Written question asked by James Paice (Conservative) on Monday, 7 December 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 14 December 2009. It was answered by Huw Irranca-Davies (Labour) on Monday, 14 December 2009 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Rural Development Programme

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much was spent by Natural England on administering the Regional Development Programme for England (RDPE) on behalf of his Department in the last 12 months; and whether any of the costs within Natural England's Annual report are attributable to the RDPE.

Answer: Natural England was allocated £13,600,000 in 2008-09 to cover its direct costs associated with delivering the Rural Development Programme for England under the common agricultural policy. In addition to this, £22,400,000 was allocated to Natural England to cover the costs of DEFRA's Genesis IT system which is the IT system to manage and administer the Rural Development Programme for England. This running cost includes depreciation, cost of capital and third party support.These costs are all given in Natural England's annual report.

Secondary information