§ Mr. Don FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) how much of the aggregates levy sustainability fund has been spent in relation to(a) the freight facility grant and (b) the transport action clean up programme; what percentages of the fund these payments represent; and if she will make a statement; [105342]
(2) if she will list the projects (a) approved, (b) rejected and (c) awaiting a decision for funding under the aggregates levy sustainability fund for the stated purpose of (i) supporting cleaner and quieter aggregates lorry transport and (ii) encouraging the use of rail and water transport; what funding has been allocated; when each application was made; and when each decision was made. [105298]
§ Mr. Meacher[holding answer 27 March 2003]: None of the aggregates levy sustainability fund has been spent so far on promoting environmentally friendly aggregates transportation. The Department for Transport, which is the distributing body for the freight facilities grant and the transport action clean-up programme, is considering their compatibility with state aid provisions. Around £1 million of the 2002–03 allocation for these schemes has therefore been diverted to funding for reducing the local effects of aggregates extraction.