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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what support her Department provides to representatives of wildlife organisations to encourage them to take up positions on the boards of (a) parks and (b) other environmental organisations; and what training her Department provides to people wanting to take up those positions.

Defra uses extensive networks to promote public appointment opportunities, including to representatives of wildlife organisations, for National Park Authorities and other public bodies. We do not provide specific support or training to people wishing to take up a public appointment but once appointed new appointees undertake an induction process to prepare them for the role.