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24 Apr 2007 : Column WA123
Written Answers
Tuesday 24 April 2007
Agriculture: Fallen Stock
Lord Vinson asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Lord Rooker on 20 February (WA 211), whether they will conduct a hazard analysis critical control points (HACCP) analysis survey to assess the environmental and biosecurity impact of the collection of fallen stock; and whether, if necessary, they will amend existing legislation in the light of this analysis to reduce the cost to the farmer. [HL3270]
The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Rooker): No. The EU Animal By-products Regulation 1774/2002/EC, which banned the burial and on-farm burning of fallen stock, already lays down rules for the safe collection, transport, storage, handling, processing and use or disposal of animal by-products, including fallen stock. This prevents these products presenting a risk to animal or public health.
Agriculture: Feed Wheat
Lord Marlesford asked Her Majesty's Government:
What has been the average price of feed wheat received by farmers ex-farm in the United Kingdom in each of the past 10 years. [HL3197]
The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Rooker): The table below shows the average prices of feed wheat in the UK since 1996, based on averages of weekly ex-farm prices provided by the Home Grown Cereals Authority.
| Year | £/tonne ex-farm |
Agriculture: Wages
Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:
How many prosecutions have been brought, or are pending, following the 50 complaints from migrant workers to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs about wages below the agricultural minimum and related abuses. [HL3225]
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The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Rooker): When dealing with complaints from workers alleging that they have been paid less than the agricultural minimum, Defra gives priority to recovering any arrears of pay owed and ensuring that the worker’s employer pays the minimum wage in future. However, where there is evidence that an employer has wilfully failed to pay the minimum wage, Defra has powers to prosecute. There is currently one such prosecution under consideration arising from the 50 complaints received from migrant workers in the past year. The remaining complaints are at various stages of the arrears recovery process.
Armed Forces: Bowman
Lord Astor of Hever asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the Ministry of Defence has made an assessment of (a) the suitability of data transmission rates; and (b) the visual situational awareness provided by the Bowman combat infrastructure platform programme. [HL3119]
The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Drayson): The large-scale integration trial for high-capacity data radio in May 2006 and the systems readiness test in November 2006 assessed the suitability of the data transmission rates in the Bowman combat infrastructure platform and found they met the department's specifications. The department continues to work to improve situational awareness capability as part of the incremental approach to Bowman CIP.
Lord Astor of Hever asked Her Majesty's Government:
How many platforms have been converted to Bowman to date; and what estimates the Ministry of Defence has made of the impact of urgent operational requirements and operational commitments on the timescale for conversion of platforms to Bowman. [HL3203]
Lord Drayson: 8,364 land platforms have been converted. Those vehicles not converted because of operational commitments will be converted when they become available. It is estimated that, instead of the planned conversion process completing in 2007, this will be by the end of 2008.
British Citizenship
Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:
Why the Home Office Immigration and Nationality Directorate complaints unit advised Ms TKN (ref: CM29425) by letter on 31 January and by telephone on 12 February that her citizenship application under the British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act 1997 was not the responsibility of the
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The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal): I refer the noble Lord to my letter of 23 April 2007.
Climate Change
Lord Howell of Guildford asked Her Majesty's Government:
What estimate they have made of the impact that carbon emission-limiting measures currently in force in the United Kingdom will have in reducing the risks of sea flooding between the present date and 2030. [HL3170]
The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Rooker): In 2004 the Government’s Foresight report Future Flooding estimated that, with climate change impacts and increased economic wealth, annual average flood damages could rise between two and 20 times by the end of the century. However, there is still considerable uncertainty about the extent of these changes.
The UK produces a relatively small proportion of global carbon emissions and domestic efforts alone will not have a significant effect on coastal flood risk in England between now and 2030. National action must be part of a much bigger international strategy.
A certain amount of climate change is now inevitable over the next few decades: we need to plan for and adapt to this. Climate scientists broadly agree that the UK is likely to face rising sea levels and more frequent floods and storms. For example, the Thames Barrier is already being used around five times a year; by 2030 we expect it to be closing up to 30 times a year. In addition, we need to minimise the effects of dangerous climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Defra has for many years provided guidance to the Environment Agency, local authorities and internal drainage boards to help them take account of climate change impacts in the design of present-day flood and coastal erosion risk management measures.
