§ Mr. RosindellTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what Government funding was allocated to zoos in 2003–04. [169947]
§ Mr. MorleyThe Department's spending on issues connected with zoos in 2003–04 totalled £36,708.76. This covered funding of the Zoos Forum (the Government's advisory body on zoos issues); publicity material relating to zoo policy (including a Defra Circular on the Zoo Licensing Act 1981 following amendments to that Act) and a research study on the operation of the Zoo Inspectorate.
In addition the Department donated £50,000 to 21st Century Tiger (a partnership between London Zoo and a non-governmental organisation called Global Tiger Patrol) to undertake tiger conservation projects in the wild.
These figures do not include the Department's staff costs for officials working on issues relating to zoos or spending by local authorities in respect of their statutory role under the Zoo Licensing Act 1981.