§ Mr. WhiteTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how she intends to fund the costs incurred by the Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in caring for the dangerous wild animals that were taken into their care on behalf of public agencies, from Seskinore, Co. Tyrone, on 8 November 1997. [67440]
§ Marjorie MowlamCosts incurred by the USPCA in caring for these animals until ownership formally passed to the Society on 26 October 1998 amount to £54,329. It is proposed to share these costs on an equal three way basis across the budgets for the Police Authority for Northern Ireland and the Departments of Agriculture and Environment for Northern Ireland. Parliament's approval to meet these costs in the current year will be sought in a Supplementary estimate for Department of the Environment Vote 4 (Environment and other Services). Pending that approval, payment will be made from repayable advances from the Northern Ireland Consolidated Fund.