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Roman Snail

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate her Department has made of the number of roman snail (helix pomatia) in the UK; and what measures have been taken to prevent further depletion of their numbers by collectors for the restaurant trade. [44867]

Jim Knight: The roman snail is a non-native species to the UK. However, we recognise that as European populations have been reduced, the British population may be important in terms of conservation of the species as a whole.

In southern England, for example, the species remains quite common in many parts of the chalk downs. But there are some areas where commercial collecting for the restaurant trade is a problem.

The Conchological Society of Great Britain and Ireland has put the roman snail forward for inclusion in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) as part of the on-going review of listed species. A decision is expected later this year. The BAP provides a framework to monitor, health check and safeguard important species and habitats.

Snares

Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what testing of snares for catching wildlife her Department is carrying out; and what trials are planned. [41514]

Jim Knight: A new snares code of practice was launched on 19 October, with a strong emphasis on animal welfare when people are considering their use.

The new code is an important step forward in improving the use of snares. It provides important guidance to ensure that snares are only used where necessary, and that welfare considerations are properly weighed against the benefits of snaring.

In addition, Defra is continuing its work to develop increasingly humane and non-lethal methods of pest control, and considering research to assess snares against the standards set out in the proposed Humane Trapping Standards Directive.

Defra's only current testing or research into snares for catching wildlife is research into restraining badgers using body snares. The aim of this is to inform a decision on culling methods that would be both effective and humane if we were to decide that culling of badgers was needed. No decisions on whether or not to cull badgers will be made until after the consultation on Controlling the spread of bovine tuberculosis in cattle in high incidence areas in England: badger culling" closes on 10 March 2006. Further details can be found at: http://www.defra.gov.ukcorporate/consult/badgers-tbcontrols/index.htm
 
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UN Environment Programme (Nairobi)

Peter Law: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which (a) Ministers and (b) Departmental officials will attend the special trades union assembly of the United Nations environment programme in Nairobi from 14 to 17 January; and if she will place in the Library copies of the United Kingdom submissions to this assembly. [41538]

Mr. Morley: The UK was represented by the UK's Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (based at the British High Commission, Nairobi). No UK Ministers attended this event. The UK did not make any submissions to the Assembly. The Assembly agreed a 'Framework for Action', which will be available on the Assembly's website: http://www.will2006.org/assembly.php

Warm Front

Mr. Malik: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many pensioner households in Dewsbury constituency are eligible for (a) Warm Front grants to install energy efficient measures and (b) (i) free and (ii) reduced cost installation of central heating systems. [43178]

Mr. Morley: Detailed information on the number of pensioner households in the Dewsbury constituency eligible for either (a) a Warm Front Grant or (b) (i) free and (ii) reduced cost installation of central heating systems is not available.

Warm Front provides a range of heating and insulation measures to householders in receipt of certain qualifying benefits, up to a grant maximum of £2,700 (£4,000 where oil central heating is recommended). For full qualification criteria and more information about the Scheme, please visit www.eaga.co.uk.

Delivery arrangements for the support announced in the pre-Budget report of a £300 contribution towards the cost of a central heating system, for pensioner households not eligible for the Warm Front Scheme, are being developed and finalised. Further details will be announced in the coming months.

Mr. Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many pensioner households in the Tamworth constituency are eligible for (a) warm front grants to install energy efficiency measures and (b) (i) free and (ii) reduced cost installation of central heating systems. [43465]

Mr. Morley: Detailed information on the number of pensioner households in the Tamworth constituency eligible for either (a) a warm front grant or (b) (i) free and (ii) reduced cost installation of central heating systems is not available.

Warm front provides a range of heating and insulation measures to householders in receipt of certain qualifying benefits, up to a grant maximum of £2,700 (£4,000 where oil central heating is recommended). For full qualification criteria and more information about the scheme, please visit www.eaga.co.uk.
 
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Delivery arrangements for the support announced in the pre-Budget report of a £300 contribution towards the cost of a central heating system, for pensioner households not eligible for the warm front scheme, are being developed and finalised. Further details will be announced in the coming months.

Waste Heat (Capture)

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she istaking to encourage the capture of waste heat to be fedinto district heating systems; what percentage of such heat was captured in this way in the last period for which figures are available; and if she will make a statement. [44787]

Mr. Morley [holding answer 23 January 2006]: Defra's key support for district heating is through the Community Energy programme, which has encouraged and supported innovative schemes. This includes four schemes that will capture an estimated 20,000 megawatt hours of waste heat per annum. This cannot be expressed in percentage terms as we do not collect figures on the total amount of heat wasted. The Carbon Trust has launched Project Bolt to examine the potential for the commercialisation of projects linking providers and purchasers of waste heat.

Wildlife Crime

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) which UK-based internet service providers (ISPs) the National Wildlife Crime Intelligence Unit has been working with; when discussions have taken place between the Unit and ISPs; and which of the ISPs have made commitments to combat the illegal trade in endangered species as a consequence of such discussions; [44245]

(2) what commitment eBay has made to the National Wildlife Crime Intelligence Unit to combat the illegal trade in endangered species on its website. [44246]

Jim Knight: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 16 January 2006, Official Report, column 907W.
 
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INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Departmental Expenditure

Mr. Francois: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much has been spent in each year since 1997 by his Department on salaries paid to civil servants. [41591]

Mr. Thomas: Prior to 2005, DFID outsourced its payroll function to the Pay and Personnel Agency, part of the Ministry of Defence (MOD). We do not therefore readily hold information down to the level requested and to give the figures for spend on salaries as requested would therefore incur disproportionate costs.

We do hold information from 1999 onwards on Staff Costs" which we report against in our resource accounts. These costs include salary and allowances paid to civil servants, contract staff and staff employed overseas:

	Staff costs (excluding social security costs) (£000)	Percentage of total budget
1999–2000	35,440	1.60
2000–01	37,452	1.48
2001–02	38,649	1.57
2002–03	51,896	1.86
2003–04(1)	70,440	2.45
2004–05(1)	79,643	2.44

⁽¹⁾ Excludes other pension costs

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