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Type
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Beckett, Baroness (19)
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To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what her Department's policy is on the application of the Government's Better Payment Practice Code.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what her Department's policy is on the application of the Government's Better Payment Practice Code.
Asked by
David Lidington
(Conservative)
Answered by
Baroness Beckett
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
3 November 2003
For answer on
11 November 2003
Answered on
11 November 2003
Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her Department's policy is on the
application of the Government's Better Payment Practice Code. [136839]
Margaret Beckett: Defra's payment policy is to pay invoices within 30 days of receipt and agreement of a valid invoice properly
supported with proof of delivery of the goods, services and works requested. Defra is a signatory to the Government's Better Payment
Practice Code. My Department's payment performance is reported annually to Parliament.
Subjects
Codes of practice; Billing; Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Payments; Standards
Date
11 November 2003
Reference
136839; 413 c174-5W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what percentage of sites of special scientific interest owned by the Environment Agency are assessed as in a favourable condition. - Inc figures.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what percentage of sites of special scientific interest owned by the Environment Agency are assessed as in a favourable condition. - Inc figures.
Asked by
David Lidington
(Conservative)
Answered by
Baroness Beckett
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
8 September 2003
For answer on
6 October 2003
Answered on
6 October 2003
Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of sites of special scientific
interest owned by the Environment Agency are assessed as in a favourable condition. [129341]
Margaret Beckett: Scientific assessment by English Nature shows that 76.1 per cent. of the area covered by its sites of special
scientific interest is either in favourable or recovering from unfavourable condition. The remaining 23.9 per cent. is not in
favourable condition and the agency is drawing up plans to remedy the situation.
Subjects
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Environment protection; Ownership; Standards; Sites of special scientific interest
Date
6 October 2003
Reference
129341; 410 c1197W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the outcome was of the Environment Council on 4th March; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including its voting records; and if she will make a statement.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the outcome was of the Environment Council on 4th March; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including its voting records; and if she will make a statement.
Asked by
Jim Hood
(Labour)
Answered by
Baroness Beckett
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
4 March 2003
For answer on
18 March 2003
Answered on
18 March 2003
Mr. Hood: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the outcome was of the Environment Council on 4
March 2003; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including its voting records; and if she will make a
statement. [101747]
Margaret Beckett: I represented the UK at Environment Council on 4 March 2003, accompanied by my right hon. Friend the Minister of
State (Environment). The Council reached a political agreement on one legislative measure, and also considered a number of other
important issues.
The Council reached a political agreement on the Forest Focus Regulation, which concerns forest monitoring, with the UK among its
supporters. Italy, Spain, and Portugal would have preferred greater support for fire prevention measures, and therefore abstained.
The Commission also withheld its support.
We debated the Commission's proposals to revise the Bathing Water Directive, which would raise the required bathing water quality
standards across the EU. There was general support for high standards where this would benefit the public, but widespread concern
that the measures should be proportionate to the public health benefits sought, and flexible in their application. My right hon.
Friend, the Minister of State (Environment) expressed concern over the soundness of the Commission's cost benefit analysis, and
explained that, in the UK, illness related to bathing in sea waters is not a problem serious enough to feature in the public health
surveillance system. Most bathing waters in the UK would already meet the higher standards proposed, but there would be high costs
involved in ensuring compliance at all times for about 15 per cent. of beaches in England and Wales. There was a risk terefore that
the proposals as currently drafted would incur disproportionate costs of compliance for comparatively little benefit. Portugal,
Belgium, Netherlands, Ireland, Spain, Germany, France and Austria all expressed similar concerns. There was wide support for more
flexibility in the use of management measures to implement the Directive. Most states also asked for greater clarity of definitions.
There was no support for extending the scope of the Directive to waters used for other recreational purposes, and this was accepted
by the Commission. The Presidency concluded that Council had given a sufficient steer for further progress to be achieved by the
next Council, in June.
Council also debated the proposed Environmental Liability Directive, and in particular the issues of financial security and
biodiversity. I made it clear that the UK insurance industry did not support compulsory financial security. It would make little
sense to make financial security compulsory if the market is unable to provide the necessary cover. There was support for this line
of reasoning from Ireland, France, Italy, Netherlands, the Commission and Germany. There was also some support for a compromise
proposed by the Greek Presidency, that compulsory financial security should be phased in. This was not an option I was able to
support. On biodiversity, I put forward the view, also supported by France and Germany, that to be insurable and provide certainty,
the scope of the Directive should be site-based. The remaining Members favoured extending the scope of the directive to cover all
EU- protected biodiversity wherever it may, with an option to include nationally protected species too. The Presidency concluded
that progress had been made towards reaching political agreement in June.
