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2000-01 (418)
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Publisher
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if the United Kingdom has made a submission to Euratom pursuant to (a) Article 34 and (b) Article 35 of the Euratom Treaty since the United Kingdom joined the European Community.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if the United Kingdom has made a submission to Euratom pursuant to (a) Article 34 and (b) Article 35 of the Euratom Treaty since the United Kingdom joined the European Community.
Asked by
Llew Smith
(Labour)
Answered by
Michael Meacher
(Labour)
Answering body
Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
10 April 2001
For answer on
11 May 2001
Answered on
11 May 2001
Mr. Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the United Kingdom has made a
submission to Euratom, pursuant to (a) Article 34 and (b) Article 35 of the Euratom Treaty since the United Kingdom joined the
European Community. [158426]
Mr. Meacher: Under Article 34 of the Euratom Treaty, any member state in whose territories particularly dangerous experiments are to
take place is required to take additional health and safety measures, and in advance to obtain the opinion on the European
Commission. The assent of the Commission is required where the effects of such experiments are liable to affect the territories of
other member states. No such submissions have been made by the United Kingdom.
Under Article 35 of the Treaty the European Commission has the right of access to certain facilities. The Article does not require
submissions to be made to the Commission.
Subjects
Health and safety; EU action; Nuclear power; Safety; Euratom
Date
11 May 2001
Reference
368 c378-9W; 158426
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to ensure that the provisions of the proposed European Traditional Medicines Directive do not restrict the ability to continue to market in the United Kingdom herbal products which are on the market as (a) herbal medicines exempt...
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to ensure that the provisions of the proposed European Traditional Medicines Directive do not restrict the ability to continue to market in the United Kingdom herbal products which are on the market as (a) herbal medicines exempt...
Asked by
David Tredinnick
(Conservative)
Answered by
Yvette Cooper
(Labour)
Answering body
Department of Health
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
26 April 2001
For answer on
11 May 2001
Answered on
11 May 2001
Mr. Tredinnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what steps he is taking to ensure that the provisions of the proposed
European Traditional Medicines Directive do not restrict the ability to continue to market in the United Kingdom herbal products
which are on the market as (a) herbal medicines exempt from licensing under section 12 of the Medicines Act 1968 and (b) foods;
[159959]
(2) what steps he is taking to ensure that the proposed European Traditional Medicines Directive does not impose upon traditional
herbal remedies a technical compliance regime based upon criteria established in the Medicines Directive 65/65 and related
legislation for pharmaceutical products; [159947]
(3) what progress is being made by the Medicines Control Agency in discussions at the European Commission Pharmaceutical Committee
in relation to the proposed Traditional Medicines Directive; and what assessment he has made of the likelihood of those discussions
leading to a directive that would meet his objective of securing in European law a safe home for herbal remedies marketed under
section 12 of the Medicines Act 1968 as medicines not requiring a product licence; [159960]
(4) if he will make a statement on the impact of the proposed European Traditional Medicines Directive on product innovation and
development in natural remedies. [159948]
Yvette Cooper: The draft directive would not affect products which are not classified as medicines.
In discussions with herbal interest groups, the Medicines Control Agency has reached a wide measure of consensus that the current
regulatory arrangements which permit unlicensed herbal remedies under section 12(2) of the Medicines Act 1968 do not provide
adequate safeguards for the public: there are no specific standards for the safety and quality of individual products under this
regime, and there are inadequate arrangements for providing the public information about the use of the product.
Although work is still at a relatively early stage, we are encouraged by progress in Europe on developing a draft directive on
traditional medicinal products. We expect that if negotiations are successful, this legislation would provide systematic regulatory
arrangements for a wide range of traditional herbal remedies of the kind currently sold and supplied under section 12(2).
Any systematic updated regulatory regime for traditional herbal remedies is likely to place greater constraints on companies than is
currently the case with the weak regulatory arrangements for unlicensed herbal remedies. A potential advantage for companies,
however, is the greater confidence the public could have in the safety and reliability of these products.
We take the view that traditional herbal remedies properly classified as medicines should be appropriately regulated within a
medicines regime. Standards should be consistent with those applying to other licensed medicines, including the many herbal
medicines which have received a marketing authorisation under Directive 65/65/EEC. We also wish to ensure that relevant regulatory
requirements developed for traditional medicines are in practice applied in a way that is appropriate to the nature of the specific
product under consideration.
The current draft directive includes several features which would have the effect of containing the burden of regulatory
requirements: for example, the possibility of a positive list of traditional medicines where in certain defined circumstances the
safety of the product and the requirement to demonstrate traditional usage could both be accepted as met without the applicant
presenting evidence, and the possibility of simplified quality dossiers for defined categories of traditional medicines.
On product innovation, a key feature of the proposed directive is that the usual requirement for medicines to demonstrate efficacy
would be replaced by a requirement to show evidence of traditional use. There will need to be continuing discussions about many
aspects of the detailed contents of the directive. Our starting point, however, is that where companies are seeking to bring a new
medicine, natural or otherwise, to the market the normal route should be through demonstration of the product's safety, quality and
efficacy.
