Landfill
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of land-filled waste in Gloucestershire came from commercial sources in the last period for which figures are available; and what steps are being taken to reduce this figure. [81314]
Mr. Bradshaw: The Environment Agency publishes full details of the production and management of wastes in England and Wales on its website. The latest available figures, for 2002-03, show that 37.5 per cent. of landfilled waste in Gloucestershire came from commercial and industrial sources.
Action to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill is driven by regional and local strategies and supported by nationally funded programmes.
In its Regional Spatial Strategy, the South West regional assembly seeks to achieve a maximum of just 17 per cent. of commercial waste sent to landfill by 2020, reflecting the Regional Waste Strategy. Gloucestershire county council is the Waste Planning Authority, statutorily responsible for preparing a waste local plan. The current plan calls for a reduction of waste to landfill in support of national and regional targets.
Defra’s Business Resource and Efficiency Programme (BREW) funds a number of initiatives designed to help business use resources more efficiently and thus reduce waste. For example, Envirowise provides free advice to business on resource efficiency. The National Industrial Symbiosis Programme enables businesses to divert waste from landfill. The South West regional development agency manages local BREW funds within the region.
Organic Food
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps the Government plan to take as part of their Organic Action Plan to encourage greater public procurement of organic food. [79893]
Mr. Bradshaw: Following recommendations made in the Organic Action Plan’s “Two years on” document, Defra has made organic food an integral part of its sustainable food strategy.
My Department is currently leading a major initiative across Whitehall to support and encourage the purchase of more sustainable food by public authorities. The Food Procurement Implementation Group oversees this initiative and includes a number of bodies that are working on local initiatives to increase the demand for organic food and encourage more small producers to compete for public contracts.
Scientific Research
Dr. Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much the Department has spent in each of the last five years on scientific research. [79320]
Mr. Bradshaw: Defra’s research budget for the years in question is:
| £ million | |
Water Companies
Mr. Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations he has received in each year since 2001 on Thames Water's price increases. [80960]
Ian Pearson: Ministers receive representations from customers, Members of Parliament and lobbyists, relating to water price increases. However, water price increases are a matter for Ofwat, who are responsible for regulating and fixing water and sewerage price limits.
Water Pollution
Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what is the cause of the green bloom in the waters of the Hampshire Avon below Amesbury; and what steps are (a) being taken and (b) planned to remedy the problem. [81120]
Ian Pearson: The cause of the green bloom in the waters of the Hampshire Avon below Amesbury is likely to be a combination of environmental factors, including high temperatures, low water flow and consequential increases in the concentration of nutrients. There have been no significant pollution incidents at this location in the river. Rainfall and river flows have been significantly depressed over the last 20 months and, in combination with other environmental factors, this may create opportunities for algal growth. However, the May 2006 period was characterised by periods of very high rainfall. Urban and agricultural runoff may lead to direct discolouration and also contribute to nutrient enrichment in the river.
There is, and has been, significant investment and action to improve the quality for the Hampshire Avon in recent years.
For example, four Wessex Water sewage treatment works discharging into the River Avon have had phosphate stripping installed in their treatment process as part of the previous environmental programme periodic review. Wessex Water's current water quality environment programme for 2005-10 includes schemes to further reduce nutrient loads from sewage effluent discharges. By the end of the 2010 period, two additional sewage treatment works discharging into the River Avon are expected to receive phosphate stripping and the phosphate limits set for the four original works are expected to be reduced to half of their currently permitted limit.
In addition, as part of the requirement introduced by the habitats directive, the Environment Agency have asked Wessex Water to review their abstractions on the Hampshire Avon and assess their effect on the ecology of the river. The findings from this project, which will conclude by March 2008, will contribute to the Habitats Directive Review of Consents and may result in a requirement to reduce the amount of water abstracted by the water company, or for other improvements to be made in the companies’ water management operations.
Most
recently, the Hampshire Avon catchment has been identified as a
priority catchment under the England Catchment-Sensitive Farming
Delivery Initiative (ECSFDI). The key objective of this initiative is
to raise awareness of agricultural pollution and encourage farmers to
take
action to mitigate the impact of agriculture on the
water environment, including the reduction of nutrient
inputs.