Climate Change: Adaptation
Lord Dykes asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will take steps to accelerate the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs adaptation policy framework programme. [HL3293]
The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Rooker): Adaptation is a vital part of our efforts to tackle climate change and a
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Closed-Circuit Television
Lord Dykes asked Her Majesty's Government:
What assessment they have made of the number and use of closed-circuit television cameras in public places. [HL2997]
The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal): The Home Office does not collect figures for the number of CCTV cameras. Given the huge number of cameras, operated by a very wide range of individuals, private organisations and public bodies, it is very difficult accurately to assess the total number employed.
Common Agricultural Policy: Single Farm Payment
Lord Stoddart of Swindon asked Her Majesty's Government:
What discussions they have had with the European Commission concerning any proposed fine arising from the allegations of mismanagement of the single farm payment scheme; and what is the likely level of any proposed fine. [HL3249]
The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Rooker): The Government are in regular contact with the European Commission regarding the administration of the single payment scheme (SPS). The European Commission’s audit of the 2005 SPS in England is ongoing and it is too early to draw any firm conclusions. No proposals have been made to date for financial corrections and, should the Commission make any in due course, the Government will continue to defend the UK’s interests with the aim of ensuring that any corrections are minimised to the fullest possible degree.
Firearms: Amnesty
The Earl of Shrewsbury asked Her Majesty's Government:
The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal): We are discussing with the Association of Chief Police Officers whether to hold a national firearms amnesty in the near future.
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The Earl of Shrewsbury asked Her Majesty's Government:
How many firearms were surrendered during the firearms amnesty in 1968 and in all subsequent firearms amnesties. [HL3148]
Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The information requested is as follows:
Government: Ministerial Posts
Lord Marlesford asked Her Majesty's Government:
What are the current ministerial posts; in respect of each, how many different ministers have held the post since May 1997, and what has been the average number of months of ministerial tenure of each post during the period. [HL3196]
Lord Davies of Oldham: The Cabinet Office publication List of Ministerial Responsibilities sets out details of ministerial posts and names of postholders. Copies of the publications dating back to May 1997 are available in the Library for the reference of noble Lords. Information about the average number of months of ministerial tenure of each post since 1997 is not available without incurring disproportionate cost.
Immigration: Detention
Lord Ouseley asked Her Majesty's Government:
What consideration they are giving to implementing arrangements for the judicial oversight of all decisions to detain asylum seekers, as practised in other European Union member states. [HL3336]
The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal): We remain firmly of the view that detention for immigration purposes under Article 5(1)(f) of the ECHR does not require judicial oversight. Detainees have access to judicial review and habeas corpus and this satisfies the Article 5(4) requirement that detained persons should be able to bring proceedings before a court to challenge the lawfulness of their detention.
Lord Ouseley asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will discontinue the detention of vulnerable immigrants, with serious mental and physical conditions, who are determined to have been previously the victims of torture. [HL3308]
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Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Certain persons are normally considered suitable for detention only in exceptional circumstances. Elderly persons, pregnant women, those suffering from serious medical conditions or who are otherwise mentally ill and those where there is independent evidence to show that they have been tortured are included among those who would usually be considered unsuitable for detention.
Detaining officers will always consider on a case-by-case basis whether detention is appropriate in any particular case.
Immigration: Eurostar Paris
Lord Berkeley asked Her Majesty's Government:
In respect of United Kingdom immigration staff at the Eurostar terminal in Paris (a) what is the normal complement of immigration officers; (b) how many officers normally operate within the passport checking booths; (c) how many booths are provided for them; (d) what is the average and longest delay times to passengers caused by any lack of United Kingdom immigration staff; (e) whether there is any target delay time for passengers queuing for United Kingdom immigration checks; and (f) what action has been taken to request additional booths in which to deploy extra staff. [HL3164]
The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal): The information requested in (a), (b) and (c) cannot be disclosed as this could provide information of value to those seeking to circumvent immigration controls, thereby prejudicing the prevention and detection of immigration offences.
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