Written Answers to Questions
Tuesday 26 April 2011
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Agriculture: India
Alison McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she plans to take (a) through the proposed EU-India Free Trade Agreement and (b) at the G20 to reduce agriculture subsidies in developed countries. [50731]
Mr Paice: Bilateral and regional free trade agreements determine market access, not subsidies. However, completing multilateral trade negotiations—the Doha Development Agenda—would tackle developed countries' trade-distorting agricultural subsidies. The UK has helped to ensure an ambitious EU offer in these negotiations. At its most recent summit last November, the G20 restated its commitment to completing the Doha negotiations. In G20 discussions on the price volatility of agricultural commodities, the UK is arguing for deeper and more transparent markets throughout the G20 in which the role of distorting subsidies and trade practices—such as export restrictions—is greatly reduced. Furthermore, the UK is arguing for a very substantial reduction in subsidies to agriculture as part of current negotiations on the future of the common agricultural policy.
Agriculture: Lancashire
Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many eligible claims for the Single Payment Scheme are outstanding to farmers in Pendle constituency; and what the combined value of such claims is. [51240]
Mr Paice: The Rural Payments Agency does not record information on payments to farmers on a constituency basis. The information requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Animal Welfare: Circuses
Simon Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what information her Department holds on the number of wild animals used in travelling circuses. [51901]
Mr Paice: We do not maintain figures for the number of wild animals used in travelling circuses, although we understand that the figure is approximately 50.
Animals: Clones
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what recent representations she has made at the EU Agriculture Council on the pre-market authorisation of meat and other products derived from cloned animals; [50391]
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(2) what representations Ministers in her Department made at the most recent meeting of the Agricultural and Fisheries Council on the mandatory labelling of food derived from the offspring of cloned animals. [50728]
Mr Paice: The pre-market authorisation of meat and other products derived from cloned animals and the mandatory labelling of food derived from offspring of cloned animals have not been discussed at recent meetings of the EU Agriculture Council. They have been discussed by the Committee of Permanent Representatives of the Governments of EU member states (COREPER). COREPER agreed the approach to be taken by the Council at meetings of the Conciliation Committee set up to try to resolve differences between the Council and the European Parliament on proposed amendments to the EU Novel Foods Regulation.
The UK Government made it clear in COREPER discussions that it considers that a ban on cloning and food from clones would be disproportionate in terms of food safety and animal welfare. We are content with pre-market authorisation of food from cloned animals as required by existing novel foods legislation.
The Government also made it clear that mandatory labelling of meat or milk products derived from animals with a clone in their ancestry would be unenforceable and impractical because there is no traceability system that can be applied to imported or home produced products from descendants of clones. As there are no food safety issues, the cost of introducing a mandatory system, which would need to comply with international trade rules, cannot be justified.
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she plans to repeal rules prohibiting the sale of meat and milk products from the offspring of cloned animals. [51534]
Mr Paice: Under the EU novel foods regulation, food from cloned animals must be authorised before it can be legally marketed anywhere in the EU. There are no EU or UK rules prohibiting the sale of meat and milk products from the offspring of cloned animals. The European Commission and other member states do not consider that food from an animal descended from a clone falls within the scope of this legislation. The Food Standards Agency is considering results from a recent consultation before deciding whether to adopt the Commission's position and expects to make an announcement shortly.
Biodiversity
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on the development of a cross-EU strategy on biodiversity. [50612]
Richard Benyon: The UK supports the development of a new EU biodiversity strategy. The EU strategy is the EU response to the new global biodiversity framework which was agreed in Nagoya in October last year. It will identify the priorities at EU level for conserving and enhancing biodiversity.
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Animals: Circuses
Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had on licences issued to Bobby Roberts' Super Circus. [51753]
Mr Paice: Circuses are not licensed for purposes of animal welfare but, under the Performing Animals (Regulation) Act 1925, are required to register the details of all animals used in performance with the relevant local authority. Under the 1925 Act, local authorities and police have powers to enter premises to inspect animals for purposes of welfare.
No discussions have taken place between DEFRA and the relevant local authority under which Bobby Roberts' Super Circus has registered under the 1925 Act.
Registration under the 1925 Act can only be withdrawn if the individual concerned is convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.
All animals under the control of man, including those at circuses, are protected by the Animal Welfare Act 2006 which makes it an offence to cause any unnecessary suffering to an animal or fail to provide for an animal's welfare needs.
Bovine Tuberculosis: Lancashire
Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many instances of bovine TB were reported in (a) Pendle constituency and (b) Lancashire in each of the last five years. [51239]
Mr Paice: New TB incidents reported for Lancashire are as follows:
| New TB incidents reported in the year 1 January to 31 December | |
|
|
Number |
| Source: Vetnet—Animal Health Database (downloaded 4 April 2011). | |
For data protection reasons, we do not disclose figures that total less than 10, as this may lead to identification of individual cases. Data for new TB incidents in Pendle constituency are not available.
Buying Standards
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects to publish the terms of the Government Buying Standards for (a) transport, (b) food, (c) furniture, (d) textiles, (e) gardening services, (f) water-using products and (g) cleaning products. [50611]
Mr Paice: The Government Buying Standards have already been published for transport, furniture, textiles, gardening (now renamed horticulture and park) services, water using products and cleaning products and services.
The new Government Buying Standards for food will be a further important step towards our ambition of
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being the greenest Government ever so it is important that we get them right. We have completed a thorough review of all the evidence and are now taking account of responses. We will make an announcement shortly.
Dairy Farming: Research
Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what funding her Department has provided for research into the dairy farming sector in each of the last five years. [51237]
Mr Paice: The following table shows the funding DEFRA has provided for research into the dairy farming sector in each of the last five years for which figures are available. This includes:
Research to quantify and improve the environmental performance of dairy farming, including research on: genetic improvement of forage crops and livestock; measurement of emissions to air and water; animal nutrition, pasture and forage agronomy; and manure and slurry management. This research includes work relevant to dairy as well as other livestock sectors.
Research to improve the health and welfare of dairy cows, including research on: bovine tuberculosis (TB); uterine disease; bovine mastitis; alleviation of lameness; welfare of dairy cows in organic milk production systems; early lameness detection; welfare of continuously housed dairy cows; and identifying and characterising robust dairy cows. The TB research included, which is relevant to the whole cattle industry, does not include work on the randomised badger culling trial.
| Financial year | Research spend (£000) |
Departmental Accountancy
Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether any ministerial directions have been issued to the accounting officer of her Department since her appointment. [51997]
Richard Benyon: Since her appointment, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has not issued any ministerial directions to the accounting officers of the Department.
Departmental Contracts
Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what contracts her Department and its associated public bodies signed with Lockheed Martin in each of the last 10 years; and for what purposes each such contract was let. [50697]
Richard Benyon: The core Department had a contract with Lockheed Martin UK INSYS Ltd between 2005 and 2008 for the provision of software development and support. This contract finished in 2008 when support was no longer required.
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The following list shows that no associated public bodies had any contracts with Lockheed Martin.
Animal Health
Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science
Rural Payments Agency
Veterinary Laboratories Agency
Veterinary Medicines Directorate
Food and Environment Research Agency
Marine Management Organisation
Environment Agency
Gangmasters Licensing Authority
Joint Nature Conservation Committee
National Forestry Co.
Natural England
Royal Botanical Gardens—Kew
Sustainable Development Commission
Commission for Rural Communities
Consumer Council for Water
Departmental Travel
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on what date (a) she and (b) each other Minister in her Department last used a ministerial car while travelling in an official capacity; and how many times (i) she and (ii) each other Minister in her Department has travelled to their constituency in a ministerial car since May 2010. [50193]
Richard Benyon: The ministerial car was last used in an official capacity by:
(a) the Secretary of State, the right hon. Member for Meriden (Mrs Spelman), on 4 April, and
(b) the Minister of State, the right hon. Member for South East Cambridgeshire (Mr Paice), the Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Lord Hunt, and myself on 30 March.
