§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will set out the basic features of the successful bids to the Rural Development Commission which enabled them to win the rural challenge competition.
§ Mr. AtkinsI launched rural challenge on 14 February 1994. Detailed bidding guidance was issued on 29 March. In judging the 17 finalists, the panel gave particular priority to bids which involved partnerships drawn from the private, public and voluntary sectors and the local community; demonstrated innovative approaches which could be replicated more widely; respected and enhanced the environment and promoted good design; levered in a high proportion of private sector investment; and offered good value for money. The six winners which Lord Shuttleworth and I announced on 24 November clearly demonstrated those features.