§ Miss Emma NicholsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will publish the report by182W the regional director of the Government office for the south-west on the outcome of his work in respect of the reports that the West Country development corporation commissioned from Coopers and Lybrand on needs and resources in Devon and Cornwall. [4679]
§ Mr. CurryI am publishing the regional director's report today and I and the Minister for Trade have had a useful meeting with the chairman and other representatives of the West Country development corporation.
We have listened to the messages from local agencies in the west country.
The regional director's report has explained that while needs in Devon and Cornwall remained substantial benefits are being delivered through increased Government spending, with improvements in many areas.
We have today pledged the Government's continuing commitment to working with agencies in Devon and Cornwall to ensure that the counties' business development and regeneration needs are being met. Devon and Cornwall will benefit from more than £240 million of United Kingdom and European funds aimed at regenerating the local economy over the next few years.
With the Government office and local partners working together in co-operation we shall build on the strengths of Devon and Cornwall to develop a strong and prosperous local economy.