To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on (a) the funding of the seabirds and cetaceans branch of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, and (b) its role in promoting off-shore conservation. [4994]

The seabirds and cetaceans branch of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee is responsible for carrying out the special nature conservation functions of the three country conservation agencies—English Nature, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Countryside Council for Wales—in off-shore areas, and provides advice on the animal species which live there. The budget for the seabirds and cetaceans branch in 1995–96 is £416,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of income (a) the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, and (b) its seabirds and cetaceans branch, receive from the oil industry. [4995]

In 1995–96 contributions from the oil industry represent 3.2 per cent. of the overall budget of the JNCC and 28 per cent. of the seabirds and cetacean branch budget.