Mr. RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his plans to provide enhanced funding for the management and conservation of areas of outstanding natural beauty. [105291]
§ Mr. MullinFunding for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) has already been increased this year by allocating an additional £2.5 million to the Countryside Agency to be spent on the management and conservation of designated AONBs. This is more than double the amount previously available. This increased funding will be carried through into the next year, to be supplemented by a further £1 million, bringing the countryside Agency's budget for AONBs in 2000–01 to £5.7 million.
My right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment expects to make an announcement soon on other measures to strengthen the protection and management of designated AONBs.