§ Mr. LetwinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will review the funding and resources of the Countryside Commission; and if he will make a statement. [54927]
§ Mr. MeacherSince coming into power, the Government have undertaken a comprehensive review of countryside and rural expenditure. As a result of this review, my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister902W announced, on 27 March 1998, Official Report, columns 289–91, the merger of the Countryside Commission and parts of the Rural Development Commission to create a new body to champion rural England and the English countryside. On 29 July 1998, Official Report, columns 246–47, I subsequently announced that the new agency would, in addition to the grant-in-aid it will inherit from the two existing agencies, be given almost £9m extra in 1999–2000. Part of this money will be used to cover necessary restructuring costs; the remainder will enable the agency to make an effective start by strengthening its work in promoting and conserving the natural landscape, supporting rural communities and promoting access to and enjoyment of the countryside.
§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions in what circumstances the Countryside Commission is obliged to take into account the assets of organisations to which it provides grant-aid when determining the amount of grant it allocates; and if it made such an assessment in respect of the grant to the CLA to promote the Access 2000 scheme. [55411]
§ Mr. MeacherThe Countryside Commission satisfies itself before offering any grant that the applicant organisation appears to be financially sound and has the capacity to manage the project to completion and to the standards required by the Commission's grant conditions. It made a full assessment in this case.