§ Mr. HarveyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has had from each regional development agency concerning the budgets given to them by his Department; what his response has been; if he will list the regional development agencies with which his Department is in dispute over the budget allocation; what mechanisms he plans to introduce to enable regional development agencies to negotiate for their budgets in the future; what impact disputes between the regional development agencies and his Department on the budget allocation are having on the day-to-day running of the agencies; and if he will make a statement. [80795]
§ Mr. MealeMy right hon. Friend the Minister for the Regions, Regeneration and Planning has received a letter from the Chairman of the South West of England Regional Development Agency about funding for staff engaged on projects to regenerate the Royal William Yard, Plymouth and Temple Quay, Bristol. Discussions476W are taking place between officials of the Department and officers of the Agency and my right hon. Friend will reply to the Chairman as soon as these are complete.
There have also been contacts between officials in the Department and officers in other regional development agencies about their budgets. These discussions have been constructive and do not amount to our being "in dispute" with the agencies.
For future years, the agencies will bid for resources as part of an annual corporate planning round.