HC Deb 09 December 1997 vol 302 c495W
Mr. Luff

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what will be the future role and responsibilities of the Rural Development Commission and if he will make a statement. [19749]

Mr. Carbon

We are considering this as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review. We expect to reach conclusions in the New Year.

Mr. Curry

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) when he last met the Chairman of the Rural Development Commission to discuss the future of the Rural Development Commission; [19782]

(2) pursuant to his oral statement of 3 December 1997, Official Report, columns 357–59, when he received a request from the Chairman of the Rural Development Commission for a meeting to discuss the future of the Commission. [19819]

Mr. Caborn

Ministers in the Department of the Environment, Transport and Regions had several meetings with Lord Shuttleworth at which the future of the Rural Development Commission was discussed, including on 21 July, 23 July, 16 September and 2 December 1997.

Lord Shuttleworth's letter requesting a meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister to discuss the future of the Commission was dated 27 October 1997.