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Lord Tebbit asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bassam of Brighton on 1 December (WA 57) concerning the lack of any record of visits by Mr Flynn to Number 10 Downing Street in the past five years, whether Mr Flynn has made any visits which were not recorded. [HL2776]
Lord Bassam of Brighton: Not as far as the Prime Minister's Office is aware.
Baroness Byford asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, following the outbreak of avian flu in a quarantine centre in Essex, all other quarantine centres have subsequently been inspected. [HL2455]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Bach): All quarantine premises are subject to an annual approval inspection by the State Veterinary Service (SVS).
Following the discovery of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a quarantine centre in Essex, Defra required all quarantine premises holding imported captive birds to be inspected by a veterinary officer from the State Veterinary Service (SVS).
The Duke of Montrose asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the statement by the Lord Bach on 17 November (Official Report, col. 1299), when they will receive the findings of the review chaired by Professor Nigel Dimmock into the quarantine procedures and arrangements for avian influenza. [HL2945]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Bach): The report prepared by Professor Dimmock and his team was published on 15 December.
Baroness Hooper asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have signed the Council of Europe Framework Convention on the Value of Cultural Heritage to Society, which was opened for signature in Faro, Portugal, on 27 October; and, if not, when they plan to sign and ratify this convention. [HL2750]
Lord Davies of Oldham: Her Majesty's Government have not signed the Council of Europe Framework Convention on the Value of Cultural Heritage to Society which has so far been signed by six member states. The United Kingdom is currently considering the legal implications of this convention before taking a decision on signature and ratification. Until these deliberations are concluded, it would be premature to comment further.
Lord Campbell-Savours asked Her Majesty's Government:
What support they are giving to research into, and development of, the use of ethanol as a fuel for motor cars. [HL2658]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Sainsbury of Turville): Under the Department of Trade and Industry's technology programme and its predecessors there have been some projects on the production of the fuel and the environmental impacts of production.
Current projects on production.
Hyperthermophilic proteolytic fermentation to generate ethanol as a transport fuel, by British Leather Research, is investigating the production of ethanol from waste proteins and fats. Total value £186,000 grant £93,000
Biofuel production from plant biomass derived sugars, by TMO Ltd, is investigating the production of ethanol from complex sugars using thermophillic bacteria. Total value £585,000 grant £234,000
Final reports from past projects on environmental impacts:
URN 03/836, Carbon and energy balances for a range of biofuels options. Sheffield Hallam University.
URN 03/982 Technology Status review and carbon abatement potential of renewable transport fuels in the UK. The two reports commissioned by Defra which cover bioethanol:
Liquid biofuels—prospects and potential impacts on UK agriculture, the farmed environment, landscape and rural economy Central Science Laboratory, 2002
Liquid biofuels—industry support, cost of carbon savings and agricultural implications Central Science Laboratory, 2003
As part of the sustainable arable LINK programme, Defra is co-funding with the Scottish Executive an industry-led project which has relevance for bioethanol fuel although it also covers other uses for cereals e.g. for animal feed, alcoholic drinks etc. The research could reduce the energy inputs required for producing feedstock, reduce the cost of the feedstock, and improve the efficiency of the fermentation process—potentially increasing the energy balance of bioethanol production and reducing the cost of bioethanol.
15 Dec 2005 : Column WA179
LK0959—Genetic reduction of energy use and emissions of nitrogen in cereal production. Total value £2.5 million. Grant for biofuel aspect of the project £273,000.
The Department for Transport has also supported research into the long-term prospects for significant use of biofuels in the transport sector (available at www.dti.gov.uk/energy/sepn/futuretransport.shtml), and research into the emissions consequences of ethanol blends (available at www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft–roads/documents/Page/dft–roads–32579.hcsp).
EPSRC has one grant that specifically mentions ethanol in this regard
GR/T28560/01—Radical Kinetics for Combustion Applications, Dr P Seakins, University of Leeds, £867,663.80, started 20 June 2005.
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are taking steps to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the Flight of the Earls in 2007. [HL2688]
The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (Lord Rooker): The Government have no plans to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the Flight of the Earls in 2007.
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer asked Her Majesty's Government:
What was the outcome of the review launched in July 2003 of the quality and effectiveness of Food from Britain. [HL2913]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Bach): The "light touch" efficiency and effectiveness review of Food from Britain (FFB) launched in July 2003 concluded that FFB was respected for its knowledge of the food and drink sector and of overseas markets and for its skills and professionalism in mounting promotional activities and events. The review also highlighted a number of areas where FFB could make more progress and produce better value for money. The areas for improvement were: the development of new key targets, particularly in relation to new exporters; a review of the international network and FFB's fast track membership scheme; and consideration of more appropriate performance measures. These recommendations were accepted by FFB and were implemented through an action plan agreed between Defra and FFB. A copy of the action plan is available from the administration manager at Food From Britain, 4th Floor, Manning House, 22 Carlisle Place, London SW1P 1JA or from info@foodfrombritain.com.
15 Dec 2005 : Column WA180
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer asked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the annual grant that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs gives to Food from Britain. [HL2914]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Bach): Food from Britain's grant-in-aid from Defra for the current financial year is £6.368 million.
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs lay down criteria that the food and drink promoted by Food from Britain (FFB) should consist of produce grown in Britain; and, if not, whether the requirements regarding the food and drink promoted by the FFB are met by repackaged foreign produce. [HL2915]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Bach): Defra has no such criteria. Food from Britain's statutory remit is to organise, develop, promote, encourage and co-ordinate the marketing of: agricultural and horticultural produce of the United Kingdom; fish, other than sea fish, and fish products made in the United Kingdom; and any other food produced or processed in the United Kingdom. "Processed" means having been subjected to any kind of process including packaging or bottling.
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