We agreed Council Conclusions calling for a community strategy to protect and conserve the marine environment. The Commission
reported on action taken in relation to the Prestige incident, and will present a full report to the European Council later this
month. Council accepted a Spanish request asking the Commission to consider liability and sanctions in relation to the safety of
marine transport. France and Spain also reported on the progress of clean-up operations.
We also discussed the Council's contribution on Sustainable Development for the Spring European Council, and agreed a lengthy set of
Conclusions, which included an emphasis on the need for implementation of the commitments made at the World Summit on Sustainable
Development in Johannesburg last September, and on the importance of encouraging the development of environmental technologies.
Council also adopted Conclusions on the Fifth Pan- European Ministerial Conference "Environment for Europe", to be held in Kiev in
May.
The Commission gave an update on approvals of Genetically Modified Organisms, and their co-existence with conventional crops. It was
announced that an option paper on co-existence by Commissioner Fischler would be released on 5 March, and a Round Table discussion
would follow at the end of April.
On approvals, Commissioner Walstrom noted that there are currently 19 applications in the process, which should be dealt with on a
case by case basis. I supported the position of the Commission, along with Sweden, Finland, the Netherlands and Ireland, that
existing legislation is adequate for an orderly return to decision making. A number of other member states continued to argue
against proceeding with authorisations until the new traceability and labelling rules come into force. The Commissioner explained
that it was unlikely that any authorisation would complete the process before the traceability and labelling rules came into force
in any event. She emphasised the need to move the process forward, and that there is no justification for further delay.
Denmark sought clarification from the Commission concerning its guidelines on the presence of metabolites in groundwater. The
Commission confirmed that these are not legally binding, and that the expected groundwater directive will look into this issue.
The Commission reported that it was on track with its long-awaited chemicals package, with an early interim consultation, followed
by adoption by the Commission in early summer. It also formally presented its proposals on ozone depleting substances, a monitoring
mechanism for greenhouse gases and volatile organic compounds in paints.
Over lunch we discussed progress towards ratification of the Kyoto protocol.
Subjects
Coastal areas; Biodiversity; Chemicals; Beaches; Liability; Environment protection; Environment; Genetically modified organisms; Fire prevention; Forests; EU action; Standards; Water; Seas and oceans; EU Environment Council
Date
18 March 2003
Reference
101747; 401 c640-2W;401 c642-4W
House
House of Commons
Answered by
Baroness Beckett
(Labour)
Asked by
Vincent Cable
(Liberal Democrat)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Oral answers to questions
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, If she will make a statement on the funding of the Warm Front programme.
Subjects
Conservation; Finance; Energy; Households; Heating; Fuels; Warm front scheme; Poverty; Standards; Public service agreements
Date
6 March 2003
Reference
400 c946
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
Answered by
Baroness Beckett
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Oral answers to questions
Subjects
Conservation; Finance; Energy; Households; Heating; Fuels; Warm front scheme; Poverty; Standards; Public service agreements
Date
6 March 2003
Reference
400 c946
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, If she will make a statement on the funding of the Warm Front programme.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, If she will make a statement on the funding of the Warm Front programme.
Asked by
Vincent Cable
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Baroness Beckett
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
Tabled on
3 March 2003
For answer on
6 March 2003
Answered on
6 March 2003
Subjects
Conservation; Finance; Energy; Households; Heating; Fuels; Warm front scheme; Poverty; Standards; Public service agreements
Date
6 March 2003
Reference
400 c946; 101113
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate she has made of the quality of Brazilian (a) pigmeat and (b) poultry meat exported to the United Kingdom.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate she has made of the quality of Brazilian (a) pigmeat and (b) poultry meat exported to the United Kingdom.
Asked by
David Lidington
(Conservative)
Answered by
Baroness Beckett
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
29 January 2003
For answer on
11 February 2003
Answered on
11 February 2003
Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the quality of
Brazilian (a) pigmeat and (b) poultry meat exported to the United Kingdom. [95055]
Margaret Beckett: Imports into the United Kingdom of animal products are governed by European Community legislation, which contains
provisions to protect both animal and public health. Under these rules only third countries approved by the Commission on the advice
of the Standing Committee on Food Chain and Animal Health may export into the Community, and only from establishments which meet
Community hygiene standards. The lists of countries and establishments allowed to export particular products into the Community
which includes Brazil is available on the Commission's website at the following address: http://
forum.europa.eu.int/irc/sanco/vets/info/data/listes/ tableO.html.