The Secretary of State has travelled to her constituency once in a ministerial car since May 2010, following an international trip on departmental business.
Public Bodies Reform Programme
Tessa Jowell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate her Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the (1) abolition of the Agricultural Dwelling House Advisory Committees; [48623]
(2) abolition of the Advisory Committee on Organic Standards; [48624]
(3) abolition of the Advisory Committee on Hazardous Substances; [48625]
(4) abolition of the Zoos Forum; [48709]
(5) abolition of the Veterinary Residues Committee; [48710]
(6) abolition of the Sustainable Development Commission; [48711]
(7) abolition of the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee; [48712]
(8) abolition of the Plant Varieties and Seeds Tribunal; [48713]
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(9) abolition of the Pesticide Residues Committee; [48714]
(10) abolition of the National Standing Committee on Farm Animal Genetic Resources; [48715]
(11) abolition of the Independent Agricultural Appeals Panel; [48716]
(12) abolition of Food from Britain. [48717]
(13) abolition of the Farm Animal Welfare Council; [48718]
(14) abolition of the Darwin Advisory Committee; [48719]
(15) abolition of Commons Commissioners; [48720]
(16) abolition of the Committee on Agricultural Valuation; [48721]
(17) abolition of the British Waterways Board; [48722]
(18) abolition of the Air Quality Expert Group; [48723]
(19) abolition of the Agricultural Wages Committees; [48724]
(20) abolition of the Agricultural Wages Board for England and Wales; [48725]
(21) change in function of the Agricultural Land Tribunal; [48738]
(22) change in function of the Science Advisory Council; [48773]
(23) change in function of Natural England; [48774]
(24) change in function of the National Park Authorities; [48775]
(25) change in function of the Internal Drainage Boards; [48776]
(26) change in function of the Gangmasters Licensing Authority; [48777]
(27) change in function of the Environment Agency. [48778]
Richard Benyon: On 16 March 2011, Official Report, columns 9-10WS, the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, the right hon. Member for Horsham (Mr Maude), issued a written ministerial statement updating Parliament on progress on public bodies reform. That statement also announced that Departments estimate that cumulative administrative savings of at least £2.6 billion will flow from public bodies over the spending review period.
DEFRA anticipates minimum net cumulative administrative savings resulting from abolitions or changes in functions of our public bodies over the spending review period of approximately £18.58 million which is broken down as follows:
| Public body | Savings (£ million) |
In addition we estimate that the withdrawal of funding to the Sustainable Development Commission (which pre-dates the spending review public bodies reform process) and its abolition will save approximately £2 million per annum.
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These are our best current estimates of planned net savings to emerge from these reforms and are dependent upon the individual timetables for implementation—many of which require the Public Bodies Bill and subsequent secondary legislation or discussions with the devolved administrations. Consequently, not all savings figures can be determined precisely at this stage. The following table summarises the position for each of the bodies asked about.
In addition to the savings expected from abolitions or changes in function, we anticipate that cumulative planned administrative reductions from all DEFRA's public bodies will be approximately £250.93 million over the spending review period in real terms. DEFRA published spending review allocations for its arm’s length bodies alongside current baselines on our external website on 20 December 2010. These are available at:
http://ww2.defra.gov.uk/news/2010/12/20/budget-allocations-101220/
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Departmental Travel
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on what date (a) she and (b) each other Minister in her Department last travelled by (i) London underground and (ii) public bus services on Government business; how many times (A) she and (B) each other Minister in her Department has travelled by each such form of transport on Government business since May 2010; and if she will make a statement. [50088]
Richard Benyon: DEFRA Ministers regularly use public transport on official Government business and since May 2010 the Department has reduced the number of ministerial cars from three to one. We do not keep records of individual journeys made by public transport. The information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many of her ministerial team have been issued with (a) an Oyster card and (b) a (i) monthly and (ii) annual travel card valid on London Transport and paid for by her Department for use while travelling on Government business. [50171]
Richard Benyon: The Minister of State, the right hon. Member for South East Cambridgeshire (Mr Paice), the Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Lord Hunt, and I have all been issued with pay as you go Oyster cards. None of the ministerial team have been issued with monthly or annual travel cards for London Transport paid for by the Department.
There were three ministerial cars whereas now there is only one, and prior to May 2010 only one member of the ministerial team had an Oyster card issued by the Department whereas now three do.
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much her Department has spent on ministerial travel by (a) ministerial car, (b) train, (c) bus, (d) commercial aircraft and (e) private aircraft since May 2010. [50213]
Richard Benyon: The following has been spent on ministerial travel since May 2010:
| Mode of transport | Total spend since May 2010 (£) |
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Section 10 of the Ministerial Code provides guidance on travel for Ministers and makes clear that Ministers must ensure that they always make efficient and cost-effective travel arrangements.
Dogs: Animal Welfare
Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to ensure that the health of pedigree dogs is prioritised rather than any breed confirmation. [52114]
Mr Paice: I understand that some people have concerns about the health of pedigree dogs. An independent Dog Advisory Council was recently set up, under the chairmanship of Professor Sheila Crispin, to work with key dog interest groups such as the Kennel Club and Dogs Trust, to try and tackle problems associated with genetic defects in pedigree dogs. The Government will of course consider any recommendations that the Dog Advisory Council makes.
Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions her Department has had with the Dog Advisory Council (DAC); what progress the DAC has made on its work on health problems in dogs in the last six months; and if she will make a statement. [52115]
Mr Paice: Lord Henley attended the inaugural meeting of the Dog Advisory Council on 8 December and the Council recently forwarded its programme of work for 2011. There is also frequent contact between officials and the Chair of the Council. As the Council is an independent body, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on progress, but as the hon. Member knows, the Council has only just been formed and is looking into complex matters.
Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the cost to her Department has been of its study into the effect of pet training aids on the welfare of domestic dogs. [52498]
Mr Paice: Research into the welfare of dogs trained with pet training aids was commissioned by the previous Government in September 2007 and is due to complete in June 2011. The cost of that research was £538,925.
E.ON UK: Incinerators
Mr Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what requests the Environment Agency has received for an environmental impact assessment of the proposal by E.ON for a waste incineration facility at Harper Lane, Radlett. [51181]
Richard Benyon:
The Environment Agency (EA) was consulted by Hertfordshire county council on a formal scoping opinion for an environment impact assessment
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(as defined by the EIA regulations) at Harper Lane on 27 October 2010. The EA provided a written response to the scoping report on 22 November 2010.
The EA's key concern is Harper Lane's proximity to two public drinking water abstraction sites; it considers that the operation of an incinerator in this location would pose an unacceptable risk to these groundwater resources.
Farmers
Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will review the level of modulation rates paid by farmers; and if she will make a statement. [50397]
Mr Paice: The rates of modulation between Pillar 1 and Pillar 2 paid by farmers are fixed for the period of the current financial perspective, 2007-2013, and we do not expect them to be further reviewed in advance of the upcoming negotiations on the common agricultural policy for the next seven year financial framework, 2014-20.
Farmers: Single Payment Scheme
Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 4 March 2011, Official Report, columns 47-8WS, on the Single Payment scheme, what steps are being taken to support farmers facing delays in payments from the Single Payment scheme. [49609]
Mr Paice: The further written statement which I made on 31 March 2011, Official Report, columns 35-36WS, explains the decisions that have been taken, including the use of manually validated payments, to speed up the flow of the remaining payments under the 2010 Single Payment scheme. Manual payments have already been made on a number of hardship cases referred to the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) by farming charities and farmer representative bodies and this facility will continue. In order to assist business planning, RPA is also now writing to those farmers who have not been paid to date to advise them of the month in which payment is expected to be paid. Additionally I have written to the banks asking them to alert their staff to the situation and asking them to be understanding in meeting reasonable requests for assistance.
