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30 Jan 2006 : Column WA1
Written Answers
Monday, 30 January 2006.
Afghanistan: DfID Expenditure
Lord Elton asked Her Majesty's Government:
How much has been expended by the Department for International Development in pursuit of their policies in Afghanistan (a) in the last period of 12 months for which figures are available; and (b) since the commencement of their reconstruction programme in Afghanistan. [HL3521]
The Lord President of the Council (Baroness Amos): In 2003–05 the Department for International Development (DfID) spent a total of £79.6 million in Afghanistan bilaterally. The bilateral programme budget for Afghanistan in 2005–06 is £100 million. This has been fully committed and over £75 million has already been disbursed. By the end of 2005–06 DfID will have spent approximately £390 million in Afghanistan bilaterally, since beginning its reconstruction programme in 2000–01 (this includes humanitarian spending).
In addition to its bilateral programmes in Afghanistan, DfID provides 19 per cent of the European Commission's commitment of €1 billion (2002–07), and 10.4 per cent of the World Bank's commitment, currently some $270 million a year. DfID also contributes globally to UN programmes active in Afghanistan, including those of the United Nations Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Food Programme, and through the Asian Development Bank.
Agriculture: Single Farm Payment Scheme
Lord Dixon-Smith asked Her Majesty's Government:
How many people are employed by outside consultancies working for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the inspection and monitoring of farms in connection with the Single Farm Payment Scheme. [HL3431]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Bach): The single consultancy undertaking satellite remote sensing for RPA has five full-time employees, who were occupied for about four months on this work during 2005.
Alcohol
Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the four reasons for measuring the costs of alcohol misuse given in the introduction to the Cabinet Office paper of September 2003, Alcohol misuse: How much does it cost? still apply; and when,
- having solved the methodological challenge of estimating these costs, they will undertake a further study to enable policy-makers to assess the trends since 2001 and 2002, the years to which most of the statistics in the paper relate. [HL3594]
Lord Bassam of Brighton: The reasons for estimating costs of alcohol misuse, as set out in the Strategy Unit's background analysis paper Alcohol misuse: How much does it cost? (September 2003) are generic so will still apply. This was background analysis for the Strategy Unit project on alcohol-related harm which has now ended. The unit has no current plans to undertake further work in this area. The strategy on reducing alcohol harm is being taken forward jointly by the Department of Health and the Home Office.
Alcohol: Drink Driving
Lord Whitty asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, in view of the reported increase in drink driving cases, they will reconsider their decision not to reduce the legal limit on blood alcohol permissible when driving. [HL3473]
Lord Davies of Oldham: This matter is being kept under review, but there are no plans at present to reduce the legal alcohol limit for drivers.
The Government's priority for reducing drink-drive casualties is through effective enforcement, combined with well targeted national publicity campaigns.
To this end, we have given the police new powers to carry out evidential roadside breathtesting, subject to type approval of appropriate equipment. This is supported by a number of other provisions in the Road Safety Bill designed to deter drink driving and reduce reoffending.
The recent police drink drive campaign covering the Christmas period was intensified and extended throughout the whole of December.
Armed Forces: Body Armour
Lord Astor of Hever asked Her Majesty's Government:
What operational considerations of mobility and weight have been taken into account in the development of enhanced combat body armour. [HL3483]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Drayson): The design of any body armour system is a trade-off between the physical protection provided by the armour and the increased weight, reduced mobility and agility, and increased heat stress imposed on the user. We put significant effort into determining the correct balance, through trials and user evaluations, to ensure that our designs are practical and effective.
30 Jan 2006 : Column WA3
Centre for Ecology and Hydrology
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer asked Her Majesty's Government:
What financial savings will be gained from the closure of the three stations of the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology at Monk's Wood, Winfrith and Banchory as proposed by the Natural Environment Research Council; what will be the cost of implementing the closures; and whether the closures will affect the Government's ability to fulfil their duties under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. [HL3300]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Sainsbury of Turville): The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) has indicated that it estimates the cost of implementing the proposed changes is £45 million over a four-year period. These changes would enable the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH) to carry out, on a financially sustainable basis, high quality environmental research for the foreseeable future.
The proposed closure of specific sites would not affect the Government's abilities to fulfil their duties under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. CEH will continue to deliver its contractual commitments to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and other government departments and agencies having responsibility for conserving biological diversity.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
The Countess of Mar asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the statement by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Disabled People), Department for Work and Pensions, Anne McGuire MP in a letter to Mark Harper MP that "The classification [of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis] is confusing since there are five different WHO categories that could be chosen by a doctor to describe the illness" represents government policy; and whether the diagnosis of CFS/ME can have different WHO definitions other than that categorised as ICD 93.3. [HL3612]
The Minister of State, Department of Health (Lord Warner): There is only one World Health Organisation international classification of diseases code for chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis, which is G93.3.
Council Tax
Lord Hanningfield asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether Ministers of the Crown would be barred from holding office due to non-payment of council tax. [HL3535]
Lord Bassam of Brighton: The Ministerial Code sets out the standards of conduct expected of Ministers.
Crime: Area Criminal Justice Boards
Lord Ramsbotham asked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the official relationship between area criminal justice boards and regional offender managers. [HL3631]
The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal): The National Offender Management Service recognises the important role the 42 local criminal justice boards perform. Although the regional offender managers do not routinely attend these boards, for the coming year (2006–07) the probation service will continue to be represented on each by the local chief officer of probation, and the Prison Service by a nominated senior manager. Beyond 2006–07, representation will depend on the outcome of proposals currently being considered to restructure the probation and police services.
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