Subjects
Complementary medicine; Licensing; EU action; Safety; Herbal medicine
Date
11 May 2001
Reference
368 c393-5W; 159959;159947;159960;159948
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with EU Commissioner Chris Patten regarding the level of corruption in the Palestinian Authority.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with EU Commissioner Chris Patten regarding the level of corruption in the Palestinian Authority.
Asked by
Andrew Dismore
(Labour)
Answered by
Brian Wilson
(Labour)
Answering body
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
8 May 2001
For answer on
11 May 2001
Answered on
11 May 2001
Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with EU Commissioner
Chris Patten regarding the level of corruption in the Palestinian Authority. [160982]
Mr. Wilson: We fully support calls by the EU General Affairs Council for the Palestinian Authority to take effective measures
against corruption. We welcome EU Commissioner, Chris Patten's efforts to encourage greater transparency within the Palestinian
Authority.
The Government regularly urge the Palestinian Authority to implement effective reforms. The Foreign Secretary last raised the issue
directly with Palestinian Minister for Planning and International Co-operation, Nabil Sha'ath when they met on 1 May.
Subjects
Corruption; EU action; Palestinian Authority
Date
11 May 2001
Reference
160982; 368 c456W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, which Ministers in his Department approved the contingency plan for dealing with an outbreak of foot and mouth disease; and on what dates; on what date since he became the Minister the contingency plan for dealing with an outbreak of foot...
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, which Ministers in his Department approved the contingency plan for dealing with an outbreak of foot and mouth disease; and on what dates; on what date since he became the Minister the contingency plan for dealing with an outbreak of foot...
Asked by
John Stanley
(Conservative)
Answered by
Baroness Quin
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
30 March 2001
For answer on
11 May 2001
Answered on
11 May 2001
Sir John Stanley: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) which Ministers in his Department approved the
contingency plan for dealing with an outbreak of foot and mouth disease; and on what dates; [156877]
(2) on what date since he became the Minister the contingency plan for dealing with an outbreak of foot and mouth disease was first
put to him by his officials for his consideration; and what his response was; [156878]
(3) pursuant to his answer to the right hon. Member for Tonbridge and Malling on 4 April 2001, Official Report, column 220W, on foot
and mouth, on what date his Department's updated contingency plan for foot and mouth was approved by the European Commission;
[158305]
(4) pursuant to his answer of 4 April 2001, Official Report, column 220W, on foot and mouth, if he will place in the Library a copy
of his Department's contingency plan that was submitted to the European Commission in July 2000; [158304]
(5) pursuant to his answer to the right hon. Member for Tonbridge and Malling of 4 April 2001, Official Report, column 220W, on foot
and mouth, if he will list the bodies outside his Department which were consulted over the updating of his Department's contingency
plan for foot and mouth before it was submitted to the European Commission in July 2000. [158306]
Ms Quin: [holding answers 4 April and 23 May 2001]:
Contingency planning against foot and mouth disease operates at two levels. The GB contingency plan provides a general overview of
our planned response to an outbreak. It was approved by Commission Decision 93/455/EEC on 23 July 1993 as being in compliance with
the requirements of European Commission Decision 91/42/EEC. The revised version of the contingency plan submitted to the European
Commission in July 2000 did not require formal approval by the European Commission.
No bodies outside my Department were consulted during this revision of the contingency plans. The update was a purely factual one to
expand the section on publicity and disease awareness so that it covered the same ground as the Classical Swine Fever contingency
plan. The State Veterinary Service Standing Instructions for foot and mouth disease set out the detailed procedures to be followed
during an outbreak. It was not necessary for Ministers to approve the revision to the contingency plans last year.
As the outbreak of foot and mouth has progressed, Ministers have been involved in daily discussions with officials, other Government
Departments and interested parties on the development and implementation of our disease control strategies.
A copy of the foot and mouth contingency plans for Great Britain will be placed in the Libraries of the House. The Standing
Instructions of the State Veterinary Service are already available in the MAFF library. A copy of this document, which has had
certain commercially confidential sections removed on legal advice, is being placed in the Libraries of the House.
Subjects
Disease control; Foot and mouth disease; EU action; Planning
Date
11 May 2001
Reference
368 c464W;368 c464-5W; 156877;156878;158305;158304;158306
House
House of Commons
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will list the date of each EU meeting he has attended at which the future of the British livestock industry was discussed; what EU (a) draft and (b) other (i) plans, (ii) proposals and (iii) discussion papers relating to...
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will list the date of each EU meeting he has attended at which the future of the British livestock industry was discussed; what EU (a) draft and (b) other (i) plans, (ii) proposals and (iii) discussion papers relating to...
