§ 12. Mrs. Anne CampbellTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of State what representations he has received from local government leaders on his White Paper on regional governance. [64165]
The Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of StateI have received a number of representations from local government, many of them welcoming our White Paper, "Your Region, Your Choice".
§ 14. Mr. Liddell-GraingerTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of State if he will make a statement on the role counties will have in regional government. [64167]
The Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of StateI refer the hon. Gentleman to my answer in response to the hon. Member for Faversham and Mid-Kent (Hugh Robertson).
§ 21. Mr. ChopeTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of State when he will bring forward legislation to allow for referendums on the Government's proposals for regional government in England. [64174]
The Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of StateI cannot pre-empt future Queen's Speeches. But we intend to introduce a Bill to provide for referendums when parliamentary time allows, so that the first assembly referendum(s) can be held during this Parliament.
§ 25. Mr. Laurence RobertsonTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of State if he will make a statement on his plans to create regional assemblies. [64178]
The Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of StateI refer the hon. Member to the statement I made on 9 May 2002,Official Report, columns 275–78. The full detail of our plans to create elected regional assemblies can be found in the White Paper "Your Region, Your Choice", which is in the Library of the House. We are now working to take these plans forward.
§ 26. Dr. MurrisonTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of State if he will make a statement on the future of county councils in the Government's plans for regional government in England. [64179]
The Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of StateI refer the hon. Gentleman to my earlier answer in response to the hon. Member for Faversham and Mid Kent (Hugh Robertson).
§ 27. Mr. PriskTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of State if he will make a statement on his Department's proposals for regional government affecting Hertfordshire. [64180]
§ Mr. LeslieOur proposals for regional government and how this will affect all areas of England are set out in the White Paper "Your Region, Your Choice". Copies are in the Library of the House.
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§ 29. Mr. Andrew MitchellTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of State what proposals he has for a west midlands regional assembly. [64182]
The Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of State: Our proposals for elected assemblies in all the regions of England are set out in the White Paper "Your Region, Your Choice". Copies are in the Library of the House.