Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research she has commissioned on the effectiveness of shook swarming as a means of controlling foulbrood. [216690]
Alun Michael: National Bee Unit studies on the application of the 'shook swarm' technique with antibiotic for the control of European foul brood disease have already been subject to independent scientific peer review. It is our intention that the results from trials of the technique without the use of antibiotic should be independently assessed once enough data have been gathered and evaluated.
Mr. Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what level of inspection of bee colonies she is proposing when European foulbrood is removed from statutory controls. [216691]
Alun Michael: Once a decision had been made to remove a statutory enforcement role for control of European foul brood in England, inspections would no longer be targeted on this disease. However, the National Bee Unit would continue to offer advice to beekeepers on managing the disease through its extension programme. Apiary inspections would thereafter concentrate on maximising control of American foul brood disease and surveillance for notifiable exotic bee pests, including the small hive beetle.
Arrangements for bee health matters in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are the responsibility of the respective devolved Administrations.
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