Asked by
Patrick Nicholls
(Conservative)
Answered by
Baroness Quin
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
2 April 2001
For answer on
11 May 2001
Answered on
11 May 2001
Mr. Nicholls: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the date of each EU meeting he has attended at
which the future of the British livestock industry was discussed; what EU (a) draft and (b) other (i) plans, (ii) proposals and
(iii) discussion papers relating to (1) the future of the British livestock industry and (2) an arable-only option for English
farming he has been informed of; and if he will make a statement. [157047]
Ms Quin: [holding answer 5 April 2001]: Between July 1998 and April 2001, the Minister and/or I attended 17 meetings of the EU
Agriculture Council at which matters affecting he British livestock industry were discussed. In addition, the Minister has attended
six informal meetings of the Agriculture Council and I have attended one. These are a forum for discussion on the future direction
of EU agri-food policy, based on a Presidency paper. The dates of these meetings, both formal and informal, are set out at Annex A.
The outcome of each Council is formally reported to the House.
The most significant set of proposals to date has been the Agenda 2000 proposals on reform of the Common Agricultural Policy. First
discussed at the Agriculture Council in March 1998, these were refined and finalised in March 1999. The package included reductions
to the level of market support to the arable, beef and dairy regimes, and the establishment of a single, integrated legal framework
for farm-related rural development and agri-environment measures (the Rural Development Regulation).
Other proposals likely to impact on the livestock industry are: Commission proposal (April 2000) to amend Common Organisation of
Market in pigmeat to permit member states to set producer-financed funds to help stabilise incomes; Commission proposal (December
2000) to introduce a three-year pilot "Small Farmers' Scheme" simplifying the subsidy system for farmers receiving CAP payments
under specified schemes of less than 1,000 euros per year, and Commission seven-point plan (January 2001) to tackle the difficulties
faced by the beef regime in the light of BSE.
All proposals for EU legislation are subject to ministerial and parliamentary scrutiny before they are adopted.
The Government are not aware of any proposals for an arable-only future for the British farming industry.
Annex A: Meetings attended by Minister at which matters affecting British livestock industry were discussed
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Date of meeting Forum
20-22 September 1998 Informal Agriculture Council--Austrian Presidency paper: Farming
in harmony with nature, agricultural perspectives for rural
areas
28 September 1998 Agriculture Council
19-20 October 1998 Agriculture Council
23-24 November 1998 Agriculture Council
14-15 December 1998 Agriculture Council
18-19 January 1999 Agriculture Council
22-23 February 1999 Agriculture Council
4-5 and 9-11 March 1999 Agriculture Council
31 May-1 June 1999 Informal Agriculture Council--German Presidency paper:
Sustainable rural development agricultural structure policy for
rural areas
19 July 1999 Agriculture Council
13-14 September 1999 Informal Agriculture Council--Finnish Presidency paper:
Agriculture and the new WTO round of negotiations
15-16 November 1999 Agriculture Council
14-15 December 1999 Agriculture Council
24 January 2000 Agriculture Council
20-21 March 2000 Agriculture Council
17-18 April 2000 Agriculture Council
29-30 May 2000 Informal Agriculture Council--Portuguese Presidency paper:
Quality in diversity: a challenge for EU agriculture
19 June 2000 Agriculture Council
17 July 2000 Agriculture Council
21 November 2000 Agriculture Council
4 December 2000 Agriculture Council
19-20 December 2000 Agriculture Council
29 January 2001 Agriculture Council
26-27 February 2001 Agriculture Council
19-20 March 2001 Agriculture Council
24-25 April 2001 Agriculture Council
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Subjects
EU action; Livestock industry; Reform; Subsidies; Common agricultural policy
Date
11 May 2001
Reference
368 c489-90W;368 c490-1W; 157047
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if he will make representations to the Council of Ministers to press Spain to recognise Gibraltar's international dialing code; if he will take action to stop the Spanish Government instructing Spanish mobile telephone companies not to sign roving agreements with...
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if he will make representations to the Council of Ministers to press Spain to recognise Gibraltar's international dialing code; if he will take action to stop the Spanish Government instructing Spanish mobile telephone companies not to sign roving agreements with...
Asked by
John McWilliam
(Labour)
Answered by
Patricia Hewitt
(Labour)
Answering body
Department of Trade and Industry
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
9 May 2001
For answer on
11 May 2001
Answered on
11 May 2001
Mr. McWilliam: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will make representations to the Council of Ministers
to press Spain to recognise Gibraltar's international dialling code; [161038]
(2) if he will take action to stop the Spanish Government instructing Spanish mobile telephone companies not to sign roving
agreements with the Gibraltar mobile telephone companies. [161034]
Ms Hewitt: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given today to my hon. Friend the Member for Erith and Thamesmead (Mr. Austin) by my
hon. Friend the Minister for Europe.
Subjects
Competition; Gibraltar; EU action; Mobile phones; Telecommunications; Telephones; Spain
Date
11 May 2001
Reference
368 c438W;368 c439W; 161038;161034
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what representations he has made in the European Union Council of Ministers to press Spain to recognise Gibraltar's international dialling code; what representations he has made to the European Union competition authorities regarding the handling of internationally dialled telephone calls...
