§ Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) how many responses to the Government's regional Government White Paper(a) favoured, (b) opposed and (c) suggested alternatives to devolved regional assemblies based on the Government's favoured boundaries, broken down by the region of the address of each response. [76088]
(2) how many responses to the White Paper, Your Region: Your Choice, as a proportion of the total (a) were from Cornwall and (i) favoured the concept of setting up an elected Cornish Assembly and (ii) favoured regional Government based on the Government's favoured boundaries, (b) were from addresses outside Cornwall and favoured an elected Cornish Assembly,(c)were from the Government's South West zone and favoured a regional assembly based on the Government's favoured boundaries, (d) were from Cornwall and opposed any form of regional assembly and (e) were from addresses outside Cornwall but within the Government's South West zone and opposed any form of regional assembly. [76091]
§ Mr. RaynsfordThe Government did not formally consult on any specific aspects of the White Paper other than on involvement of stakeholders in the work of elected regional assemblies. Nevertheless, we are currently undertaking an analysis of all of the 1,100 formal responses received on the White Paper—I will write to the hon. Member once this has been completed and will place a copy of the letter in the library of the House.
§ Mr. GummerTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what role he envisages for English regional assemblies in the governance of(a) trading standards and (b) the meat inspection service. [75931]
§ Mr. RaynsfordThe Meat Hygiene Service is an executive agency of the Food Standards Agency and provides consistent standards of inspection and enforcement services across England, Scotland and Wales. Enforcement of trading standards is the responsibility of local authorities. The Government has no plans to transfer these functions to elected regional assemblies in England. Our current proposals for the powers and responsibilities of elected regional assemblies are set out in chapter 4 of the White PaperYour Region, Your Choice (Cm 5511), which was published on 9 May.
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§ Mr. GummerTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has for regional assemblies in England to administer the inspection of non-animal foodstuffs upon arrival at a dock or airport within their region. [75918]
§ Mr. RaynsfordThe enforcement and inspection of non-animal foodstuffs from third countries is the responsibility of local authorities at their point of import. The Government has no plans to transfer this function to elected regional assemblies.
§ Mr. GummerTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has for the financial responsibility of the inspection of non-animal feedstuffs to be placed in the hands of regional assemblies in England. [75938]
§ Mr. RaynsfordThis function is primarily the responsibility of the local authority trading standards services. The Government has no plans to transfer it to elected regional assemblies.