To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the Rural Enterprise scheme programme was ended; and how many applications were outstanding at that date, including those to which funding had been committed. (79686)

The Rural Enterprise scheme (RES) closed to new applications on Friday 30 June 2006.

As of 6 July 2006, and across the whole country, some 641 applications for funding were undergoing validity and eligibility checks and technical assessment, or had completed those stages and were awaiting the next regional appraisal panel for them to be considered for funding.

Not all of these applications will ultimately be eligible for funding, and of those that are, Rural Development Service staff will have to consider which best meet the criteria of the scheme and offer best value for the limited funding that remains, in the context of regional priorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs why Business Link was advertising the Rural Enterprise scheme after all the relevant funds had been committed. (80020)

The Rural Enterprise scheme (RES) closed to new applications on Friday 30 June 2006. All eligible applications received by DEFRA's Rural Development Service up till that date are now being considered for the remaining funding on their merits and in competition with other projects.

DEFRA officials will work with Business Link to ensure that information on the scheme is updated appropriately.