§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the contributions in the last five years from the Environment Agency and its predecessors to the "Eager Beaver" River Tyne Debris Clearance vessel; and what are his reasons for discontinuing this contribution in the next financial year. [23647]
§ Angela EagleThe contributions made to the "Eager Beaver" River Tyne Debris Clearance vessel in the past five years by the Environment Agency from 1996–97 and the National Rivers Authority before it, are as follows:
- 1993–94: £4,000
- 1994–95: £4,000
- 1995–96: £2,000
- 1996–97: £2,000
- 1997–98: £2,000
The Environment Agency is an executive non-Departmental public body, free to manage its day to day business within the framework provided by the 374W Government. Any decision about its future funding contributions to the "Eager Beaver" is therefore a matter for the Agency.