§ Q223. Mr. BeithTo ask the Prime Minister what is Mr. Richard Branson's current involvement in the environmental clean-up scheme which she initiated; what progress has been made with the scheme; and whether she will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterUK 2000 was set up in 1986 under the chairmanship of Richard Branson to bring together voluntary organisations, the private sector and Government to generate quality environmental improvement schemes and to raise business awareness of the environment. Mr. Branson is now the president of UK 2000. Through its valuable work, the voluntary sector is in a stronger position to take forward work on environmental improvement. So, in response to a request from UK 2000, the funding was streamlined on 1 April and Government grants are now paid direct to the six national voluntary organisations which are partners in the initiative. Grant has risen to over 1.9 million for 1990–91.