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20 Apr 2009 : Column 101W—continued
Members: Correspondence
Sir Michael Spicer: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he plans to reply to the email from the hon. Member for West Worcestershire, dated 30 January 2009, on farmers producing more food. [264876]
Jane Kennedy [holding answer 20 March 2009]: I wrote to the hon. Member for West Worcestershire on 2 April 2009.
Moscow
Mr. Heathcoat-Amory: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many visits were made by staff of his Department to Moscow in the financial year 2007-08. [264562]
Huw Irranca-Davies: From information held centrally DEFRA staff made one visit to Moscow in the financial year 2007-08. This visit was undertaken in accordance with the Civil Service Code and the Civil Service Management Code.
Phytophthora Ramorum
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent steps his Department has taken to reduce the rate of (a) Phytophthora ramorum and (b) Phytophthora kernoviae infestations in gardens. [267820]
Jane Kennedy: The Government recently announced the allocation of £25 million to support a five-year programme of work in England and Wales to manage and contain the risks of Phytophthora ramorum and Phytophthora kernoviae from spreading further.
In addition to further research and development and an education and awareness programme, we will be looking to reduce the level of disease by removing infected and susceptible plants in woodlands and the wider environment, as well as identifying and controlling any new outbreaks. Experience has shown that the eradication of Rhododendron ponticum (the main host for the diseases) is the most effective control measure to reduce disease spread in the wider environment. At a selected number of woodland sites, the clearance of all rhododendrons, whether infected or not, has proved effective and appears to have prevented further infection of trees on those sites.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much his Department spent on tackling (a) Phytophthora ramorum and (b) Phytophthora kernoviae in the most recent period for which figures are available. [267821]
Jane Kennedy: In addition to DEFRA’s general plant health programme which covers action against a wide range of plant pests and diseases (c. £10 million per annum), an additional £0.75 million was spent in 2008-09 for work to eradicate and control Phytophthora ramorum and Phytophthora kernoviae in England and Wales. In this same period, The Forestry Commission spent approximately £0.05 million in combating these diseases in England and Wales.
The Government recently announced the allocation of £25 million to support a five-year programme of work in England and Wales to manage and contain the risks of Phytophthora ramorum and Phytophthora kernoviae, from spreading further.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent representations he has received on diseases caused by (a) Phytophthora ramorum and (b) Phytophthora kernoviae . [267822]
Jane Kennedy:
A policy and science review on Phytophthora ramorum and Phytophthora kernoviae, including a public consultation, was carried out in 2008 to examine the historic and current situation and propose options for management of the diseases in the future. The consultation in England and Wales on “Future management of risks from Phytophthora ramorum and Phytophthora kernoviae” closed on 10 October 2008. A total of 41 responses were received from a range of trade organisations and associations, individual businesses, local councils, owners and managers of historic gardens and government agencies. The review concluded that an increase in the current level of activity was required to reduce the risk of significant tree death and significant
impact on heathlands within England and Wales, a view supported by the majority of respondents to the consultation.
The Government recently announced the allocation of £25 million to support a five-year programme of work in England and Wales to manage and contain the risks of Phytophthora ramorum and Phytophthora kernoviae, from spreading further.
Pigs: Animal Diseases
Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate his Department has made of levels of post-weaning mortality in pigs in each year since 1997. [269007]
Jane Kennedy: Post-weaning mortality rate data for pigs are not collected by DEFRA. Production data such as post-weaning mortality rate are collected by the British Pig Executive (BPEX) and can be obtained directly from them.
Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate his Department has made of the levels of wasting syndrome found in pigs in each year since 1997. [269008]
Jane Kennedy: The occurrence of endemic diseases in the GB pig population is monitored through diagnostic submissions made to the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (England and Wales) and the Veterinary Surveillance Centres of the Scottish Agricultural College (Scotland). These results are reported in the Veterinary Investigation Surveillance Report and the quarterly Disease Surveillance reports produced by Veterinary Laboratories Agency for DEFRA. The data captured only represent results for samples/carcasses submitted to Veterinary Laboratories Agency or the Veterinary Surveillance Centres of the Scottish Agricultural College and do not represent the actual number of cases/outbreaks occurring in GB.
Post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) was first diagnosed in GB in mid-1999. The number of incidents of PMWS recorded by Veterinary Laboratories Agency and Veterinary Surveillance Centres of the Scottish Agricultural College (combined) between 2000-07 are as follows. An incident is defined as the first diagnosis in an outbreak.
| Number of incidents | |
| Source: Veterinary Investigation Surveillance Report 2007. | |
Power Stations: EU Law
Greg Clark:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 2 March 2009, Official Report, column 1330W, on power stations: EC law, which existing power stations
decided to (a) operate within the emissions trading scheme under the National Emission Reduction Plan, (b) comply with emission limit values and (c) opt out by committing to limit their hours of operation. [267007]
Jane Kennedy: I am arranging for the information requested to be placed in the Library of the House.
