To ask the Minister for Women and Equality whether Strategic Funding Programme funding being provided by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission to (a) Cardiff Gypsy and Traveller Project, (b) Friends, Families and Travellers and (c) Leeds Gypsy and Traveller Exchange in 2009-10 may be used to assist travellers in relation to funding planning applications, planning policy or planning appeals. (309527)

I am informed by the Equality and Human Rights Commission that the Strategic Funding Programme funding being provided in 2009-10 to: Cardiff Gypsy and Traveller Project; Friends, Families and Travellers; and Leeds Gypsy and Traveller Exchange, may not be used to assist in planning applications, planning policy or planning appeals.

To use this funding in such a way would break the grant conditions and result in actions leading to suspension or termination of the grant funding agreement and recovery of the grant.