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Written Answers

Wednesday 2 May 2007

Agriculture: Bluetongue Disease

Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:

What precautions they are taking against the possible spread of bluetongue cattle disease to Britain. [HL3172]

The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Rooker): The following precautionary measures are being taken in the effort to keep bluetongue disease out of the UK:

all imports of susceptible animals from restricted areas in European Union (EU) member states affected by bluetongue are currently banned; all susceptible animals from continental bluetongue virus (BTV)-free EU member states or zones (not including Ireland) are post-import tested for bluetongue (imports back to May 2006 were tested, and have all tested negative);daily meteorological surveillance is undertaken to assess the risk of wind-borne spread of vectors from countries affected by the BTV8 strain to the UK;in partnership with the farming industry, we are encouraging vigilance and early reporting of disease among farmers and veterinary practitioners (bluetongue is a notifiable disease and suspicion of disease must be reported); andDefra is raising awareness of the disease through dissemination of information leaflets to farmers and vets, through adverts in appropriate publications, and publicity campaigns at livestock markets et cetera.

Agriculture: Livestock Markets

Lord Vinson asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Competition Commission will investigate whether supermarkets use a single agent to bid for them jointly at United Kingdom livestock markets. [HL3393]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Truscott): The Competition Commission can choose to look at any parts of the grocery supply chain that it believes has an effect on competition between retailers as part of its current inquiry into the UK grocery market. It is, therefore, a matter for the Competition Commission to decide whether the use of agents in livestock markets forms part of the inquiry. The Competition Commission welcomes submissions and evidence of any issues relating to livestock markets that might inform its work.

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Allotments

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, in the context of their five a day programme to encourage consumption of fruit and vegetables and on encouraging physical activity, they will consider placing greater emphasis on the provision of allotments. [HL3475]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Andrews): We know that public interest in allotments has undergone a recent revival in line with current thinking on healthy eating, organic food and physical activity. This has created a greater demand for allotments in some areas, which is critical to protecting them from a change of use in the future as a consequence of disuse or dereliction.

The Government give local authorities the flexibility and freedom to determine what is most appropriate for their local area. Planning Policy Guidance Note 17: Planning for open space, sport and recreation (July 2002) requires local authorities to make provision for all types of open space, including allotments, in line with established community needs.

The Government have provided funding and support for the revival of urban green spaces, including allotments and community gardens, through our Living Spaces programme, our growth areas fund, and our support for the Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens, Groundwork, and BTCV.

Animal Welfare: Natterjack Toads

Lord Fearn asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are taking any measures to protect the natterjack toad on the north-west coast of England. [HL3389]

The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Rooker): The natterjack toad is fully protected in UK law under Schedule 5 to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) and Schedule 2 to the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994. It is also protected in European law under Appendix 2 of the Bern Convention.

On the north-west coast of England, the natterjack toad's key habitats receive additional protection as special areas of conservation (SACs). For example, Morecambe Bay and the Sefton Coast, Ainsdale Sand Dunes and Cabin Hill National Nature Reserves are specifically owned and managed by Natural England to protect the natterjack toad and its sand dune habitats. The Sefton Coast Partnership is currently developing a new nature conservation strategy and biodiversity delivery plan for the whole Sefton Coast: this also reflects the need to conserve natterjack toad populations. There are strict tests for any development which could have adverse impacts on SAC habitats, and Natural England must be consulted in all cases.

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Almost all the natterjack toad populations in Cumbria are found within sites of special scientific interest designated under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and this affords a further degree of protection.

The Wealth of Wildlife project was launched on 21 April 2007 as the flagship project of the Cumbria Biodiversity Partnership. Over £860,000 has been provided by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Rural Regeneration Cumbria and the landfill tax to deliver over three years a range of conservation objectives for rare and threatened species and habitats, including the natterjack toad. The natterjack toad is one of four biodiversity action plan species included in a joint project between Natural England and the Herpetological Conservation Trust.