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what representations he has made in the European Union Council of Ministers to press Spain to recognise Gibraltar's international dialling code; what representations he has made to the European Union competition authorities regarding the handling of internationally dialled telephone calls...
Asked by
Nicholas Winterton
(Conservative)
Answered by
Patricia Hewitt
(Labour)
Answering body
Department of Trade and Industry
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
8 May 2001
For answer on
11 May 2001
Answered on
11 May 2001
Mr. Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has made (1) in the European
Union Council of Ministers to press Spain to recognise Gibraltar's international dialling code; [160929]
(2) to the European Union competition authorities regarding the handling of internationally dialled telephone calls routed through
Spain destined for Gibraltar; and what plans Her Majesty's Government have to take legal action against the Government of Spain in
respect of the effect on the Gibraltar economy of Spain's actions with the intention of seeking financial compensation; [160930]
(3) to the European Union competition authorities to ensure that the competition cases relating to the handling of internationally
dialled telephone calls routed through Spain destined for Gibraltar are processed speedily; and what plans Her Majesty's Government
have to take legal action against the Spanish Government in respect of its instruction to mobile telephone operators not to sign
roaming agreements with the Gibraltar mobile telephone company. [160931]
Ms Hewitt: HMG are deeply concerned about the problems which Gibraltar is experiencing, including the issue of the handling of
internationally dialled, least-cost routed telephone calls destined for Gibraltar, and we are pressing the European Commission and
the Spanish Government for an early resolution.
The European Commission, which under the EC Treaty has the primary responsibility for upholding Community Law, is considering two
private competition complaints relating to these problems, one of which concerns mobile roaming. HMG are in frequent contact with
the Commission on this matter and have made it clear that they support these complaints.
Subjects
Competition; Gibraltar; EU action; Mobile phones; Telecommunications; Telephones; Spain
Date
11 May 2001
Reference
368 c437-8W;368 c438-9W; 160929;160930;160931
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he intends to take legal action against Spain in respect of its instruction to mobile telephone operators not to sign roaming agreements with the Gibraltar Mobile Phone Company; what action he has taken following Spain's decision not to...
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he intends to take legal action against Spain in respect of its instruction to mobile telephone operators not to sign roaming agreements with the Gibraltar Mobile Phone Company; what action he has taken following Spain's decision not to...
Asked by
John Austin
(Labour)
Answered by
Keith Vaz
(Labour)
Answering body
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
9 May 2001
For answer on
11 May 2001
Answered on
11 May 2001
Mr. Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he intends to take legal action against Spain
in respect of its instruction to mobile telephone operators not to sign roaming agreements with the Gibraltar Mobile Phone Company;
[161087]
(2) what action he has taken following Spain's decision not to recognise Gilbraltar's international dialling code; what assessment
he has made of the impact of this decision; and if he will make a statement; [161085]
(3) what representations he has made to the EU competition authorities regarding telecommunications and Gibraltar; [161090]
(4) what compensation he is seeking from Spain for damage to the Gibraltar economy as a result of Spain's decisions on
telecommunications policy in respect of Gibraltar; [161088]
(5) what assessment he has made of the combined impact of the use of least cost routing and Spain's decision not to recognise
Gibraltar's international dialling code on the Gibraltar economy; [161089]
(6) when Gibraltar exhausted its supply of telephone numbers; and what representations he has made to Spain on this subject.
[161086]
Mr. McWilliam: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what recent representations he has made to the
EU competition authorities about mobile telephone companies based in Gibraltar; [161037]
(2) what plans he has to take legal action against the Spanish Government relating to its actions on restricting mobile telephone
use relating to mobile telephone companies based in Gibraltar. [161039]
Mr. Vaz: HMG are concerned about the various problems which Gibraltar is experiencing over telecommunications. Spain does not
recognise Gibraltar's International Direct Dialling code which is recognised by every other country. Gibraltar has now virtually
exhausted its numbering capacity.
The European Commission, which under the EC Treaty has primary responsibility for upholding Community Law, including competition
law, is considering two private competition complaints relating to Gibraltar telecommunications, one of which concerns mobile
roaming. HMG have made clear that they support these complaints.
The Government of Gibraltar have also brought to our attention problems with Gibraltar-bound international calls failing to reach
their destination. We are working hard to identify the exact cause of the problem of dropped calls, and the best way forward.
HMG are in direct contact with the Commission on all these matters. We raise them with the Spanish Government, at both ministerial
and official level, at every appropriate opportunity, and will continue to do so.
Subjects
Competition; Gibraltar; EU action; Mobile phones; Telecommunications; Telephones; Spain
Date
11 May 2001
Reference
368 c453-4W;368 c454-5W; 161087;161085;161090;161088;161089;161086
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations he has made to the EU competition authorities about mobile telephone companies based in Gibraltar; what plans he has to take legal action against the Spanish Government relating to its actions on restricting mobile telephone use...
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations he has made to the EU competition authorities about mobile telephone companies based in Gibraltar; what plans he has to take legal action against the Spanish Government relating to its actions on restricting mobile telephone use...