The water framework directive (WFD) is a key driver of future action on water quality. The directive came into force on 22 December 2000 and requires member states to establish a range of measures to manage water quality by 2009 and to make them operational by 2012. A central objective of the directive is that water bodies should aim to reach good ecological and chemical status by 2015. We are working with stakeholders to develop mechanisms to tackle pressures, including both point and diffuse sources, for inclusion in River Basin Management Plans, and aim to consult on potential options for tackling non-agricultural, agricultural and hydromorphological pressures in the later part of 2006.
International Development
Departmental Publications
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will list the (a) Green and (b) White Papers produced by his Department since October 2005, in date order. [81322]
Mr. Thomas: Since October 2005, DFID has published the following documents as part of the Command Paper Series:
Autumn Performance Report, December 2005
Departmental Report, May 2006
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what draft Bills have been produced by his Department since October 2005; how many (a) were examined and (b) are planned to be examined by (i) a Departmental Select Committee and (ii) a Joint Committee; what draft Bills are still to be produced by his Department; when each is expected to be published; how many clauses each has; and if he will make a statement. [81323]
Mr. Thomas: DFID has not produced any draft Bills since October 2005. Announcements on future legislation and future draft legislation which will be subject to pre-legislative scrutiny will be indicated in the Queen’s Speech.
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will list the deposited papers placed in the Library by his Department since 2000; and when they were published. [81326]
Mr. Thomas: The Department for International Development has not kept a record of documents deposited in the Libraries prior to February 2003. Records of publication dates have not been kept. The titles are as follows:
Additional IDA Resources: Financing the Multilateral Debt Initiative.
Announcements at Asia 2015: Promoting Growth, Ending Poverty. 7th March London.
Asia 2015: Summary of Conference Sessions.
Asia 2015: Promoting Growth, Ending Poverty.
Caribbean Development Bank: Replenishment of the Resources of the Special Development Fund SDF6: Resolution and Report of Contributors on SDF6.
Contracts Awarded between 1/4/99 and 31/03/04.
Contracts Awarded to Maxwell Stamp plc, HTS Consultants, British Council, Adam Smith Int Ltd and Crown Agents for Overseas Governments and Administrations between 2000 and 2005.
Death and Denial: Unsafe Abortion and Poverty.
DFID - Iraq Update. October 2004.
DFID - Iraq Update. Issue 3. November 2004.
DFID - Iraq Update. Issue 4. December 2004
DFID - Iraq Update. Issue 5. January 2005.
DFID - Statistics on International Development 2000/01 - 2004/05.
DFID - The UK and the World Bank 2005.
DFID Contracts Issued 1st April 2004 - 31st March 2005.
DFID Interim Strategy for Afghanistan 2005/06.
DFID Skills and Development Plans. 2005 - 2006.
DFID Top 20 Consultancy Firms, 1999 to 2004.
DFID Water Sanitation Projects funded during the Financial Years 2003/04 and 2004/05.
DFID's Maternal Health Strategy, Reducing Maternal Deaths: Evidence in Action; First Progress Report.
Disability, Poverty and Development.
Expenditure by DFID on Development Assistance to Developing Countries from 1995/96 to 2004/05.
Fighting Poverty to build a safer World.
From Commitment to Action.
GCPP Iraq Strategy Projects Supported in Iraq - 2003 Onwards.
Gleneagles Implementation Plan for Africa. February 2006 Update.
Gleneagles Implementation Plan for Africa. April 2006 Update.
Gleneagles Implementation Plan for Africa. May 2006 Update.
Gleneagles Implementation Plan for Africa. June 2006 Update.
Governance Matters IV: New Data, New Challenges.
Growth and Poverty Reduction: The Role of Agriculture.
Harm Reduction. Tackling drug use and HIV in the developing world.
Implementation of the Commission for Africa recommendations and G8 Gleneagles commitments on Poverty - The UK.
Iraq Update. Issue 6. February 2005.
List of CDC's New Investment and Disposals, 1999 - 2004.
Memorandum for Understanding between the Government of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Republic of Rwanda.
Mortality Survey among Displaced Persons and the other affected populations in Greater Sudan, Darfur.
Partnerships for Poverty Reduction: Rethinking Conditionally.
Policy on Religious Observance.
Post Conflict Reconstruction Unit - Consultancy document.
Projects Funded under DFID's Civil Society Challenge Fund - 2002/03 and 2003/04.