Armed Forces: Hearing Aids

Lord Ashley of Stoke asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, in cases of hearing aid tribunals for ex-servicemen whose hearing was damaged during service with the Armed Forces, they have routinely referred to later National Health Service test records when considering the suitability of their first compensation decision, or when assessing a request for review. [HL3305]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Drayson): National Health Service audiometry records are not routinely used in deciding no-fault compensation claims. Depending on individual circumstances they may be helpful in diagnosis or for assessment if they date from around service termination. No-fault compensation is paid for personal injury and illness causally related to service. Claims are governed by the relevant law and case facts and the MoD is committed to evidence-based policy and decision making. Current generally accepted scientific understanding is that permanent hearing loss due to noise exposure does not improve or worsen on removal from the noise. In addition, when hearing loss due to age or other causes is superimposed on an existing noise-induced loss the overall loss is not more than additive. As a result, under the MoD's compensation schemes, only hearing loss measured at or around service release is included when assessing claims. To include later loss, such as hearing loss due to ageing or other sources of noise, would be to compensate for something which was not due to service.

Armed Forces: Medical Treatment

Lord Morris of Manchester asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Drayson on 28 March (WA 269—70), what steps they are taking to ensure that any future changes in the mental health services provided to veterans of Operation TELIC, and other deployments, will result in an improved level of service; and [HL3189]

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Further to the Written Answer by Lord Drayson on 28 March (WA 269—70), what plans they have for the future provision of mental health services to veterans of Operation TELIC and other deployments in all parts of the United Kingdom; and [HL3190]

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Drayson on 28 March (WA 269—70), what steps they will take to ensure that their plans for the future provision of mental health services to veterans of Operation TELIC and other deployments living in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland respectively, do not result in a reduction in public funding of the organisation Combat Stress. [HL3191]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Drayson): As part of the government commitment to good mental health and well-being for Armed Forces personnel and veterans, officials from the MoD, the UK health departments and Combat Stress, advised by national clinical experts, have been working to develop a new community-based model of mental health services for veterans, designed to provide health professionals with access to expert understanding of veterans’ mental health problems and appropriate treatment options. Since 1948, successive Governments have held that the NHS should be the main provider of health care for veterans. Based on NHS practice and procedures, the new service would deliver culturally sensitive, evidence-based interventions through a network of public, private and charitable providers; an aim of the new model would be to integrate Combat Stress into NHS commissioning arrangements. We are looking to pilot the model at sites across the UK, with the first to be launched shortly. Discussions are well advanced in selection and setting-up of sites which we expect to be located in a range of trusts across the UK. The pilots would run for two years, after which there would be an independent evaluation of effectiveness, including value for money. An important part of the initiative is that the pilots should provide planning data on the likely demands for a nationwide veterans' service.

With regard to public funding of Combat Stress, war pensions funding would continue to be provided to qualifying war pensioners for residential care at the society's homes. Officials are currently in discussion with the society on fee levels for 2007-08 and we expect to announce increases shortly.

Armed Forces: Postage

Lord Hanningfield asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether a full parcel service is now operated by the British Forces Post Office to locations situated in and around the Gulf. [HL3229]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Drayson): Wherever possible, the British Forces Post Office (BFPO) provides a subsidised surface parcels service to personnel serving overseas in

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conjunction with Parcelforce, which can normally accept items up to 30 kilograms in weight, or 1 kilogramme if they are to be delivered to HM ships by air.

BFPO does not operate a parcels service to locations in and around the Gulf, as this would have the potential to overwhelm the supply system supporting operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. BFPO does, however, operate a subsidised airmail letter and small packet service, up to a maximum of 2 kilograms in weight, principally to forces deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan as part of the operational welfare package.

Arts: Northern Ireland

Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:

What was selected to represent Northern Ireland in the Smithsonian Institution exhibition in 2007; after what process this selection was made; who made the selection; and what is the estimated cost of taking part in the event. [HL3235]

Lord Rooker: The Smithsonian has invited 146 individuals representing crafts; sports; occupational traditions; traditional music and performing arts; culinary traditions; history and heritage. The names of the participants and the traditions they represent may be found on the website www.rediscoverni.com. The Smithsonian Institution made the selection based on detailed research over 18 months guided by a NI-based curatorial group representing over 35 different cultural and arts organisations from the public and voluntary sector. The total cost of mounting the NI exhibit on the Mall is expected to be £1,252,998, of which NI contributes approximately £789,000. There is no cost to the participants in taking part.