Fisheries: Subsidies
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on the phasing out of environmentally-harmful subsidies available through the European Fisheries Fund. [52521]
Richard Benyon: Direct subsidies to fishermen can undermine attempts to deliver sustainable fisheries, and lead to unintended environmental harm. As stated in the UK response to the Commission's Green Paper on Common Fisheries Policy reform, our view is that both policy makers and industry should aim to phase out permanent fisheries subsidies at both EU and international level. However, we do recognise that to achieve sustainable fisheries there may be a role for adaptation support.
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The European Fisheries Fund (EFF) is intended to help secure a sustainable and profitable fishing industry in line with the objectives of the common fisheries policy. In the UK the fund is used to support an industry that is both environmentally and economically sustainable and well managed in line with policies for the protection of the marine and freshwater environment. All applications for funding under the EFF are closely scrutinised and assessed before they are approved to ensure they meet the criteria laid down in the EU regulations and adhere to the UK's strategic and operational programmes for implementing and delivering the scheme.
Fisheries: Discards
Mr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will have further discussions on fish discards with the European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries. [51448]
Richard Benyon: As UK Fisheries Minister, I lead on discussions with our European counterparts on the discarding of fish.
The reform of the common fisheries policy (CFP) is key to solving this problem and we will work hard to influence, and shape, the policy. Further to the high level meeting of 1 March, I will be seeking any suitable opportunity for discussion with the commissioner on discards within the context of the CFP reforms.
Forests
Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how the composition of her Department’s Independent Panel on Forestry was determined. [51709]
Mr Paice: The Panel and Chair were chosen by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs who considered a wide range of names. In deciding on the membership of the Panel, the Secretary of State felt that the Panel should be small so that it can operate effectively in a focussed manner. The individuals were chosen for the knowledge and experience they could bring to the Panel, not for the organisations to which they may belong. The terms of reference make it clear that we expect the Panel to engage the widest possible range of views.
Forests: Dogs
Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what consideration she gave to appointing a representative of dog walkers to the Independent Panel on Forestry Policy. [51299]
Mr Paice: The panel and chair were chosen by the Secretary of State who considered a wide range of names. It is important that the panel has a broad range of experience and expertise. In deciding on the membership of the panel, the Secretary of State felt that the panel should be small so that it can operate effectively in a focused manner. It is not a panel of delegates from interested organisations but of individuals bringing their own knowledge and experience. The terms of reference make it clear that we expect the panel to engage the widest possible range of views.
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Forests: Kent
Michael Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has for the sale of publicly-owned forests in Kent. [51311]
Mr Paice: All new sales of public forest estate were suspended from 17 February 2011. We will decide on the level of any future sales and the conditions to be attached to them only once we have received and considered the advice from the Independent Panel on Forestry.
Frogspawn
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on measures to protect the habitat of frogspawn. [50592]
Richard Benyon: Frogs make use of a wide range of waterbodies for spawning. Between 2005 and 2010 agri-environment schemes provided over £7.5 million for a range of different pond creation and restoration schemes on farmland. The Million Ponds Project co-ordinated by Pond Conservation in association with Amphibian and Reptile Conservation is creating 5,000 ponds between 2008 and 2012, with 1,429 clean water ponds created by 2010.
Genetically Modified Crops
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on the authorisation of trials for the planting of genetically modified crops. [51287]
Mr Paice: EU legislation provides for trials of genetically modified (GM) crops to be authorised at member state level if a robust assessment indicates that human health and the environment will not be compromised. The Government support this evidence-based approach, and receive advice on proposed GM trial releases from an independent committee of scientific experts.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Animal Feed
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the potential for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture of alterations in the feedstuffs provided to livestock. [51065]
Mr Paice: DEFRA has funded research to investigate the potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from livestock by dietary and nutritional control. These studies have showed that feeding ruminant livestock foods such as maize silage, naked oats and higher sugar grasses can reduce the amount of methane they produce.
Research carried out by Reading University and the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), under projects commissioned by DEFRA in January 2005 and April 2007, showed that it is nutritionally possible to reduce nitrogen excretion from cattle and sheep and their methane emissions. For example: increasing the proportion of maize silage from 25 to 75% in a
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short-term trial was found to reduce methane emission per kg milk by 6%; high-sugar grasses could reduce an animal's methane emissions by 20% for every kilo of weight gain; naked oats could reduce methane emissions from sheep by 33%; and crushed rapeseed could reduce methane production from dairy cows by 20% per litre of milk produced. In the longer term, the benefits gained by changing animals' diets will need to be considered against other environmental impacts, as well as how practical or costly they are for the farming industry to implement.
Horse Passports
Mr Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what regulations implemented arrangements for horse passports; and what objectives were set for the effects of the introduction of such passports at the time of their implementation. [49373]
Mr Paice: The Horse Passports Regulations 2009 apply in England and implement the requirements of Commission Regulation (EC) No 504/2008. These regulations are intended to assure the safety of horse meat for human consumption.
Snares
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the policy of her Department is on the introduction of a ban on snares. [47835]
Mr Paice: The DEFRA Code of Practice on the Use of Snares in Fox and Rabbit Control in England gives guidance on the responsible use of snares. DEFRA has no plans to introduce a ban on snares.
Incinerators
Nicky Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she has had discussions with the Environment Agency on steps to ensure public consultation prior to granting an environmental permit for an incinerator. [50961]
Richard Benyon: The Secretary of State has had no such discussions. The Environment Agency regulates incinerators under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010. An environmental permit will not be issued if a proposal presents a significant risk to the environment or human health.
The Environment Agency advertises environmental permit applications on its website and notifies bodies with which it has “Working Together Agreements”. Where the Environment Agency identifies a site as being of high public interest, it goes to extra lengths to make the public aware of the application and hear views. This is carried out in line with the Environment Agency's statutory Public Participation Statement. Comments received during consultation are considered as part of the determination process. The Environment Agency then publishes its draft decision, with an explanation of how it was reached. Further comments are taken into account during this second consultation period, before a final decision is issued.
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Incinerators: Health Hazards
Mr Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the effect on human health of the release of (a) dioxins, (b) nanoparticles and (c) other particulate matter as a result of waste incineration energy facilities; and what research she has (i) commissioned and (ii) evaluated on this issue. [51370]
Richard Benyon: In 2009 the Health Protection Agency reviewed scientific evidence on the health effects of modern municipal waste incinerators. Its report, which is available on the HPA website, concluded that while it is not possible to rule out adverse health effects completely, any potential damage from modern, well run and regulated incinerators is likely to be so small that it would be undetectable.
The report also concluded that further studies of public health around individual incinerators were not scientifically justifiable. No further research has been commissioned.
Independent Panel on Forestry: Meetings
Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) on what date she expects the Independent Panel on Forestry to hold its first meeting; and on what dates the panel's subsequent meetings are scheduled to take place; [51170]
(2) if she will require the forestry panel to publish agendas in advance of its meetings. [51331]
Mr Paice: The panel had its first meeting on 31 March and is making arrangements for subsequent meetings. All dates will be published on the panel's web pages which can be found on DEFRA's website.
The terms of reference are clear that we expect the panel to engage and take evidence from the widest range of views and interests. It is for the panel to decide what information it publishes as part of this engagement.
Dragonflies
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on measures to protect the dragonfly population. [50591]
Richard Benyon: Two species of dragonflies, the southern damselfly and the Norfolk hawker, are listed on section 41 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (the priority species list) and are receiving special attention through biodiversity action plans. Action for the southern damselfly is led by the Environment Agency and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, and action for the Norfolk hawker is led by the British Dragonfly Society. Both have received support from Natural England.
In addition to this, 108 sites of special scientific interest have outstanding dragonfly species assemblages as one of their notified features. Dragonflies are associated with a wide range of permanent and temporary ponds and water bodies. Action to deliver enhanced wetlands through biodiversity action plans and to create or restore ponds under agri-environment schemes are also expected to benefit dragonfly populations. Ponds are also being created through the Million Ponds Project co-ordinated
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by Pond Conservation in association with Amphibian and Reptile Conservation and part funded by Natural England. Phase I of that project, from 2008-12, is creating 5,000 ponds.
