HC Deb 20 October 1998 vol 317 cc1068-9
10. Mr. Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby)

What proposals he has for giving regional assemblies an advisory role in regional development agencies. [54335]

The Minister for the Regions, Regeneration and Planning (Mr. Richard Caborn)

The Regional Development Agencies Bill currently before Parliament provides for regional chambers—which are now coming together in each English region—to have an advisory role in relation to the RDAs. The establishment of regional assemblies in England is something for the future, depending on popular demand.

Mr. Mitchell

I am delighted that, in those areas where regional assemblies have been set up thanks to local pride and local initiative, they will play a part in the chambers. I hope that my hon. Friend will pay attention to the strong feeling over the whole of the north of England that we should be moving to elected regional governments for those areas that want them during this Parliament rather than postponing the proposal to the next one. If we had elected regional government, it could give to the development of the RDAs the synergy of democracy that will exist in Scotland so that we can compete effectively, and it would also put an end to the rubbish about an English Parliament which is being talked about by the Opposition.

Mr. Caborn

I am sure that my hon. Friend knows that we are not into gesture politics like the Opposition. In our devolution, we are managing change in concert with what the British people want. As we know, in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and in London, all that has been tested by the popular vote and the electorate have said overwhelmingly that they want that devolution. In the same way, we shall manage the change for England through the regional development agencies and the chambers and, in the fulness of time, through regional assemblies. That is what we said in the manifesto and that is what we will deliver. We will keep to our election promises.

Mr. Michael Fabricant (Lichfield)

On the subject of what people want, exactly how much will that extra tier of bureaucracy cost?

Mr. Caborn

I am sure that the hon. Gentleman was present during the debate on the Regional Development Agencies Bill. We said clearly in Committee and on the Floor of the House that it would be contained within present expenditure.

Mr. Michael Clapham (Barnsley, West and Penistone)

Will my hon. Friend be meeting his colleagues in the Department of Trade and Industry to discuss the role of the training and enterprise councils, to ensure that they work closely with the RDAs to provide the necessary skills and training in the areas where that is required?

Mr. Caborn

That is an important part of the remit of the RDAs. I have already announced the strategy document this afternoon—copies are in the Library—and part of that strategic overview will be to look at the skills needs of particular regions. That is important and will be carried out across all Departments of State.