Asked by
John McWilliam
(Labour)
Answered by
Keith Vaz
(Labour)
Answering body
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
9 May 2001
For answer on
11 May 2001
Answered on
11 May 2001
Mr. Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he intends to take legal action against Spain
in respect of its instruction to mobile telephone operators not to sign roaming agreements with the Gibraltar Mobile Phone Company;
[161087]
(2) what action he has taken following Spain's decision not to recognise Gilbraltar's international dialling code; what assessment
he has made of the impact of this decision; and if he will make a statement; [161085]
(3) what representations he has made to the EU competition authorities regarding telecommunications and Gibraltar; [161090]
(4) what compensation he is seeking from Spain for damage to the Gibraltar economy as a result of Spain's decisions on
telecommunications policy in respect of Gibraltar; [161088]
(5) what assessment he has made of the combined impact of the use of least cost routing and Spain's decision not to recognise
Gibraltar's international dialling code on the Gibraltar economy; [161089]
(6) when Gibraltar exhausted its supply of telephone numbers; and what representations he has made to Spain on this subject.
[161086]
Mr. McWilliam: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what recent representations he has made to the
EU competition authorities about mobile telephone companies based in Gibraltar; [161037]
(2) what plans he has to take legal action against the Spanish Government relating to its actions on restricting mobile telephone
use relating to mobile telephone companies based in Gibraltar. [161039]
Mr. Vaz: HMG are concerned about the various problems which Gibraltar is experiencing over telecommunications. Spain does not
recognise Gibraltar's International Direct Dialling code which is recognised by every other country. Gibraltar has now virtually
exhausted its numbering capacity.
The European Commission, which under the EC Treaty has primary responsibility for upholding Community Law, including competition
law, is considering two private competition complaints relating to Gibraltar telecommunications, one of which concerns mobile
roaming. HMG have made clear that they support these complaints.
The Government of Gibraltar have also brought to our attention problems with Gibraltar-bound international calls failing to reach
their destination. We are working hard to identify the exact cause of the problem of dropped calls, and the best way forward.
HMG are in direct contact with the Commission on all these matters. We raise them with the Spanish Government, at both ministerial
and official level, at every appropriate opportunity, and will continue to do so.
Subjects
Competition; Gibraltar; EU action; Mobile phones; Telecommunications; Telephones; Spain
Date
11 May 2001
Reference
368 c454W; 161037;161039
House
House of Commons
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what plans he has to improve surveillance of ports to intercept illegally imported meat; what steps he is taking to tackle the smuggling of illegal meat through British ports; if he will estimate the annual tonnage of illegal meat smuggled through...
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what plans he has to improve surveillance of ports to intercept illegally imported meat; what steps he is taking to tackle the smuggling of illegal meat through British ports; if he will estimate the annual tonnage of illegal meat smuggled through...
Asked by
Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Baroness Quin
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
8 May 2001
For answer on
11 May 2001
Answered on
11 May 2001
Mr. Kirkwood: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what plans he has to improve surveillance of ports to
intercept illegally imported meat; [160935]
(2) what steps he is taking to tackle the smuggling of illegal meat through British ports; [160933]
(3) if he will estimate the annual tonnage of illegal meat smuggled through British ports. [160906]
Ms Quin: As my right hon. Friend the Minister said in his statements of 27 March and 3 May, MAFF is co-ordinating action across
Government to ensure that rules on both commercial and personal imports at ports and airports are enforced effectively. In addition,
he has also asked the European Commission to give urgent attention to ensuring that the law on personal imports is clear and robust
to enable consistent and effective controls across all the Community's borders. No assessment of the annual tonnage of illegal meat
smuggled through British ports is available.
Subjects
EU action; Import controls; Imports; Meat; Smuggling
Date
11 May 2001
Reference
368 c492W;368 c494W; 160935;160933;160906
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with Spain regarding the European Union's single sky proposals; and if he will make a statement.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with Spain regarding the European Union's single sky proposals; and if he will make a statement.
Asked by
Christopher Gill
(Conservative)
Answered by
Keith Vaz
(Labour)
Answering body
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
26 April 2001
For answer on
10 May 2001
Answered on
10 May 2001
Mr. Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with Spain regarding
the European Union's single sky proposals; and if he will make a statement. [159580]
Mr. Vaz: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary last discussed the matter with his Spanish counterpart on 9 April. The
Government fully support the EU single sky initiative, which should benefit UK industry and consumers. The Stockholm European
Council on 23-24 March called for progress on this issue before the next European Council in Gothenburg on 15-16 June.
Subjects
Aviation; EU action; Spain
Date
10 May 2001
Reference
368 c345W; 159580
House
House of Commons
Statement on what the outcome was of the ECOFIN Council held in Brussels on 7th May; what the Government's voting record was at the Council; and if he will make a statement.
Statement on what the outcome was of the ECOFIN Council held in Brussels on 7th May; what the Government's voting record was at the Council; and if he will make a statement.