EU Community rules do not currently permit the import of pigmeat from Brazil.
Imports of poultry meat from third countries must have been produced to the standards at least equivalent to those laid down in
Community legislation. In addition, all consignments of fresh poultry meat imported from third countries are subject to veterinary
inspection on entering the EU to ensure that conditions of import have been complied with and to ensure that they have remained in a
satisfactory condition during transport.
Responsibility for ensuring that third countries meet these requirements lies with the Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) of the
European Commission. FVO reports are published on their website at: http:// europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/inspections/vi/reports/ index
en.html.
Recently, unauthorised veterinary medicines namely nitrofurans were found in poultry meat from Brazil. Nitrofurans are not permitted
in the EU for use in food producing animals, due to public health concerns. Therefore their residues should not be present in food.
Community rules have been put in place that require all consignments of all poultry meat from Brazil to be tested for the presence
of nitrofurans and their metabolites. The consignments must remain at Border Inspection Posts (BIPs) while testing takes place and
are only allowed entry into the Community following favourable test results. If nitrofuran residues are detected, the consignment is
destroyed.
Subjects
Imports; Meat; Standards; Poultry meat; Brazil; Pigmeat
Date
11 February 2003
Reference
95055; 399 c640-1W;399 c638-9W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans she has to review the Government's Best Value indicators for waste management. - Inc ref to 'Waste Not Want Not'.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans she has to review the Government's Best Value indicators for waste management. - Inc ref to 'Waste Not Want Not'.
Asked by
David Lidington
(Conservative)
Answered by
Baroness Beckett
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
7 January 2003
For answer on
6 February 2003
Answered on
6 February 2003
Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to review the Government's
Best Value indicators for waste management. [89613]
Margaret Beckett: All best value indicators are reviewed annually and the indicators for 2003-04 have been published recently.
Government will need to take a number of factors into account when reviewing waste indicators for 2004-05.
A key aim will be to maintain consistency over time as far as possible, to enable robust performance data to be accumulated.
However, one of the recommendations in the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit's recent report "Waste Not Want Not" was that alternative
indicators for waste should be considered.
Government will respond to this and other recommendations in due course. If changes are to be made then Government would expect to
go out to consultation with local government and others during August.
Subjects
Best value; Standards; Waste management; Waste disposal
Date
6 February 2003
Reference
89613; 399 c381W;399 c378-9W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which (a) local authorities and (b) drainage boards have still to produce a publicly available policy statement setting out plans for delivering the Government's policy aims and objectives for flood and coastal defence. - Inc list.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which (a) local authorities and (b) drainage boards have still to produce a publicly available policy statement setting out plans for delivering the Government's policy aims and objectives for flood and coastal defence. - Inc list.
Asked by
David Lidington
(Conservative)
Answered by
Baroness Beckett
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
7 January 2003
For answer on
22 January 2003
Answered on
22 January 2003
Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which (a) local authorities and (b) drainage
boards have still to produce a publicly available policy statement setting out plans for delivering the Government's policy aims and
objectives for flood and coastal defence. [89641]
Margaret Beckett: When information on policy statements received was last compared with the Environment Agency in September 2002,
statements had yet to be received from the following bodies: Internal Drainage Boards (13) Adlingfleet and Whitgift DC Althorpe DB
Crowle Area IDB Gravesend Bridge to Sheerness and Penshurst C of S Lombards Wall to Gravesend Bridge C of S Rawcliffe DB Scotter IDB
South Axholme IDB Thorntree IDB (completion expected by December 2002) Tickhill DB West Axholme West Butterwick Woodwalton DC Local
Authorities (117) Ashfield District Council Aylesbury Vale District Council Babergh District Council Barking and Dagenham London
Borough Council Barnet London Borough Council Basildon District Council Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council Blaby District Council
Boston Borough Council Bracknell Forest Borough Council Bradford City Council Breckland Council Brent London Borough Council
Brentwood Borough Council Bridgnorth District Council Brighton and Hove Council Broadland District Council Bromsgrove District
Council Broxbourne Borough Council Cambridge City Council Carrick District Council Castle Point Borough Council Chelmsford Borough
Council Chester-le-Street District Council Chiltern District Council City of London Corby Borough Council Craven District Council
