§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the report, entitled "An Urban-rural Compact", published by the Local Government Association. [116982]
§ Ms Beverley HughesThe Government welcome the Local Government Association's case studies report on the Urban-rural Compacts initiative. This gives a useful example of how local authorities are working together, and with other partners, to respond to the links between town and country. In discussions with the Local Government Association on the preparation of our Urban and Rural White Papers we have encouraged the Association to develop their initiative and I look forward to seeing the results of the evaluation of the pilots.