§ Mr. HammondTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether elected regional assemblies will have power to determine transport-related priorities within their regions. [150077]
§ Mr. RaynsfordThe transport powers of elected regional assemblies were set out in the White Paper "Your Region, Your Choice: Revitalising the English Regions" (Cm 5511).
Elected regional assemblies will be responsible for identifying transport priorities and producing a regional transport strategy, advising the Government on funding allocations for local transport schemes and for allocating Rail Passenger Partnership grants. They will also have powers to make proposals to the Highways Agency and the Strategic Rail Authority for schemes of regional importance.
§ Mr. HammondTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether he expects elected regional assemblies to have the power to determine how public spending within the region is allocated [150079]
§ Mr. RaynsfordThe finance powers of elected regional assemblies were set out in Chapter 5 of the White Paper "Your Region, Your Choice: Revitalising the English Regions" (Cm 5511).
Assemblies will be funded primarily by central Government grant and will have freedom to spend their funding as they judge best.
§ Mr. HammondTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister which powers elected regional assemblies will take from existing local authorities. [150080]
§ Mr. RaynsfordThe powers and responsibilities of elected regional assemblies were set out in the White Paper "Your Region, Your Choice: Revitalising the English Regions" (Cm 5511). The Fire White Paper, "Our Fire and Rescue Service" (Cm 5808), published in June 2003, subsequently announced that responsibility for the fire and rescue service will transfer to a regional level in regions which choose to have an elected assembly. Other than this element, the powers of elected regional assemblies will not be drawn from local authorities.