§ Mr. Spenceasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when the Development Commission for England last reported to him; whether it conducts discussions about funding only with his Department; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe Development Commission's forty-first report covering the period from 1 April 1982 to 31 March 1983 was presented to my right hon. Friend on 9 November 1983. My right hon. Friend and I frequently discuss both funding and policy with the commission, which receives grant-in-aid from this Department. The526W commission also has direct links with other Government Departments on rural issues. The recent White Paper on buses, for example, proposes that £1 million per year should be made available to the commission to help stimulate the provision of rural transport.