Livestock: Air Pollution
Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to reduce methane emissions from cows; what assessment she has made of the effects on levels of methane emitted by cows of feeding cows linseed; and if she will make a statement. [51238]
Mr Paice: On 4 April the English farming industry published its Greenhouse Gas Action Plan, which outlines how the industry can reduce on-farm emissions through resource-efficient practices; this includes reducing methane emissions from livestock.
Encouraged by DEFRA, the industry is also working hard to implement the dairy and beef and sheep sector roadmaps that aim to reduce the environmental impacts of milk and beef production, including methane emissions. DEFRA and the devolved Administrations are investing £12.6 million in the UK agriculture greenhouse gas (GHG) research and development platform to improve our agricultural GHG inventory. Work will be undertaken to assess the effects of feeding extruded linseed on methane emissions from dairy cows. DEFRA has also funded research to investigate the potential of reducing GHG emissions from livestock by other dietary and nutritional controls. These studies have shown that feeding ruminant livestock foods such as maize silage, naked oats and higher sugar grasses can reduce the amount of methane they produce.
Livestock: Animal Welfare
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many prosecutions for offences relating to the welfare of farm animals have (a) been brought and (b) resulted in convictions in each of the last three years. [52098]
Mr Paice: The following table lists the numbers of prosecutions and convictions under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. It is not possible to separately identify farm and non-farm animals. Centralised records of offences under secondary legislation such as the Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2007 are not recorded.
|
|
Prosecutions initiated | Convictions achieved |
| Source: Formal enforcement actions recorded and supplied to the Department by local authorities using DEFRA form AH134 and the Animal Health and Welfare Management and Enforcement Database (AMES). | ||
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research her Department has (a) commissioned and (b) funded on any relationship between standards in animal welfare and the profitability of farming businesses. [52101]
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Mr Paice: DEFRA’s approach to determining the relationship between standards in animal welfare and the profitability of farming businesses is to include cost-benefit analyses within research projects. This approach allows any costs to business resulting from a change in animal management to be assessed against the benefits to business and to the animals.
This approach is used for all types of welfare projects, from those dealing with on-farm management to those examining the welfare of animals at slaughter.
Local Government
Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on that Department's review of statutory duties placed on local government. [50378]
Richard Benyon: DEFRA and DCLG Secretaries of State meet regularly to discuss issues of common interest to their Departments. Discussions would include the work that Departments are doing to promote the devolution of power to local government and remove unnecessary burdens and restrictions. There have been no meetings specifically on the review of statutory duties placed on local government.
All Government Departments, which place responsibilities on local government, have agreed to contribute to the review and officials have been working closely together as a first step towards identifying these statutory duties. An initial draft list, including the duties identified so far by DEFRA, was published and a copy placed in the Library of the House on 7 March 2011.
Meat: Ritual Slaughter
Simon Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what recent discussions she has had with the food industry on (a) labelling and (b) point of sale information for halal meat; [51720]
(2) with which (a) representatives and (b) organisations of the food industry she has had recent discussions on the labelling of halal and kosher meat; and what points were covered in those discussions. [51898]
Mr Paice: Since mid-2010 a number of meetings have taken place at which method of slaughter labelling was discussed. These have involved the British Retail Consortium, chief executives and senior representatives of the main grocery retailers, the British Hospitality Association, the British Services Association, the British Meat Processors Association, Dairy UK and the Food and Drink Federation.
In addition, meetings have also taken place to discuss (i) the welfare of animals during religious slaughter, (ii) implementation of EU Regulation 1099/2009 on the protection of animals at killing and (iii) method of slaughter labelling have also taken place with or involving Shechita UK, organisations representing the Muslim Community, halal certifying bodies and halal meat producers, the British Meat Processors Association, the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers, the British
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Veterinary Association, the Humane Slaughter Association, the Veterinary Public Health Association and the Food Standards Agency.
Simon Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on the labelling of halal and kosher meat. [51900]
Mr Paice: There is no requirement to label meat as halal or kosher. However, where meat is labelled as halal or kosher voluntarily, this must not mislead the consumer and information provided on the label or in the presentation of a food must not be false or misleading.
We are aware that some people would like to have more information about the methods used to slaughter animals. However, this is a difficult, complex and sensitive issue that cannot easily be resolved in view of the many competing interests involved. We will be looking at this further, but will need to consider any approach to labelling carefully in the context of EU labelling legislation and welfare requirements.
Milk Prices
Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of (a) the average price of a litre of milk in supermarkets, (b) the average price of a litre of milk paid to farmers and (c) the average cost of production of a litre of milk in the latest period for which figures are available. [47671]
Mr Paice: Several major supermarkets currently sell a four-pint polybottle for £1.25, which represents a price of 55 pence per litre (ppl). Some currently offer two four-pint polybottles for £2, which represents a price of 44 ppl.
The UK January 2011 average farm-gate price (the most recent available) was 25.72 ppl. This is 4.25% higher than January 2010. There is a wide variation in farm-gate prices.
DEFRA has estimated the following costs(1) of milk production for 2009-10 using data from the Farm Business Survey in England(2). These estimates are representative of the vast majority of milk produced in England and will include a small proportion of organic production. The average cost of production was around 22.5 ppl.
(1) The costs included in this analysis cover fixed and variable costs and imputed charges for unpaid labour and an imputed rent on owned land. Some of the costs are allocated to the dairy enterprise by arithmetic estimation rather than directly from the farm's accounts.
(2) The Farm Business Survey sample covers businesses with a Standard Labour Requirement of at least 0.5, i.e. a size considered sufficient to occupy a farmer for at least half their time.
| Cost of production | Proportion of milk produced under these costs in 20 09-10 (p ercentage) |
| Source: Farm Business Survey, England 2009-10. | |
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National Forest Company
Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) how many hectares of woodland have been created by the National Forest Company in each of the last four years; [51838]
(2) what estimate she has made of the number of hectares of woodland which will be created by the National Forest Company in each of the next four years. [51839]
Mr Paice: The National Forest Company has created the following amounts of woodland over the last four years:
|
|
Hectares |
In 2011-12 the National Forest Company estimates that it will create 150 hectares of woodland, and in the three years following it expects to plant in the range of 150 to 175 hectares.
Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent progress has been made on the potential merger between the National Forest Company and Heart of the National Forest Foundation. [51840]
Mr Paice: DEFRA has no plans for a merger between the National Forest Company and the National Forest Charitable Trust (the renamed Heart of the National Forest Foundation). There is, however, strengthened joint working on fundraising which will continue into the future. The National Forest Company continues to be the body which creates the National Forest.
National Parks
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on the ownership and management of National Park land in England. [43419]
Richard Benyon: Each National Park has a management plan which sets out the long-term goals for that National Park. However, management of individual areas of land is a matter for the individual land owner or manager, complying with grant conditions where they have chosen to enter into an agri-environment agreement. National Park authorities only exceptionally own land themselves.
Pesticides
Mr Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will commission a comparative study of the effects of neonicotinoid pesticides on the grooming behaviour of (a) termites and (b) bees. [50755]
Mr Paice:
The Government are focused on ensuring that pesticides do not harm people and the environment,
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including bee populations. A comparative study of grooming behaviour in bees and termites is not needed for these purposes.
Under European legislation, pesticide active substances are evaluated at EU level according to specific data requirements. For bees, a fundamental need is to consider potential impacts on the overall performance of the population and a new data requirement will be introduced on the impact of neonicotinoid insecticides on overwintering bee populations. The need for this was fully supported by the UK and is in line with advice from pesticide regulatory scientists and the independent Advisory Committee on Pesticides following review of the 2009 Buglife report.
Effects of insecticides on grooming behaviour are not currently a standard data requirement in the regulatory process, and have not been identified as a requirement in the revised regime to be introduced shortly by Council Regulation 1107/2009.
