Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the press release by HM Treasury of 4 June 2015, whether any of the £83 million reduction in her Department's budget for 2015-16 will be accounted for by asset sales; and if she will make a statement.

Defra is planning to remain within its budgetary control totals for 2015-16 and is currently developing options to deliver the £83m savings referenced in the press release by HM Treasury of 4 June 2015. These options include tight control of budgets to drive underspends in-year; further efficiency savings; and asset sales. The options are being considered across the Core Department and Defra’s executive agencies and NDPBs.