§ Mr. SoamesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what has been his Department's expenditure on research on red squirrels since May 1997. [73906]
§ Mr. MealeThe Department's statutory scientific advisers, English Nature, have spent approximately £100,000 on a Species Recovery Programme for the red squirrel, which includes a research element.
§ Mr. SoamesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the presence of red squirrels in South East Britain. [73907]
§ Mr. MealeRed squirrels are absent from South East Britain, with the exception of the Isle of Wight and islands in Poole Harbour, where the populations are estimated to number 4,000 individuals.
§ Mr. SoamesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures the United Kingdom Red Squirrel Group is taking to encourage red squirrels in West Sussex. [73905]
§ Mr. MealeThere are no known populations of wild red squirrels in West Sussex. The focus of work by the UK Red Squirrel Group is currently in areas where there is the best chance to assist the long-term survival of red squirrel populations.