The Government will continue to be vigilant in understanding and tackling the various factors that may adversely affect pollinator-populations. Regulatory scientists continue to examine any published studies relevant to this area and to work with other pesticide regulators and in international forums as appropriate. We are carrying out relevant research and, where possible, areas for future research are identified, these will be considered for funding alongside other research priorities.
Bees: Pollinators
Mr Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will establish a national monitoring system for pollinators and pollinating rates. [51053]
Mr Paice: Data on honey bees is collected through the National Bee Unit. The Government supports a wide range of surveillance of wild insect populations, including pollinators, mostly undertaken by the voluntary sector. We have funded work by the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology to draw this surveillance data together to identify trend patterns and trends in pollinating insects and to develop means of detecting changes in pollinator services. There are a number of challenges in this, but tools such as the National Ecosystem Assessment and the Countryside Survey give us a basis on which to build. The Government currently has no plans to establish a national monitoring system specifically for pollinators and pollination rates.
Bees: Pesticides
Mr Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research into the effects of neonicotinoids on bees and other invertebrate pollinators has been completed by the Wildlife Incident Investigation scheme. [51054]
Mr Paice: The Wildlife Incident Investigation scheme (WIIS) investigates cases reported to Government that may involve pesticide poisoning. Typically 400 cases are submitted annually with about 30% of these eventually being determined to be pesticide poisoning incidents. On average there are 32 cases per year involving either honey bees, feral bees or bumble bees and of these around 11 (30%) are determined to be pesticide poisoning cases.
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Residues of imidacloprid (a neonicotinoid insecticide) were first detected in bees in a single case during 2009. Preliminary analysis of 2010 data from England, Scotland and Wales indicates there were five WIIS cases involving the detection of two different neonicotinoids (imidacloprid and thiacloprid) either singly or in combination with other pesticides in bees. Given the nature of the WIIS, conclusions, in .terms of trends cannot be drawn from such small numbers, particularly as more sensitive analytical methods have recently been introduced.
Mr Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much funding was (a) allocated to and (b) spent on research into pesticides and pollinators in financial year (i) 2009-10 and (ii) 2010-11; and how much such funding will be allocated in financial year 2011-12. [51055]
Mr Paice: In order to provide maximum flexibility to respond to identified research needs funding within DEFRA's pesticides research programme is not allocated to particular areas. DEFRA has spent or committed the following amounts on research specifically into pesticides and pollinators: (i) 2009-10 £16,000, (ii) 2010-11 £227,000, and expects to spend at least £139,000 in this area in 2011-12. In addition, spending on honey bee research is as follows:
| £ | |
| (1 )The figures for 2010-11 and 2011-12 include the £500,000 per year that DEFRA is contributing to the Insect Pollinators Initiative (IPI) over the next five years which includes research on both honey and bumble bees. The IPI is a £10 million programme established in 2009 to support research to better understand the importance of insect pollinators in the UK as well as threats to them and their management needs. Although much of the funding is directed to honey bee research, there are some research projects on bumblebee ecology or on insect pollinators in general. One of the nine projects is looking at the synergistic impact of sub-lethal exposure to industrial chemicals on the learning capacity and performance of bees. (2 )Estimated. | |
Mr Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) if she will bring forward proposals to restrict immediately the use of neonicotinoid pesticides in the UK; [51046]
(2) what assessment she has made of potential links between neonicotinoid use and honey bee performance; and what recent field studies have assessed the effects of systemic pesticides on honey bee performance; [51048]
(3) what assessment she has made of potential links between the use of neonicotinoid pesticides and bee colony collapse disorder; and what scientific evidence she took into account in making this assessment; [51049]
(4) if she will introduce a moratorium on the use of neonicotinoids on plants which provide nectar and pollen; [51052]
(5) when Ministers in her Department last met the Advisory Committee on Pesticides; and what the outcome of that meeting was; [51056]
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(6) when she expects the Health and Safety Executive's Chemicals Regulation Directorate Advisory Committee on Pesticides to complete its review of the report by Buglife on the effects of neonicotinoid pesticides; and if she will publish the review upon completion; [51074]
(7) if she will (a) suspend existing outdoor approvals for the use of neonicotinoid pesticides and (b) commission a review of the use of systemic pesticides and sub-lethal effects on invertebrates. [51075]
Mr Paice: Neonicotinoid pesticides are already subject to restrictions made to reduce the potential risk they pose to bees. Neonicotinoid insecticides are authorised through the rigorous EU pesticides approval process. Products are authorised in the UK after a national risk assessment. The Government have regularly considered the available evidence in this area and I see no basis for further restrictions at this stage. The position will-be kept under review in the light of continuing scrutiny of new research and discussions with other regulatory authorities. The 2009 Buglife report was reviewed by the Chemicals Regulation Directorate (CRD) of the Health and Safety Executive for any new scientific information which might be of relevance for the pesticides risk assessment process, and CRD's assessment was considered by the independent Advisory Committee on Pesticides (ACP). Ministers receive advice from the ACP on pesticides issues but do not routinely meet the Committee. The CRD assessment and ACP comments have been published on the CRD website. The review highlighted a need for data on the impacts of neonicotinoid pesticides on overwintering of bees in the risk assessment process. This issue had already been identified by regulators and is being addressed through changes to the EU regulatory system. Some pesticide approval holders are already carrying out work to develop field data on overwintering effects of neonicotinoid insecticides on bees as part of the pesticides approval process. CRD has already assessed one such study, and for the crop/pesticide concerned this indicated that there are no effects on honey bees and honey bee survival.
The term 'colony collapse disorder (CCD)' has been used to describe high levels of abnormal colony losses in the USA. Although there have been some significant losses in the UK in recent years, there is no evidence to suggest that CCD is present. Indeed, there has been a significant reduction in the number of colonies that have been lost. In 2010, 5.8% of colonies inspected in England and Wales were found to be dead compared to 6.9% in 2009. Last year's losses were also the lowest level since 2001.
Pesticides: Water
Mr Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment she has made of the levels of neonicotinoids in bodies of water; and with what regularity such levels are monitored. [51051]
Mr Paice:
The pesticides risk assessment considers the risk to groundwater and surface water for each product and use and the surface water assessment specifically looks at the risk to aquatic life. This assessment does not suggest that there should be a significant issue from neonicotinoid pesticides. That conclusion is not challenged by existing Environment Agency monitoring
26 Apr 2011 : Column 22W
which tests for a range of pesticides in surface and ground water. This monitoring includes imidacloprid and clothianidin and has not detected any residues of these two neonicotinoids (although it would be unlikely to detect residues at the low levels expected). There does not appear to be a need for further targeted monitoring of neonicotinoid pesticides in water bodies.
Poultry: EU Action
Mr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what contingency plans her Department has put in place to ensure that compliance with EU Council Directive 99/74/EC on the Welfare of Laying Hens does not put farms in England at a commercial disadvantage. [51045]
Mr Paice: I have repeatedly stated that we want to protect compliant producers from any competitive disadvantage of illegal production in other member states or indeed the UK. In a letter to the Commission in September last year and at a meeting with Commissioner Dalli in November, I strongly urged the Commission to put sufficient enforcement controls in place to protect compliant producers.
One of the options we have suggested to the Commission is for an intra- Community trade ban which would restrict the sale of eggs and egg products which continue to be produced from conventional cages after 2012 from being exported outside that member state's border.
I also raised my concerns on the lack of action by the Commission at the EFRA inquiry into the laying hen industry evidence session on 22 March, and stressed the need for additional measures to be put in place at an EU level to prevent market disturbance.
We welcome the efforts the UK laying hen industry has made to comply with the ban and I can assure you that the Government will continue to work closely with the Commission, other member states and the industry to find a practical enforcement solution.
Public Appointments
Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 21 March 2011, Official Report, column 807W, on public appointments, for what reasons the answer referred to a website address that is not operational; and how many (a) women and (b) men no longer hold appointments in public bodies sponsored by her Department as a result of decisions to merge, close or reorganise such bodies taken since her appointment. [51445]
Richard Benyon: The website address in the previous answer provides a link to “Public Bodies 2009”. This contains the latest published summary information on public appointments. In addition, I can confirm that since the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs was appointed, the numbers of women and men no longer holding public appointments as a result of decisions to merge, close or reorganise bodies sponsored by her Department are as follows:
Commons Commissioners: Two men.
