§ Mr. Charles KennedyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans his Department has to adopt an integrated rural policy in England; and if he will make a statement. [24695]
§ Mr. MeacherThe Government are committed to developing an integrated approach to tackling the problems of rural areas.
The Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) of Countryside and Rural Policy which is currently being undertaken jointly by DETR and MAFF is considering the aims and delivery of countryside and rural policy for the medium and long term. We expect to make an announcement about how we intend to take forward rural policy in due course, taking account of the work of the CSR.