§ Ms KeebleTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many applications made to the countryside stewardship scheme have been(a) approved and (b) funded in (i) 1996–97, (ii) 1997–98 and (iii) 1998–99. [73098]
§ Mr. MorleyThe Ministry only approves applications for which funding is available. The number of applications approved in each year are as follows:
Financial years Approved applications 1996–97 1,135 1997–98 1,172 1998–991 1,272 1 To date