Asked by
Michael Connarty
(Labour)
Answered by
Gordon Brown
(Labour)
Answering body
Treasury
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
8 May 2001
For answer on
10 May 2001
Answered on
10 May 2001
Mr. Connarty: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the outcome was of the ECOFIN Council held in Brussels on 7 May; what the
Government's voting record was at the Council; and if he will make a statement. [160972]
Mr. Gordon Brown: I attended the meeting of the Economic and Finance Council of Ministers with the Paymaster General.
The Commission presented its recommendation for the Broad Economic Policy Guidelines (BEPGs) for 2001. This consists of a section of
guidelines addressed to the Community as a whole, and a series of guidelines addressed to individual member states. I made it clear
that the Commission had exceeded its remit in proposing a UK-specific guideline that the expected ratio of UK public sector current
expenditure to GDP should not exceed 37.3 per cent. Decisions on the level of public spending are for member states, and the
Government's fiscal rules ensure sound and sustainable public finances while enabling increased investment in priority public
services. The guidelines will now be discussed by officials from the member states and the Commission before ECOFIN presents them to
the European Council in Gothenburg and their final adoption by ECOFIN.
A joint Council-Commission delegation will travel to Russia next week to discuss economic co-operation. The presidency reported on
its plans to discuss how the EU could best contribute to improving the financial and investment climate in Russia. No decisions
would be taken, and the presidency will report back to ECOFIN on the dialogue.
The presidency gave an update on the exchanges of correspondence between the Commission and the European Parliament on the
modalities of the Lamfalussy proposals for improving the regulation of the securities market.
The Economic Policy Committee chairman set out the committee's work programme for the coming year. This includes UK-inspired work on
how economic incentives contribute to promoting R&D. The Committee will report back on this to ECOFIN in the autumn.
Ministers agreed that further work was required on prudential regulation of supplementary pensions. Conclusions were also adopted on
e-commerce and financial services.
The Commission gave advance notice of the preliminary draft Community budget for 2002, which was subsequently adopted by the
Commission on 8 May.
The Commission presented its communication on the elimination of tax obstacles to the cross-border provision of occupational
pensions, which advocates exchange of information and sharing best practice as solutions to double or non-taxation of cross-border
pensions. Ministers agreed that the Committee of Permanent Representatives of the member states and a technical working group should
undertake a more detailed study of the communication.
No votes were taken during the course of the meeting.
Subjects
Financial markets; EU action; Public expenditure; Taxation; Russia; EU aid; EC Finance Council
Date
10 May 2001
Reference
368 c283-4W; 160972
House
House of Commons
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will list his main policy decisions in response to the outbreak of foot and mouth disease, indicating in each case whether he had to seek EU approval.
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will list his main policy decisions in response to the outbreak of foot and mouth disease, indicating in each case whether he had to seek EU approval.
Asked by
Lord Field of Birkenhead
(Labour)
Answered by
Baroness Quin
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
3 April 2001
For answer on
10 May 2001
Answered on
10 May 2001
Mr. Field: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list his main policy decisions in response to the
outbreak of foot and mouth disease, indicating in each case whether he had to seek EU approval. [157266]
Ms Quin: The following table lists the key policy decisions, showing where EU approval had to be sought. Where it was not necessary
to obtain EU approval, we have kept the Commission and other member states informed.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Decision EU approval required
Suspension of issue of export certificates {1}No
Immediate standstill on all FMD susceptible animal movements No
throughout GB
Prompt slaughtering of all infected premises and dangerous No
contacts
Sheep and pigs 3 km cull in Cumbria No
Army deployed No
Contiguous premises to be treated as dangerous contacts No
24/48 hour targets set No
Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme launched {2}Yes
Contingency plan for emergency vaccination in Cumbria and Devon Yes
drawn up
Lifting of restrictions in some areas No
Animals in surveillance zones sent for slaughter for food chain, No
at approved abattoirs in same zone
Refinement of contiguous cull policy No
_________________________________________________________________________________________________.
{1} But resumption of exports will require EU approval {2} For State Aid purposes
Subjects
Disease control; Foot and mouth disease; EU action
Date
10 May 2001
Reference
368 c287W; 157266
House
House of Commons
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, when he first notified other EU governments of a suspected case of foot and mouth in England during the current outbreak; when the French Government first slaughtered sheep as a result of the current outbreak of foot and mouth in the...
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, when he first notified other EU governments of a suspected case of foot and mouth in England during the current outbreak; when the French Government first slaughtered sheep as a result of the current outbreak of foot and mouth in the...
Asked by
James Paice
(Conservative)
Answered by
Baroness Quin
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
26 April 2001
For answer on
10 May 2001
Answered on
10 May 2001
Mr. Paice: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) when he first notified other EU Governments of a suspected
case of foot and mouth in England during the current outbreak; [159522]
(2) when the French Government first slaughtered sheep as a result of the current outbreak of foot and mouth in the UK; [159523]
(3) what discussions he has had with the French Government in their investigation of the importation of foot and mouth
disease-susceptible species into France, with special reference to their choice of starting date as 15 January; and if he will make
a statement; [159524]
(4) how many and on what dates consignments of animal carcases were returned to the UK by the French Government after slaughter for
foot and mouth disease control reasons since 15 January. [159525]
Ms Quin: [holding answer 30 April 2001]: We notified the European Commission, and through it other EU member states, on 20 February,
the day the first case was confirmed. We understand that the French authorities started slaughtering susceptible animals of UK
origin and contact animals, shortly afterwards. We have kept in close touch with the French authorities about export consignments of
susceptible animals from Britain. Any decision to trace these exports back to 15 January has been taken by the French authorities.