Sustainable Development Commission: Five women and seven men.
Royal Commission for Environmental Pollution: Five women and seven men.
26 Apr 2011 : Column 23W
Recycling
Jack Dromey: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what mechanisms are in place to aid local authorities in setting recycling targets which were formerly set by the regional spatial strategies. [50575]
Richard Benyon: Regional spatial strategies did not specifically provide a mechanism for supporting the setting of recycling targets for local authorities. Under the local government performance framework, for which 2010-11 was the last year, some local authorities chose to set recycling targets in negotiation with the relevant Government office as part of local area agreements.
The revised waste framework directive sets the UK a target of recycling 50% of waste from households by 2020. While this sets an overall ambition for the UK, the Government do not intend to pass this target on to local authorities on an individual basis. The current review of waste policies being conducted by the Government will set out the framework of support we want to give to local authorities to manage waste more sustainably. However, it is for local authorities to decide what aspirations on recycling are appropriate for their area depending on their wider waste management goals and individual circumstances.
Rural Areas: Gun Sports
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make an assessment of the contribution of shooting to (a) conservation and (b) the rural economy. [51066]
Mr Paice: DEFRA has no plans to assess the benefits of shooting to conservation or to the rural economy. A report, ‘The Economic and Environmental Impact of Sporting Shooting’, prepared by Public and Corporate Economic Consultants in 2006, found that two million hectares are actively managed for conservation as a result of shooting and that shooting is worth £1.6 billion to the UK economy. The report can be viewed at:
www.shootingfacts.co.uk
Shooting: Lead Shot
Christopher Pincher: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she has made a recent assessment of the adequacy of legislation on the use of lead shot; and if she will have discussions with representatives of the shooting community on this issue. [47565]
Mr Paice: In 2008 DEFRA commissioned a project to provide an assessment of the level of compliance with the Environmental Protection (Restriction of the Use of Lead Shot) (England) Regulations 1999 (as amended). The report was produced by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust with some elements of the work completed by the British Association for Shooting and Conservation. The final report for the project was published in November 2010 and is available on the DEFRA website.
This report will be brought to the attention of the Lead Ammunition Group for its consideration. The Lead Ammunition Group is an independent strategic group convened by DEFRA and the Food Standards
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Agency which brings together relevant stakeholders and experts to advise Government on, among other issues, the key risks to wildlife from lead ammunition and the respective levels of those risks. It will also explore possible solutions to any significant risks.
Sow Stalls
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with her EU counterparts on implementation of the EU directive prohibiting tethering at sow stalls. [50318]
Mr Paice: There have been no EU discussions at ministerial level as yet. However, the UK continues to make clear at European level that the UK industry is already fully compliant with the ban on sow stalls. We have also made it clear that we expect full compliance in other member states by 1 January 2013. The UK along with the rest of the EU banned the use of tethers in 2006.
Supermarkets
Alison McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she has had any meetings since September 2010 with representatives from (a) Tesco, (b) Sainsbury’s, (c) Asda, (d) Morrisons and (e) trade associations of which these companies are members. [52228]
Mr Paice: On 27 September 2010, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs met with Sainsbury’s as well as attending the Policy Issues Council of the Institute of Grocery Distribution which includes in its membership many of the large supermarkets. On 10 February she met with Tesco. On 8 March she met with the British Retail Consortium.
On 4 April she chaired a meeting with senior representatives of a number of the retailers at which Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda and Morrisons were represented.
Sustainable Development
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what criteria she plans to adopt to measure the effectiveness of the operation of the presumption in favour of sustainable development in the planning system’ [50317]
(2) what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on the definition of the sustainable development presumption to be introduced into the planning system. [50319]
Mr Paice: DEFRA is in continuing discussion with the Department for Communities and Local Government about the presumption in favour of sustainable development. The Government will publish a draft of the presumption in May 2011, alongside details of how we propose to integrate the presumption into national planning policy.
We will be considering how best to gauge the effectiveness of the presumption during the further work to develop the National Planning Policy Framework.
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Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the compatibility of her criteria for monitoring sustainable development across government with the statutory responsibilities of environmental protection placed on (a) the Environment Agency and (b) Natural England. [51043]
Mr Paice: None as yet, but we shall take such statutory responsibilities into consideration, alongside other relevant factors, as we develop criteria for monitoring the mainstreaming of sustainable development across Government.
Utilities: Concessions
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many utility companies offer concessionary schemes for surface water drainage charges for community organisations; and how many community organisations are using such schemes. [50638]
Richard Benyon: Four water and sewerage companies charge for surface water drainage by reference to the impermeable surface area of the site being drained:
United Utilities;
Severn Trent Water;
Northumbrian Water; and
Yorkshire Water.
Two of these companies offer concessionary schemes for community organisations.
United Utilities has 3,314 customers on concessionary charges.
Severn Trent Water currently caps the surface water drainage charges for community premises and charges places of worship on the basis of rateable value, which in most cases is zero. Severn Trent does not know the number of customers that currently benefit from these charges. It will investigate this and assess the costs before consulting its customers on permanent concessions for these groups under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010.
Northumbrian Water started its concessionary scheme on 1 April 2011 and expects to accept 1,768 customers onto the scheme during this charging year.
Waste Management
Jack Dromey: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she has taken to ensure co-ordination between communities on waste management. [50466]
Richard Benyon: Local authorities, which are responsible for the provision of waste management services, are best placed to make decisions about collection and disposal, taking into account the needs of their residents and local circumstances.
DEFRA encourages local authorities to share best practice on waste management, and to work together in partnership; this can help them make economies which enable them to provide better services.
Jack Dromey:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what mechanisms are in place to aid local authorities in
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identifying shortfalls in waste treatment capacity which were formerly identified by regional spatial strategies. [50574]
Robert Neill: I have been asked to reply.
Regional strategies are part of the statutory ‘development plan’. When preparing waste plans, local planning authorities should have regard to national policy, including Planning Policy Statement 10: ‘Sustainable Waste Management’. Notwithstanding, the Government's abolition of regional strategies via the Localism Bill is a material consideration in planning decisions.
Jack Dromey: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what mechanisms are in place to provide apportionment figures on the tonnages of municipal, commercial and industrial wastes to be planned for annually by each local authority which were formerly specified within the regional spatial strategies. [50576]
Robert Neill: I have been asked to reply.
Regional strategies are part of the statutory 'development plan'. When preparing waste plans, local planning authorities should have regard to Planning Policy Statement 10: Sustainable Waste Management, which requires them to allocate sites and areas suitable for new or enhanced waste management facilities to support the apportionment set out in the regional strategy. The Government's abolition of regional strategies via the Localism Bill is a material consideration in planning decisions.
Water
Jack Dromey: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to ensure sufficient investment in water resources in cases where local development frameworks do not refer to water and drainage infrastructure because they were formerly covered in the regional spatial strategies. [50364]
Richard Benyon: The Localism Bill will abolish Regional Strategies and introduce a Duty to Co-operate, which will require local planning authorities and public bodies to engage constructively and on an ongoing basis to prepare local plans.
In the spirit of partnership working we expect local planning authorities to collaborate with infrastructure providers from an early stage in the local planning process to ensure that they are actively involved in shaping proposals. Water companies are statutory consultees to local plans in the current system, and are able to feed in their views on local plan growth from a water infrastructure perspective. We would want this to continue in the future.
All water undertakers. in England produce statutory 25-year Water, Resources Management Plans (WRMPs) that identify how they will ensure a secure and sustainable supply of water. In developing these plans water undertakers will have access to information on growth from the local plans in their areas. The public consultation process for WRMPs provides a means by which water undertakers and planning authorities may validate forecast growth and future needs.
