HC Deb 09 March 1999 vol 327 cc157-8
3. Mr. Bob Blizzard (Waveney)

If he will make a statement on the Eastern regional development agency in relation to (a) its location and (b) its budget. [73414]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (Mr. Alan Meale)

Decisions on the location of an RDA are matters for the agency itself. Initially, the eastern region corporate headquarters will be in Cambridge, with sub-offices in Bedford, Norwich and Bury St. Edmunds. RDA budgets for 1999–2000 will be announced shortly. The agency's budget for 1998–99, covering administration resources only, is £350,000.

Mr. Blizzard

I thank my hon. Friend for that reply. In view of previous answers to me from my hon. Friend the Minister for the Regions, Regeneration and Planning and from my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister, in which they expressed their belief in decentralisation within the regions, does my hon. Friend share my dismay at the decision to locate the headquarters of the eastern region RDA in Cambridge? Should not the agency lead by example and set itself up in an area that is in need of regeneration rather than at a place that has full employment? Does he share the frustration of those in the north and the east of the region? Having argued for so long for improved roads, we have been told that the RDA can be situated only at a place within a good road network.

Mr. Meale

I thank my hon. Friend for bringing that matter up yet again; hon. Members are well aware of the long campaign that he has mounted. I repeat that the agency will determine its own location, but I will let the chairman of the RDA in the eastern region know what has been said.

Mr. Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire)

Is the Minister aware that the choice of Cambridge as the location for the RDA will be welcomed? Less welcome is the fact that the Government have appointed to those bodies a large number of Labour party appointees, in the east of England and across the country. Will he explain why good nominations, such as those of business-aware candidates in the east of England, were rejected in favour of Labour appointees with local government backgrounds, but no business development experience?

Mr. Meale

I must confront the hon. Gentleman on that. The membership of the local government section in the eastern region comprises two Labour members, one Liberal and one Conservative.

Mrs. Anne Campbell (Cambridge)

Does my hon. Friend recognise the importance of high-tech developments in and around my constituency, and the crucial part that the regional development agency can play in ensuring that not only the region but the whole country benefit from such developments? Situating the RDA in Cambridge will provide it with an opportunity to spread high-tech industry beyond Cambridge, so that all parts of the region benefit.

Mr. Meale

I thank my hon. Friend for her question. The Department is aware of the proposals that have been made. They will be subject to considerable discussion, but we shall bear in mind what my hon. Friend has said when, in due course, we deal with the matter.

Mr. David Prior (North Norfolk)

Can the Minister tell us why we need the development agency?

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

Because of the economic deficit.

Mr. Meale

As my hon. Friend says, we need the agency because we have an economic deficit following 19 years of misrule by the last Government.