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EU E-Commerce Directive
The Earl of Northesk asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether in the context of the current European Union e-commerce directive, they intend to legislate for a strong "country of origin" principle, as set out in the original directive.[HL4261]
Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The Government share the objectives of the E-Commerce directive and worked hard to ensure its agreement. The regulations that the Government will lay before Parliament in the near future, in the light of responses to the recent public consultation, will uphold the "country of origin" principle to the extent compatible with giving service providers as much legal certainty as possible.
One North East: Funding
Lord Dormand of Easington asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What is the sum contained in the single budget provided by the Government for the regional development agencies; how much of that sum is allocated to the North East development agency; and what is the target set out for the North East development agency.[HL4349]
Lord Sainsbury of Turville: Of the £1,556,000,000 provided to the regional development agencies for the financial year 2002–03, £192,360,000 has been allocated to One North East, the North East of England Regional Development Agency. This is in support of outcome targets set as part of the corporate planning process, in accordance with guidance issued to the regional agencies in October 2001. Ministers agreed a range of targets for One North East, across the spread of its activities, when approving its corporate plan for 2002–05. The allocations are gross figures, inclusive of receipts from the sale of properties and profit from estates. The agency's single programme also includes provision of a further £13,035,000 in support of its regional economic strategy for regional selective assistance cases under £2,000,000, the UK Broadband Fund and regional centres of manufacturing excellence. hp
Ridgeway
Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What evidence they have received of damage caused to the Ridgeway and to archaeological sites in the vicinity of the Ridgeway trail by 4x4 vehicles; whether they will commission a study of the use of these vehicles on the Ridgeway; when they expect to receive the audit of the condition of the trail by the Ridgeway Management Group; whether they will invite users of the trail to comment on the audit; and whether they will consult the Countryside Agency about the action which is needed to protect the trail from damage caused by vehicles pending the discussion which is to be held at the Ridgeway Forum on 24 September; and[HL4133]
Whether they have commissioned any research on the causes of damage to the Ridgeway national trail.[HL4386]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Whitty): We have received correspondence on the state of the Ridgeway but we expect the outcome of the Ridgeway Management Group's audit report to provide a comprehensive assessment of the condition of the surface. This will not include an assessment of the archaeological site near the Ridgeway. A study of the 400 metre corridor of the way was undertaken in 1998 and the Ridgeway heritage project, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, is currently restoring several monuments which needed work. We have no plans to commission a study on the use of vehicles on the Ridgeway in advance of any recommendations that may be made as a result of the audit report. The audit is due to be completed in June. We anticipate receiving a copy sometime that month. The intention is for the audit to be discussed by the partners locally and by a wider forum, which will involve users, to develop a local strategy for discussion at the Ridgeway Forum. The Countryside Agency are members of the Ridgeway Management Group and are very much involved in assessing the audit and providing recommendations resulting from it. As Alun Michael said recently in the House of Commons, we will support conclusions that are based upon evidence and a strong consensus at local level.
Environmental Audit Committee Report: Government Response
Baroness Gale asked Her Majesty's Government:
- When they will publish their responses to the Environmental Audit Committee's first report of Session 2001–02, Departmental Responsibilities for Sustainable Development.[HL4493]
Lord Whitty: We are pleased to announce that on Friday 24 May we laid copies of the Government's response to the Environmental Audit Committee's first report of the 2001–02 Session, Departmental Responsibilities for Sustainable Development. Copies are available in the Library of the House.
The Government's response sets out progress on sustainable development following the general election in 2001. We strongly believe that the creation of DEFRA has produced a department which is better equipped to champion sustainable development and ensure that sustainable development continues to be a priority for the Government.Defra: Annual Report 2002
Baroness Gale asked Her Majesty's Government:
- When the annual report for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 2002 will be published.[HL4497]
Lord Whitty: The annual report for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 2002 was published on Friday 24 May 2002.
Flood and Coastal Defence: High Level Targets
Baroness Rendell of Babergh asked Her Majesty's Government:
- When they will publish reports received concerning the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' high level targets for flood and coastal defence. [HL4498]
Lord Whitty: On Friday 24 May we published four reports and copies are available in the House Libraries. These reports relate to: Target 1—Policy statements; Target 2—Provision of flood warnings; Target 3—Emergency exercises and emergency plans; and Target 9—Biodiversity. We are grateful to the Environment Agency for providing these reports and to the other operating authorities which have contributed to the work which is being reported upon. The severe floods of Autumn 2000 created inevitable delays in producing these reports. Some other reports will be produced later this year, covering a two-year period. The high level targets initiative is designed to secure a more certain delivery of the Government's policy aim and objectives for flood and coastal defence. In the difficult circumstances of the past year or so the results
being reported today are encouraging though they do point to the need for further work to be done, including by some operating authorities, to offer a more consistent approach to service delivery. On target 1, we are pleased that the great majority of operating authorities have produced a suitable statement of their policy towards flood and coastal defence. While there is a significant minority of local authorities which have not produced statements, many of them are understood to have little or no flood and coastal defence responsibilities. Nevertheless there are some local authorities who have more significant responsibilities and we will be working with the Environment Agency and Local Government Association in encouraging them to produce statements. On target 2, I note that overall some two-thirds of the Environment Agency's severe flood warnings were issued in accordance with their service standards. This is encouraging especially in the face of the severe demands of the 2000 floods. The agency nevertheless recognise that there is room for improvement and are working on a new investment strategy. It is also worth recording that since autumn 2000 a further 322,000 properties are covered by the agency's flood warning arrangements. On target 3, programmes of emergency exercises were disrupted by the 2000 floods, foot and mouth disease and, to some extent, the events of September 11. Nevertheless, 22 emergency exercises were carried out in 2001 and lessons learned from them are identified in the report; 27 local or regional exercises are planned for this year and a national exercise is planned for 2003. We are also pleased to note that good progress has been made in ensuring that local emergency plans cover flooding and that there are arrangements in hand for these to be reviewed, particularly to cover the local sources of flooding and provision of sandbags. On target 9, the report shows that flood and coastal defence works have resulted in net gains in a number of habitats covered by biodiversity action plans. This work is often alleged to be damaging to the environment but the report provides evidence to the contrary. While this is very encouraging, work is in hand to ensure more rigorous collection of this information for future reports. We expect to publish further reports later this year. We will also be working with the operating authorities in reviewing the operation of high level targets with a view to refining and extending the initiative.
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