Reducing The Risk of Disasters - Helping to achieve sustainable poverty reduction in a vulnerable world. A DFID Policy Paper.
Regional Assistance Plan for Latin America 2004/07.
Report on DFID's Response to the Indian Ocean Disaster: March 2006.
Report on the Outcomes of DFID Nigeria's CAP Consultations with Key Stakeholders in Nigeria and the UK. Final Draft 16/7/04.
Responding to Children and AIDS. Speech by Gareth Thomas PUSS. Washington. December 2004.
Response to HM Government to the Recommendations in the report of the Africa All Party Parliamentary Group: ‘The Other Side of the Coin’
St Helena: Access.
Statement by Executive Directors Representing European Countries on the Selection of the President of the World Bank.
Statistics on International Development 99/00 - 03/04.
Statistics on International Development 99/00 - 03/04 to IDC.
The Commission for Africa Report vs the Gleneagles Communique on Africa.
The UK and Afghanistan.
The UK and the World Bank.
Trade and Development Package for G90.
Trade Matters, Eliminating World Poverty.
Trade Matters.
Tsunami Follow Up.
UK Presidency Conclusions from Tsunami Follow-Up Event, 20th December 2005: Brussels.
Why we need to work more effectively in fragile states.
Departmental Travel
Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans he has to ensure that all flights undertaken by Ministers and officials in his Department are carbon neutral; and if he will make a statement. [81396]
Mr. Thomas: DFID is strongly committed to the targets set out in the Framework for Sustainable Development on the Government Estate. DFID has established its own pilot carbon offsetting scheme (the Earthmiles initiative), whereby air miles from official travel with certain airlines are donated for the benefit of environmental projects.
All central Government ministerial and official air travel is being offset from 1 April 2006. Departmental aviation emissions are calculated on an annual basis and subsequently offset through payments to a central fund. The fund purchases Certified Emissions Reductions credits from energy efficiency and renewable energy projects with sustainable development benefits, located in developing countries.
Health Sector Assistance
Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent representations his Department has received from developing countries regarding health sector assistance. [81795]
Mr. Thomas: DFID receives a variety of representations from groups and organisations seeking support. However, most of our development assistance is managed through DFID’s country offices, who are in daily contact with developing country partners, non-governmental organisations and civil society in-country. We are therefore unlikely to receive formal representations as such because we keep in regular contact regarding health sector development and assistance through our strong in-country partnerships.
Judicial Review
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development on what occasions an (a) individual and (b) organisation has applied for a judicial review of decisions of his Department in each year since 1997; and what the outcome was of each case where proceedings have been completed. [80486]
Mr. Thomas: The information requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.
Malawi
Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment his Department has made of the implementation of the health sector support plan for Malawi. [81787]
Mr. Thomas: Progress with Malawi health sector-wide approach (SWAp) is reviewed jointly, twice a year by Government and donors, of whom DFID is the largest with a commitment of £100 million over six years.
Progress has been good. In addition to the earlier successes of the eradication of polio and the elimination of neonatal tetanus and the increasing distribution of bed nets and their re-treatment (up from 7 per cent. in 2002 to 71 per cent. in 2004-05), the health service has taken on a rapid increase in antiretroviral treatment for HIV and AIDS. 50 sites have treated 46,000 people up from 3,000 two years ago. This is making a real difference: both saving lives and improving the quality of life of those living with HIV and AIDS.
Critical to this success has been the additional resources made available at hospital and clinic level as a result of the increased aid channelled through the health SWAp. The Emergency Human Resources Programme has in its first year recruited an extra 580 Malawian health professionals. There are 60 volunteer specialists and nurse tutors from overseas filling key vacant posts. The intake of Malawian trainee nurses and doctors has been increased in anticipation of the improvements in infrastructure at training schools that are now under way. New, internationally recruited senior managers have taken over the central medical stores management and are charged with bringing to an end the perennial stock outs that have frustrated the health services. A new maternal mortality road map offers a way forward to address the unacceptably high level of maternal deaths in Malawi. The Ministry of Health is entering service level agreements with private sector providers, particularly the Christian Hospital Association of Malawi, that will also provide the basic essential health package free-of-charge at point of delivery.
We are encouraging the Government of Malawi to plan for universal access for HIV and AIDS prevention and treatment and to address the further human resources and management requirements that will create. We stand ready to help.
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