The low levels of man-made radioactivity found in the English Channel cannot be attributed with any certainty to particular sources. Indications are that the policy has been successful. Support in the form of courses, videos and other material are available to staff who wish to stop smoking but, to date, no-one has taken advantage of this. The Department's policy covers all offices throughout the estate. Suitably equipped, ventilated, smoking rooms are provided at all major sites.
Costs exclude expenditure on genetic modification.
Figures for research spending in 2002-03 and beyond are not yet available. These will be subject to Spending Review decisions, to be announced shortly, and on the outcome of the consultation on a new MAFF Research Strategy to cover the period 2001 to 2005, to be launched later this year. To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will estimate the decrease in pesticide usage that would result from 30 per cent. It is not possible to calculate a meaningful figure. The use of pesticides varies markedly from crop to crop, and year to year, and the calculation would have to be based on assumptions about the use of the land that was to be converted.