HC Deb 20 January 1997 vol 288 c428W
Mr. Ingram

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much has been spent to date on the prior options review of the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology; and from which budget these sums were paid. [11098]

Mr. Ian Taylor

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 13 January,Official Report, columns 133–34.

Mr. Ingram

To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) how many(a) United Kingdom, (b) European and (c) international committees include employees of the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology as representatives of UK interests; and how many of these employees are leading the UK team on their committee; [11100]

(2) how many (a) United Kingdom, (b) European and (c) international committees are chaired by employees of the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology. [11101]

Mr. Taylor

The staff at the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology are employed by the Natural Environment Research Council. The prior options process is designed to ensure that the interests of the United Kingdom are best served by these bodies. In most cases, membership in fact reflects the professional or personal qualifications of the individual. However, information on committee membership is set out in the table.

Chair/President Members
United Kingdom 4 40
European 1 9
International 3 24

Mr. Ingram

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are the expected future costs of the prior options review of the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology; and from which budget these sums will be paid. [11099]

Mr. Taylor

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 13 January,Official Report, columns 136–37.