here - United Kingdom Parliament

807W
Written Answers
1 DECEMBER 2010
Written Answers
808W
Salmon: Rivers
Mr Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) whether her
Department has made an estimate of the number of
salmon returning to the river (a) Test, (b) Itchen and
(c) Hampshire Avon in each of the past five years; and
if she will make a statement; [26235]
(2) what assessment her Department has made of the
future capacity of the river (a) Test, (b) Itchen and (c)
Hampshire Avon to support viable stocks of migratory
salmonoids; and if she will make a statement. [26236]
Richard Benyon: The Environment Agency (EA) operates
fish counters on the Rivers Test, Itchen and Hampshire
Avon and uses these to derive annual estimates of the
number of salmon returning to each of these rivers. The
following table shows the estimated number of salmon
returning in each of the past five years, although such
estimates have only been possible on the Hampshire
Avon since 2006.
Test
Itchen
Hampshire
Avon
2005 1,117 411 n/a
2006 1,058 419 1,319
2007 664 301 1,135
2008 1,487 500 810
2009
(provisional)
903 276 743
The EA estimates the Conservation Limits (CLs) for
salmon stocks in each of the 64 principal salmon rivers
in England and Wales; including the Test, Itchen and
Hampshire Avon. CLs are described as ‘the minimum
desirable spawning stock levels, below which stocks
should not be allowed to fall’. The salmon stocks in the
Rivers Test, Itchen and Hampshire Avon were all below
their CLs in 2009, and are classified as being ‘At Risk’
or ‘Probably at Risk’. They are also expected to remain
in one of these categories until at least 2014. There are
no similar indicators of the status of other salmonid
species.
Stocks may still be sustainable at levels below their
CL, but they are at greater risk. The EA and the Centre
for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science
are investigating the significance of impacts on salmon
and will seek ways to manage the effects. An understanding
of these key factors will be important in estimating the
future potential of these southern chalk streams for all
salmonid species.
Woodland Grants Scheme
Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she
has for the future of the Woodland Grants Scheme
following the outcome of the comprehensive spending
review; and if she will make a statement. [21955]
Mr Paice: Expenditure on the Rural Development
programme for England will be maintained over the
spending review period. We will work with the Forestry
Commission to ensure the England Woodland Grant
Scheme, which provides for the stewardship of existing
woodlands and the creation of new woodlands, is more
effective and better targeted. I also refer the hon. Gentleman
to the Welsh Assembly Government which administers
woodland grant schemes in Wales for information on its
plans.
ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency
Scheme
Jeremy Lefroy: To ask the Secretary of State for
Energy and Climate Change what progress his Department
has made on inclusion of a proportion of electricity
generated from energy from waste in the Carbon Reduction
Commitment. [27286]
Gregory Barker: All electricity supply arrangements
to a CRC participant which meet the CRC’s supply
criteria must be reported under the scheme, irrespective
of how, where and by whom the electricity is generated.
This ensures the scheme’s focus is on energy efficiency
measures.
CRC participants which operate an energy from waste
plant will also need to report their input fuel to the
generational process, where that waste supply meets the
CRC supply definitions.
Departmental Contracts
Nicola Blackwood: To ask the Secretary of State for
Energy and Climate Change what steps his Department
plans to take to encourage and support small and
medium-sized enterprises and third sector organisations
to compete for departmental contracts in line with
value-for-money policy, UK regulations and EU
procurement directives. [28114]
Gregory Barker: The Department of Energy and
Climate Change is following all the requirements of the
Transparency Agenda and openly advertising all
procurements above £10,000.
In circumstances where an applicant is unsuccessful
with their bid the Department provides full feedback to
all companies as requested.
Energy: Prices
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State
for Energy and Climate Change what steps he is taking
to assist energy-intensive industries with rising energy
prices. [27120]
Charles Hendry: In order to help UK energy intensive
industries, DECC is working closely with BIS, industry
representatives, academics and other experts on an Energy
Intensive Industry Strategy. The Strategy is assessing
the impact of climate change and energy policies on the
cost of energy for these industries, greenhouse gas
abatement opportunities within key energy intensive
sectors and is considering policy options where further
cost-effective abatement opportunities are not available
in the short term.
The Government also provide businesses with enhanced
tax relief for investments in equipment that meets published
energy-saving criteria via enhanced capital allowances.