To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many applications for the higher level stewardship scheme were (a) made and (b) granted in each Government region in (i) 2005-06 and (ii) 2006-07. (140799)

The following table shows the number of higher level stewardship applications received and granted in each of Natural England's regions in 2005-06.

In 2006-07, the number of higher level stewardship applications received and granted in each of Natural England's regions were as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the (a) highest, (b) lowest and (c) average value of award made under the higher level stewardship scheme was in each government region in (i) 2005-06 and (ii) 2006-07. (140800)

For 2005-06, the highest, lowest and average value of annual payments made under higher level stewardship in each of Natural England's regions are set out in the following table:

For 2006-07, the highest, lowest and average value of annual payments made under higher level stewardship in each of Natural England's regions were as follows: