§ Baroness Byfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Rural Proofing report (page 10), in which departments the distribution of the checklist was limited or delayed; and if any, where it still has not been fully implemented. [HL315]
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§ Lord WhittySince April 2002 checklists have been distributed and fully implemented in all government departments listed in the report.
§ Baroness Byfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Rural Proofing report, whether all departments have now appointed a liaison person with a cross-cutting or corporate function. [HL316]
§ Lord WhittyAll government departments have an appointed person who works as an initial departmental contact for rural issues.
§ Baroness Byfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
Which departments were unable to arrange for the chairman of the Countryside Agency to meet the Secretary of State in connection with the Rural Proofing report. [HL322]
§ Lord WhittySince the publication of theRural Proofing 2001–02 report, the chairman of the Countryside Agency has met with either Secretaries of State or Ministers from all departments with which meetings were requested.
Arrangements have also been put in place for the chair of the Countryside Agency to go with the Minister of State for Rural Affairs to meet other departments and consider their view of rural areas.
§ Baroness Byfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
What progress has been made in implementing rural proofing region by region. [HL324]
§ Lord WhittyConsiderable progress has been made in Government Offices for the Regions, with all eight (outside London) taking steps to implement rural proofing. Since April Defra and the Countryside Agency have worked with the Government Office Defra Directors to define the Government Office rural proofing tasks and priorities, and to produce a rural proofing checklist tailored to Government Office needs.