§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to reinstate the former MAFF regional advisory panels. [8300]
§ Margaret Beckett[holding answer 18 October 2001]: We are currently consulting a wide range of rural interests, including farmers, on the detail of proposed new national and regional advisory structures to reflect the new Department's range of responsibilities and our fresh regional focus through the Government Office in each region. We are proceeding with plans to set up regional rural affairs forums as proposed in last year's Rural White Paper. These will involve the regional development agencies and other service providers and external stakeholders. They will also be able to refer issues to a new Rural Affairs Forum for England. Regional consultation groups which already advise on the specific provisions of the England Rural Development Programme will continue to operate as before but will also be able to raise wider issues with the new regional forums.