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3 Nov 2005 : Column 1277W—continued
Habitats Directive
Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the Government are considering changes to the interpretation of the Habitats Directive. [18296]
Jim Knight: The Government are not considering any changes to the interpretation of the Habitats Directive. However, following ECJ Judgement C-6/04, my officials are considering whether it is necessary to clarify transposition of the Directive.
Horse Passports
Mr. Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many horse passports have been issued by each of the issuing bodies. [23804]
Jim Knight: The following table lists the most recent figures that English Passport Issuing Organisations (PIOs) have submitted to Defra. Defra collects Horse Passport Statistics only from English PIOs. Those organisations based in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland pass details of the number of passports issued to their respective Devolved Administrations.
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Non-departmental Public Bodies
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by her Department have a statutory base; which (a) publish their advice to Government, (b) publish an annual report and (c) lay an annual report before Parliament; and whether it is under a statutory requirement in each case. [20129]
Jim Knight: Not all the information required is held centrally and the following parts of this question have not been answered because of the disproportionate cost:
(a) publish their advice to Government
(c) lay an annual report before Parliament;
and whether it is under a statutory requirement in each case."
Some of part b can be answered, however there is currently no information held centrally on whether these bodies have a statutory base or whether it is a statutory requirement to publish an annual report.
Most of the information was collected in the last quarter of 2004 and relates only to a question about publishing annual reports on the internet.
Roads (Lancashire)
Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with (a) the Environment Agency and (b) Lancashire county council on the environmental implications of the proposed Northern bypass. [24498]
Mr. Morley: DEFRA Ministers have not discussed this road with either the Environment Agency or Lancashire county council. I understand it is the subject of a major scheme proposal for funding from the Department for Transport. The Environment Agency and other statutory agencies have been asked to comment on it and on a number of other proposals by the Department for Transport.
Snared Animals
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on how many occasions she has issued a licence for the snaring of (a) animals listed under section 6 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and (b) other animals in each of the last five years, broken down by species. [23179]
Jim Knight: The Department has not issued any licenses for snaring of any animal listed under Schedule 6 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1 981 or any other animals in the last five years.
TRANSPORT
A2
Mr. Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the level of congestion on the A2. [24183]
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Dr. Ladyman: Congestion on the A2, up to the junction with the A2018, where Transport for London takes responsibility, is monitored using a number of methods, such as traffic counts, individual surveys and cameras.
Specifically on the A2 and M2 route, the volume of traffic is measured continuously on an hourly basis at 71 sites. Quarterly and annual reports are produced to show traffic flows and average speed.
Following this assessment of congestion, the A2 is currently being improved between the M25 and the M2 to dual four lanes including reconstruction of the junction of the A2/M25. The last section of this work, between Pepperhill and Cobham, has recently been approved to go ahead. This scheme will greatly reduce existing congestion whilst providing improved access to the key regeneration area of Kent Thameside.
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