Written question asked by Madeleine Moon (Labour) on Monday, 27 February 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 1 March 2006. It was answered by Elliot Morley (Labour) on Tuesday, 7 March 2006 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Climate Change Communications Initiative

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what notice was given to the National Assembly for Wales of the launch in January 2006 of the climate change communications initiative, tomorrow's climate, today's challenge; what financial input into the initiative the National Assembly was asked to provide; what percentage of that input was committed to benefit Wales; and if she will make a statement.

Answer: The climate communications initiative was launched in December 2005, and the climate challenge fund and youth competition were announced in January 2006. Officials from my Department had been in discussion in general terms with officials from the National Assembly for Wales prior to and following the announcement of the climate change communications initiative in February 2005. The indicative figure for Welsh participation in the youth competition was £5,000, equating to the inclusion of one young climate champion from Wales. Discussions on the challenge fund focused largely on the principle of participation, with an indicative contribution for the duration of the fund of the order of £300,000-£500,000 based pro-rata on population. All of the monies coming from Wales would have benefited Welsh applicants, with some allowance for administration.

Secondary information