§ Mr. David HeathTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to better co-ordinate Government policies to combat poverty and social exclusion in rural areas. [58917]
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§ Mr. MealeThe Government believe in the importance of integrating policies for rural areas, and ensuring that the rural dimension is fully reflected in wider policy-making. DETR is developing better arrangements with MAFF for the joint planning of countryside and rural policies and programmes; Regional Development Agencies will be taking an integrated approach to the regeneration of deprived areas in all parts of their regions; and the new countryside agency to be formed in April 1999 will be promoting and developing policies to overcome disadvantage and social exclusion in rural areas.
The Rural Development Commission has recently published reports on two major research projects on rural deprivation: Developing Indicators of Rural Disadvantage and Rural Disadvantage—Understanding the Processes. We will be taking forward the findings of these reports with the new countryside agency.