§ Q1. Mr. CummingsTo ask the Prime Minister when he expects to pay a visit to the Easington constituency. [19729]
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. John Major)I have at present no plans to do so.
§ Mr. CummingsWhat a pity—the right hon. Gentleman will never know what he is missing. Since I gave the Prime Minister notice of my question, has he had the opportunity to ascertain why the Department of Transport has rejected a submission by Durham county council for funds to provide access roads to the Dawdon and Fox Cover enterprise zones in my constituency? Would it not be common sense—[Interruption.]—for the Department of Transport to support those sites, which have been designated by the Department of the 168 Environment, and for funds to be allocated to allow the building of access roads to the A19? Is this not a case—[Interruption.]—of one Government Department not knowing what the other is doing? Will the Prime Minister use his influence to get the problem resolved?
§ The Prime MinisterI thank the hon. Gentleman for giving me notice of his question—all of it. I understand that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport has confirmed the orders which will allow the Dawdon and Fox Cover road link to be constructed. As the hon. Gentleman will know, designated enterprise zones may be areas attractive to private sector inward investment and I am confident that the regeneration agencies in local partnerships will go some way to funding the link road, which I agree is the key to the regeneration of the area. The hon. Gentleman will also know that the designation of enterprise zone status will provide the impetus for the creation of up to 1,000 new jobs in the two zones.