HC Deb 27 June 1996 vol 280 c218W
Mr. Vaz

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the roles of the Minister for Local Government, Housing and Urban Regeneration as(a) central co-ordinator of Government policy towards the south-west and (b) regeneration sponsor Minister for Leeds, Bradford, Batley and the Thames gateway. [34362]

Sir Paul Beresford

The Prime Minister has asked the Minister for Local Government, Housing and Urban Regeneration to act as central co-ordinator of Government policy towards the south-west. Working with colleagues in the relevant Government Departments, the Minister is taking a close interest in the broad issues affecting the whole of the south-west, but is focusing particularly on the concerns and interests of the counties of Devon and Cornwall.

The Minister is continuing to discharge his responsibilities as regeneration sponsor Minister for Leeds, Bradford, Batley and the Thames gateway. His role is to support and promote Government regeneration initiatives through contact with civic and business leaders and other local interests; to act as a channel for communicating local concerns to ministerial colleagues; and to share with sponsor Minister and other colleagues experience and ideas relevant to regeneration.

Mr. Vaz

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what instructions or guidance have been given to the regional director of the Government office for the south-west on the implications of the appointment of the Minister for Local Government, Housing and Urban Regeneration as central co-ordinator of Government policy towards the south-west and the way in which the Government office should relate to him. [34364]

Sir Paul Beresford

The appointment of the Minister for Local Government, Housing and Urban Regeneration as a central co-ordinator of Government policy towards the south-west does not change the accountability of officials in the Government office for the south-west to Ministers in the four Departments of which they are part.

Mr. Vaz

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the terms of reference given to the Minister for Local Government, Housing and Urban Regeneration in his capacity as a central co-ordinator of Government policy towards the south-west. [34361]

Sir Paul Beresford

The Prime Minister has asked the Minister for Local Government, Housing and Urban Regeneration to act as a central co-ordinator of Government policy towards the south-west. The Minister will be working with colleagues in the relevant Departments looking at the broad issues affecting the whole of the south-west, and focusing particularly on the concerns and interests of the counties of Devon and Cornwall.