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Since October 2010 unitary and county councils have been given a new role as lead local flood authorities (LLFAs), and a duty under the Flood and Water Management Act to have local flood risk management strategies for their areas. We would expect these strategies to consider drainage for new developments, and for LLFAs to work with water undertakers and developers to ensure that arrangements are adequate and sustainable. The Local Government Association has recently published guidance to help LLFAs develop their strategies. We expect LLFAs will begin to publish their strategies in 2012 and there is a requirement that relevant authorities and the public should be consulted about them. LLFAs across England have also been provided with funding of £21 million for 2011-12, rising to £36 million in 2012-13, to undertake their new roles.
Water Charges: South West England
Mr Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 4 April 2011, Official Report, column 581W, on water charges: South West England, what options for additional Government spending to provide further support for water customers in the South West her Department is considering; if she will publish details of each option; what discussions she has had with Ofwat on such options; if she will make it her policy to limit the financial support offered; if she will assess the effect of the proposal on other water customers in England; whether she is considering similar schemes for other regions of England; what timetable she has set for the (a) introduction and (b) duration of the scheme; and whether water companies will be expected to contribute to the cost of the scheme. [52241]
Richard Benyon: The Government published their consultation on water affordability on 5 April. This an be accessed online at:
www.defra.gov.uk/consult/water-affordability-1104/
and copies are available in the Libraries of both Houses.
The consultation paper sets out options to assist all households in the South West (to reflect the unique circumstances of South West Water at the time of privatisation), and options to assist households with water affordability problems in the south-west and elsewhere, it takes account of advice prepared by Ofwat on tackling high water bills in the south-west.
The options set out in the consultation paper to assist household customers of South West Water will have no impact on other water companies, or on the water bills of other companies' customers. Additional support will be provided through public expenditure. The extent, magnitude and duration of that support will depend on practicality and affordability, and on the responses received to the consultation.
The Government will set out their policy proposals in their Water White Paper in the autumn.
Water Charges: Public Consultation
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects to publish the consultation on the Walker Review on household water metering and charging; and if she will make a statement. [52091]
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Richard Benyon: I refer the hon. Member to my written ministerial statement of 5 April 2011, Official Report, column 54WS.
Water Supply
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she has assessed the merits of encouraging water companies to offer cold water retrofits as part of the forthcoming Water White Paper; and if she will make a statement. [52092]
Richard Benyon: Water companies already offer retrofit measures as part of their statutory duty to promote the efficient use of water by their customers. Ofwat oversees the companies' obligations in this regard, and has also set them water efficiency targets, representing a significant increase in water efficiency activity.
The Government will set out their policy proposals around water efficiency in the forthcoming Water White Paper.
Water Supply: Competition
Teresa Pearce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she plans to take to increase the level of choice between water companies for household customers. [51942]
Richard Benyon: The forthcoming Water White Paper will consider Professor Martin Cave’s 2009 recommendations to extend competition in the water sector.
Professor Cave thought that there would be very few benefits in extending choice of water supplier to household customers at this time but did not rule it out for the future.
Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority Committee
Departmental Pay
Helen Jones: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, pursuant to the answer of 3 February 2011, Official Report, column 510W, on pay: staff, which actual compliance roles were used as comparators to determine the salary range for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority's new compliance officer. [45793]
Mr Charles Walker: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority. I have asked IPSA to reply.
Letter from Scott Woolveridge, dated April 2011:
As Acting Chief Executive of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking which actual compliance roles were used as comparators to determine the salary range for IPSAs new compliance officer.
The Parliamentary Standards Act 2009, as amended by the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010, provided that there be a Compliance Officer for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority.
26 Apr 2011 : Column 29W
We considered a range of vacancies being offered for Compliance Officer roles at the time we began the recruitment process in order to help us establish the range in which to advertise the salary. These vacancies were primarily in the financial sector. We did this was for indicative purposes only and, for this reason, did not consider it necessary to keep a record. These advertised salaries ranged between £70,000 and £120,000. We then sought advice from our recruitment consultants who recommended a salary range corroborating the range identified by our internal research. Having received this advice, we took the view that this range was too high (whilst taking into account the knowledge, experience and capabilities required for this statutory office) and advertised a lower rate equivalent to an IPSA Grade F position (pay band £60,000 to £73,000, full-time equivalent).
Ken Olisa
Mr Spellar: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, pursuant to the answer of 14 March 2011, Official Report, column 2W, on departmental publications, what assessment the board has made of Mr Ken Olisa's remarks. [49475]
Mr Charles Walker: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority. I have asked IPSA to reply.
Letter from Scott Woolveridge, dated April 2011:
As acting Chief Executive of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking, pursuant to the Answer of 14 March 2011, Official Report, column 2W, on departmental publications, what assessment the board has made of Mr Ken Olisa's remarks.
The Board routinely assesses IPSA's presence in the media. Any substantive discussions on matters relating to the Board can be found in the Minutes of the Board which once agreed, in keeping with IPSA's policy on transparency, are posted on IPSA's website.
Members: Allowances
Laura Sandys: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, if he will request the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority to publish the highest amount claimed by an hon. Member for staff costs over the financial year 2010-11. [51619]
Mr Charles Walker: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority. I have asked IPSA to reply.
Letter from Scott Woolveridge, dated April 2011:
As acting Chief Executive of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking IPSA to publish the highest amount claimed by an hon. Member for staff costs over the financial year 2010-11.
Figures for the financial year 2010-11 have not yet been finalised. We will be publishing details of all Members staffing costs in July and will write to you with this information at that time.
Deputy Prime Minister
Departmental Responsibilities
Dr Thérèse Coffey: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate he has made of the average number of hours he spends on his official duties per week (a) during Parliamentary recess periods and (b) when Parliament is sitting. [51657]
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The Deputy Prime Minister: I spend as much time as necessary to carry out in full my official duties both when Parliament is sitting and during recess periods.
General Elections: Costs
Ian Murray: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Bradford East of 4 April 2011, Official Report, column 636W, on general elections: costs, if he will estimate the cost of holding a general election in which 50 per cent. of voters express a second and third preference, 25 per cent. of workers express only a second preference and 25 per cent. of voters express only one preference. [52166]
Mr Harper: I have no plans to make such an estimate.
Northern Ireland
Departmental Mobile Phones
Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many officials in his Department are provided with mobile communication devices; and how much his Department spent on mobile telephones and related data services in the last year for which figures are available. [51426]
Mr Paterson: 52 Officials in my Department are provided with mobile communication devices. In the year 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2011, the Northern Ireland Office spent £13,957 on mobile telephones and data services.
Departmental Training
Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much his Department spent on staff training in the last year for which figures are available. [51413]
Mr Paterson: Since 12 April 2010, my Department has spent £19,440 on staff training.
Kieran Doherty
Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish the report of Lord Carlile on his inquiry into the death of Kieran Doherty; and if he will make a statement. [51241]
Mr Paterson: Following the brutal murder of Kieran Doherty, I met members of his family. In light of the concerns they expressed to me, I invited Lord Carlile, as reviewer of the arrangements for handling national security-related matters in Northern Ireland, to meet them to discuss those concerns. Further, in view of allegations about the conduct of the Security Service, I asked Lord Carlile to review the case and to provide me with advice.
As the House will be aware, it has been the practice of successive Governments not to comment on matters of this nature. I do not intend to depart from that practice or to publish Lord Carlile’s advice to me. With his permission, however, I am placing on the record his conclusions as set out in his letter to the hon. Member.
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“Over the past four months I have received the fullest co-operation with my inquiry. No material has been denied to me. I am satisfied that I have been able to deal on an evidence base with all issues arising.
My conclusions are clear. No inappropriate or improper action took place. Kieran Doherty’s cruel death was not in any respect a consequence of any misbehaviour or infraction by anybody directly or indirectly connected with the public service. Further, the Police Service of Northern Ireland have been able to carry out a full and unimpeded murder inquiry”.
