HC Deb 10 May 1999 vol 331 cc4-5W
Mr. Harvey

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many staff transferred to each regional development area from(a) English Partnerships, (b) the Rural Development Commission, (c) Government offices, (d) regional development organisations and (e) other bodies. [82922]

Mr. Meale

The table shows the number of staff transferring to each regional development agency on 1 April 1999. The figures exclude temporary staff and

Number of staff transferring to RDAs on 1 April 1999 by source organisation
Region development agency English partnerships Rural development commission Government offices Regional development organisations
Advantage West Midlands 26 7 30 57 0
East of England 9 15 13 0 0
East Midlands 35 11 13 29 0
North East 85 9 27 91 0
North West 83 8 20 44 0
South East of England 16 9 15 0 0
South West of England 44 23 13 44 5
Yorkshire Forward 60 11 33 63 0

Mr. Harvey

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what staff with environmental expertise have been recruited by each regional development agency. [82923]

Mr. Meale

Staff transferring from English Partnerships, the Rural Development Commission and Government Offices to take forward transferring functions, will have, or will have access to, any necessary environmental expertise to carry out the work. RDAs have been recruiting for a wide range of posts, including strategy development and corporate functions. Where environmental expertise is relevant to the post this will have been a consideration in the advertisement and selection process. RDAs will also be establishing links with a range of organisations, some of which will be able to provide advice on environmental issues. However, separate records are not kept on the environmental expertise of individual staff in the RDAs.