Crawley Borough Council Croydon London Borough Council Dacorum Borough Council Dartford Borough Council Derbyshire Dales District
Council Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council Ealing London Borough Council East Cambridgeshire District Council East Hertfordshire
District Council East Lindsey District Council Fenland District Council Forest Heath District Council Forest of Dean District
Council Greenwich London Borough Council Guildford Borough Council Hackney London Borough Council Hammersmith and Fulham London
Borough Council Harborough District Council Haringey London Borough Council Harlow District Council Havering London Borough Council
High Peak Borough Council Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council Horsham District Council Isles of Scilly Council Kensington and
Chelsea Royal Borough Kettering Borough Council King's Lynn & West Norfolk Borough Council Kingston upon Thames Royal Borough
Lewisham London Borough Council Lincoln City Council Maidstone Borough Council Maldon District Council Malvern Hills District
Council Mendip District Council Merton London Borough Council Mid Devon District Council Milton Keynes Council Newham London Borough
Council North Hertfordshire District Council North Kesteven District Council North West Leicestershire District Council North
Wiltshire District Council Norwich City Council Nottingham City Council Oadby and Wigston Borough Council Oxford City Council
Penwith District Council Plymouth City Council Reading Borough Council Redbridge London Borough Council Richmond upon Thames London
Borough Council Rochford District Council Rushmoor Borough Council Salisbury District Council Sedgefield Borough Council Sedgemoor
District Council Selby District Council Slough Borough Council South Bucks District Council South Derbyshire District Council South
Hams District Council South Holland District Council South Kesteven District Council South Norfolk District Council South
Oxfordshire District Council South Somerset District Council Southend-on-Sea Borough Council Spelthorne Borough Council St. Albans
District Council Staffordshire Moorlands District Council Stevenage Borough Council Teesdale District Council Three Rivers District
Council Thurrock Borough Council Tower Hamlets London Borough Council Tunbridge Wells Borough Council Uttlesford District Council
Wakefield City Council Waltham Forest London Borough Council Wandsworth London Borough Council Watford Borough Council West
Berkshire Council West Lindsey District Council West Somerset District Council West Wiltshire District Council Westminster City
Council Weymouth & Portland Borough Council Windsor & Maidenhead Royal Borough Wokingham Council Wyre Forest District Council
It should be noted that many of these councils do not have watercourses presenting significant flood risk.
Subjects
Coastal areas; Flood control; Land drainage; Floods; Local government; Standards; Internal drainage boards
Date
22 January 2003
Reference
398 c338-40W;398 c337-40W; 89641
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the Government's original target date was for the completion of the National Food and Coastal Protection Database; what the target is now; and if she will make a statement.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the Government's original target date was for the completion of the National Food and Coastal Protection Database; what the target is now; and if she will make a statement.
Asked by
David Lidington
(Conservative)
Answered by
Baroness Beckett
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
7 January 2003
For answer on
22 January 2003
Answered on
22 January 2003
Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the Government's original target date was
for the completion of the National Flood and Coastal Protection Database; what the target is now; and if she will make a statement.
[89681]
Margaret Beckett: The original target date for the completion of the National Flood and Coastal Defence Database (NFCDD) was 1
September 2000. However, early analysis indicated this was not achievable. Subsequently, the delivery has proved more complex than
originally envisaged, and it is currently being installed at EA sites. The revised date for delivery of Phases One and Two is now
June 2003. Positive steps have been taken to provide analysis and results required for other purposes in parallel with the database
development to minimise the impacts of the delays.
Subjects
Contracts; Databases; Coastal areas; Flood control; Floods; Standards
Date
22 January 2003
Reference
89681; 398 c335-6W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she has received the Environment Agency's report on flood warning service standards, due in September 2002.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she has received the Environment Agency's report on flood warning service standards, due in September 2002.
Asked by
David Lidington
(Conservative)
Answered by
Baroness Beckett
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
7 January 2003
For answer on
20 January 2003
Answered on
20 January 2003
Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she has received the Environment Agency's
report on flood warning service standards, due in September 2002. [89611]
Margaret Beckett: High Level Target 2 requires the Environment Agency to report to Defra annually in April on achievement of their
flood warning service standards. The latest report to Defra, covering April 2001 to March 2002, was published in May 2002 and I am
therefore not expecting a further report until April 2003.
