HC Deb 29 November 2000 vol 357 c611W
Mr. Breed

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, (1) pursuant to his answer of 21 November 2000,Official Report, column 115W, how much money was allocated to the Countryside Agency specifically for transport schemes, in the current financial year; and how much of this money has been spent to date; [140631]

(2) what the underspend was in the allocation of funding for rural transport schemes to the Countryside Agency last year; and what this money will be spent on. [140722]

Mr. Mullin

The Countryside Agency was allocated £5.8 million for transport schemes in the current financial year, and to date £1.336 million has been spent.

The underspend last year was £2.221 million. As the funding of rural transport schemes is ring-fenced, underspends are carried forward to be spent in subsequent years.

Mr. Breed

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the total cost of staff sickness within the Countryside Agency during the last year. [140721]

Mr. Mullin

The total cost of staff sickness during the last year was £170,000.