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16 Feb 2006 : Column 2276W—continued
Commercial Developments (Energy Efficiency Standards)
Mrs. Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps the Government are taking to ensure that new commercial developments are built to the highest energy efficiency standards; and if she will make a statement. [49537]
Yvette Cooper: I have been asked to reply.
On 13 September 2005, I announced improvements to the energy efficiency standards set out in Part L of the Building Regulations. The Part L changes come into effect in April 2006 and will make a major contribution to the UK's commitment to combat climate change delivering increased energy standards of up to 27 per cent. for new commercial buildings. In support of these changes, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is working with the construction industry, including building control bodies to facilitate improved compliance.
Departmental Entertainment
Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much was spent on entertainment by her Department in 2004–05; and how much of that sum is accounted for by (a) food, (b) alcohol, (c) staff and (d) accommodation. [50887]
Jim Knight:
The figures include expenditure on official entertainment made in accordance with the principles set out in Government Accounting" and can range from tea and biscuits to catering for major events at which the Department—at official or Ministerial level—discusses a range of issues from high-level policy issues to highly technical, legal and scientific issues. All such expenditure is made in accordance with published departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety.
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Defra recognises and endorses that the expenditure of taxpayers' money on official hospitality is a highly sensitive matter and the slightest hint of casualness can lead to disproportionate adverse public reaction.
Offering hospitality should not be regarded as the normal way of conducting Departmental business nor should it be offered merely because it is pleasant to provide it; indeed it is desirable to avoid the impression that business cannot be conducted without hospitality or entertainment.
On each occasion Defra officials are required to consider carefully what form and extent of hospitality should be offered and if it can be justified—by both the host and the authorising officer—bearing in mind the need for economy and the limited funds available.
| Defra 2004–05 | £ |
|---|---|
| Food | 132,818 |
| Alcohol | 4,848 |
| Staff | 65,453 |
| Accommodation | 60,674 |
| Other | 134,110 |
| Total | 397,903 |
Included in the 'Other' category are transactions which, owing to the limitations of information within our accounting ledger, cannot be classified into the categories asked for.
Departmental Staff
Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many people were employed by the (a) Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, (b) Office of Water Services, (c) Veterinary Laboratories Agency, (d) Central Science Laboratory, (e) Veterinary Medicines Directorate, (f) Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and (g) Pesticides Safety Directorate in each of the last 12 months for which information is available; and how many and what percentage of posts were vacant in each region in each month. [51162]
Jim Knight: The figures requested are published in Civil Service Statistics. Table A covers staff numbers (on a FTE and headcount basis) for each organisation. Civil service statistics are available in the Library and at the following address on the Cabinet Office Statistics website: http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/management/statistics/index.asp
Information on the number and percentage of vacant posts in each region and each month could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Engagements
Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on what date a Minister from her Department last visited Shropshire. [50103]
Jim Knight:
A Minister from this Department last visited Shropshire on 25 February 2005.
16 Feb 2006 : Column 2278W
Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will visit the Minsterley Agricultural Show this year in the hon. Member for Shrewsbury's constituency. [51239]
Jim Knight: No decisions have been reached yet on ministerial attendance at agricultural shows in 2006.
Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will visit the Wroxeter Vineyard in Shrewsbury constituency to discuss the impact of Government regulations on the development of English vineyards. [51240]
Jim Knight: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has no immediate plans to visit an English vineyard having visited one just last month. However, my officials will be engaging with industry representatives in the coming months to discuss the impact of the EU wine regime on the UK in the context of European Commission thinking to reform the regime.
Farm Incomes
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average annual income of (a) dairy, (b) beef, (c) arable, (d) mixed and (e) sheep farmers in (i) England and (ii) Lancashire was in each of the last three years. [50975]
Jim Knight: Data on farm incomes according to the classification in the question are not available. The average net farm income for similar farm types in England and Lancashire over the last three years are shown in the table. Data for some farm types are missing due to insufficient farms in the sample.
Source:
Farm Business Survey
Net farm income is defined as the return to the principal farmer and spouse for their manual and managerial labour and on the tenant type capital of the business.
Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the (a) percentage and (b) real terms changes in total income from farming were in West Lancashire in each of the last four years. [51114]
Jim Knight:
Estimates of total income from farming are not available for West Lancashire. However, statistical models are used to produce estimates for the whole of Lancashire which are given in the following table. It should be noted that these estimates are subject to sampling and other sources of statistical error and therefore need to be treated with caution.
16 Feb 2006 : Column 2279W
GM Imports
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the recent World Trade Organisation ruling on the EU decision to help block new GM imports. [52236]
Mr. Morley: Owing to the WTO rules, I am unable to go into the details of the interim panel report at this stage. These rules stipulate that an interim panel report is confidential, and is only circulated to the parties to the dispute in order for them to send comments to the panel. However, once the final report is issued, this will be made publicly available.
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