Written question asked by Peter Ainsworth (Conservative) on Thursday, 16 March 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 21 March 2006. It was answered by Baroness Beckett (Labour) on Tuesday, 28 March 2006 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Freshwater Biological Association Library/ Kritsch Collection

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with (a) the National Environment Research Council, (b) the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology and (c) the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on the implications for environmental protection of the decision to withdraw funding from the Freshwater Biological Association Library and the Kritsch Collection.

Answer: [holding answer 21 March 2006]: The Centre for Ecology and Hydrology is wholly owned by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). I have had no discussions with (a) the National Environment Research Council, (b) the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology and (c) the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on the implications for environmental protection of the decision to withdraw funding from the Freshwater Biological Association Library and the Kritsch Collection, because decisions on the merits of the funding of specific research areas are a matter for NERC.

Secondary information