To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what procedures are used to allocate funding for research projects by Collaborative Offshore Wind Research into the Environment. (294039)

[holding answer 19 October 2009]: Collaborative Offshore Windfarm Research Into the Environment (COWRIE) is an independent registered Charity that was set up to advance and improve understanding and knowledge of the potential environmental impacts of offshore wind farm development in UK waters. COWRIE Ltd is governed by a board of trustees who are responsible for overseeing the administration of the company and its financial governance. Further information can be found on their website:

http://www.offshorewind.co.uk/Pages/COWRIE