§ Mr. AingerTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what request for long-term funding he has received from the Sea Empress environmental evaluation committee; [31996]
(2) what funding he has allocated to the Sea Empress environmental evaluation committee; how much has been committed to date; and what is the committee's estimate of the funding required to complete its work. [31998]
§ Mr. Jonathan EvansMy right hon. Friend has provided £250,000 to the Countryside Council for Wales to help fund the work into the environmental effects of the Sea Empress oil spill. The Department of Transport is meeting the running costs of the Sea Empress environmental evaluation committee, and direct support for the work of the committee is being provided by MAFF and the Environment Agency. I am expecting proposals soon on the future work programme of the committee and its resource needs.