Written question asked by Jonathan Sayeed (Conservative) on Wednesday, 15 January 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 22 January 2003. It was answered by Elliot Morley (Labour) on Wednesday, 22 January 2003 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what resources have been made available in the Spending Review to the Environment Agency to carry out its role as competent authority in implementing the European Water Framework Directive. - Inc figures.

Answer: Mr. Sayeed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what resources have been made available in the spending review to the Environment Agency to carry out its role as competent authority in implementing the European Water Framework Directive. [91929] Mr. Morley: The Environment Agency has continued to receive significant grant-in-aid from the Department. This has increased from £103.7 million in 1999-2000 to £116.7 million in 2002-03 (figures in EA Corporate Plan for 2002-03). In total, the agency's budget (grant plus charges and levies) has increased from £620 million in 1999-2000 to just short of £750 million in 2002-03. These are substantial resources, and our view is that the agency is sufficiently funded to deliver its statutory responsibilities. It is for the agency to organise those resources so that the Water Framework Directive is adequately resourced but we are confident it has been provided with adequate means to do so.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 91929; 398 c341-2W
Session: 2002-03
EC documents: Dir2000/60/EC
Subjects: Finance EU law Grants Environment Agency Water Implementing legislation
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk