HC Deb 18 June 1998 vol 314 cc277-8W
Mr. Maclean

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the projected public expenditure settlement for(a) the Rural Development Commission and (b) the Countryside Commission for each of the next two years. [45667]

Mr. Meacher

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 27 March 1998,Official Report, columns 289-91, that the Countryside Commission will merge on 1 April 1999 with that part of the Rural Development Commission which is not to be incorporated into the Regional Development Agencies.

Spending plans for the rest of the Parliament will be announced as part of the outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review which will be reported to Parliament before the summer recess. Detailed plans for individual programmes will follow.