§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what changes have been made to the allocation of money for management agreements for English Nature; what limits there are on the levels of payments for new agreements; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AtkinsMy Department has recently provided English Nature with an additional £800,000 to spend on management agreements in the current financial year. Financial guidelines in accordance with section 50 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 provide the basis for calculating payments under individual agreements. These are currently under review and a consultation paper will be issued as soon as possible. In addition, English Nature is required to consult my Department where annual payments would be £40,000 or more or a lump sum payment of £250,000 is proposed.