CUTS TO DEFRA'S BUDGET AND WALES

Early day motion 214, tabled 21 November 2006 by Mark Williams (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 15 members.

That this House is concerned that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) plans to make cuts of £200 million to its budget; notes that these cuts will affect the National Assembly for Wales block grant; further notes that these cuts will have a serious impact on key services like flood and coastal defences, waterways and veterinary inspection; is concerned that since 2002-03 DEFRA has spent over £170 million on management consultants; and calls on the Government to meet the costs of the financial problems caused by the Rural Payments Agency in England from contingency reserves, rather than cutting frontline services.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 8, Labour 4, Plaid Cymru 2, Conservative 1.