§ Andrew TurnerTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what representations he has received since 1997502W from organisations and individuals other than hon. Members on (a) the financial implications of the costs incurred by the Isle of Wight Council due to physical separation from the mainland, (b) the case for the Isle of Wight to be recognised separately from Hampshire in the compilation of regional statistics and (c) the implications for the Isle of Wight of being included with Hampshire in the compilation of regional statistics. [108838]
§ Mr. RaynsfordThe information is as follows:
- (a) The Isle of White Council have made representations in successive local government finance settlements, and in response to last summer's formula grant consultation, stating that they incur costs from separation from the mainland which should be recognised.
- (b) and (c) Since 1997 the Office for National Statistics has been approached directly by the Isle of Wight Council several times, most recently in 2002, and has been asked to contribute to a reply to a request that the Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce made of the Department of Trade and Industry in 2002.