Subjects
Flood control; Environment Agency; Floods; Standards; Warnings
Date
20 January 2003
Reference
89611; 398 c101W;398 c102W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what objectives she has set the Environment Agency to improve its performance in meeting its two hour flood warning target.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what objectives she has set the Environment Agency to improve its performance in meeting its two hour flood warning target.
Asked by
David Lidington
(Conservative)
Answered by
Baroness Beckett
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
7 January 2003
For answer on
20 January 2003
Answered on
20 January 2003
Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what objectives she has set the Environment
Agency to improve its performance in meeting its two hour flood warning target. [89740]
Margaret Beckett: All High Level Targets are to be reviewed this year, including those relating to flood warning under target 2.
Subjects
Flood control; Environment Agency; Floods; Standards; Warnings
Date
20 January 2003
Reference
89740; 398 c101W;398 c102-3W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what criteria she will use to assess the performance of civil servants subject to her Department's leadership review. - (Holding answer 16 January 2003).
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what criteria she will use to assess the performance of civil servants subject to her Department's leadership review. - (Holding answer 16 January 2003).
Asked by
David Lidington
(Conservative)
Answered by
Baroness Beckett
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
13 January 2003
For answer on
20 January 2003
Answered on
20 January 2003
Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what criteria she will use to assess the
performance of civil servants subject to her Department's leadership review. [91051]
Margaret Beckett :[holding answer 16 January 2003]:
Defra has developed a leadership profile, which will be used to assess individuals participating in its leadership development
programme. It describes the skills and behaviour required to be an effective leader.
Subjects
Civil servants; Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Management; Standards; Training
Date
20 January 2003
Reference
91051; 398 c95W;398 c97W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, who will carry out the assessments of civil servants under her Department's leadership review. - (Holding answer 16 January 2003).
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, who will carry out the assessments of civil servants under her Department's leadership review. - (Holding answer 16 January 2003).
Asked by
David Lidington
(Conservative)
Answered by
Baroness Beckett
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
13 January 2003
For answer on
20 January 2003
Answered on
20 January 2003
Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs who will carry out the assessments of civil
servants under her Department's leadership review. [91052]
Margaret Beckett: [holding answer 16 January 2003]:
The leadership development programme is being managed by the Department's Human Resources function. A consultancy has been selected
to design and deliver the programme.
Subjects
Civil servants; Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Management; Standards; Training
Date
20 January 2003
Reference
91052; 398 c95-6W;398 c97W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what sums she has allocated in the current financial year and in each of the next three years for (a) the costing and training and (b) early retirements expected to arise from her Department's leadership review. - Includes...
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what sums she has allocated in the current financial year and in each of the next three years for (a) the costing and training and (b) early retirements expected to arise from her Department's leadership review. - Includes...
Asked by
David Lidington
(Conservative)
Answered by
Baroness Beckett
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
13 January 2003
For answer on
20 January 2003
Answered on
20 January 2003
Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what sums she has allocated in the current
financial year and in each of the next three years for (a) the costing and training and (b) early retirements expected to arise from
her Department's leadership review. [91050]
Margaret Beckett: [holding answer 16 January 2003]:
£7 million has been allocated over the next three years for the leadership development programme. £429 thousand has been set aside
for the current financial year. The profile of expenditure for individual years has yet to be agreed within the Department. The
leadership review will combine development and some assessment. Most people who go through the Development Centres will continue to
work in Defra, making use of a leadership development programme which will follow up training and development needs identified at
the centres. For some, it is expected that the results will encourage them to seek early retirement. To meet that eventuality, £3
million, £7 million and £7 million have been earmarked over the next three financial years respectively. There are no staff
reduction targets or estimates of the numbers likely to leave Defra following participation in the leadership development programme.
Subjects
Costs; Civil servants; Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Early retirement; Management; Standards; Training
Date
20 January 2003
Reference
91050; 398 c98-9W;398 c100-1W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the (a) terms of reference, (b) purpose and (c) timescale are of her Department's leadership review. - (Holding answer 16 January 2003).
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the (a) terms of reference, (b) purpose and (c) timescale are of her Department's leadership review. - (Holding answer 16 January 2003).
