§ Mr. Andrew WelshTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many posts will be transferred from the Nature Conservancy Council headquarters in Peterborough to Scotland as a result of merger.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonDecisions will be taken after discussions involving the Scottish Development Department, Department of the Environment, Welsh Office and the NCC. Any relocation of posts will be determined when the NCC is reorganised. This reorganisation will take place in advance of the proposed merger of the new NCC for Scotland with the existing Countryside Commission for Scotland.
§ Mr. Andrew WelshTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if any staff currently employed by either the Nature Conservancy Council in Scotland or the CCS will lose their jobs as a result of merger.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonAll staff in both bodies have been given assurances about job security. They will be offered employment on terms and conditions not less favourable than they have at present.
§ Mr. Andrew WelshTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of the Nature Conservancy Council's budget is spent in Scotland.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonFor the current financial year, £6.5 million has been allocated by the 77W council for direct spend in Scotland. The proportion of the council's total budget spent in Scotland is not readily available and I will write to the hon. Member.