Regional Assemblies (Hansard, 19 April 2004)

§ Geraldine Smith
To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the estimated costs are of setting up elected regional assemblies in(a) the North West, (b) the North East and (c) Yorkshire. [165460]

§ Mr. Raynsford
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for North Essex on 18 March 2004,Official Report, 451W.

§ Mr. Rosindell
To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the effect of the proposed regional assemblies on the operation of(a) town, (b) county, (c) borough and (d) city councils in the regions in which assemblies are set up. [165607]

§ Mr. Raynsford
Elected regional assemblies will be required to actively involve stakeholders in the region in their work. We would expect that local authorities (including town and parish councils) in any region that has an elected assembly will work in partnership with the assembly to deliver their vision for the region.
In regions that choose to have elected assemblies, two-tier local authorities (county and shire district councils) will be restructured into a single tier.
Regional assemblies will generally not take responsibilities from local authorities. Local government will remain the community champion with responsibility for local service delivery, while regional government will lead in the development and implementation of the strategic vision for the region.

§ Mr. Jenkin
To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to paragraph 5.5 of Cm 5511, what level of additional funding will be made available for rewarding elected regional assemblies which achieve or exceed the targets set by central Government. [165728]

§ Mr. Raynsford
No decisions have been taken on the likely level of performance reward grant for elected regional assemblies. Targets will be agreed between elected assemblies and central Government, not set by central Government.

§ Mr. Jenkin
To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many(a) officials and (b) press officers are involved in the information campaign on elected regional assemblies, "Your Say". [162422]

§ Mr. Raynsford
No members of staff are working full-time on the information campaign or elected regional assemblies.
However, there are four administrators, three publicity officers and three press officers in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister involved in the campaign as part of their wider communications responsibilities. There are also 14 members of staff across three Government Offices involved in the campaign as part of their wider responsibilities.
366W

§ Mr. Rosindell
To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps he will take to encourage voter turnout for the regional assembly referendums. [165606]

§ Mr. Raynsford
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has announced that we intend to hold the referendums as all-postal ballots. In addition, we are running the "Your Say" campaign about the proposed powers of assemblies. As part of this information campaign, there will be a leaflet to every household.
The Electoral Commission also have a power under the Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Act to do anything they think necessary or expedient to encourage voting at these referendums.

§ Mr. Jenkin
To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will place in the Library copies of the responses to the Consultation Papers on(a) regional referendums spending limits and (b) the conduct of the referendums. [166516]

§ Mr. Raynsford
Copies of the responses to the following consultation papers are available in the Library:

(a) Registration and spending limits for those wishing to campaign;

(b) Combining regional and local referendums and local referendum rules; and

(c) Fees and charges for counting officers.

In addition, a summary of the responses is available on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website.

§ Mr. Jenkin
To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the total budget for the "Your Say" information campaign is; and how much he has budgeted for(a) leaflets, (b) posters, (c) broadcasting, (d) ministerial visits, (e) exhibition stands, (f) design costs, (g) press information and (h) other associated costs. [165727]

§ Mr. Raynsford
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister expects the "Your Say" information campaign to cost up to £5 million in total. Likely costs are not broken down in the way requested. However current estimates of the main components are:

£

(a) Production and distribution of leaflets 1,700,000

(b) Posters 650,000

(c) Broadcast media 1,120,000

(d) Newspapers 475,000

(e) Events 420,000

(f) Other 635,000

	£
(a) Production and distribution of leaflets	1,700,000
(b) Posters	650,000
(c) Broadcast media	1,120,000
(d) Newspapers	475,000
(e) Events	420,000
(f) Other	635,000