Soil: Pollution
John Howell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the Environment Agency plans to publish the revised (a) toxicological and (b) soil guideline value reports for (i) free cyanide and (ii) benzo[a]pyrene scheduled for publication in December 2007. [268901]
Huw Irranca-Davies: The Environment Agency plans to publish toxicological and soil guideline value reports for cyanide and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which will include benzo(a)pyrene, by 30 June 2009.
South East Water
Mrs. Maria Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he expects to announce a decision on whether to hold an inquiry into South East Water’s Water Resources Management Plan; and what criteria will inform his decision. [269273]
Huw Irranca-Davies: Water companies have recently published their statements of response to the representations received on their draft Water Resources Management Plans. The Secretary of State will consider the need for inquiries or hearings in connection with the draft plans and whether these would assist him by eliciting information necessary in his consideration of whether to direct changes to the plans before they are finalised. Each plan will be considered on its merits and individual decisions on whether to hold an inquiry or hearing will be made once the Secretary of State has considered the statements of response.
Warm Front Scheme: Bexley
Mr. Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many boilers installed under the Warm Front scheme in Bexleyheath and Crayford constituency have required repair on (a) one, (b) two, (c) three and (d) four or more occasions. [266903]
Joan Ruddock: I have been asked to reply.
The Warm Front scheme offers an aftercare provision with cover for parts and labour under all installed gas central heating systems for two years. The latest period for which figures are available is 1 September 2007 to 2 April 2009. The following data show system repairs (including, although not exclusively pertaining to, boiler repairs) in Bexleyheath and Crayford and England respectively:
| Bexleyheath and Crayford | |
| Number | |
| England | |
| Number | |
Water Companies
Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the procedures of an inquiry by his Department into a water company's Water Resources Action Plan includes an appeals procedure. [269196]
Huw Irranca-Davies: Water companies have recently published their statements of response to the representations received on their draft Water Resources Management Plans. The Secretary of State is considering the draft plans and the statements of response in order to reach a decision on the need for hearings or inquiries. Any hearing or inquiry will be conducted by an independent Inspector who will provide advice to the Secretary of State. There is no mechanism to appeal against that advice. Any decisions by the Secretary of State as a result of his review of the plans and statements of response, or as a result of the hearings or inquiries, may be challenged through the Judicial Review Process.
Work and Pensions
Advisory Services: Debts
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what guidance his Department has provided to staff working for Jobcentre Plus on the referral of clients to receive debt advice. [263078]
Mr. McNulty [holding answer 12 March 2009]: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide my hon. Friend with the information requested.
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking what guidance his Department has provided to staff working for Jobcentre Plus on the referral of clients to receive debt advice. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
Referring customers to appropriate agencies for advice and support on debt and financial management has long been part of the service provided by Jobcentre Plus. To help our Personal Advisers with this, we have a comprehensive programme of learning designed to equip them with the range of knowledge and skills required to support all customers. This learning provides the adviser with the key skills needed to undertake effective
work-focussed interviews, identify things that may be making it harder to find work and, where appropriate, signpost people to relevant sources of help.
More specifically, the “Introduction to Customer Groups” learning and development module provides guidance on how to help customers with debt problems. Currently being updated to strengthen and reinforce the help that is available to customers from Third Sector Organisations, this module is included in a range of learning routeways to ensure personal advisers and other staff are able to signpost customers to appropriate sources of help.
It is also worth mentioning that as part of a national partnership agreement, customers with debt problems are often referred to their local branch of the Citizens Advice Bureaux, which is well equipped to offer advice and guidance.
Children: Maintenance
Paul Rowen: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much in child support payments remained uncollected by the Child Support Agency on the latest date for which figures are available. [268410]
Kitty Ussher: I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Cardiff, Central (Jenny Willott) on 12 January 2009, Official Report, column 21W.
Christmas
Mr. Rob Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether it is his Department's policy to offer staff (a) additional leave entitlement for Christmas shopping and (b) Christmas bonus payments. [262806]
Christmas Bonus
Mrs. May: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of Christmas bonuses were paid in (a) December 2008, (b) January 2009 and (c) February 2009; and how many and what proportion of such bonuses he expects to be paid in (d) March and (e) April 2009. [262344]
Ms Rosie Winterton: The standard £10 Christmas bonus was paid as normal before Christmas to all those who qualified. Information on when the additional Christmas bonus was paid is in the table.
| Actual and forecast volumes for additional £60 payment | ||
| Volume payments made/expected to be made | Percentage of forecasted total | |
| Notes: 1. Exceptionally there may be some clerical payments. 2. All payments figures are rounded to the nearest 10. 3. The total volume of payments to be made is 15,342,751. Source: Special Payment Programme Weekly Review document 4 March 2009 | ||
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