§ Mr. LuffTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister which organisations he is consulting in Worcestershire as part of his soundings exercise on the possibility of holding a referendum on a West Midlands regional assembly. [88416]
§ Mr. LeslieThe soundings exercise that was launched by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister on 2 December 2002 invites views, information and evidence from people on the level of interest in each English region (outside London) in holding a referendum about establishing an elected regional assembly. Views are welcome from any person or organisation on this issue. The paper giving details about this exercise and inviting responses, along with a pro forma for responding, is available on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website. Paper copies are also available.
With regards to Worcestershire (as for all English regions outside London), the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has written to its principal local authorities, MPs and MEPs inviting views, information and evidence. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has written similarly to the following regional bodies in the West Midlands: the West Midlands Regional Assembly (regional chamber); the West Midlands local government association; TUC Midlands region; Institute of Directors West Midland Region; Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry; CBI West Midlands; West Midlands Constitutional Convention; and Sustainability West Midlands. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has, of course, written to the equivalent bodies in the other English regions outside London.
I have placed a list of all organisations in England contacted about this soundings exercise in the Library.