HC Deb 02 December 1999 vol 340 c277W
Mr. Dobbin

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what involvement Regional Development Agencies will have in monitoring social exclusion in the regions. [100518]

Ms Beverley Hughes

The Government have developed a set of 9 core "State of the Region" indicators which the RDAs used to inform the development of their strategies. These include an indicator entitled "Percentage of the population with above average living conditions" which is based on the standardised mortality ratio. In their strategies, RDAs have also developed, or have given a commitment to develop, further indicators which address the specific features of their region. These will include indicators covering some key social issues.