§ Mr. Peter BradleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he proposes to consult on the administrative guidance promised to regional development agencies on sustainable development and rural policy. [64741]
§ Mr. CabornWe have recently consulted on draft statutory guidance for Regional Development Agencies on the development of their regional strategies. In that guidance we have stressed that RDAs should take an integrated and sustainable approach to tackling economic issues across their regions, taking account of the particular features of their rural areas.
The guidance notes on sustainable development and rural policy that are being issued in draft today are intended to assist the RDAs on these matters. Copies are being sent to those national and regional organisations which have expressed an interest in these areas, and are also available on request from the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions. I am placing copies in the House Library.
The drafts build on informal soundings taken both within and outside Government and will form part of a package of guidance to be available to the RDAs early in the new year.