§ 25. Mr. BlizzardTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make it his policy to assist the economic regeneration of peripheral areas of the country. [19420]
§ Angela EagleThe Government are committed to pursuing policies that pursue jobs, growth, and competitiveness in a sustainable way that is compatible with protecting the environment and promoting social cohesion. This commitment is put into practice through initiatives such as the Single Regeneration Budget which supports partnership-led projects which address local needs and priorities. Our proposal to establish regional development agencies in England from 1 April 1999 will ensure that these policies and initiatives are taken forward in a way which takes account of all interests within regions—urban, rural, sub-regional and local.