§ Mr. HarveyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to consult on ways of improving(a) the procedures for producing and (b) the content of regional planning guidance; and if he will make a statement. [22151]
§ Mr. CabornThe Department will be publishing a consultation paper early in the New Year which will set out proposals for improving both the procedures for, and the content of, Regional Planning Guidance.
§ Mr. HarveyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which English regions have regional chambers in place; for how long each has been established; and whether their boundaries match those of the Government Offices of the Regions. [22153]
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§ Mr. CabornRegional chambers of the type envisaged in the Government's White Paper "Building Partnerships for Prosperity" published on 3 December do not yet exist but almost all regions are making progress towards the creation of chambers which includes representatives of all the regional stakeholders.
§ Mr. HarveyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how long the terms of appointment will be for members of RDA boards. [22148]
§ Mr. CabornThe length of appointment will be determined separately for each board member.
§ Mr. HarveyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will review the borders of the Government Offices of the Regions to reflect other regional organisations and groups. [22150]
§ Mr. CabornWe have no plans to do so at present.
§ Mr. HarveyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list for each of the English regions the number of members of RDA boards whom he plans to appoint on the grounds of their expertise in rural affairs. [22154]
§ Mr. CabornOutside London every RDA board will include at least one board member who can contribute a strong rural perspective, and more in regions with larger rural areas.
§ Mr. HarveyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if it is his policy to publish(a) the remuneration given to members of RDA boards and (b) details of allowances which are claimed by board members. [22147]
§ Mr. CabornDetails of the remuneration of RDA board members will be published in the Office of Public Service's annual publication "Public Bodies". Such remuneration and also a statement of the total expenses payable to board members—being reimbursements and other expenditure in respect of travelling, subsistence and hospitality—will be published in RDA's annual accounts which will be prepared in accordance with directions issued by the Secretary of State.