§ Mr. Nicholas WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information is held by his Department on the work of the Scotland and Northern Ireland forum for environmental research; what assessment he has made of the research proposed by that body into the treatment of sheep dip waste in the context of its disposal in an environmentally safe manner; what funding is available to that body for projects of this kind; and if he will make a statement. [16008]
§ Mr. Kynoch[holding answer 17 February 1997]The Scottish Office, along with the Department of the Environment Northern Ireland Environment and Heritage Service and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, are members of the Scotland and Northern Ireland forum for environmental research. As members, the Scottish Office is aware of the forum's activities, including details of its research programme. The forum has a current project to develop environmental quality standards for sheep dip products. Any assessment would have to await the completion of the project. The forum has a budget of £0.5 million per annum.