§ Mrs. MayTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the(a) expenditure in each of the last five years was and (b) budgets for the years 2001–02 and 2002–03 are with respect to the acquisition of property for use by, or with respect to, regional chambers. [7823]
§ Dr. WhiteheadThe regional chambers were designated by the Secretary of State following the establishment of Regional Development Agencies in 1999. They have been established voluntarily by bodies representing the interests of each region. Their running costs are a matter for the chambers and their members. The Government have however, allocated £500,000 this year to each regional chamber, with an additional £1 million for chambers to use collectively, to help them establish a stronger strategic and scrutiny role within the regions.