No animals slaughtered for foot and mouth disease control reasons have been returned as carcases to the UK.
Subjects
Disease control; Foot and mouth disease; EU action; Imports; France
Date
10 May 2001
Reference
368 c295W; 159522;159523;159524;159525
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on his policy towards classification of EU documents graded as Top Secret.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on his policy towards classification of EU documents graded as Top Secret.
Asked by
John Bercow
(Conservative)
Answered by
Keith Vaz
(Labour)
Answering body
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
18 April 2001
For answer on
10 May 2001
Answered on
10 May 2001
Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his policy towards
classification of EU documents graded as Top Secret. [158753]
Mr. Vaz: EU security regulations provide for classification of EU documents graded as Top Secret and set out the rationale for doing
so. It is right that where institutions of the European Union hold information that is Top Secret, they should handle that
information with appropriate care as provided for in the relevant security regulations.
Subjects
Documents; EU action; EU institutions; Secrecy
Date
10 May 2001
Reference
368 c343W; 158753
House
House of Commons
Whether shipbuilders in South Korea are still beneficiaries from unfair subsidies, allowed by their government, to the detriment of the British and European Union shipbuilding industries; and, if so, what further steps they propose to take in conjunction with other European Union member states to remedy the situation. [HL 2085].
Whether shipbuilders in South Korea are still beneficiaries from unfair subsidies, allowed by their government, to the detriment of the British and European Union shipbuilding industries; and, if so, what further steps they propose to take in conjunction with other European Union member states to remedy the situation. [HL 2085].
Asked by
Lord Harrison
(Labour)
Answered by
Lord Sainsbury of Turville
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
For answer on
9 May 2001
Answered on
9 May 2001
Subjects
EU action; Subsidies; Unfair practices; Trade agreements; Shipbuilding; South Korea
Date
9 May 2001
Reference
HL 2085; 624 c387WA
House
House of Lords
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will make a statement on the issues raised at the 9th November Education and Youth European Council, pertaining to (a) the Social Agenda, (b) the Blois seminar, Learn the History of Europe, (c) Young People and Europe, (d)...
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will make a statement on the issues raised at the 9th November Education and Youth European Council, pertaining to (a) the Social Agenda, (b) the Blois seminar, Learn the History of Europe, (c) Young People and Europe, (d)...
Asked by
John Bercow
(Conservative)
Answered by
Malcolm Wicks
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Education and Employment
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
18 April 2001
For answer on
9 May 2001
Answered on
9 May 2001
Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the issues raised at the 9
November Education and Youth European Council, pertaining to (a) the Social Agenda, (b) the Blois seminar, Learn the History of
Europe, (c) Young People and Europe, (d) the Youth Programme, (e) Social Inclusion of Young People and (f) measures to combat racism
in the young; and if he will list the documents concerned and place them in the Library. [158751]
Mr. Wicks: [holding answer 24 April 2001]: The outcome of the Education and Youth Council was reported in the answer given by the
Under Secretary of State for Education and Employment, my hon. Friend the Member for North Swindon (Mr. Wills) on 14 November 2000,
Official Report, column 601W. In respect of the particular issues the hon. Member raises, further information is as follows:
a) The Social Agenda: the Council adopted an opinion on "the Social Policy Agenda" to forward to the Employment and Social Policy
Council. This opinion welcomed, inter alia, that the Social Policy Agenda accepted the role of education and lifelong learning in
the preparation and adaptation of the labour market. An Explanatory Memorandum on the European Social Agenda was deposited in the
Library on 19 December 2000;
b) The Blois seminar: this item was included on the agenda as an information point. The Council was informed by the Presidency of
the outcome of the seminar held in Blois from 13 to 15 October 2000 on the topic "learning the history of Europe". No discussion
took place;
c) Young People and Europe: an open debate, as part of the Commission's consultation process to develop a White Paper on the future
youth policy. The Council agreed the importance of involving young people at European level and the need to create opportunities to
consult with young people at national and European level;
d) The Youth Programme: the Commission informed the Council of the adoption and implementation of the Youth Programme to run for
seven years from 2000 to 2006. The Council Decision establishing the Youth Community Action Programme was recorded in the Official
Journal of the European Communities, L117, of 18 May 2000;
e) Social Inclusion of Young People: the Council adopted a resolution that recognised the distinctive position of young people. It
encouraged member states to develop young people's social inclusion and to improve their social and economic situation. The Council
Resolution was recorded in the Official Journal of the European Communities, C374, of the 28 December 2000;
f) Measures to combat racism in the young: the Council took note of a German statement on the need to tackle the problem of racism
and xenophobia among young people.