Coastal Flooding

Lord Howell of Guildford asked Her Majesty's Government:

What proportion of the population of the United Kingdom lives in coastal areas liable to flooding from the sea. [HL3167]

The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Rooker): Some 4.54 per cent of the population of England and Wales lives in coastal areas liable to flood from the sea¹.

¹ Population of England and Wales in 2006 = 53.7million. Source: Office for National Statistics population estimates.

Countryside Agency: Paths of Discovery

Baroness Byford asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the current status of the Paths of Discovery Scheme; and whether this scheme is going to be closed; and [HL3357]

What has been the cost to date of the Paths of Discovery Scheme introduced by the Countryside Agency. [HL3358]

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The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Rooker): The Discovering Lost Ways project was set up to carry out research of historic documents to look for rights of way not recorded on the definitive map. This should enable those with good evidence to be formally registered before the cut-off date of 2026. Work on the demonstration phase of the Discovering Lost Ways project is progressing, with research in Cheshire nearing completion and work in Shropshire well advanced.

Based on the results of this early work, Natural England will be working with others to fundamentally review the approach and identify the most cost-effective approach to getting valuable routes on the ground. The cost to date for this project's activity is approximately £2.7million.

Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000

Baroness Byford asked Her Majesty's Government:

What has been the cost of delivering access since the implementation of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. [HL3356]

The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Rooker): The National Audit Office's 2006 report, The right of access to open countryside, indicated the total cost of implementing the right of access under Part 1 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 to be £69 million from 1999 to March 2006.

In 2006-07, National Park authorities were allocated £2.875 million to implement open access, and the Planning Inspectorate funded £4,000 to deal with restriction appeals. An additional £4.64 million has been spent by Natural England towards open access, including £372,000 which was allocated to the Access Management Grant Scheme.

Crime: Sentences

Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:

What guidance, if any, has been given to the judiciary in Northern Ireland over the last five years concerning sentencing policy. [HL3352]

The Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs and Lord Chancellor (Lord Falconer of Thoroton): The sentencing framework, that is the statutory range of sentences available to a judge in connection with particular offences, is a matter for the legislature. The Northern Ireland Court of Appeal delivers guideline judgments on sentencing practice and procedure in Northern Ireland. These sentencing guideline cases encourage consistency in sentencing throughout the courts of Northern Ireland and support sentencers in their decision making. In addition, the Judicial Studies Board of Northern Ireland publishes significant decided cases on its website (www.jsbni.com).

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Telephone Numbers: DCA

Lord Tyler asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many non-geographic telephone numbers are in use by the Department for Constitutional Affairs and its agencies; what services can be accessed by calling each of them; and what revenue has been received from them between September 2004 and September 2006. [HL3304]

Lord Evans of Temple Guiting: My department has 12 0500 numbers, seven 0800 numbers; 53 0845 numbers, 43 0870 numbers and one 0900 number, that are in use for the public. In addition there are a further 481 0870 numbers that are used internally on its Goldfax system. The department does not keep a central record of all the services that can be accessed through each of the numbers. That information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The revenue received from the 0900 number, which is used for the bankruptcy and company court search line, between April 2005 (when the line came into operation) and September 2006, was £59,373.43.

The department's central recruitment unit uses 41 0870 numbers for its recruitment campaigns. The revenue received between September 2004 and September 2006 was £7,847.74. HM Land Registry operates a number of 0870 numbers for land registry services and the revenue from these was £426,990.15 for the period September 2004 to September 2006.

Drugs

Lord Steinberg asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the total number of deaths in the United Kingdom resulting from drug abuse in the last five years. [HL3428]

Lord Davies of Oldham: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.

Letter from Colin Mowl, Director of Macroeconomics and Labour Market, to Lord Steinberg, dated 2 May 2007.

The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question asking what is the total number of deaths in the United Kingdom resulting from drug abuse in the last five years. I am replying in her absence. (HL3428)

The most recent year for which figures are available is 2005. The table below shows the number of deaths for which the underlying cause was drug poisoning, where any drug controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act were mentioned on the death certificate in the United Kingdom for the years 2001 to 2005. They do not include deaths which may be indirectly related to drug use, such as blood-borne viral infections or transport accidents.

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