§ Mr. KempTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will include in the legislation for the creation of regional development agencies proposals to allow those regions he considers have the necessary expertise and experience to become shadow agencies or pilot schemes in advance of 1 April 1999. [6641]
§ Angela EagleOn 11 June the Government launched a wide-ranging consultation on our proposals for setting up regional development agencies in England. It is too early to say what transitional arrangements might he made in 541W advance of the agencies beginning operation, but we have invited views on this. Any such arrangements will build on the good work already being done at the regional level.