HC Deb 15 July 2002 vol 389 cc69-70W
Angus Robertson

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the EU Committee on the Financial Instrument for the Environment is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive(a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if he will make a statement. [68561]

Mr. Meacher

I have been asked to reply.

The Financial Instrument for the Environment, commonly known as the "LIFE Instrument", provides co-financing for actions both in nature conservation (LIFE-Nature) and in other fields of the environment (LIFE-Environment), as well as specific environmental actions outside the EU (LIFE Third Countries).

Decisions on funding of projects submitted under the LIFE Nature component are made by the European Commission with the assistance of the Habitats Committee. The Habitats Committee is next due to meet at a date to be arranged in November 2002. UK representation ordinarily consists of an official from my Department together with a scientific adviser from the Joint Nature Conservation Committee. However, wider representation on the Committee depends on the agenda items under discussion. Officials from the Scottish Executive attend as necessary in accordance with their interests and have attended all recent Habitats Committee meetings. The Scottish Executive is kept fully informed of developments and has the opportunity to make an assessment of all projects involving Scottish participation. Decisions on funding of projects submitted under the LIFE-Environment and LIFE Third Countries components are made by the European Commission with the assistance of the LIFE Committee. This Committee is next due to meet at a date to be arranged in early 2003. UK representation ordinarily consists of an official from my Department. However, officials from the Scottish

Executive have attended as necessary in accordance with their interests, most recently in February 2002. The Scottish Executive is kept fully informed of developments and has the opportunity to make an assessment of all projects involving Scottish participation.