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Soil Guideline Values Task Force
Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what sub-groups have been set up to the Soil Guideline Values Task Force; when she expects them to report to the Task Force; and if she will make a statement; [220900]
(2) what the aims of the Soil Guideline Values Task Force are; and if she will make a statement; [220901]
(3) what discussions she has had with local councils regarding contaminated land and the Soil Guideline Values Task Force; and if she will make a statement; [220914]
(4) what guidance she has given local councils regarding dealing with (a) contaminated land and (b) contaminated residential land with regard to the Soil Guideline Values Task Force; and if she will make a statement; [220915]
(5) when she expects the Soil Guidelines Values Task Force to report; whether its report will be publicly available; and if she will make a statement. [220916]
Mr. Morley:
The Soil Guideline Values Task Force is an initiative of the Cabinet Office Business Regulation team and the Government Departments and Agencies most involved in the publication of the Defra/Environment Agency soil guideline values and related materials. This technical guidance helps in assessing risk to human health in connection with land contamination, for example when considering regulatory action or proposals for development of land. Two subgroups have
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recently been set up to explore training and possible additional guidance. The Local Authority Standing Conference on Land Contamination is represented on the Task Force, and all local authorities in England were notified about the initiative earlier this year. No other guidance has been given to local authorities in respect of the Task Force. We currently expect proposals from the Task Force later in the year, and that these will be made publicly available.
Sustainable Development
Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what additional resources she plans to commit to the Sustainable Development Commission in support of the new role of evaluating and reporting progress made by Government in delivering their sustainable development commitments, as announced in the recent report on sustainability. [221443]
Mr. Morley: Work is ongoing to define and address specific requirements of the Sustainable Development Commission (SDC) in meeting its enhanced role as watchdog for sustainable development. That role is still being developed along with other changes to the way the SDC works and is managed which will ensure that the SDC continues to be viewed as making a valuable contribution.
Once we have a firmer view of these requirements Defra will provide the resources necessary for the SDC to carry out its enhanced remit effectively and efficiently.
EDUCATION AND SKILLS
Education Business Links (Kent)
Mr. Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what the budget for Education Business Link in Kent is for 2004–05; and what she expects it to be in 2005–06; [221122]
(2) how much Business Link Kent has charged for administering the Education Business links in the county in (a) 2002–03, (b) 2003–04 and (c) 2004–05. [221121]
Mr. Stephen Twigg: Funding to support Education Business Link activities is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). Mark Haysom the LSC's Chief Executive will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Library.
Direct Grants
Mr. Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the private and voluntary organisations to which her Department has made direct grants since April 2004. [221215]
Derek Twigg:
The information in the form requested is not held by the Department and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The Department is developing a more comprehensive management information system and has data from April 2004 onwards for voluntary sector organisations, but does not yet hold data centrally about grants to other organisations. The following list sets out those voluntary organisations that have received direct grants from the Department since April 2004.
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