Depositable papers were not available for those items without listed documents.
Subjects
Disadvantaged; Education; EU action; History; Race relations; Lifelong education; Young people; EC Education Council; EC Youth Council
Date
9 May 2001
Reference
368 c170-1W; 158751
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if he will list the Government's objectives with regards to environmentally friendly farming at the World Trade Organisation negotiations.
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if he will list the Government's objectives with regards to environmentally friendly farming at the World Trade Organisation negotiations.
Asked by
Elfyn Llwyd
(Plaid Cymru)
Answered by
Richard Caborn
(Labour)
Answering body
Department of Trade and Industry
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
1 May 2001
For answer on
9 May 2001
Answered on
9 May 2001
Mr. Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the Government's objectives with regards to
environmentally friendly farming at the World Trade Organisation negotiations. [160449]
Mr. Caborn: EU Agriculture Ministers have adopted unanimous conclusions on the position of agriculture in WTO negotiations. These
recognise the importance of further agricultural trade liberalisation as a contribution to economic growth.
They also emphasise the multifunctional character of agriculture, including its role in preserving the rural environment and in
contributing to the viability of rural areas.
The Government recognise that agricultural trade liberalisation can have both positive and negative environmental effects, and to
produce an effective solution it must be accompanied by environmental policies which are targeted on the delivery of environmental
objectives. So, in pressing for further reductions in production-related support, the Government have consistently emphasised the
importance of accompanying, targeted measures to conserve and enhance the rural environment and promote the rural economy.
Subjects
Agriculture; Environment protection; EU action; Trade agreements; World Trade Organization
Date
9 May 2001
Reference
368 c214W; 160449
House
House of Commons
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what plans he has to table proposals for reform of the EU's methods for tackling foot and mouth, following the recent UK outbreak. - Includes ref to 26 April 2001 at 367 c456-73.
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what plans he has to table proposals for reform of the EU's methods for tackling foot and mouth, following the recent UK outbreak. - Includes ref to 26 April 2001 at 367 c456-73.
Asked by
Lord Redwood
(Conservative)
Answered by
Baroness Quin
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
2 May 2001
For answer on
9 May 2001
Answered on
9 May 2001
Mr. Redwood: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to table proposals for reform of the EU's
methods for tackling foot and mouth, following the recent UK outbreak. [160623]
Ms Quin: As my right hon. Friend the Minister reported to the House in his statement of 26 April 2001, Official Report, columns
456-73, at the Government's instigation the European Union will convene a conference later in the year to all aspects of our
experience of the disease, in order to help shape control policy for the future.
Subjects
Disease control; Foot and mouth disease; EU action
Date
9 May 2001
Reference
368 c247-8W;368 c247W; 160623
House
House of Commons
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in which countries type O foot and mouth virus is (a) endemic and (b) responsible for outbreaks in the last year; and in respect of each country, what restrictions on livestock product exports to Britain were implemented, and when. - Includes...
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in which countries type O foot and mouth virus is (a) endemic and (b) responsible for outbreaks in the last year; and in respect of each country, what restrictions on livestock product exports to Britain were implemented, and when. - Includes...
Asked by
Tim Yeo
(Conservative)
Answered by
Nicholas Brown
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
7 March 2001
For answer on
9 May 2001
Answered on
9 May 2001
Mr. Yeo: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in which countries type O foot and mouth virus is (a) endemic and
(b) responsible for outbreaks in the last year; and in respect of each country, what restrictions on livestock product exports to
Britain were implemented, and when. [153360]
Mr. Nick Brown: The Pan Asian type O virus strain of foot and mouth disease is endemic in most of Asia and the middle east. In the
past year there have been outbreaks of this type in Japan, South Korea, China, Eastern Russia and throughout the middle east and
South East Asia. There have been outbreaks due to other type O virus strains in South Africa and South America, in particular Brazil
and Uruguay.
The UK, in accordance with Community legislation, does not allow the importation of meat and meat products from any of the countries
affected by the Pan Asian O type virus. The single exception concerns animal casings from Japan, China and Mongolia, which must be
treated in accordance with the animal health controls in EU legislation. Imports of meat are allowed from Brazil but only from
regions that are free of FMD. Veterinary certification attesting to that must accompany each consignment. Following notification
from the European Commission of outbreaks of foot and mouth disease in South Africa and Uruguay, the Government took action to
prohibit imports. In respect of South Africa, England and Wales prohibited imports of fresh meat with effect from 5 January,
Scotland on 8 January and Northern Ireland on 17 January. In respect of Uruguay, England and Wales prohibited imports of fresh meat
with effect from 26 April with Northern Ireland and Scotland taking similar action with effect from 1 May.
Subjects
Disease control; Foot and mouth disease; EU action; Import controls; Imports; Meat; Meat products
Date
9 May 2001
Reference
368 c228W; 153360
House
House of Commons