§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will list English Partnerships property portfolio in Cumbria; [91461]
(2) if the ownership of the freehold of the Cockermouth offices of English Partnerships will be vested in the North West Regional Development Agency. [91456]
§ Mr. Meale[holding answer 21 July 1999]: Details of the properties transferred from English Partnerships to the North West Regional Development Agency are contained in a transfer scheme made under section 36 of the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998. A copy of the relevant pars of the scheme has been placed in the Library of the House.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, (1) pursuant to his answer of 6 July 1999,Official Report, column 449, what estimate has been made of the additional costs of relocating English Partnerships offices from Cockermouth to Penrith in (a) this and (b) the next financial year; [91466]
(2) if he will publish (a) the information concerning the transfer of staff from the Cockermouth offices of English Partnerships offices to Penrith which was taken into account when the value for money aspects of the move were considered by the North West Regional Development Agency and (b) the report into the value for money aspects of the move which was considered by the Agency prior to the decision being taken; [91467]
(3) if the report into the value for money aspects of the move from Cockermouth to Penrith by English Partnerships was made available to the two members of the Regional Development Agency from Cumbria prior to the decision being (a) taken and (b) announced. [91468]
§ Mr. Meale[holding answer 21 July 1999]: Decisions concerning location are a matter for the North West Regional Development Agency. I understand that it was the objective of the Board of the Agency to find a location for its Cumbria office which was accessible both within Cumbria and from the rest of the North West region. The Board took the view that Penrith meets these criteria, whereas Cockermouth does not, and other locations do so less well.
I understand that the Board took into account the implications for staff travel costs set out in my answer to my hon. Friend on 6 July 1999, Official Report, column 449.
I understand that the Board Members from Cumbria were present during the discussion of the location of the Cumbria office and concurred both with the criteria to be applied and the choice of Penrith.
I understand that the additional cost of relocating from English Partnerships offices in Cockermouth to Penrith cannot be determined until negotiations are complete, but that in the Board's view the additional cost will be offset by increased public accessibility and operational efficiency.