§ Mr. Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what representations he has had in response to the Government's White Paper on Regional Government, Your Region: Your Choice. [71958]
§ Mr. RaynsfordTo date, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has received around 1,100 representations on the White Paper, of which around 200 commented on stakeholder involvement with elected regional assemblies.
895WIn addition, we have received around 1,500 postcards as a result of a campaign organised by the Cornish Constitutional Convention, which seeks a referendum on establishing a Cornish Assembly.
§ Mr. Stephen O'BrienTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the Regional Government White Paper. [71975]
§ The Deputy Prime MinisterThe White PaperYour Region, Your Choice takes forward our Manifesto commitment to allow the English regions the opportunity to choose whether to establish an elected assembly. We intend to introduce a Bill to provide for regional referendums and associated local government reviews as soon as Parliamentary time allows.