§ Mr. Barry FieldTo ask the President of the Board of Trade who was responsible for the designation of the Isle of Wight under NUTS level II; and if he will set out the decision-taking process and probable timetable for the redesignation of the Isle of Wight under NUTS level III; and what decisions in respect of NUTS designation require the agreement of the European Commission. [35593]
§ Mr. Ian TaylorEurostat, the statistical office of the European Community, has responsibility for the designation of NUTS areas across the Community. The Government yesterday issued a consultation document proposing changes to the UK's NUTS structure to reflect the creation of unitary authorities in England, Scotland and Wales and the decision by the Government statistical service to present regional statistics using the areas represented by the Government offices for the English regions. A copy of the consultation document, which outlines the decision taking process and likely timetable, is being placed in the Library of the House. The final decision on the NUTS areas is for Eurostat.