To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what sum his Department has provided to help fund the Minerals '98 Conference; and on what basis this money was provided. [30604]

[holding answer 23 February 1998]: No money has yet been paid by the Department. However, a contribution of £8,000 from the industry sponsorship budget towards the costs developing a manual to be used by quarry operators to strengthen links between individual sites and local communities is under consideration.