Regional Assemblies (Hansard, 26 March 2002)

§ Mr. Evans
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans the Government have to establish regional assemblies in England; and what the implications will be for the shire counties. [45835]

§ Dr. Whitehead
The forthcoming Regional Governance White Paper will set out our proposals for elected regional assemblies for England, including the implications for local government.

§ Mr. Liddell-Grainger
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much the regional assembly board in the South West is paid; and what payments members are entitled to. [45282]

§ Dr. Whitehead
This is a matter for the Assembly which is a voluntary body.

§ Mr. Liddell-Grainger
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what role the South West Regional Assembly has in determining Government policy in the South West. [45273]

§ Dr. Whitehead
The South West Regional Assembly has an important role in the region in both scrutinising the regional development agency and in acting as a strategic focal point for the region. The Government is keen to take account of the Assembly's view, but there is no direct role in determining Government policy in the South West.

§ Mr. Liddell-Grainger
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions974W how much funding the regional assembly in the South West receives from (a) Government and (b) local sources. [45283]

§ Dr. Whitehead
The South West Regional Assembly (SWRA) is a voluntary body funded by local authorities and others in the region. Last year the Government announced £500,000 worth of funding for the SWRA as part of the £15 million fund for regional chambers over three years. The SWRA have recently submitted their plans for 2002–03 and 2003–04 amounting to a bid for £1.2 million from the fund. Other elements of the Assembly's budget are a matter for the Assembly.

§ Mr. Liddell-Grainger
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what type of projects in the South West Regional Development Agency's area the regional assembly may(a) reject and (b) recommend. [45277]

§ Dr. Whitehead
The assembly has no role in the SWRDA's decisions on projects.

§ Mr. Liddell-Grainger
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what criteria he has set for joint working between regional development agencies and regional assemblies; and which is the lead organisation. [45276]

§ Dr. Whitehead
The Regional Development Agencies Act 1998 allowed for the Secretary of State to issue directions to require a RDA to have regard, in formulating and reviewing its strategy, to any views expressed by the chamber. No directions have been issued under this provision as the voluntary arrangements between the RDAs and chambers have precluded the need for this.

§ Mr. Liddell-Grainger
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what role the regional assembly has in scrutinizing the working of regional development agencies; and if the regional assembly may turn down recommendations made by regional development agencies. [45281]

§ Dr. Whitehead
The Regional Development Agencies Act 1998 allowed for the Secretary of State to designate a voluntary grouping of stakeholders in the region as the regional chamber for the regional development agency (RDA), and each region now has a designated chamber (or assembly). It also allowed for the Secretary of State to issue directions to require a RDA to have regard, in formulating and reviewing its strategy, to any views expressed by the chamber. No directions have been issued under this provision as the voluntary arrangements between RDAs and chambers have precluded the need for this.