Asked by
David Lidington
(Conservative)
Answered by
Baroness Beckett
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
13 January 2003
For answer on
20 January 2003
Answered on
20 January 2003
Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the (a) terms of reference, (b) purpose
and (c) timescale are of her Department's leadership review. [91054]
Margaret Beckett: [holding answer 16 January 2003]:
The leadership review flows from the Joint Strategic Review of Defra, carried out by the Department jointly with the Office of
Public Service Reform. The Joint Strategic Review examined how Defra operated, and identified both the strengths it could build on
and the areas it needed to improve to become a high-performing Department. This included a study of the kind of leadership Defra
would need. The purpose of the leadership review is to: (i) develop and introduce a `leadership profile' for Defra staff from top
down to G7; (ii) implement a programme of Development Centres and supporting coaching based on the leadership profile and which also
builds on earlier leadership development; (iii) focus future learning on supporting the change in culture and performance identified
by the Joint Strategic Review; (iv) help individuals reduce any gaps between current and desired skills and competencies; and (v)
generate a culture of learning within Defra so that staff outside the target group are properly supported in their own learning and
development.
A pilot Development Centre is scheduled to run in March 2003, with rollout across Defra from April 2003, and completion planned for
July 2004. Following attendance at the centre participants will undertake coaching and other training for a period of at least a
year.
Subjects
Civil servants; Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Management; Standards; Training
Date
20 January 2003
Reference
91054; 398 c95W;398 c96-7W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many officials, at which grades, will be subject to her Department's leadership review. - (Holding answer 16 January 2003).
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many officials, at which grades, will be subject to her Department's leadership review. - (Holding answer 16 January 2003).
Asked by
David Lidington
(Conservative)
Answered by
Baroness Beckett
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
13 January 2003
For answer on
20 January 2003
Answered on
20 January 2003
Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many officials, at which grades, will be
subject to her Department's leadership review. [91053]
Margaret Beckett: [holding answer 16 January 2003]: All 150 members of the senior civil service in Defra will participate in its
leadership development programme, as will other managers in Grades 6 and 7 who occupy leadership roles in the Department, some two
dozen and 380 respectively. Others in specialist and technical roles who aspire to senior management positions may also choose to
participate. The number of officials participating is therefore approximately 560.
Subjects
Civil servants; Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Management; Standards; Training
Date
20 January 2003
Reference
91053; 398 c96W;398 c97W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what her most recent estimate is of the proportion of the population that in 2010 will be living in parts of the country that have achieved the air quality strategy objective for 2010.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what her most recent estimate is of the proportion of the population that in 2010 will be living in parts of the country that have achieved the air quality strategy objective for 2010.
Asked by
David Lidington
(Conservative)
Answered by
Baroness Beckett
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
17 December 2002
For answer on
9 January 2003
Answered on
9 January 2003
Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her most recent estimate is of the
proportion of the population that in 2010 will be living in parts of the country that have achieved the air quality strategy
objective for 2010. [88439]
Margaret Beckett: Different air quality objectives apply in respect of different pollutants, different dates and different parts of
the country. For many pollutants, our latest modelling indicates that by 2010 100 per cent. of the population will be living in
areas that meet the current air quality strategy objectives. But in respect of other pollutants, there remain some areas where the
current objectives may not be met. In respect of particulate matter (PM10), for example, our latest air quality projections estimate
that in 2010, 88 per cent of the population of England (excluding London) will live in areas that meet the air quality strategy
objective. Furthermore, it is estimated that 98 per cent. of the population of London will live in areas that meet the air quality
strategy objective for PM10 for London in 2010. Additional measures will need to be developed over the coming years to increase the
proportion of the population living in areas that meet the strategy targets for PM10.
Subjects
Air pollution; Population; Standards
Date
9 January 2003
Reference
88439; 397 c299-300W;397 c299W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what her most recent estimate is of the proportion of the population that will live in the parts of the country where the air quality strategy objective for NOx will have been achieved by 2005.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what her most recent estimate is of the proportion of the population that will live in the parts of the country where the air quality strategy objective for NOx will have been achieved by 2005.
Asked by
David Lidington
(Conservative)
Answered by
Baroness Beckett
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
17 December 2002
For answer on
9 January 2003
Answered on
9 January 2003
Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her most recent estimate is of the
proportion of the population that will live in the parts of the country where the air quality strategy objective for NOx will have
been achieved by 2005. [88440]
Margaret Beckett: My Department's latest air quality projections estimate that more than 98 per cent. of the population will live in
parts of England where the air quality strategy objective for nitrogen dioxide will have been achieved in 2005. Additional measures
will need to be developed over the coming years to increase the proportion of the population living in areas that meet the strategy
objective.
Subjects
Air pollution; Population; Standards; Nitrogen oxides
Date
9 January 2003
Reference
88440; 397 c300W
House
House of Commons