Squirrels

Mr. Atkinson
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much Natural England has spent on red squirrel conservation in the last five years.

Huw Irranca-Davies
From 2004-5 to 2008-9, Natural England and its founding bodies spent £94,300 on red squirrel conservation. In addition, a three-year rural enterprise scheme grant of £148,000 was made by the Rural Development Service in July 2006. Responsibility for this scheme was transferred to the Regional Development Agencies on the establishment of Natural England.