HC Deb 13 January 2004 vol 416 cc723-4W
Mr. Jenkin

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the(a) regional chambers and (b) local authorities which have an office situated outside the United Kingdom; what the annual expenditure of each was since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [147185]

Mr. Raynsford

There are offices in Brussels representing each of the English regions. Some of them have been established for many years. They represent a range of regional and local interests. The lead organisation for the office and the interests it represents varies from region to region.

The Local Government Association has an office in Brussels and there are also offices for the counties of Cheshire, Essex, Kent, and Lancashire. Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and West Sussex have a shared office.

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not hold details of the annual expenditure on these offices; such information would need to be sought from the individual bodies/authorities concerned.

Mr. Jenkin

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister by what process the composition of regional chambers is determined. [147289]

Mr. Raynsford

The composition of the voluntary regional chambers is a matter for each chamber. However they are designated under the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998 as representative regional bodies to scrutinise the plans and activities of the regional development agencies. To meet the criteria for designation and receipt of grant their membership needs to be representative of the range of views and interests within the region. The Government expect at least 30 per cent. of Assembly members to come from stakeholder groups, including representative of business, trades unions, environmental, consumer and other groups.

The remainder come from local government, and reflect the broad political balance across the region. The selection process for membership varies from region to region.

Mr. Jenkin

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what proportion of members of regional chambers are local councillors. [147290]

Mr. Raynsford

The proportion will vary slightly between regional chambers but in order to be designated under the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998 as representative regional bodies must not exceed 70 per cent. of the total membership.

Mr. Jenkin

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list each member of each regional chamber; and what the(a) political and (b) trade union affiliation of each is. [147291]

Mr. Raynsford

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not record such information. It is up to each regional chamber to decide its own membership within the guidelines that, for designation, at least 30 per cent. of members must come from stakeholder groups.