§ Mr. BrazierTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which English county councils are involved in discussions with EU institutions on the issue of the creation of Euroregions; and if he will make a statement. [16996]
§ Mr. CabornI am not aware of any discussions, although I know that Kent County Council is working with neighbouring areas of continental Europe to create an informal "Euroregion", for co-operation on issues of common interest, comprising Kent, Nord-Pas de Calais in France, and Belgium. Also, two English county councils, Kent and East Sussex, are involved with other local partners in the Interreg 2 programme, a Community Initiative which aims to increase transfrontier co-operation. Through these programmes the county councils are linked with their neighbouring French departments, Nord-Pas de Calais and Seine-Maritime/Somme, respectively.