I am grateful to Lord Carlile for the work he has undertaken and for his advice.
Wales
Economic Growth
Jonathan Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps she is taking to ensure that the Welsh economy maintains a rate of growth similar to that in the rest of the UK; and if she will make a statement. [51447]
Mr David Jones: The Secretary of State for Wales and I share the hon. Gentleman’s concerns about the Welsh economy, which has fallen further behind the rest of the UK since devolution in 1999.
The Budget and Plan for Growth are intended to create the right conditions for private sector growth across the UK including Wales. We have reduced corporation tax by 2%, cut regulations to save businesses £350 million a year and abolished the fuel duty escalator to benefit motorists and hauliers across Wales.
Beyond that, we are committed to working with the Welsh Assembly Government on issues such as delivering Enterprise Zones. Only by putting the Welsh business environment on the similar footing to the one we are seeking to create in England can we ensure that the Welsh economy does not fall even further behind the rest of the UK.
Foreign Investment in UK
Jonathan Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps she is taking to support and attract investment to (a) mechanical engineering, (b) metals, (c) minerals, (d) chemicals and (e) business services sectors of the Welsh economy; and if she will make a statement. [51446]
Mr David Jones: The Secretary of State for Wales and I are committed to attracting more inward investment to Wales across a range of sectors including those the hon. Gentleman highlights.
We have brokered two trilateral meetings between Lord Green the Trade Minister and the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to discuss collaborative working, particularly as UK Trade and Investment looks to refocus its efforts on inward investment. I am also a member of the Economic Affairs (Trade and Investment) Cabinet Sub Committee which will play a key role in boosting trade and investment in the UK, including Wales.
The Secretary of State for Wales has discussed with the First Minister the creation of Enterprise Zones in Wales that we would hope would replicate those we have already announced for England. These zones will
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offer a time-limited business rate exemption, high speed broadband, simplified planning processes and the reinvestment of future business rates in infrastructure. They are designed to attract new investment to places that need it the most and we hope that the Welsh Assembly Government will work with us to bring these benefits to Wales.
Culture, Media and Sport
Art Works
Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what the cost to his Department is of operating the Government Indemnity Scheme in respect of the works of art held by the Government Art Collection (a) on display and (b) in storage. [51080]
Mr Vaizey: The Government Indemnity Scheme (GIS) applies only to loans in, and only those from non-national collections or private sources. Staff time spent administering this, and therefore the operating cost, is negligible. There has never been a claim on GIS for any work loaned to the Government Art Collection.
Arts
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether the funding for the arts introduced as a result of the Lottery Shares Order can be used to support existing projects. [52162]
Mr Jeremy Hunt: This Government's reforms to the national lottery mean that from 2012 around £50 million a year extra will go to the arts. Funding decisions are a matter for the individual lottery distributors to determine against their published criteria for lottery projects and funding programmes. All lottery distributors are mindful of the need to uphold the principle of additionality in relation to national lottery funding and to account for how this principle has been upheld in their annual reports, but funding can be allocated to existing organisations.
Arts Council: Finance
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will make an assessment of the effects of recent Arts Council funding decisions on arts organisations (a) in each region and (b) serving minority communities. [52161]
Mr Jeremy Hunt: Any decisions made by the Arts Council are done so on the basis of the much-valued arm’s length principle. Therefore it would be inappropriate for the Government to undermine the Arts Council's independence by interfering in their decision making process in any way.
However, when assessing applications for the new National Portfolio, Arts Council England worked to create the best mix of organisations in terms of size, type, art form, diversity, geographical spread and contribution to the goals set out in the 10-year strategy Achieving Great Art for Everyone.
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Arts Council England has undertaken an equality impact assessment (EIA), to identify the potential negative and positive impact on race, gender and disability that the decisions made within the national portfolio organisations funding programme may have. As part of the EIA, an action plan detailing a full programme of mitigation outlines how they will address the identified negative impact.
Grants: Brighton and Hove
Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many ring-fenced grants provided by his Department were available for Brighton and Hove city council to claim in (a) 2007-08, (b) 2008-09, (c) 2009-10 and (d) 2010-11; how much was available in such grants; how many such grants were made; and how much was awarded in such grants. [51845]
Mr Jeremy Hunt: The only ring-fenced grant that the Department oversaw, and that would have been available to Brighton and Hove city council, in the periods 2007-08 to 2010-11 was the free swimming scheme that ran from 2008-09 to 2010-11. The amount of grant paid out during this period was £89 million allocated between 261 participating local authorities.
Brighton and Hove city council received the following amounts in each year:
2008-09: £76,197.00
2009-10: £205,441.68
2010-11: £67,486.00.
Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many ring-fenced grants provided by his Department are available for Brighton and Hove city council to claim in 2011-12; how much is available in such grants; how many such grants have been made; and how much is to be awarded in such grants. [51850]
Mr Jeremy Hunt: From 2011-12 the Department for Culture, Media and Sport has budgetary responsibility for private finance initiative (PFI) grants to local authorities for culture and sport schemes. Payments in earlier years were met by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG).
Brighton and Hove will receive a grant of £1.5 million in 2011-12 towards PFI costs of the Jubilee Library (Brighton New Central Library). This PFI scheme runs until 2028.
Broadband
Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport who is to be responsible for the roll-out of high-speed broadband in (a) England, (b) Wales and (c) Scotland. [52157]
Mr Vaizey: Local government in England and the devolved Administrations will be the lead procuring authorities, with support from Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK), for the Government supported roll-out of superfast broadband in the UK.
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Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the proportion of households without broadband access which will receive high-speed broadband by the end of (a) 2012, (b) 2013, (c) 2014 and (d) 2015. [52158]
Mr Vaizey: The Government have not set annual targets of households having superfast broadband, but has set a target of having the best superfast broadband in Europe by 2015 and made £530 million available to help deliver it. We will publish the ‘Best in Europe’ scoreboard later in 2011.
Broadband: Enterprise Zones
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport by what mechanisms superfast broadband will be supplied to enterprise zones. [50734]
Mr Vaizey [holding answer 1 April 2011]: The Government are in discussion with Local Enterprise Partnerships about the first wave of Enterprise Zones. As specific locations for Enterprise Zones are put forward, we will consider the broadband networks available in these areas and then decide the most appropriate form of public support for market led roll-out This is likely to be through provision of the most supportive planning environment and, if necessary, public funding.
Broadband: Public Expenditure
Mr Syms: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what proportion of the funding allocated to the expansion of broadband provision announced in the comprehensive spending review he estimates will be spent in (a) Poole constituency and (b) the south-west. [50493]
John Penrose: No specific estimates of funding allocations for projects in Poole constituency, the south-west or any other constituency have been made. My officials continue to work closely with county councils on plans to support broadband roll-out.
Departmental Accountancy
Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether any ministerial directions have been issued to the accounting officer of his Department since his appointment. [52001]
Mr Jeremy Hunt: There have been no ministerial directions issued to the accounting offices of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport since the appointment of the current ministerial team.
Departmental Early Retirement
Mr Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many of his Department's staff have taken early retirement in each of the last five years; and what the cost to his Department was in each such year. [50838]
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John Penrose: The total number of staff who have taken early retirement in each of the last five financial years, and the cost to the Department, are shown in the table.
| Financial year | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 |
For the financial year 2010-11, further early retirement offers have been made to members of staff, however final payments have not been made and are therefore not included in the table.
Departmental Manpower
Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what public sector job reduction targets have been set for his Department and its non-departmental public bodies for each of the next 24 months; and what steps he plans to take to meet such targets. [51527]
John Penrose: The Department has not set any targets for job reduction. It has, however, committed to a 50% reduction in its administration budget by 31 March 2015, which includes staffing costs. The average reduction in administration budgets in the Department and its arm’s lengths bodies over the comprehensive spending period is 41%.
The Department regularly monitors its pay bill and sets future actions through our Workforce Planning Committee. The Department is currently undertaking a voluntary redundancy exercise to reduce headcount and achieve the necessary savings.