§ 6. Mr. RuffleyWhat representations he has received on the accountability of RDAs. [35446]
§ Mr. CabornWe have received a number of representations about the accountability of RDAs. They will be non-departmental public bodies. As such, they will be accountable to Ministers, but they will also be required to consult the designated regional chamber and account for their activities to that chamber.
§ Mr. RuffleyIs the Minister aware of the genuine concern felt by many rural interest organisations throughout the country that rural interests are not properly protected by the Regional Development Agencies Bill? Will he address that concern by ensuring that the RDAs produce an annual report, showing the effects of their activities on rural interests in their region? Will he further ensure that that report is laid before and debated by Parliament?
§ Mr. CabornI have no doubt that the hon. Gentleman will make some of those points during tomorrow's debates on the remaining stages of the Bill. Rural areas will be represented on the boards. The RDAs' annual reports will contain an element dealing with rural areas, and those reports will be deposited in the Library.
§ Mr. DawsonDoes my hon. Friend agree that it is essential that organisations from rural areas are fully engaged in the RDAs? Does he further agree that Lancaster—being at the centre of the north-west region, which stretches from Cheshire to the Scottish border—is ideally placed to represent those rural interests in a north-west regional development agency?
§ Mr. CabornAs I have just said, rural areas will be represented on the boards. I assure my hon. Friend that 1024 the Government will approach the problems of rural areas more effectively than has previously been the case. We will ensure that issues such as deprivation and underemployment in rural areas are addressed positively.