§ Mr. BlizzardTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to ensure that the Government's rural policy enables young people to have the opportunity to live in rural areas. [139186]
§ Mr. MeacherThe White Paper "Our countryside: the future, A fair deal for rural England", which we published yesterday, sets out how our rural policies will improve access to affordable housing, lifelong learning and jobs, and provide for a range of new and improved travel services in rural areas. These measures will improve the opportunities available to young people to live and work in rural areas.
§ Mr. Nicholas WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures his Department is taking to co-ordinate Government policy for rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the Rural White Paper. [139200]
§ Mr. MeacherThe Cabinet Committee on Rural Affairs already has the remit of co-ordinating the Government's policies affecting rural areas. Its tasks include looking at the policies of all Departments so as to ensure that they take account of their impact on rural areas and that they work as effectively as they can together to support rural life. The White Paper "Our countryside: the future, A fair deal for rural England", published yesterday, sets out the measures we are taking to underpin the work of the Cabinet Committee to ensure effective implementation of the Government's policies for rural areas.