HC Deb 22 May 2000 vol 350 cc333-4W
Mr. Öpik

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of the cost of implementing the Draft Northern Ireland Biodiversity Strategy; how the Government intend to fund the delivery of the strategy; and if he will make a statement. [122098]

Mr. George Howarth

The Draft Northern Ireland Biodiversity Strategy was published for consultation in June 1999 by the Government's advisory body, the Northern Ireland Biodiversity Group.

No final conclusions on the Strategy, including costs, can be reached until the Group has presented its recommendations to Government.

I understand that the Group expects to be able to do so within the next few months.

Mr. Öpik

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of the 1994–1999 round of Structural Funds for Northern Ireland was spent on nature conservation projects; what type of projects were funded; and if he will make a statement. [122096]

Mr. George Howarth

Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Environment & Heritage Service under its acting chief executive, Mr. J. R. Lamont. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

Letter from J. R. Lamont to Mr. Lembit Öpik, dated 17 May 2000: As Acting Chief Executive of the Environment & Heritage Service, I am responsible for operational aspects of protection of the natural heritage on behalf of the Department of Environment for Northern Ireland. I am responding to the Parliamentary Question you put down on 11 May 2000 about what percentage of the 1994–1999 round of Structural Funds for Northern Ireland was spent on nature conservation projects and what type of projects were funded. The amount spent on nature conservation projects from the Structural Funds for Northern Ireland for the 1994–1999 round was £171,000. This represented 0.018% of the total Funds. The schemes involved were environmental enhancement works at Whitespots, Newtownards, Tyrella Beach near Newcastle, the ECOS Centre, Ballymena and Waterfoot Beach on the east Antrim Coast. I trust you will find this helpful.