§ 7. Mr. David Lidington (Aylesbury)What role regional assemblies will have in the determination of planning decisions and housing and transport policy. [36650]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (Dr. Alan Whitehead)The forthcoming regional governance White Paper will set out our proposals for the functions of elected regional assemblies.
§ Mr. LidingtonIn what ways will abolishing a county council in Aylesbury so that powers can be transferred to a regional assembly in Guildford or Reading bring government closer to local people?
§ Dr. WhiteheadThe hon. Gentleman seems to be under the misapprehension that the purpose of regional government is to suck powers up from local government. I cannot guarantee that regional assemblies will draw no functions from local government, but any such cases will be very much the exception. Local government will remain the community champion and chief service deliverer, whereas regional government will lead in the development of the strategic vision for the region. Our programme of reform is about ensuring that local government deals with local services, that regional government deals with regional priorities. and that Westminster deals with issues of national importance.
§ Helen Jackson (Sheffield, Hillsborough)Is my hon. Friend aware that regional bodies on both sides of the Pennines wholly support the proposal by Central Trains to reopen a tunnel for rail freight under the Pennines? That matter was commented on by the House a short time ago. Does my hon. Friend accept that, on strategic transport policies of that sort, it is crucial to take note of the wishes of regional bodies? Does he agree that they will play an extremely important role when they are fully established?
§ Dr. WhiteheadMy hon. Friend makes an important point. It is essential that accountable regional bodies take careful note of the benefits that can accrue to regions as a result of collaboration—both between regions, and with regard to projects within regions. My hon. Friend will have noted that the Green Paper entitled "Planning: Delivering a Fundamental Change" envisages that elected regional assemblies will take over strategic regional planning functions, among other things.
§ Sir Patrick Cormack (South Staffordshire)Why did the Minister evade the question asked by my hon. Friend the Member for Aylesbury (Mr. Lidington), who 145 suggested that the creation of these absurd regional bodies would lead to the demise of county councils? Will the Minister confirm that that is what would happen?
§ Dr. WhiteheadThe hon. Gentleman seems to have had something of a memory lapse. He should recall that the previous Conservative Government introduced a series of unelected regional bodies. They sucked power up into the regions, but they were not accountable. One of the purposes behind developing elected regional assemblies is to ensure that power is accountable, and is exercised at the appropriate level. Regional activities will be accountable at regional government level, and local activities will be accountable at local government level.
§ Mr. Derek Foster (Bishop Auckland)Whatever powers are eventually devolved to regional assemblies, there is a growing feeling in the north-east—among sporting personalities and people in entertainment, as well as among politicians—that the area needs a strong regional voice. Will my hon. Friend say when we can expect the White Paper on the matter? Will he confirm that the timetable to which the Government are working would allow a referendum in the north-east before the end of this Parliament?
§ Dr. WhiteheadMy right hon. Friend makes the important point that in the north-east keen interest has been expressed from a variety of sources in the idea of an elected regional assembly. He can expect the forthcoming regional government White Paper to appear shortly. Among others things, it will set out the timetable for early referendums when the creation of regional assemblies on an elected basis is regarded as desirable.
§ Mr. Jeffrey M. Donaldson (Lagan Valley)Whatever the future role of regional assemblies, what steps are the Minister and his Department taking to ensure co-operation with the Northern Ireland Assembly, the Scottish Parliament and the Welsh Assembly to bring about a strategic, co-ordinated transport policy for the whole United Kingdom?
§ Dr. WhiteheadThe hon. Gentleman should know that the Government, my Department and the devolved governments of the regions and nations of Great Britain undertake regular discussions on issues of mutual strategic importance. Those discussions are proving useful in terms of the sort of issues that he has raised.
§ Mr. Malcolm Moss (North-East Cambridgeshire)Does the Minister agree with the headline in a recent edition of the Local Government Chronicle, suggesting that the Prime Minister is selling the counties out? Will the Minister tell the House whether the Government intend to sell the counties out?
§ Dr. WhiteheadNot only do we not intend to sell the counties out, but we intend to ensure that elected regional assemblies will be created only when people in the region concerned want those assemblies to be created on an elected basis. Therefore, the idea that there is a plan for the extinction of county councils, regardless of the popular feeling in the regions, is completely untenable.
§ Joyce Quin (Gateshead, East and Washington, West)I welcome my hon. Friend's determination and that of the 146 Secretary of State to honour the manifesto commitment on the introduction of regional assemblies. I agree that it is not so much about creating an extra tier of government as about democratising an existing tier, and giving that tier back to the regions where it belongs. May I also press my hon. Friend on timing? Will he confirm that the publication of the White Paper will be accompanied by a proper period of consultation, and that legislation this autumn to pave the way for referendums will not be ruled out?
§ Dr. WhiteheadI confirm that the White Paper will be published shortly, will contain substantial proposals about the functions and working of elected regional assemblies and will set out a timetable according to which discussions will take place. An opportunity will be provided for full consultation on the way forward set out in the White Paper.