HC Deb 19 July 2001 vol 372 cc324-5W
Helen Southworth

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the regional development agencies have prepared annual reports and accounts for 2000–01; and if she will make a statement. [5977]

Alan Johnson

The Regional Development Agencies' annual reports and accounts for 2000–01 have been published today. Copies have been placed in the Library. These cover the period from 1 April 2000 through to 31 March 2001. The Government welcome the continued progress made by Agencies in improving the economic regeneration, skills and competitiveness of the regions.

Mr. Don Foster

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which of the Regional Development Agencies have published an action plan as part of their corporate/business plan for 2001–02 setting out how they propose to develop their evaluation and performance monitoring framework; and how many of those action plans contain a commitment to consulting the general public on the content of the frameworks. [4608]

Alan Johnson

Each Regional Development Agency (RDA) has produced an action plan as part of the corporate planning process for 2001–02 setting out how they propose to develop their evaluation and performance monitoring framework. RDAs are required to publish an abridged version of their corporate plan, but whether or not this includes the action plan is at their discretion. RDAs were not required to consult the general public on the content of the frameworks, although several RDAs are developing and refining their frameworks in consultation with regional partners.