§ 9. Joyce QuinTo ask the Minister of State for Cabinet Office what recent discussions he has had with(a) regional development agencies and (b) regional authorities and chambers about his Department's responsibilities for regional governance in England. [23451]
The Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of StateOver the past few months, my ministerial colleagues and I have met a wide range of regional leaders, including representatives of regional development agencies, regional chambers, local authorities and other stakeholders across England to discuss regional governance. As we prepare the White Paper we have been encouraging a wider public debate on the issues. Ministers are actively encouraging views from all concerned.
§ 10. Mr. Win GriffithsTo ask the Minister of State for Cabinet Office when he last met Ministers of the devolved institutions to discuss issues relevant to regional government in England. [23452]
The Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of StateI reported on progress on our White Paper on English regional governance to the annual plenary meeting of the Joint Ministerial Committee on 30 October 2001. The devolved Administrations expressed their support for extending the benefits of devolution where there was a regional demand for it, and offered to assist the process based on their own experience of devolution to date.
The territorial Secretaries of State are members of the Committee on the Nations and Regions which has been meeting regularly under my chairmanship to oversee the development of the White Paper.
§ 18. Mr. LansleyTo ask the Minister of State for Cabinet Office what plans he has to change the function of Government offices in the regions. [23462]
The Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of StateWe are continuing to develop the role of the Government Offices so that they can operate across the full range of Departments whose policies and programmes have a local or regional impact.
§ 22. Mr. FallonTo ask the Minister of State for Cabinet Office how many of the Government offices of the regions the Deputy Prime Minister has visited since June. [23466]
The Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of StateSince June, I have visited three Government offices. My hon. Friend the Minister of State Cabinet Office has visited five Government offices.